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KUNDALINI YOGA
Kundalini Yoga is an authentic system of yoga exercise and meditation that promotes health, happiness, and spiritual awareness. It is a complete science that combines postures (asanas), movement, sound current (mantra), breath (pranayam) and meditation into powerful sets. It is designed to provide you with the experience of your highest consciousness through the raising of your Kundalini. It has been called The Mother of All Yogas because it’s the original system from which all other Yogas stem.
 Kundalini Yoga is a physical and meditative discipline, comprising a set of simple techniques that uses the mind, senses and body to create a communication between mind, body and spirit. Kundalini yoga focuses on the body's potential for maturation, giving special consideration to the role of the spine and the endocrine system.
Kundalini Yoga concentrates on chakras in the body in order to generate flow of energy upward (energizing) and downward (cleansing) along the spine. Literally, kundalini in Sanskrit is 'That which is coiled' (Sanskrit kund "to burn"; kunda "to coil or to spiral"). Kundalini is the potential form of Prana, Qi, Chi or life force, lying dormant in our bodies. It is conceptualized as a coiled up serpent lying at the base of our spine, which can spring awake when activated by Kundalini Yoga disciplines.
The spinal cord is a long column of nervous tissue that acts as the pathway for transmitting information between the brain and the body at the speed of light. It is encased by a series of bones, the vertebrae, which allow for flexibility of the back and protect the very delicate spinal tissue. Different levels of the spinal cord control different parts of the body. There are 31 segments in the spinal cord and each controls a different movement. For example, cervical level 1-2 (C 1-2), the highest and closest to the skull, controls breathing; C 5-6 (the most common injury site) is at the bump where your neck meets your back and controls fingers and hands. At each segment, nerves leave the cord, nerves that are responsible for specific parts of the body. Nerves from the body also enter the cord at each segment, providing sensory information about specific body parts to the brain.
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In additional to nerves coming into and out of the spinal cord at different segments, the spinal cord also conveys information between the brain and spinal cord and vice versa. Large bundles of nerves, called tracts or columns, run, for example, from the motor centers in the brain down the spinal cord and connect to pools of motor neurons that are responsible for movement.
In Kundalini Yoga one of the most important benefits is maintaining a healthy body via a flexible spine. The yogis say that youth is determined by the flexibility of your spine. Low back pain and upper back stress are some of the most common health complaints of adults. The best way to avoid backaches is to take care of your spine on a daily basis. There are no quick fixes for back pain, but Kundalini Yoga exercise sets are an effective maintenance program.
Even though Kundalini Yoga is a Power Yoga, Kundalini Yoga is more than just a great physical workout. Called the Yoga of Awareness, it is an incredible experience in awakening and raising your consciousness, keeping you young, giving you fullness of heart while it heals you on a cellular level, giving you health, happiness and the ability to commit while building character and stamina. And you don't have to be an acrobat or gymnast to experience the sublime power of your creative potential being released.
In Kundalini Yoga we want to proceed with the realization that our true strength comes from within. We want to go beyond muscular strength alone, to faith in the flow of spirit. In light of this, breakthroughs become a way of life. Kundalini Yoga recognizes that a strong nervous system, and healthy glandular system, are pre-requisites to live a life of celebration discipline and radiance.
Through Kundalini Yoga people have healed themselves of the pain of physical illness, mental pressure, drug and alcohol addiction, and more. Because Kundalini Yoga develops the total person, practitioners also become more intuitive, more sensitive, and more subtle within the shortest possible time. In yogic tradition, Kundalini is the latent spiritual energy within every person that can be awakened by the practice of yoga.
PRACTICE
 Practicing Kundalini Yoga allows you to build a healthy body, keep it in shape, increase your vitality, train your mind to be strong and flexible in the face of stress and change, and make contact with your infinity, your innate inner wisdom as well as open the door so that you can fulfill your potential. It balances the glandular system, strengthens the nervous system, and enhances creative potential. Through breathing techniques and meditation, peace of mind can be obtained giving an experience of deep inner calm and self-confidence. It gives you the vitality and health that is your birthright. It makes you radiant, peaceful and strong so that you can meet life's challenges and win.
Kundalini Yoga is much more "concentrated" than other yogas. It is also safe to practice on your own since the postures are not dangerous for beginners. The practice of Kundalini Yoga consists of a number of bodily postures, expressive movements, breathing patterns, and degrees of concentration. None of these postures and movements should, according to scholars of Yoga, be considered mere stretching exercises or gymnastic exercises.
