Yoga BLOG

©iStock.com/ velusariot Many people equate Kundalini Yoga with complicated tantric teachings that also have a religious overtone. This style of yoga is not only suitable for particularly spiritually minded yogis. Because it fundamentally involves body, mind and psyche equally. Kundalini opens a path to the conscious release of inner energies. All exercises are designed to activate your life force as Kundalini energy. The special mixture of pranayama, mantras , mudras , meditation and dynamic asanas has an energizing effect on body, soul and mind. Yogi Bhajan as master and pioneer Physical, mental, and spiritual powers slumber within every human being. If these can be united through Kundalini Yoga, people can be healthy, happy, and in the sense of the oldest Indian religion also live holy lives. This centuries-old tradition, originating in northern India, has only spread in the Western world since the mid-1960s. Yogi Bhajan played a major role in this. As a practicing Sikh, he advocated for finding and utilizing wisdom in everyday life. As a master of Kundalini, Yogi Bhajan paved the way for the several hundred Kundalini Yoga centers that now exist worldwide. He is the founder of the 3H organization, which stands for "healthy, happy, and holy." This spiritual yoga promotes healthy, happy, and holistic well-being. The systemic teachings of Yogi Bhajan as comprehensive (self-)training "Coiled, coiled" is the meaning of the word "kundala" in Sanskrit, the sacred Vedic language. A coiled snake at the base of the spine symbolizes the Kundalini force, which must be awakened and encouraged to rise. This sounds esoteric, but Kundalini-style yoga is essentially a wonderful, relaxing, and meditative blend of breathing techniques (pranayama) , sound systems (mantras), hand gestures (mudras), and dynamic physical exercises (asanas) familiar from Hatha Yoga. Through this special yoga practice, you will find inner peace, gain clarity, awaken your energy, and stabilize your health. Only specially trained teachers are allowed to teach Kundalini Yoga and hold classes, usually in designated Kundalini facilities. Kriyas in Kundalini Yoga A special feature of Kundalini Yoga are the special series of exercises called kriyas. Instead of practicing individual asanas, as in Hatha Yoga, this style of yoga is structured into specific series of exercises. This makes the physical exercises very dynamic and allows you to flow. A non-slip yoga mat is recommended to ensure good grip during the asanas. Each chakra is activated by a specific kriya. The sequence of movements lasts several minutes and aims to unleash energies through yoga, which have a healing and cleansing effect on the body. If you are unable to perform individual kriya exercises for health reasons, your yoga instructor will show you alternatives. This way, you can protect your knees, back, and other muscles. The interrelationships between body, mind and psyche Being human cannot be limited to physical, mental, or spiritual aspects alone. Only the interplay of all these components is truly "human." Kundalini Yoga creates the connection. In practice, this type of bodywork is a demanding challenge that requires practice, strength, and concentration. Engaging in this type of yoga is rewarding in many ways because of the positive changes you experience. What does Kundalini Yoga do? The blend of pranayama, mantras, mudras, meditation, and dynamic asanas has a holistic effect on the body. You will benefit from this special form of yoga on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. Effects of Kundalini Yoga: • Release of energies from within • Increase in life energy • Opening of the chakras • Increasing your own awareness • Increased serenity • Strengthening balance Prepare for possible cleaning reactions Be prepared, however, for some exercises to initially cause irritating side effects. These so-called cleansing reactions can occur depending on your personal sensitivity. Such reactions include temporary mild nausea, feelings of cold or heat, inner fluctuations, joint pain, and headaches. However, the pleasant sensations and effects far outweigh the negative ones. In the long run, your mood will improve and stabilize, and you'll find an upright posture—both internally and externally. Who is Kundalini Yoga suitable for? There isn't just one Kundalini Yoga, but a multitude of different forms, allowing you to set your own priorities. Common to all styles is the conscious improvement of physical strength, flexibility, and awareness of oneself and others. The importance of philosophical and spiritual aspects varies greatly depending on the teacher and school. Kundalini Yoga according to Yogi Bhajan Kundalini Yoga according to Yogi Bhajan is a good fit for you if you're ready to identify your sources of strength through meditation and if you enjoy physically demanding exercises with fast, flowing movements. These are precisely what characterize this style of yoga. Compared to traditional Hatha Yoga, static physical exercises are rare in Kundalini. A classic Kundalini Yoga class begins with a welcome and warm-up. This is followed by exercises called kriyas, which alternate with relaxation exercises. Meditation concludes the class. Kundalini for advanced yogis Do you already have experience with Kundalini and would like to learn more about the tantric chakra teachings? Then yoga practices with a holistic Vedic approach are suitable. These also aim to adapt your lifestyle and diet, as well as increase body awareness. There is a greater emphasis on cleansing and sensing the chakras as energy centers, and advanced breathing exercises such as the " breath of fire " are also offered. You will learn to consciously allow the Kundalini energy to flow and gradually ascend from the lowest energy center. Do you practice Kundalini Yoga? Or would you like to give it a try? In our yogabox.de community, you can connect with other enthusiastic yogis.

