Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is a spiritual practice combining breathwork, chanting mantras, repetitive movements (kriyas), and meditation to awaken dormant spiritual energy (Kundalini) at the base of the spine, guiding it upward through energy centers (chakras) for increased consciousness, vitality, and self-awareness, often called the "yoga of awareness". It's a holistic system aimed at releasing stress, balancing the nervous system, and fostering a deeper connection to the self, differing from other yoga styles by focusing intensely on energy activation through precise, prescribed sequences.
Key Components
Breathwork (Pranayama): Powerful and specific breathing techniques to energize the body.
Mantras: Chanting sacred sounds, like the Adi Mantra ("Namo Guru Dev Namo"), to tune into the practice and lineage.
Kriyas: Sets of precise, repetitive poses, movements, and breath patterns designed for specific energetic outcomes.
Meditation: Deep meditative states achieved through these practices.
Shatkarma (Purification): Practices to cleanse the body and mind.
Core Philosophy
Kundalini Energy: Visualized as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, representing potential energy and consciousness.
Awakening: The goal is to awaken this energy and guide it up the spine (through the chakras) to the crown of the head, leading to a state of union (samadhi).
"Yoga of Awareness": It aims to expand your consciousness and help you react to life from a more neutral, aware place.
How it Works
Through specific exercises, it targets the nervous and glandular systems, clearing energy channels and purifying organs.
It helps release emotional blocks and stress patterns held in the body.
It's known for providing rapid stress relief, increased mental clarity, and profound spiritual insights.
Origin
While Kundalini concepts are ancient, the specific system popularized globally is associated with Yogi Bhajan, who introduced it to the West in the 1960s.