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Kundalini Yoga (as taught by Yogi Bhajan) is a Raj or Royal yoga.
It is the yoga of self and outer awareness. It brings you the
power to master yourself; to be controlled by no-one. Kundalini
Yoga is one of the most powerful sets of tools you can use to deal
with today's high-stress world. Use it to create a life that is
healthy, happy and harmonious.
Kundalini is also called the yoga of angles. It uses sets of physical
exercises (kriyas) and/or breathing techniques (pranayam) in harmony
with other tools such as mantra (sound current), mudra (hand positions),
drishtis (eye focal points) and bhands (body locks) to intensify
the effects of the kriya.
 These
very simple but highly effective techniques and exercises are
done alone or in combination. Developed over the millennia, these
empowering techniques produce immediate results. They quickly
and effectively clean the blood and body of toxins. They build strength
and endurance on many levels. They clear the mind of unwanted and
unhealthy thought patterns. And, they create new opportunities for
growth and prosperity in life.
All yoga is beneficial. It works to access the unlimited
supply of creative energy inherent in each of us. This energy, known
as Kundalini, can be likened to our untapped human potential.
By directly engaging the circulatory, nervous, glandular, respiratory
and other body systems you will learn to:
 •
Handle stress in a productive way
• Create more mental and physical energy
• Strengthen and tone muscles and organs
• Clear physical and mental blocks
• Gain confidence and conquer fears
• Be in control of your emotions
• Understand the impact of your habits
• Balance your hormonal/glandular secretions
You have a choice, to practice one or two ingredients of yoga
to raise your Kundalini over an extended period or use a complete
recipe for faster results. In otherwords, if all roads lead to Rome,
Kundalini is a shortcut!
 Kundalini
Yoga, works systematically and directly on the physical level. It
also has powerful effects on the subtler realms of mind and thought
patterns, consciousness, creativity and spirituality.
Each of the techniques have specific restorative or eliminative
effects on the body. This is achieved through the stimulation of
pressure points, glands, nerves, muscles etc. In turn, this balances
and strengthens the body's energy centers (chakras) and pathways
or meridians (nadis), as well as immune, metabolic and circulatory
systems.
What Kundalini Yoga Isn’t
• It’s not a religion but it’s
definitely spiritual and is practiced by people of many different
religions. Mostly done with your eyes closed, it allows you
to quiet the mind so that the still voice within, your higher
knowledge, awareness, consciousness – whatever you want
to call it – can be accessed and utilized to help you
get the most out of your life
• It’s not about perfect alignment though posture
is important. A yoga for the householder, any one can do it.
You go at your own pace and use modifications where necessary.
You do what you can do. Challenge yourself but don’t kill
yourself
• It’s not about being able to hold your breath
forever but it does give easy fast acting tools you can use
anywhere. Driving, on the phone, in a line up. Breathwork/pranayam
plays a huge role in KY. You simply use the breath to move the
stagnant unhealthy energy out of your physical body.
• It’s not about being a saint. It is about accepting
where you are on your path and utilizing your unique human talents
of intuition, creativity, compassion, awareness, grace, and
commitment to get back on your path whenever you find you’ve
taken a detour.
• It’s not a cult. It is the use of ancient techniques
to calm the mind and heal the body. These are techniques that
are now being scientifically verified through quantum physics,
MRIs, cat scans, and other modern medical technologies.
• It’s not every one’s cup of tea. But if
you want to make some real changes in your life but have not
had the flexibility, commitment, grit –whatever was lacking
you CAN use this yoga to get you through it. You do not have
to BELIEVE in it but IF you DO it. You WILL see positive changes.
It may feel frustrating at first. Nothing worthwhile is easy.
The truth shall set you free. But first it will piss you off.
~ Gloria Steinem |
Yogi Bhajan
Aug 1929 – Oct 2004
 Born
Harbhajan Singh Yogi Bhajan revealed Kundalini Yoga to the Western
World in 1969 – an act that caused him to have his life threatened
in his native Punjab. Kundalini Yoga was previously only secretly
handed down from Master to Student after many years of study. Giving
these highly guarded teachings to Westerners was sacrilege. However,
Yogi Ji, as he is fondly known, recognized the aching desire of
the Western World for a spiritual uplifting. For this gift we are
eternally grateful.
Along with being a Kundalini and Hatha yoga master Yogi Bhajan was
a religious, community and business leader with a distinguished
reputation as a man of peace, world-vision, wisdom, and compassion.
“If you cannot see God in all you can not
see God at all.”
~ Yogi Bhajan
Follow these links for more info on his life:
www.3ho.org
www.sikhnet.com/yogibhajan
Everything is a Mirror!
A Note from Nomi:
Brought up a Bahai, I was raised to honor and respect all belief
systems – or lack thereof as in the case of my formerly,
atheist husband. Visiting churches synagogues, mosques, temples
and gurdwaras I came to believe
the Universal Source, God, Ultimate, Infinite Creative Consciousness,
whatever inadequate term we might find, is completely unknowable.
No matter how hard we try we’ll never truly comprehend.
Though we all can experience It. I also believe no one group has
all the right answers - we all have piece(s) of knowledge to share
with each other. I feel we can create more glimpses of this Ultimate
reality through the use of meditation, yoga, play, sharing, prayer,
art therapy, chanting, music and pranayam and other tools. I learn
and receive just as much healing as my guests. We are all each
others’ teachers no matter what our earthly relationships.
“ If God is everywhere then there is nowhere God is not.
Including inside of you.”
~ Wayne Dyer
Glossary
Chakras: Centres of energy. Primary ones are found
all along the spinal column coinciding with glands and nerve centres.
Chakra means wheel of energy
Guru: Transformative Teacher or teaching. Gu -
darkness, Ru - light. That which turns darkness into light
Mantra: Sound currents or sound energy, a vocalization
of sound vibrations created in the mouth. Their form -- words, use
reflex points located on the roof of the mouth to stimulate areas
of the brain. A mantra is the creative projection of the mind through
sound. It has power, structure and a predictable effect on the human
psyche chakras and glands.
Mudra: Hand positions that lock, seal, or guide
the energy flow and reflexes to the brain. The areas on the hand
correspond with certain parts of the body, brain, behaviours and
emotions.
Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo: The Adi or Primal Mantra. It is
the tuning in mantra for Kundalini Yoga. It means: I bow to the
Infinite/Divine teacher; I bow to the teacher within.
Prana: Life force of the atom, the positive, growth
force within us. Apana is its opposite the negative
eliminative force. Both are governed by the Ida
and Pingala
Sadhana: Daily spiritual practice. Can be yoga,
prayer, meditation or another form of mindfullness.
Sat Nam: Sat - Truth, Nam - Identity. Truth is
my identity. This is a seed, or Bij, mantra. One of the simplest
mantras used to keep the mind focused. Also used as: Sa Ta Na Ma.
Wahe Guru: Exclamation mantra. Wahe - Wow, Guru
- God (that which turns darkness into light). Wow, God is great!
View full Glossary
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