Yoga
The word ‘yoga’ means to join together, or to unite. Yoga is the union of an individual’s consciousness with the infinite consciousness. Put simply, merging the unit self with the Infinite Self.
Kundalini Yoga, also known as “Supreme Yoga”, is a physical and meditative discipline that combines postures (asanas), breath (pranayama), meditation and chanting (mantras). These different techniques target different body systems such as our glands, mental faculties, nervous system, nadis, and chakras to clear blocks in our energetic field, allowing for radiance and release of trauma from the energetic body. The ultimate goal is to increase self-awareness by silencing your mind and unblocking your chakras so that vital energy can flow freely.
The ancient teachings of Kundalini Yoga derive from India and were kept secret, taught to royalty and nobility for thousands of years. It was brought to the western world by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960’s and has grown in popularity in the western world.
Each class can help one become aware of much more than just the strength of the body. You will chant, do physical postures, breath-work and meditate to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mentally, you learn to use the clarity of the neutral, intuitive, comprehensive mind and as a result, develop your relationship to your mental potential.
Kundalini refers to energy (Shakti) at the base of the spine, the energy of the consciousness, which in the vast majority, lays dormant. Kundalini Yoga awakens this energy up our spine, through our chakras. This helps develop consciousness, spiritual strength and awareness, which in turn help move beyond the ego. It is the Yoga of awareness.
The practice involves the purification of the nadis (channels in the body), balance of the chakras, and in this process, the Kundalini Shakti (life force energy) is awakened. Kundalini is yoga for the mind, body, and spirit.
- Kundalini practice for awakening the hidden energy.
- Kundalini Yoga clears blocks in your energetic field.
- Enhances your memory and focus, enhancing cognitive functioning. Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation recommends a Kundalini kriya for improving memory retention.
- Mudras for saving the energy in the body in order to be happy, from inside – out (not outside – in).
- Bandhas for awakening and channelling the hidden energy in the right direction.
- Kundalini helps get out of insecurity. It develops your relationship to your mental potential.
- Kundalini Yoga practice helps develop a strong immune system, vital glands, strong nervous system, good circulation.
- Pranayama for adjusting the energies and developing improved breathing patterns.
- Meditation for relaxing and calming the mind, to achieve stability and stillness.
- Studies show that Kundalini Yoga – specifically the deep breathing techniques used during it can decrease the risk of hypertension. Long, slow breaths calm your autonomic nervous system and reduce stress, therefore lowering blood pressure.
- Kundalini Yoga strengthens the core and diaphragm through the combination of breath and postures. In turn, this helps improve digestion and metabolism as cited in research by NCIB where researchers found it to speed up metabolism.
- Kundalini Yoga quietens the mind (thoughts that leave one feeling stuck, fearful, insecure so that the heart and soul can flourish).
- Builds strength and resilience (builds strength in our core energy).
- Kundalini helps you transcend and transform your subconscious habit of self-belittlement (your mind has an infinite horizon).
- Builds an awareness of the impact of your habits.
The reality of every human mind is that it is both infinite and creative in potential. Yoga explores your depth, dimensions, nature and potential as a human being, for you to experience the Infinite Self.
About
I am a KRI Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher since 2016. Both my Yoga and Meditation practice has been part of my life for over 7 years and help me live more mindfully. I am a vocal advocate for centredness, nutrition, higher consciousness, authentic living from the heart and self-empowerment. Outside of Yoga, I am a qualified Nutritional Therapist and Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist. I am grateful and humbled for every opportunity to be myself and to be a Yoga teacher and Hypnotherapist who can help others especially during COVID-19 where the immunity of our physical body, emotional wellbeing and mental health have been paramount. I welcome you to join me in the journey of awakening.
With love and light,
Mnveer
There is no grace in you but to learn. There is no power but to share what you have learned with all. Share with compassion.
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What is difference between Kundalini and Hatha yoga?