It is important to understand that that during the Kundalini Yoga sessions, the practitioners go through two stages: an energizing stage and a cleansing stage. One must always end the session on the cleansing stage. The Qi or Prana energy intensifies its flow in two opposing directions circulating mainly between two of the eight extraordinary vessels. The Governing and Conception vessels are the main energy rivers of the body. They both have energy pathways on both the anterior and posterior vertical mid-line of the body. These two lines join at the extremes of the torso, the head and perineum, forming a complete circle of energetic current. One direction follows the Fire Cycle, moving Qi along the Governing Vessel, flowing up the spine and down the chest. The Conception Vessel follows the Water Cycle, moving Qi up the chest and down the spine.
According to Yogic phenomenology Kundalini awakening is associated with the appearance of bio-energetic phenomena that are said to be experienced somatically by the yogi. This appearance is also referred to as Pranic Awakening. Prana is interpreted as the vital, life-sustaining force in the body. Uplifted, or intensified life-energy is called pranotthana and is supposed to originate from an apparent reservoir of subtle bio-energy at the base of the spine. This energy is also interpreted as a vibrational phenomena that initiates a period, or a process of vibrational spiritual development (Sovatsky, 1998).
Two early western interpretations of Kundalini were supplied by C.W. Leadbeater (1847-1934), of the Theosophical Society, and the Analytical Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961). Jung's seminar on Kundalini yoga, presented to the Psychological Club in Zurich in 1932, has been widely regarded as a milestone in the psychological understanding of Eastern thought and of the symbolic transformations of inner peace. Kundalini yoga presented Jung with a model for the developmental phases of higher consciousness, and he interpreted its symbols in terms of the process of individuation. (PsycINFO abstract: C.G Jung - "The psychology of Kundalini yoga". Princeton University Press, 1999)
.BENEFITS OF YOGA
- A greater zest for life
- Increased strength and flexibility
- Strengthens the nervous system
- Increases energy level
- Aids digestion and circulation
- Improved concentration and increased awareness
- Brings clarity to the mind
- Increased ability to manage stress through relaxation
- Reduces stress
- Improved breathing and good health
- Increases lung capacity for better breathing
- Brings balance to the mind, the body and the soul
- Balances Emotions
- Encourages sense of peace
- Strengthens the immune system
EFFECTS OF YOGA
- Muscles and ligaments―Gives a slow, non-violent stretch, stimulates circulation, prevents a build-up of lactic acid and corrects poor posture
- Skeleton― Frees joints, corrects alignment, strengthens spine and releases pressure from inter-vertebral discs
- Circulation―Massages and strengthens the heart and stimulates "stagnant" areas
- Nerves―Believed to remove toxins, increase neuro-transmission, stabilize responses of nervous system to stress and reduce involuntary symptoms
- Glands―Regulates hormonal production and aids cleansing of the glands, improving their function
- Mind―Gives increased clarity, concentration and insight
- Emotions―Brings a calmness, inner strength and an ability to manage difficult situations more skillfully
- Immune System―Balances and strengthens, increases effectiveness of immune cells, increases the ability to fight chronic infection and stimulates the glands and lymph nodes
YOGA AND GOOD HEALTH
- Yoga and Osteoporosis―Yoga is strengthening and weight bearing. It helps to balance the endocrine system, which in turn aid in retaining calcium in the bones. Yoga improves posture and helps keep the spine supple and strong.
- Yoga and Pregnancy―Yoga tones the uterus, helps strengthen the body for labor, improves circulation, strengthens abdominal muscles. Pranayama and relaxation practices are good tools to use during labor.
- Yoga and Menopause―Helps bring balance to hormonal levels, great for strengthening bones, for retaining muscle tone and energy levels.
- Yoga and your Back―Helps correct poor posture, strengthen muscles, support the spine, correct any misalignment, and tone the pelvis and abdominal muscles.
Yoga and Aging―Helps retain strength in muscle and bones, loosens joints, tones internal organs and improves digestion and balance.
- Yoga and Stress Management―Excellent for stretching out tight muscles; pranayama, relaxation and meditation help to release stress and emotions.
- Yoga and Anxiety―Pranayama to help with hyperventilation, relaxation practices to manage and release stress. Asanas help to use up excess energy and bring about a sense of steadiness and stability.
- Yoga and Asthma―Deepens the breath, improves posture, helps open the chest and helps remove congestion from the lungs.
- Yoga and Arthritis―Helps to loosen the joints and keep them mobile, strengthens the muscles to help keep the joints aligned. Helps to balance the immune system and to release the stress of rheumatism.
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HOW TO PREPARE
You should avoid eating solid foods for at least two hours before class, but drinking water is fine. Many visitors bring along a small bottle of water to sip during the session. We have bottles available for sale in the store.
