3 Things You Need To Know About Kundalini Yoga

3 Things You Need To Know About Kundalini Yoga - and how it helps you connect with your inner self

“SAT NAM” (bij mantra) - To be true, to connect to the essence of you.

Nowadays, it’s easy to think of yoga as just a great workout that’s perfect for improving flexibility and strength. 

While that’s certainly true, yoga is also a powerful healing practice. 

Kundalini yoga is a special form of yoga that is designed to activate your Kundalini energy or shakti. Kundalini derives from the Sanskrit word “kundal’, which means ‘circular’ and its spiralling energy is referred to as a coiled snake, situated at the base of the spine. The energy and the potential of Kundalini is dormant within us, until aroused. This spiritual energy can enhance your awareness, control and connection to yourself and the people around you.

The Kriya - the flow of a Kundalini Yoga Class. Every Kriya is different and works towards a unique experience and a specific outcome. (ie Kriya for Self Reliance, Kriya to withstand the pressures of the times).

The Meditation - to still the mindwaves. In a Meditation practice, the ‘Ojas’ (neurochemical transmission fluid) become increasingly refined offering a higher level of energy & a higher consciousness. Therefore giving a stronger ‘Shakti’ presence. That is the importance of Meditation, a gateway to non-duality. A harmonious consciousness, to be alive and present in a continual mind stream, accepting the flow of existence rather than snap-shots of a linear, task orientated existence.

The Relaxation - to allow the body to absorb the effects of the Kriya and to align with the energy of the Mother Earth for deep healing.

Kundalini Yoga is a way to reconnect with your inner consciousness and recentre.

Here are 3 things you need to know about Kundalini yoga - and how to get started with this healing, grounding practice.

1. Kundalini yoga has 4 key facets

Kundalini yoga is all about connecting with yourself on a deeper, more intimate level. The practice includes many different elements, including:

• Hatha Yoga - The yoga of postures
• Bhakti Yoga - The yoga of devotion and mantra
• Raja Yoga - The yoga of meditation and physical control
• Shakti yoga - The expression of power and energy

Each of these elements has a role to play in Kundalini yoga, helping to centre your mind, strengthen your body and help awaken your inner spiritual energy. Kundalini yoga is a route to mindfulness.

2. Each class includes 6 essential elements

In every Kundalini yoga class, your teacher will take you through a series of skills to help you achieve more mindfulness and focus.

• Pranayama - The control of the Breath, the life force, for healing.
• Asana - The flow of the Kriya, a sequence of different postures.
• Mudra - The shape of the hands, to control the consciousness.
• Drishti - Eyeline focus to support balance, concentration and stimulate the optic nerve.
• Bhanda - Body Locks for spinal alignment and to enhance the effect of the Kriya.
• Mantra - The vibration of repeated Sounds, to elevate the consciousness.

The flow of each class is shaped by the Kriya - which means ‘action’ in Sanskrit - the pose or sequence of poses that are linked to specific breath work or meditation. 

Your Kundalini yoga teacher will choose different kriyas based on specific areas of the body to achieve different results, such as strengthening your core, improving spine flexibility or stretching and working the legs and glutes.

3. It is about balance

Overall, Kundalini yoga works to balance and harmonise your Chakra system, releasing subconscious blocks and helping you to feel lighter, freer and more in control.

Kundalini yoga is about achieving a careful balance of the mind, body and spirit. Every session aims to help you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. At the same time, it helps to awaken your physical and mental strength, enhancing your immune system, improving circulation and strengthening your respiratory system.

While Kundalini yoga can be beneficial for everyone, it is especially effective for anyone experiencing a sudden change, fatigue, anxiety and mild depression.

Kundalini yoga is a route to reconnect with yourself and your inner consciousness. At the end of every session, you can go back to ordinary life with a feeling of oneness, awareness and inner calm. It encourages self-acceptance, control and a sense of gratitude for the present.

Try Kundalini yoga to feel more in balance

Kundalini yoga is a powerful practice for bringing more balance and mindfulness into everyday life.

If you want to try Kundalini yoga for yourself, sign up for a taster class. See the next available session via our class schedule or get in touch today.