Yoga is an ancient physical and spiritual practice. For millennia, it has served to maintain health and find harmony with the surrounding world. During this time, many types of yoga have formed. One of the most difficult is considered Kundalini yoga.
History
It is difficult to say when exactly Kundalini yoga originated. Manuscripts with its description have been found, which are about 40,000 years old. However, until the middle of the 20th century, only a few Indian masters practiced it. They passed on this knowledge, initiating their best students into it. The chosen ones made pilgrimages and were hermits for a long time. In 1969, the teachings of Kundalini yoga became known in America, and in the 90s it reached Russia. Today it can be studied in more than 40 countries. This became possible thanks to the activities of Yogi Bhajan (Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji). He was a recognized spiritual leader and successful entrepreneur. Bhajan himself practiced yoga from the age of 8, and at 16 he became a Kundalini master.
The Essence of the Teaching
The word “Kundalini” means creative energy.
It is located at the very bottom of the spine, near the coccyx. According to the teachings, energy is given to a person even during conception and accompanies him throughout his life. However, more often than not, it remains undisclosed. The main task of the teaching is to help a person unleash their potential. Bhajan was sure that everyone has the opportunity to study Kundalini yoga. At the same time, he believed that it is not necessary to retire and become a hermit to practice it. On the contrary, practice should become an assistant in achieving life goals, as it is designed to mobilize the spiritual forces of the practitioner.
Features
Kundalini includes three main methods:
- Halasana - develops spinal flexibility and strengthens muscles;
- Paschimottanasana - enhances the work of the stomach and helps to cope with fat deposits on the waist.
-
Surya Namaskar - opens the heart chakra for divine love.
Many types of yoga promote asceticism and a secluded lifestyle, observing celibacy. Kundalini does not belong to such styles. Bhajan himself said that Kundalini is intended for working and family people. The practice of Kundalini answers many questions: from proper nutrition and maintaining health to doing business and raising children.
Kundalini is considered the fastest of all yoga styles in achieving results. There are sets of exercises designed for only 15-30 minutes. It is believed that a person who practices Kundalini for about 5 years achieves the same effect as a Hatha yoga practitioner in 20 years.
Mantras
Mantras of Kundalini yoga are an integral part of the lesson. Do not underestimate their importance, since yoga is primarily a spiritual practice. Chanting ancient texts helps to distract from everyday problems and concentrate on the lesson. Dozens of mantras are practiced in total. But to begin with, it is enough to study a few basic ones.
- Ong(G) Namo. Text: Ong(g) Namo Guru Dev Namo. Calls for divine wisdom that resides within a person. Sets up before class.
- Aad Guray Name.
- Jugaad Guray Name.
- Sat Guray Name.
- Siri Guru Devay Name. Expresses worship of true invisible wisdom that has passed through the ages. Eliminates doubts, gives determination and protects a person.
- Sat Nam. Text: Sat Naam. Expresses truth in a concise accessible form. In literal translation - I am truth. Designed to awaken the soul and point to its purpose. Most popular in this teaching.
Masters and people who have been practicing Kundalini for a long time often have their own mantra - a spiritual name. It is chosen based on the date of birth and is designed to awaken a specific person to realize creative energy.
How does the lesson go?
Kundalini yoga pays equal attention to both the performance of asanas and breathing exercises.
- Chanting Ong(g) Namo.
- Warm-up, stretching in various yoga poses , sun salutations.
- Performing kriya. It includes breathing exercises, active movements and Kundalini yoga meditations.
- Shavasana.
- Chanting the Sat Nam mantra.
Benefits
Kundalini yoga works in two directions: physical and spiritual.
- Performing asanas strengthens muscles, promotes stretching and makes joints more mobile, heals and rejuvenates the body.
- It has been proven that the meditations of this teaching improve brain function and mental activity, and also have a therapeutic effect.
- The awakening of Kundalini energy makes a person more confident in their abilities and decisive, removes fear and anxiety.