Hatha yoga is the physical branch of the yoga tradition and focuses on the structure of the body to help relieve stress and to provide strength in one’s mind and body. Hatha yoga can decrease stress, regulate metabolism, and heal some physical ailments. You can leave a class with a deeper connection to your body, muscular flexibility, strength, relaxation and overall well-being and health.
Kundalini Yoga uses breath-work (pranayama), yogic postures, mantras and meditation to balance chakras, activate the kundalini energy (Shakti); helping to strengthen and target the nervous and glandular systems, mental faculties and nadis. Each class can help one become aware of much more than just the strength of the body. It helps to facilitate a change physically as well as emotionally, and spiritually. Mentally, it develops your relationship to your mental potential. You learn to use the clarity of the neutral, intuitive, comprehensive mind. Kundalini Yoga is yoga for the mind, body, and spirit.
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Is Kunalini Yoga dangerous?
No. Some experience Kundalini Yoga as a practice that shook them and woke them up. This is because some kriyas provoke and confront the ego, which likes to lean toward pleasure and comfort – however, there is little emotional, mental, spiritual growth in pleasure and comfort. It requires effort and discipline to release the ego’s grip on our consciousness.
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What can I expect from a Kundalini Yoga class?
A Kundalini Yoga class is made up of the following elements:
Tuning In: when we practice Kundalini Yoga, we tune in by chanting ‘Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo’, connecting us to the purity of the infinite teacher living within each of us.
Breath (Pranayama): breath is life energy itself. When we learn how to breathe consciously, we can calm our minds and master all aspects of our lives.
Kriya: a Kriya is an exact, dynamic combination of postures (asana), breathing and sound – a complete system that balances body, mind and soul, and increases mental clarity and physical vitality.
Meditation: meditation brings awareness and control of our thoughts. Using mantra (sacred sound currents repeated aloud or silently) and mudra (sacred gestures) we can clear negative patterns and connect with our higher consciousness.
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How should I prepare for a yoga class?
- Ideally avoid food for 2 or 3 hours before a class. If you need to eat something, have something light like a piece of fruit.
- Wear loose fitting natural fibre clothing.
- Long hair should be tied up and out of the way.
- Have a bottle of water with you and drink plenty.
- Bring a natural yoga mat and a blanket or shawl to cover yourself whilst relaxing.
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What should I wear?
Ideally, loose and comfortable clothing made of natural fibres (e.g. cotton, linen, wool, hemp). As the class progresses you may become warm, so having layers is often useful. Bringing a shawl or blanket will keep you warm in the relaxation and meditation segments of the class.
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Why do you wear white?
It was taught that wearing all white clothing expands our auric radiance by at least one foot. A strong aura gives us a strong and solid identity and projection and negative influences are automatically filtered.
You do not have to buy a new wardrobe or wear all white to practice. However, it is a highly recommended form of colour therapy, and if you have comfortable and natural fibre white clothes, it is worth trying out for yourself to feel the effect it has on raising your energy.
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I am pregnant, is it safe to practice Kundalini Yoga?
There are certain modifications to yoga for pregnant women, however, Yoga is beneficial during this sensitive time to take time out from a busy life, connect with your body and the changes it is going through, and connect to the new life growing inside.
Many teachers offer specialist pre-natal yoga classes, and this is recommended from the second trimester. Let your teacher know if you are pregnant. It is always recommended to listen to your body and rest when necessary, even if the exercise is not finished.
The following exercises should not be done during pregnancy after 120th day, or if a woman has any medical complications:
- Exercises which apply pressure to the abdominal area (i.e. Bow pose), or which are over-stimulating.
- Breath of Fire. A light Breath of Fire in the first 3 months is permissible if health permits.
- Mulbandh
- Leg lifts (except while lying on the side).
- Exercising to the point of exhaustion.
- Exercises which raise the pulse above 140 beats per minute.
- All inverted postures (i.e. where the hips are higher than the heart – e.g., shoulder stand).
- Sat Kriya
- Venus Kriyas