If you give your Self a chance, your Self will give you all the chances. ~Yogi Bhajan
The purpose of Kundalini Yoga is to awaken the energies in our body. Energy that rests at the base of the spine moves up and around the base of the spine, it intersects at seven points referred to as the chakras. Each chakra has a function that keeps us healthy.
Kundalini yoga goes back to the roots of yoga, brought to the United States by Yogi Bhajan, a man born a prince in what is now Pakistan. Known as “the yoga of awareness,” it brings some of the most traditional aspects of mindfulness to a society constantly bombarded with change.
Kundalini yoga is inspired by the philosophy that we are perfect as we are.
The ancient practice includes physical postural exercises, breathwork, mantras and meditation. Bhajan created thousands of flows, called “kriyas,” for teachers to guide students through, meaning students could go years without repeating the same one or even the same individual moves.
Bhajan, familiar with numerous types of meditation, took his environment and incorporated it into kundalini yoga. Surrounded by musicians, the yogi wrote music and the beats of instruments into his practice.
TUNING IN
Before every practice a chant is said 3 times. “Ong namo guru dev namo”
WARM UP
A great way to start the practice is with a quick series of yogic movements, whether that is moving through cat/cow pose or simply sitting in straddle, alternately moving left to right touching your toes (or as close as possible) with both hands. Try for 1-3 minutes.
EGO ERADICATOR
Ego Eradicator opens the lungs and consolidates the magnetic field. This meditation is a great way to start the day and also helps bring energy to the body, move emotions or blocks, and brings the mind into a state of alertness.
Posture: This exercise can be done cross-legged or on the knees. Raise the arms up into a V shape (60 degree angle). Keep the elbows straight and the shoulders down. Straighten the spine and neck into alignment and with a fist arms are raised up into the air with the thumbs stretched out, pointing towards each other (“thumbs up”).
Eyes: Eyes are closed.
Mental Focus: Focus above the head.
Breath: Breath of Fire ( a rapid and equal inhalation and exhalation through the nose)
Time: Continue for 1 – 3 minutes.
To end: Inhale deeply and bring the arms overhead with the thumbtips touching. Open the fingers, exhale and relax the arms down.
There are variations of this exercise found in many different kriyas.
Changing isn’t easy and there might be days where you fail… The reward isn’t always so easy to determine. Maybe the reward you get from your habit is a feeling of control… Control of your body. Control of your mind. Control of your soul. and that is the fun part….
Enjoy the path!
