Kundalini Yoga - Awakening the Kundalini Energy
Written by: ljpasion
Kundalini Yoga is a style of Yoga that concentrates on the awakening of the energy that is found at the base of our spine. For that reason, Kundalini Yoga is said to be the most powerful form of Yoga known today. This energy is said to take the form of a coiled snake, hence the name "kundalini", which is Sanskrit for "coiled up". The goal of Kundalini Yoga is to awaken this "snake" and send it moving up your spine all the way to your brain, which is believed to result in a sublime state of ecstasy and awareness.
Kundalini Yoga was introduced to the West by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. The practice of Kundalini Yoga includes Yoga Poses and Meditation, but focuses more on Chanting or Mantra and Pranayama.
Once the Kundalini (the energy in the form of a snake) is awakened, it passes through the different Chakras, or centers of consciousness, that are thought to reside in the human body. There are a total of seven chakras, each providing a certain power or experience when stimulated. For more information, read our section on the Seven Chakras.
To understand the movement of Kundalini better, you must have adequate knowledge of the Nervous System, particularly the spinal cord. This is because the Seven Chakras are believed to be found in this area of the body.
So how can the Kundalini in your body be awakened? This can be done through:
- the practice of Asanas, Pranayama, and Mantras
- concentration and training of the mind
- the practice of Hatha Yoga, Bhakta Yoga, and Jnana Yoga
- selflessness and intellectual inquiry
- the help of a guru
Of the above mentioned methods, the last one is said to be the most important. Trying to awaken your Kundalini by force and without the aid of a guru can be dangerous. This can result in some symptoms such as:
- mental confusion
- headache or the feeling of something heavy in your head
- psychosis
- intense mood swings
- epilepsy or other involuntary body movements
- stress
- depression
- irregular breathing
- immoral behavior
Therefore, the Kundalini must never be awakened by force. Like a real snake, it can and will strike you if you provoke it. And like a professional snake handler, the guru will guide you on how to tame this snake and deal with it properly.
Actually, awakening your Kundalini should not take a lot of effort. The only things you need are patience, perseverance, and devotion to your practice. Once it is awakened, you will feel various pleasurable and less pleasurable experiences. The pleasant ones may be tickling sensations along the Spinal Cord, bursts of joy, and even transcendental visions. The less enjoyable kind may come in the form of trembling, waves of heat, pains in the areas of the different Chakras, tingling sensations and nervousness. Some yogis say that an awakened Kundalini is the beginning of the path leading to Enlightenment.
Perhaps it is because of the things mentioned here that Kundalini Yoga has come to be called the most powerful Yoga ever known. Some even call it as the mother of all Styles of Yoga. Its effects can be very powerful and beneficial, but can also be vicious if not handled correctly.
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