kundalini yoga: awakening in all its aspects

What does kundalini yoga consist of?

Discover an ancient yoga which aims to awaken and channel your spiritual, sexual and vital energies through the body and mind. Face chanting of mantras, a white turban and work around sexuality. Look into kundalini yoga, this atypical discipline that has changed the lives of many practitioners. 

The origins

Kundalini yoga is considered the original yoga in the eyes of yogis. It dates back thousands of years to India, around 5000 years ago. At the beginning of its era, this yoga was reserved for kings for many years. It was only in 1969 that the practice was brought to a wider public byr Yogi Bhajan. At that time, he worked as a customs officer and saw hippies passing by looking for meaning in their lives without achieving it. Based on this observation, he decided to create the Kundalini and moved to California to help this community. From then on, he taught at the University of California in Los Angeles and reached out to hippies to free them from the influence of drugs. Subsequently, he founded the organization 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) to teach Kundalini yoga. It was a global success. 

The principles of kundalini yoga

First of all, it is important to note that kundalini yoga is essentially based on physiology and the psychic. It is a path between the the nervous system and the spinal cord. These are central elements of this type of yoga. Precisely, it targets these two parties. But then why? Because the nervous system is the one that controls your imagination, thoughts, intelligence and memory. Within this system is the spinal cord which is responsible for posture and position. Kundalini yoga is there to take care of them. 

If kundalini yoga is perceived as the first yoga, it is because it brings together different essential elements of yoga such as asanas, THE mantras, THE pranayama, there meditation, THE mudras and the bandhas. The discipline is based on kriyas which are movements accentuated by short relaxations. 

In addition, it is closely linked to the tantra philosophy. This is why it is also called tantric yoga. The latter explores the connection between the universe and the individual using the energies present in the body. In the West, tantra represents the sex. Its property is spiritual growth. The goal is to increase the energy of lower chakras and the energy centers which bring together the selfish and earthly desires towards the higher chakras more inclined towards love and relationship. 

What is Kundalini?

The concept of kundalini is the primordial energy mentioned in ancient texts such as the Puranas, the Upanishads and the Yoga sutras of Patanjali. These describe kundalini as a powerful sleeping life force, comparable to a snake coiled around the spine. The energy begins at the base of the spine and rises in a spiral through the chakras. It represents the innate spiritual potential in every human being. Unfortunately, it is often blocked by factors you encounter such as stress, trauma or energetic imbalances. 

Furthermore, kundalini yoga aims to'awake and of let the energy flow through body and mind. When kundalini is active, it purifies the chakras and balances energies. This can lead to high levels of consciousness, mental clarity, spiritual expansion, increased creativity and physical well-being. It's a kind of personal development. 

 Postures

Kundalini yoga is based on breathing exercises, of the meditation and physical postures from the hatha yoga. Furthermore, the asanas used are worked in such a way that there is a synergy between breathing, mantras and meditation to bring out vital energy. 

The easy posture

The easy posture is a meditation exercise used as an intro and at the end of the session. This involves sitting with your legs crossed and your hands placed on your knees. Then lengthen your spine, gently straighten yourself, trying to find a balance between relaxation and alignment. Continue by relaxing your shoulders and face. Then you have the choice to close your eyes. Focus on your breathing, take slow, deep breaths through your nose. Become aware of your breathing by connecting to your breath. Stay like this for a few minutes, letting the thoughts flow. 

This posture is effective for center the body et prepare the mind to meditation. 

Lotus pose 

Sit on the floor with your legs straight. Next, bend your right leg and place your right foot on your left thigh. Do the same for your left leg. Knees should touch the ground. Finally, place your hands on your thighs and lengthen your spine to gently raise it. 

Do not hesitate to practice it to promote the awakening of kundalini. 

Bow posture

To begin, lie on your stomach with your arms at your sides and your palms open towards the sky. Next, bend your knees by grabbing your knees. Your ankles should be hip-width apart and your knees equidistant. During an inhale, push your feet back while lifting your head, thighs, and chest off the floor. You should feel a stretch in your chest, shoulders, hips, and thighs. Hold the pose while breathing deeply for a few moments. 

During this time, it is recommended to visualize your open heart exploding with energy. Feel your energy flowing through your body. It is a position that is associated with the activation of the heart chakra which represents love, compassion and harmony. By practicing this posture, you promote kundalini energy. 

Cobra pose

To perform it, lie on your stomach, legs straight and feet together. Place your hands flat on the floor, below your shoulders. Fingers point forward. While inhaling, straighten your arms and gradually lift your head and chest off the ground. However, your pool remains on the ground. Extend your chest and shoulders. Tilt your head back slightly. Stay like this for a few deep breaths. In this way you open your heart chakra. 

Course progress

The practice of kundalini yoga begins with a centering of the body where the teacher shares words of inspiration, intentions or advice for the rest of the course. Then the students are invited to connect to their breathing and become aware of their presence. The session continues with warm-ups with gentle movements, joint rotations, stretching or other exercises to welcome the energy. Subsequently, the kriya takes place with specific exercises, postures, mantras and breathing depending on the objective to be achieved. Each kriya can work on a specific area whether physical, mental or awareness. Also, they can last a few minutes or an hour.

Let's continue with the pranayamas and the meditation. During this time, specific breaths are carried out to purify your body or calm the mind. Next comes meditation where mantras, hand gestures and visualizations are used to raise awareness or refocus. Then, a time of relaxation is dedicated with a savasana to stabilize the energy. Finally, the session ends with a moment of sharing of experiences. 

The benefits

Kundalini yoga offers many virtues for body and mind. With regular practice, here is what you can achieve: 

• Strengthening the immune system 

• Stabilizes anxiety and stress

• Maintenance of vital energy

• Balance emotions

• Regulates the nervous system

• Develops intuition and awareness

The important points of kundalini yoga

Kundalini yoga is an ancestral practice considered the “mother” of yoga. It is Yogi Bhajan who developed the discipline in 1969 in the United States. It is based on the biology and the psyche. This yoga believes in connection between the spinal cord and the nervous system and yoga soothes them. How is it ? Through pranayamas, of the mandras, of the breathing, mudras, bandhas et kriyas. In addition, this form of yoga is also based on the tantra. He believes in the connection between the earth and the individual via energies present in us, these are the genitals. Finally, yoga uses the notion of kundalini which is a dormant life force buried within each of you. It helps to purify the chakras and to achieve high levels of consciousness, physical well-being etc. 

Postures & course progress

THE postures can be breathing exercises, meditation and physical postures. Here are a few that help prepare you for meditation and welcome kundalini: 

• The easy posture

• Lotus pose

• Bow posture
• Cobra pose

Regarding the course of a course, it generally goes like this: 

• Accueil

• Warming up

• Kriya

• Pranayama and meditation

• Relaxation and savasana

• Closing

Finally, here are the benefits to obtain : 

• Strengthening the immune system 

• Managing anxiety and stress

• Maintains vital energy

• Stabilizes emotions

• Regulates the nervous system

• Develops intuition and awareness

Learn to develop yourself personally at POSES

Do you want to see another side of yoga? Come find your safe place at the house of POSES. 

POSES is 50 minutes in the dark, in your bubble learning the postures of dynamic yoga mixed with reinforcement and exercises to body weight. 

At POSES you can go at your own pace and move as you please. You will be accompanied by a coach who will guide you through the movements.