Please wear modest, comfortable light colored/non transparent clothing.
TREADING SACRED WATERS
When Kundalini awakening happens to people who are not on a spiritual path, the experience can leave them fragile and fragmented. As the Kundalini process involves a redefinition and reintegration of self, it adds extra pressure when people wish to suppress the transformation and insist to lead their lives normally.
Of greatest benefit is a supportive framework, which can allow people to make sense of the intricate connection between spirit and the movement of physical energy in the body, rather than fearing they are going insane. It is important to understand that Kundalini awakening is a process that taps into the blueprint for higher consciousness, which is latent within every human.
While the enormous changes associated with a spiritual awakening may demand psychological and social adjustments, they are not in themselves necessarily indicative of illness. Communication and connection with others who can provide support and a meaningful context for understanding the process reduces the isolation and overwhelm and can help to minimize the disturbance. Someone who has the personal qualities of creative adaptation to change and a flexible mental framework is more likely to weather the changes with grace and style than those who are rigid in their beliefs and world view.
ESSENTIAL PRECAUTIONS
When practicing this system of yoga, please be careful about these points:
- There may be heat developing in the body. You may wish to go slow on the exercises a little for some days.
- There may be tingling sensations in the spinal column, palms of the hands or soles of the feet. This is due to energy rising and freely circulating leading to opening of sleeping chakas. You should not bother too much as it will gradually subside.
- Negative thoughts and desire to express violent emotions. This is part of the energy rising and cleansing process
- Kundalini Yoga sessions have two stages: energizing and cleansing. One must always end the session on the cleansing stage..
COMMON MANIFESTATIONS OF THE RISEN KUNDALINI
- Muscle twitches, cramps or spasms.
- Energy rushes or immense electricity circulating the body.
- Itching, vibrating, prickling, tingling, stinging or crawling sensations.
- Intense heat or cold.
- Involuntary bodily movements (occur more often during meditation, rest or sleep): Jerking, tremors, shaking; feeling an inner force pushing one into postures or moving one's body in unusual ways. (May be misdiagnosed as epilepsy, restless legs syndrome (RLS), or PLMD.)
- Alterations in eating and sleeping patterns.
- Episodes of extreme hyperactivity or, conversely, overwhelming fatigue.
- Intensified or diminished sexual desires.
- Headaches, pressures within the skull.
- Racing heartbeat, pain in the chest.
- Digestive system problems.
- Numbness or pain in the limbs (particularly the left foot and leg).
- Pains and blockages anywhere; often in the back and neck.
- Emotional outbursts; rapid mood shifts; seemingly unprovoked or excessive episodes of grief, fear, rage, or depression.
- Spontaneous vocalizations (including laughing and weeping) are as unintentional and uncontrollable as hiccups.
- Hearing an inner sound or sounds, classically described as a flute, drum, waterfall, birds singing, bees buzzing but which may also sound like roaring, whooshing, or thunderous noises or like ringing in the ears.
- Mental confusion; difficulty in concentrating.
- Altered states of consciousness: heightened awareness; spontaneous trance states; mystical experiences (if the individual's prior belief system is too threatened by these, they can lead to bouts of psychosis or self-grandiosity).
- Heat, strange activity, and/or blissful sensations in the head, particularly in the crown area.
- Ecstasy, bliss and intervals of tremendous joy, love, peace and compassion.
PSYCHIC EXPERIENCES
- Extrasensory perception; out-of-body experiences; past life memories; astral travel; direct awareness of auras and chakras; contact with spirit guides through inner voices, dreams or visions; healing powers.
- Increased creativity: New interests in self-expression and spiritual communication through music, art, poetry, and more.
- Intensified understanding and sensitivity: insight into one's own essence; deeper understanding of spiritual truths; exquisite awareness of one's environment (including 'vibes' from others).
- Enlightenment experiences direct Knowing of a more expansive reality; transcendent awareness.
KUNDALINI SYNDROME
Yogi Sharanananda says,
Many people experience Kundalini1 Syndrome2 without ever knowing it, especially practitioners of meditation. When Kundalini energy starts to flow abundantly in a person who has not developed or maintained a clean energy system, then it can cause certain physical, emotional and mental problems. Common physical effects would be overheating, discomfort, exhaustion or hyperactivity. Emotional problems might be heightened temper, depression or manic states. Mental problems might be lack of concentration or oversensitivity to surroundings.
When experiencing Kundalini Syndrome, one should temporarily stop or reduce the Meditation and Yoga practices, and concentrate on purification of the energy bodies. Salt baths and following a vegetarian diet will help to cleanse the energy bodies. Seeing a Pranic/Chi Kung Energy Healer would also be a good idea.