Kundalini meditation Kundalini meditation is an interesting variation for those who don't like its more silent counterpart. This very special form of meditation, developed by Osho, is primarily characterized by its integrated shaking movement. This places it in the category of so-called active forms of meditation, in which the primary goal is to move from physical movement to a silent inner perspective. To achieve the latter, the meditator must, of course, first rid themselves of all distracting factors. Accordingly, the 'shaking phase' symbolizes shedding unnecessary ballast. For only when the vessel is empty can it be filled with good things. According to its founder, Osho, the active stage also activates the serpentine force, or Kundalini, which not only helps to get rid of old and outdated elements but also to draw new energy. Meditation made easy – the Kundalini form as an interesting alternative for active people Kundalini meditation can be a suitable solution for both beginners and those who generally have difficulty sitting still. So, if you're looking for a bit more movement and have been putting off starting meditation until now solely because you're worried about not being able to concentrate for long periods, then you should give Kundalini meditation a try. It's a colorful mix of elements such as shaking, dancing, meditating, and stillness. These are divided into four 15-minute phases, each practiced to the sounds composed by Chaitanya Hari. Kundalini meditation is particularly well-suited for after work, as it allows you to quickly switch off, leave the problems and demands of the day behind, and fully focus on a phase of relaxation and recovery. Several processes are involved, which are naturally due to the different activities. In the dynamic phases, there is an increase in heart rate and blood circulation. The period of silence, in turn, leads to a drop in blood pressure and heart rate. Kundalini meditation also results in increased attention and muscle relaxation. Naturally, this particularly effective form of meditation, often referred to as the twin of Osho Dynamic Meditation, also has a positive effect on your general state of mind and spirit. Because those who dance will simply no longer be able to concentrate on the dark side of life. Rather, this phase, together with the shaking, leads to the dissolution of all blockages and a free flow of energy, which almost automatically brings happiness, contentment, and balance. Accordingly, the worries and troubles of everyday life will soon seem small and insignificant; you will gain a healthy distance from your problems and ultimately be able to master them confidently. The individual stages of Kundalini meditation – instructions and tips No matter where you practice Kundalini meditation, the specially created music is a must. Furthermore, you shouldn't try to force a particular effect or reaction in any of the different sections, but simply let everything come to you. For the introductory phase, this means waiting until your body begins to tremble on its own. If it does, you can help it along a little. However, under no circumstances should you be the initiator or conductor of the various movements. This also applies to the second stage. Simply dance as you feel. Here, too, the focus is primarily on the activity, not the specific steps. The third stage is for slowly calming down. You can do this while standing, sitting, or lying down, with your eyes open or closed, simply listening to the music. Finally, lie down on the floor and begin to listen within yourself and enjoy the silence. Image © anvino / 123rf.com