Kundalini Yoga

Yoga is not just a form of exercise. It is known to revitalize your mind, body and soul as well. Here, the brain is quieted and the senses are stilled, generating a calm feeling of well-being. Yoga is an ancient spiritual practiced that originates from India. When one practices yoga, the strength and power play separate roles to achieve a perfect balance in every part of the body and the mind.

There are different types of asanas (postures) that need to be practiced in order to actually benefit from Yoga. Today, millions across the globe practice Yoga.

What is the meaning of Kundalini Yoga?

When one talks about Kundalini Yoga, it actually means the awakening of the Kundalini energy found at the base of the spinal cord. When a student of Yoga starts practicing Kundalini Yoga, he/she activates the Kundalini energy through the various pranayams. This is also considered to be one of the most popular forms of Yoga today. The name is derived from a Sanskrit word, which means ‘coiled up’. The energy is said to be in the form of a coiled snake, hence the term ‘coiled up’. The main aim of the Kundalini Yoga is to awaken the ‘snake’ within. This energy should then travel to the brain, which would enable the person to experience a sublime state of mind.

Once the Kundalini energy is awakened, it passes through different centers or consciousness of the human body. There are seven chakras that provide power or experience, when stimulated. To actually understand the aspects of Kundalini Yoga, one must have adequate knowledge of the Nervous System. This is because the Seven Chakras are believed to be present in this area of the body.

Kundalini yoga involves a number of bodily postures, incantations and breathing patterns. The techniques involve the positioning of the spine, diverse methods of breath control, the use of mantras and also how to improve the mental focus of the person.

It is firmly believed by Yoga practitioners that Kundalini Yoga raises infinite energy and stimulates higher levels for the individual in terms of mental and physical stage. Therefore Kundalini Yoga is also known as the ‘Yoga of Awareness’. The Yoga teacher only hands down the knowledge of Kundalini to the student, once he is personally sure of the student’s commitment towards Yoga.

What does one do to awaken the Kundalini energy in the body?

• Practice Asanas, Mantras and Pranayama
• Practice Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakta Yoga
• Learn to increase the powers of concentration of the mind
• Take the assistance of an expert Guru

There are some precautions one must take when they practice Kundalini Yoga. It is said that if one tries to awaken the Kundalini energy forcibly, it can have other results. When Kundalini Yoga is not practiced in the right manner, it can lead to:

• Mental confusion
• Headache
• Mood swings
• Stress
• Psychosis
• Depression
• Irregular breathing
• Immoral behavior
• Involuntary body movements

This is the prime reason; the Kundalini Yoga needs to be performed with the assistance of a professional teacher. Improper practice of this form is known as the Kundalini Syndrome. The energy, therefore, should never be awakened by force.

What a person would actually require for the Kundalini Yoga is patience, perseverance and ample devotion toward what he/she does. If your energy is awakened, The Yogis claim, that an awakened Kundalini is the beginning of the path that leads towards enlightenment.