Theorists within the schools of Humanistic psychology, Transpersonal psychology and Near-Death Studies describe a complex pattern of motor, sensory, affective and cognitive/hermeneutic symptoms called The Kundalini Syndrome. This psycho-somatic arousal and excitation is believed to occur in connection with prolonged and intensive spiritual or contemplative practice (such as meditation or yoga) or as a result of intense life experiences or a close encounter with death (such as a near-death experience) (Greyson 1993, 2000; Scotton, 1996; Lukoff, Lu & Turner, 1998; Kason, 2000). According to these fields of study the Kundalini syndrome is of a different nature than a single Kundalini episode, such as a Kundalini rising. The Kundalini syndrome is a process that might unfold over several months, or even years. If the accompanying symptoms unfold in an intense manner—that de-stabilizes the person—the process is usually interpreted as a Spiritual Emergency (Grof & Grof, 1989; Lukoff, Lu & Turner, 1998).
Interdisciplinary dialogue within these particular schools of psychology has now established some common criteria in order to describe this condition. Motor symptoms are thought to include tremors, shaking, spontaneous or involuntary body-movements and changes in respiratory function. Sensory symptoms are thought to include changes in body temperature (feelings of heat or cold), a feeling of energy running along the spine or progressing upwards in the body, a feeling of electricity in the body, headache and pressure inside of the head, tingling, vibrations and gastro-intestinal problems. Cognitive and affective symptoms are thought to include psychological upheaval, stress, depression, depersonalization or derealization, intense mood-swings, altered states of consciousness (trance-like experiences), hallucinations (inner visions or acoustical phenomena), but also moments of bliss and deep peace (Sannella, 1976; Greyson, 1993 & 2000; Greenwell, 1995; Scotton, 1996; Kason, 2000). A roaring noise or other loud auditory hallucination have also been reported, perhaps related to the phenomenon of 'Exploding head syndrome'. Within the mentioned academic traditions this symptomatology is often referred to as the Physio-Kundalini syndrome (Sannella, 1976, Greyson 1993; 2000) or Kundalini experience/awakening (Scotton, 1996; Lukoff, Lu & Turner, 1998). Transpersonal literature emphasizes that this list of symptoms is not meant to be used as a tool for self-diagnosis. Any unusual or marked physical or mental symptom needs to be investigated by a qualified medical doctor (Kason, 2000).
Greyson (1993) developed The Physio-Kundalini Syndrome Index in order to measure the degree of Physio-Kundalini symptoms among Near-Death experiencers. Most researchers within this field believe that the core of the process is not pathological, but maturational, even though the symptoms at times may be dramatic and very disturbing (Greyson, 1993; Lukoff, 1998). According to the field of Transpersonal Psychology the Kundalini syndrome is largely unknown to Western psychiatry. Many writers within this field are consequently working towards a clinical approach to the problem. Possible improvements in the diagnostic system that are meant to differentiate the Kundalini syndrome from other disorders have been suggested (Hansen, 1995; Herrick, 1996; Scotton, 1996; Lukoff, Lu & Turner, 1998; House, 2001; Maxwell, 2001; Grabovac & Ganesan, 2003). Turner, Lukoff, Barnhouse & Lu (1995) has suggested that the Kundalini symptomatology might be placed under the diagnostic category "Religious or Spiritual Problem" (American Psychiatric Association: DSM-IV Code V62.89).
A recent criticism of some of the approaches to this clinical category, and the current interpretation of the symptomatology, has been put forward by Sovatsky (1998). He thinks that it is crucial to differentiate between the symptoms of—what is thought to be—a Kundalini awakening, and the symptoms of different preliminary yogic processes. According to this view many reported Kundalini problems might rather be signs of the precursory energetic state of pranotthana (Withdrawal of the senses from their sense objects; restraining the mind's outward-flowing tendency). A confusion of terms within this delicate area of clinical concern might also—unfortunately—lead to various undiagnosed neurological problems being misdiagnosed as a Kundalini-problem.
In an article from Psychological Reports Thalbourne (2001) discusses whether scores on a 35 item Kundalini Scale is correlated to the concept of Transliminality (a hypothesized tendency for psychological material to cross thresholds into or out of consciousness). The Transliminality Scale, presented by Lange, Thalbourne, Houran & Storm (2000), defines a probabilistic hierarchy of items that address magical ideation, mystical experience, absorption, hyperaesthesia, manic experience, dream interpretation, and fantasy proneness. In an article from the Journal of The Royal Society of Medicine Le Fanu (2002) briefly discusses the similarity between the interpretation of medical "mystery syndromes" and the Kundalini experience.
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