Yoga & Meditation
Kundalini Yoga precisely and consciously combines breath, mudra (sacred gestures), eye-focus, mantra (sacred sound currents repeated aloud or silently), body locks, and postures. It balances the glandular system, strengthens the immune and nervous systems, expands lung capacity, purifies the blood, increases vitality, stamina and flexibility, and maximizes healing power. It brings balance to the body, mind, and soul.
In Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan® we harness the mental, physical, and nervous system energies of the body and put them under the domain of the will, which is the instrument of the soul. Kundalini Yoga is called the Yoga of Awareness. It is a dynamic, powerful tool that is designed to give you an experience of your soul. It meets you where you are at, and takes you where you want to go.
What is Kundalini Yoga?
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan® is considered the most comprehensive of yoga traditions, combining
meditation, mantra, physical exercises and breathing techniques; it is a Raj Yoga, encompassing the eight limbs of yoga
into a singular practice of excellence and ecstasy. Kundalini Yoga is also known as the Yoga of Awareness; its focus is
on self-awareness and delivering an experience of your highest consciousness.*
Kundalini Defined
“Kundalini” literally means “the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved.” This poetic metaphor alludes to the flow of energy
and consciousness that exists within each of us, and enables us to merge with – or “yoke” – the universal Self. Fusing
individual and universal consciousness creates a divine union, called “yoga.” We awaken the kundalini in order to be
able to call upon the full potential of the nervous and glandular systems and to balance the subtle system of chakras
and meridians within the body.*
Primary Focus
The primary focus of kundalini yoga is to awaken the full potential of human awareness in each individual; that is, recognize our awareness, refine that awareness, and expand that awareness to our unlimited Self. It also helps clear any inner duality, create the power to deeply listen, cultivate inner stillness, help us prosper and deliver excellence in all that we do.*
Kriya Defined
The focus of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan® is on one’s personal experience and awareness through the practice of kriya. “Kriya” is an orchestrated pattern of movements, sound, pranayam (breathing), mudras, concentration and meditation that automatically guide the energies of the body and the mind to a specific result or change of consciousness. Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan® does not rely on any one of these techniques per se, although we use many. Instead, it is the unique and tested syntax, within the structure of each kriya, which provides steady, predictable progress and which leverages these basic functions of the body and the mind to create rapid, sustainable, personal growth and healing. In this tradition, meditation is not considered separate from asana or yoga; it is integral to the practice. The exercises in the kriya bring the body and mind to a state where deep meditation is easily achieved. Our fundamental objective is to awaken the power of the individual to excel—to experience their Infinity and fulfill their personal destiny.*
*Excerpted from the Kundalini Research’s Institute website.
Kundalini Yoga is for Everyone
Kundalini Yoga is a yoga for householders, for people who have to cope with the daily challenges and
stresses of holding jobs, raising families, and managing businesses. It is a path for everyone who wants
the skills to cope successfully with the challenges of our times. It is practical but also very powerful. It
works quickly to give you grace, balance, and most of all, the ability to remain calm, centered, and clear
through life’s challenges. As you practice Kundalini yoga you will grow. You will gain new perspectives
and capacities, as well as habits that support a healthy lifestyle. The best part is, you don’t need any
previous experience in yoga to achieve results with your very first class.
“The beauty of Kundalini Yoga is that one kriya can immediately achieve a complete physical, mental and spiritual balance. It’s work so effectively and quickly because of it’s completeness, balance and energy. Since any method that helps you achieve Universal Consciousness-from prayer to dance- must eventually raise your Kundalini to accomplish it, why not start with Kundalini Yoga directly?” -Yogi Bhajan
