As a Kundalini Yoga Teacher, students approach me everyday with questions about this unique and beautiful yoga. Thanks to all of you who have shared your thoughts so freely with me! Your open curiosity provides me with confirmations and “a-ha” moments about this yogic path of self discovery, soul searching, healing, and awakening.
To help with your discovery process and yoga practice, I want to share the five most common questions that I get asked, along with my thoughts on each.
1. What is Kundalini?
It is the energy of consciousness. It is your awakened inner identity. The energy of your soul. It lies dormant at the base of your spine. Kundalini is a healing force for renewal, inner and outer evolution, and transformation. The key to uncoiling your consciousness lies in activating this powerhouse within you. The goal of Kundalini Yoga is to awaken the Kundalini Energy to achieve awareness. When Kundalini is awakened, our consciousness expands and we become more aware of truth, our inner knowledge, and the creative potential within.
2. What is Kundalini Yoga (KY)?
This is the most ancient of yogas, going back more than 3000 years. All other yogas fall under its umbrella. It is the yoga of awareness; an ancient system of breathing, chanting meditations, and movement that allow you to awaken to your true self.
3. What makes Kundalini Yoga so different?
KY works more quickly than other forms of yoga. One year of KY is said to be equal to five years of Hatha. Why does it work faster? This is because in KY we work with set kriyas (formulated sets of exercises targeted at specific benefits).
4. What are the benefits of practicing Kundalini Yoga?
The approaches found in a regular yoga practice bestow exceptional results! Here is a sprinkling of benefits:
Physical Wellbeing
- Improves flexibility, muscle tone, and nerve strength
- Weight loss
- Balances all systems of the body
- Increases strength
- Higher energy levels
Mental/ Emotional Wellbeing
- Experience inner joy
- Greater mental clarity
- More centered calmness (peace & poise)
- Mindful action instead of choiceless reaction
- Reduces stress and tension
Spiritual
- Experience knowledge of the Self
- Fearlessness
- Overcoming momentum of the past
- Compatible with all belief systems
5. What are the origins of Kundalini yoga?
Yogi Bhajan, brought KY to the West in 1969.
I have been fortunate to work with glorious students and amazing teachers. I’ve experienced deep transformations through Kundalini Yoga. This is a wonderFULL journey. I hope this article sparks an interest for you.
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