Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Vinyasa yoga class, one that has solid adjustments, a flow and an attentive sequence. I’ve studied Vinyasa for years with the brightest teachers at Jivamukti Yoga in New York, and received my teacher training in this beautiful lineage. It’s a practice that I love to come back to again and again.
But there is something very powerful about the Kundalini practice, which is why I’ve committed to a daily Kundalini sadhana—or daily morning practice. I have noticed a new powerful ability to magnetize opportunities into my life, and I’ve recognized the same ability in the lives of my clients and fellow practitioners. What is Kundalini and why is it such an elemental part of Thyroid.Yoga™ (www.thyroid.yoga) method? Let me explain.
A Royal Yoga
Kundalini is a Raj, or royal lineage. You may also hear it called a “technology,” as my teacher, Guru Jagat, founder of the Ra Ma Institute of Applied Yogic Sciences, describes this potent practice. Guru Jagat is trailblazing the forefront of the Kundalini revolution: “Kundalini yoga is so accessible to anybody. It literally has more mass appeal than any other type of yoga, because anybody can do it – and by that I mean people in peak physical condition all the way to paraplegics can do some form of the yoga. This [points to white turban, an essential Kundalini symbol] has kind of kept people from it, but at Ra Ma we’re working to debunk it without watering it down or apologizing.”
But turbans in LA are becoming a fashion statement! In fact, if you notice a flock of women walking around wearing all white with a sheepskin rug in their tote bags, now you know where they are headed. And you may have seen more airy cotton tunics replacing tight black spandex, and here’s why: Kundalini is the new Vinyasa, and you’ll be next to fall in love.
What are the Elements of Kundalini?
Kundalini yoga works on the nervous and glandular systems through the technologies of pranayama (breath work), asana (movement), mantra (chanting), mudra (hand placement), and meditation. These are the five pillars of Kundalini technology, according to Harmanjot. The word “kundalini” literally means awareness and manifesting the hidden potential of that awareness. In the yogic tradition, kundalini energy is portrayed as a coiled serpent lying dormant at the base of the spine. To raise the kundalini, we awaken and enliven this creative energy, expand our awareness and tap our infinite potential. According to kundalini philosophy, we are all in some way asleep and need to awaken to our true selves. Often, an awakening call can come as a form of disease/dis-ease, accident or heartbreak. Such a call often comes as pain. However, the same thing that brings awakening, the touch from our soul speaking to us, is one that often brings us to a deep spiritual practice.
The Age of Technology: a Shift From Boot Camps to Introspection
Our culture is shifting. We are gravitating away from zombie-like, reptilian ways of living and moving. Instead of a boot camp mentality, we are becoming more interested in becoming introspective and receptive. We want to be our own warriors rather than marching in a line, sleepwalking to the beat of someone else’s drum. This change of pace and the demand for inward-looking practices means that many of us are transitioning to Kundalini. We can go even deeper and amplify ourselves to a whole new space after years of practicing Hatha (movement-based) lineages such as Vinyasa yoga.
New? This is What You Should Expect
Typically, a Kundalini yoga class begins with rapid movements of cat/cow to warm up the spine and activate the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, and then breath of fire – rapid breath in and out of the nose to stimulate the deep release of stagnation and toxicity in the emotional and physical body.
Depending on the kriya (sequence), you may experience meditations where your arms are lifted or in a particular mudra (hand placement) for an extended period of time, or asana such as camel bends, leg lifts and push-ups, jumping jacks, or shaking and dancing to loosen anger, doubt, and fear.
Expect to do poses for longer than you’d want to do them on your own. Why? You’ll get past that threshold of comfort—and this is how the emotional and physical layers begin to peel away. Eventually, you begin to strip down the stories you’ve told yourself about why you can’t get x desire, x goal. You will ultimately strengthen your radiant body, so you can become that magnet for prosperity, careers, relationships, and the body that you so deeply desire.
Benefits: What Practicing Kundalini 1-2 Times per Week Can Do
As a new practitioner, it’s important not to get caught up in what you think Kundalini should be. Focus on your experience – you’re entering a gathering of enlightened saints, high-vibrational souls. Show up, do your best, and come back again, again and again. You will absorb more from the practice than you realize.
1. Kundalini yoga wakes you up, literally. It activates your pineal gland, your connection to higher guidance.
2. It strengthens your intuition so you live in a space of trust rather than like a zombie in a world of pain and numbness.
3. It gives you the power to distinguish from the fear-based messages you are bombarded with from society and the news, so you can be more as intuitive and strong.
4. You will replace insecurities with security. Through specific breathing exercises and mantra, you can design and commit to a daily practice with grace that will literally reprogram your subconscious patterns!
5. You can become a magnet for love, abundance and prosperity. By strengthening your radiant body through specific kriya and sound current, you will naturally attract and sustain the relationships and wealth you deeply desire.
Would you like to experience this powerful practice for yourself and learn how to naturally support your thyroid? You’re invited to watch my course on MindBodyGreen to start feeling better and understand how to live happier and healthier today!
If you’re looking to take this even deeper, I invite you to my Thyroid Yoga Intensive taking place live in Australia from Nov 10-12, 2017 and virtually, globally on live stream! Learn more at https://www.thyroid.yoga/teachertraining
Check out the book Yogi Eats by Guramrit Khalsa for delicoius recipes that match the meditative yogi lifestyle.
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