Kundalini Yoga

ANNOUNCEMENT: 🧘‍♀️ It’s been requested by a number of students to practice Kundalini this Monday (Aug 14). ⬇️

KUNDALINI YOGA CLASS

WHEN:  Monday, August 14

TIME:  6:30pm

WHERE:  3rd Str STUDIO (535 upstairs)

PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED:

10 Spaces Available

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF KUNDALINI … ⬇️

What is Kundalini yoga?

A form of yoga that involves chanting, singing, breathing exercises, and repetitive poses. Its purpose is to activate your Kundalini energy, or “SHAKTI”.

SHAKTI is a spiritual energy that's said to be located at the base of your spine. As Kundalini yoga awakens this energy, it’s supposed to enhance your awareness and help you move past your ego. Sometimes, the practice is also called “yoga of awareness.”

Although Kundalini yoga is practiced around the world, its origin is unknown. The concept of Kundalini energy has been around for centuries and was mentioned in ancient Vedic texts from 1,000 B.C.

Kundalini yoga is most associated with Yogi Bhajan, a yoga teacher from Pakistan. He’s credited with introducing the practice to Western countries in the 1960s.

The term “Kundalini” comes from the Sanskrit word “KUNDAL,” which means “CIRCULAR”. It also refers to a coiled snake. According to practitioners, Kundalini energy is like that coiled snake: it sits at the base of your spine, sleeping and unaroused.

Kundalini yoga is practiced to activate this energy, which allows it to move up and through the chakrasalong your spine.

In yoga, chakras are the 7 main energy centers in the body.

1. root chakra

2. sacral chakra

3. naval chakra

4. solar plexus chakra

5. heart chakra

6. throat chakra

7. 3rd Eye chakra

8. crown chakra

As Kundalini energy rises, it’s believed to help balance the chakras and contribute to your spiritual wellness.

With regular practice, Kundalini yoga is said to lead to spiritual enlightenment. This is called a “Kundalini Awakening.”

How does Kundalini differ from other types of yoga?

Compared with other forms of yoga, Kundalini yoga is a more spiritual practice.

It still involves physical movements, but they aren’t the primary focus. This is different from hatha or vinyasa yoga, IE. both revolve around physical poses.

Kundalini yoga is a more precise and repetitive practice. Whereas other types of yoga flow with breath, Kundalini yoga combines chanting, singing, movements, and breathing in specific patterns.

Breathe, Mantras, Kriyas, & Mudras

Kundalini yoga consists of 6 main components, done in the following order:

1. OPENING CHANT:  Every class begins with an opening chant, AKA “TUNING IN”.

1. PRANAYAMA or WARMUP BREATHING EXERCISE: The goal of pranayama is to practice breath control. And sometimes you’ll do movements to stretch your spine.

1. KRIYA:  A kriya is a sequence of postures, pranayama, mudras (hand positions), sounds, and meditation. The length and intensity of the kriya depends on the instructor.

1. RELAXATION:  Allows your body and mind to absorb the effects of a kriya.

1. MEDITATION:  Instructor guides you through meditation to cultivate awareness.

1. CLOSING CHANT:  Class ends with a closing chant.

Benefits:

Kundalini yoga has several science-backed and anecdotal benefits. ⬇️

Stress & Anxiety Relief

Like other forms of yoga, Kundalini yoga can help relieve stress and anxiety.

In a small 2017 study participants experienced immediate stress relief after doing Kundalini yoga. This effect continued after they practiced for 3 more months.

Similarly, a 2018 study determined that 8 weeks of Kundalini yoga lowered participants’ anxiety levels. The researchers concluded that Kundalini yoga may be an effective treatment option for people with generalized anxiety disorder.

Improves Cognitive Function

In a 2017 controlled trial researchers studied 81 participants with mild cognitive impairment. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group practiced Kundalini yoga, while the other group received memory enhancement training for 12 weeks.

While both groups showed significant improvements in their memory at the end of the study, only the Kundalini group showed short- and long-term improvements in their executive functioning. This includes skills such as reasoning, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility, among others.

In addition to cognitive improvements, the group that practiced Kundalini yoga also had fewer symptoms of depression at the end of the study.

Boosts Self-Perception

A small 2017 study found that Kundalini yoga may improve body positivity and self-acceptance. These benefits were observed in 9 women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

According to the researchers, Kundalini yoga helps treat eating disorders by improving self-perception and self-appreciation.

Spiritual Enlightenment

It’s believed that as your Kundalini energy awakens, you become more spiritually connected with yourself and others. These benefits have not been scientifically proven, but are instead supported by anecdotal evidence.

The benefits may include the following:

• more empathy

• increased creativity

• improved charisma

• increased energy

• internal peace

Is Kundalini yoga safe?

Kundalini yoga, like all yoga, should be practiced with safety in mind.

Use caution if you:

• have breathing issues

• have joint pain

• have an injury

• have balance problems

• are pregnant

If you’re not sure whether Kundalini is safe for you, talk with your doctor to find out if there are any precautions you should take or if there’s a safer exercise option to try.

Bottom Line

Kundalini yoga is more spiritual than other types of yoga. Various other types of yoga combine asana with breath to increase heat in the body, and to create equanimity with students inhales and exhales.

Kundalini combines chanting, singing, movements, and breathing in specific patterns to promote spiritual enlightenment.

There are several science-backed benefits of Kundalini yoga. According to research it may help:

• ease stress and anxiety

• improve cognitive functioning

• boost self-perception

• Improve self-appreciation

If you’re pregnant or have breathing issues, an injury, joint pain, or balance problems, talk with your doctor to make sure Kundalini yoga is safe for you.