Kundalini Yoga & Meditation

Each Kundalini yoga class begins with tuning in with the mantra Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo. Loosely translated this means "I call upon the Divine Teacher within me". This mantra sets and calms the mind to be open to guidance, and calls on the lineage of kundalini yogis through the ages, for protection and guidance during the yoga practice. This is called the Golden Chain.

Kundalini yoga is the fast track of yoga and meditational practices. It combines posture, movement, breathing patterns, bandha (body locks) and mantra.

From a regular kundalini yoga class you can expect a series of exercises designed to act in a specific way, called a kriya (which means "action". Examples of kriyas are: to balance the hormonal system; rebuild the nervous system; balance the brain hemispheres; increase the fexibility of the spine, etc.). Relaxation usually follows the kriya and the class will end with a meditation. Kundalini yoga meditations tend to be active in nature, using a hand or arm position, possibly with a mantra (listening or chanting) and again leading to a specific outcome, such as enhancing immunity, increasing human qualities, such as trust, compassion, self love.

Each class ends with the class singing The Sunshine Song:

"May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you and the pure light within you, guideyour way on"

This song of blessing is a conscious consolidation of the benefits that you have received during the session, and offered to your own self, your own journey and after that, when it is sung again, it becomes an offering to another or to others, you send that blessing out in the world. So it helps to ground you, integrate the benefits of the yoga and prepare you to resume the activities of everyday life.

The Concept of Kundalini Yoga

"Kundalini yoga is a householders yoga. It is a yoga that allows an ordinary person to live in this world, experience the ecstacy of consciousness, and then use this consciousness to serve humanity". Yogi Bhajan

It gives you the vitality and health that is your birthright. It makes you radiant, peaceful and strong so that you can meet life's challenges and win.

This powerfully transformational discipline was originally only taught in secret to adepts who had dedicated their lives to the ascetic pursuit of enlightenment. What was then perfect as a tool for cave dwelling yogis to experience the divine essence of all beings, is now also perfect to inspire, support and transform the busy practioner in our fast paced Western society.

Yogi Bhajan (a master of kundalini yoga since the age of 16), openly taught this form of yoga for the first time because it is an antidote to the insanity of the extremes of our individualistic, materially-based culture. Kundalini yoga is potent enough to elicit fundamental change, whilst also fast acting enough to leave most of the day for jobs and families. Stay in the world, but be not of it. An ancient Eastern answer to the modern Western question.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kundalini Yoga

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