Danger
Kundalini is also called “yoga of consciousness”. This is the main strength of the teaching: when creative energy is awakened, the essence of a person is strongly transformed, priorities and perception change. However, this gives rise to the opinion that the practice of Kundalini is dangerous. This opinion is well-founded. The fact is that the practice of Kundalini energizes and gives strength. This makes an unprepared person act rashly, impulsively. Some sensitive people also talk about physical discomfort, increased body temperature. To prevent this from happening, you need to prepare morally and physically for the practice. Masters advise first to cleanse the body. Be sure to give up cigarettes and alcohol. Practice will help to refrain from bad habits. You can also go on a low-calorie or vegetarian diet.
Contraindications
Kundalini yoga for beginners strongly affects the body and psyche of a person, so you need to approach the practice carefully.
There are a number of contraindications in which it is strictly forbidden to practice.
- Severe physical condition, exacerbation of chronic diseases.
- Recovery period after a stroke or heart attack (at least 3 months).
- Hypertension.
- Heart defects.
- Postoperative period.
- Menstruation.
- Pregnancy. After the birth of a child, you also need to wait before resuming practice.
- Severe mental state, disorder or depression.
- State of alcoholic or narcotic intoxication.
Valentina
I've been practicing since 2016. Life itself somehow led me to this type of yoga - I was in a severe mental state after a divorce... after 3 months I quit smoking; gradually switched to a vegetarian light diet, no alcohol, became positive and relaxed, stopped getting sick.
Anna Lapteva
I have been practicing this teaching for a couple of months and the result is visible both externally and internally. Back pain and migraines disappeared, there is so much energy that it is enough not only for work, but also for my beloved household. I became calm and finally achieved my goal - I quit smoking! I have been practicing this teaching for a couple of months and the result is visible both externally and internally. Back pain and migraines disappeared, there is so much energy that it is enough not only for work, but also for my beloved household. I became calm and finally achieved my goal - I quit smoking!
Denis
I didn't believe in the power of yoga. I really wanted to quit smoking, but I couldn't. My wife simply forcibly dragged me to the gym, where the coach-teacher recommended attending individual Kundalini yoga classes. I agreed, he described everything so beautifully to me. After the first session, my nervous tension began to subside, on the tenth I decided to combine reducing the number of cigarettes a day and yoga classes. After a month I was no longer smoking. If I had a desire to smoke, I tried to do breathing asanas, and at home I completely repeated the course to calm music. I didn't believe in the power of yoga. I really wanted to quit smoking, but I couldn't. My wife simply forcibly dragged me to the gym, where the coach-teacher recommended attending individual Kundalini yoga classes. I agreed, he described everything so beautifully to me. After the first session, my nervous tension began to subside, on the tenth I decided to combine reducing the number of cigarettes a day and yoga classes. After a month I was no longer smoking. If I had a desire to smoke, I tried to do breathing asanas, and at home I completely repeated the course to calm music.
Shmatko Alexander
Interesting article. An excellent variety of Yoga that will allow you to get to know yourself better, your inner world, since Kundalini yoga strongly affects the human psyche, thereby allowing you to transform your essence. Interesting article. An excellent variety of Yoga that will allow you to get to know yourself better, your inner world, since Kundalini yoga strongly affects the human psyche, thereby allowing you to transform your essence.
Kotina Larisa
Hello. I had problems with excess weight, just awful. I tried everything. I was advised, inappropriately, Kundalini yoga. I started practicing, long and hard. I liked the result. I have been practicing for seven years now. The body is toned, and I rejuvenated super Hello. I had problems with excess weight, just awful. I tried everything. I was advised, inappropriately, Kundalini yoga. I started practicing, long and hard. I liked the result. I have been practicing for seven years now. The body is toned, and I rejuvenated super
Natalia
Kundalini yoga helped me get rid of my earthy complexion, extra pounds and fatigue. To deal with all the problems. Kundalini yoga helped me get rid of my earthy complexion, extra pounds and fatigue. To deal with all the problems.