Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga is known as the Yoga of Awareness.
Kundalini Yoga is the fastest acting yoga known as it quickly balances the different systems of the body and opens us to connect with ourselves. It physically works to bring us into balance and release tension and stress. Kundalini Yoga quiets the mind and calms the nervous system, energetically revitalizing our entire system. In Kundalini Yoga we incorporate yoga postures (Asana), breath (Pranayama), saying words with a peaceful vibration (Mantra), using hand positions to direct energy (Mudras) and meditation.
Each Kundalini Yoga Class has a similar structure as follows:
Tuning in
We use the Adi Mantra to connect with ourselves, our Higher Self, our Infinite Inner Teacher and Spirit (whatever that is for you).
Breath (Pranayama)
Breath or Prana is life energy. We learn to use breath to calm the mind, increase energy and vitality and balance the circulatory system. By becoming conscious of our breathing we raise our awareness.
Warm up
We use exercises to prepare the body for the Kriya
Kriya
An exact set of static and dynamic poses (Asanas), Breath (Pranayama), Mantra(sound vibration) and Meditation with a particular intention (ex. Kriya for Pelvic Balance, Kriya Set for Emotional Balance, Kriya for Detoxification ect.).
Deep Relaxation (Savasana)
We lay on our backs and deeply relax to let the energies of the yoga integrate into our system.
Meditation
We finish with a 3 – 11 min meditation. After practicing our Kriyas, and deeply relaxing our entire being is opened up to receive the power of the final meditation.
Closing Song of Blessing
Each class ends with chanting The Long Time Sun song three times. Once to bless us, once to bless our loved ones and once to bless all of humanity.
Tuning in
In Kundalini Yoga we start by tuning in. We tune in using Mantra, the specific mantra we use to tune in is the Adi Mantra. We often chant the Mangala Charn Mantra after the Adi Mantra.
The mantras used in Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan are usually in the sacred ancient Indian language of Gurmukhi or in English. The mantras we chant hold the vibration of peace, love, prosperity, connection and many other qualities. While chanting the mantra’s you may have a sense of one or more of these qualities.
Adi Mantra
The Adi Mantra is “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” and means I bow to the Creative Wisdom, I bow to the Divine Teacher within. When we say we are tuning in with this mantra we mean we are tuning into the Divine flow and self-knowledge within each of us. This mantra also connects us to the Golden Chain of teachers and Yogi Bhajan. It is chanted at least three times at the start of each Kundalini Yoga class.
Mangala Charn Manta
The Mangala Charn Manta is a mantra of protection. You can chant this to invoke the protective energy of the universe. Yogi Bhajan said, “when you cannot be protected, this mantra shall protect you. When things stop, and won’t move, this makes them move in your direction.” It is chanted on one breath and repeated 3xs. This is my favorite rendition of the Mangal Charn Mantra, the video has a beautiful meditation sequence that I just learned this summer on a backpacking trip with some dear friends, give it a try its delightful.
“Chanting a mantra is also considered a meditation and can include a mudra (hand position), breathing in a certain way, and the sound of the words.Correct pronunciation of these ancient Kundalini Yoga Words, vibrates different parts of the roof of the mouth, touching on meridian points, balancing and stimulating different parts of the body and brain, and listening to the sound inside you. That, plus how many minutes or hours a person chants, all combine to bring you safety, to inner states of awareness (enlightenment) and change. “
