Kundalini Yoga
Saturday, April 14th, 2007Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga is meditation technique that is achieved by performing a set of simple postures. The kundalini is an Indian word that means “that which is coiled” or “the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved. Usually the form of this energy is imaged as a snake that slowly rises up through the chakras (energy centers) the body through the spine. Once this energy has traveled upwards from the lowest of the seven chakras at the base of the spine to the highest out of the top of the head then an individual is thought to have reached a state of enlightenment or transcendence. An eighth chakra also hovers high above the human head, which is thought to represent the soul or that which connects us to a higher power. The ultimate goal of kundalini is to achieve this connection through the mindful practicing of yoga postures and controlled breathing.
One of the many purposes of Kundalini yoga is to increase the communication between the mind and the body and create a sense of awareness that allows an individual to function better. The practice of kundalini yoga consists of maintaining of bodily postures, expressive movement, vocalizations, meditations and the holding of specifically prescribed breathing patterns. Repeating a mantra (a phrase) over and over again in the form of a chant is also a characteristic of kundalini yoga practice.
It is a discipline that encourages the body to be the best that it can be when integrated with the greatest potential of the mind. This great potential is only achieved through stillness and the focused awakening of each chakra through the practice of the Kundalini yoga postures.
Kundalini Yoga is also a practice that is considered to be psycho-spiritual in nature and that allows the individual to become more aware of his or her true purpose in life. Long-term practice of kundalini yoga produces the kind of calm and clarity that leads to soul purpose and wise decision making in life. Practicing this form of yoga is also thought to enhance one’s creative powers, fertility and overall stamina.
Practicing kundalini yoga can also help heal past traumas and help one discard emotional blocks and resentments that might be preventing the person from moving forward in life. When healing through the practice of this type of yoga happens it often has a very profound effect that causes the person to experience an epiphany that is forever life-changing. This healing is attributed to the great amount of power that is released in an individual once they have achieved the true release of kundalini up through the spine and out the top of the head.
The theory behind how this works is that most of us have life force (prana) that is trapped in our bodies and that has no way of being released except by practicing spiritual disciplines.
Kundalini yoga is very much associated with the hippie movement because it was not introduced to the United States until 1969. Before that many different Yogis practiced it in secret in the Himalayan Mountains for centuries.
Tags: Kundalini yoga, yoga practice, types of yoga, yoga asanas, mindful practicing of yoga, meditation techniques, Practicing kundalini yoga, Kundalini yoga postures
Popularity: 71% [?]