Kundalini Yoga

Today, the practice of Kundalini Yoga is an amalgamation of all the different styles, which all originated from a unified system of scientific exploration of existence — yoga. What is the wisdom behind the curtains of techniques? Let’s have a peek.

Subtle body & chakra system from manuscript painting. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Aroused by certain practises, like meditation and chanting, the dormant coiled snake at the base of our body begins to wake, and make it’s journey upward toward the various lotus junctions, until it reaches its final destination of the thousand petaled lotus at the crown, where it is eviscerated into union with divine source.

“Kundalini Yoga is simply the uncoiling of yourself to find your potential and your vitality and to reach your virtues. There is nothing outside, everything is you. You are the storehouse of your totality.” -Yogi Bhajan

Today, Kundalini Yoga is a yoga school that is mainly based on the theories of the chakra and nadi system and the circulation of energy through it; its tactics are geared toward elevating it to attain the ultimate goal of yoga, which is self-actualisation. Yogis in ancient India spent a significant amount of time exploring, disseminating, and practising these techniques in order to solidify them. Kundalini yoga originated as an understanding of the sushumna nadi and the rising of energy via this core axis of the body, and has since evolved into a blend of western and eastern viewpoints - somewhat different from the original school of thinking and practise.

Yoga Kundalini Upanishad elaborates on yoga practises for being aware of and controlling Prana. These approaches, which comprise Mitahara (moderate, balanced nourishment), Asana (posture exercises), and Shakti-chalana (waking inner power), are effective in raising a yogin's Kundalini.

One of the most crucial parts of this technique is maintaining an upright spine. Guru Purnima, the brightest full moon, and Mahashivratri, the darkest new moon, are the most significant days of the year to anyone studying the Kundalini practices because they have the most influence on the rising of our energies. On Mahashivratri, individuals traditionally remain up all night in a sitting or standing position, keeping an upright posture to aid the planetary forces in supporting this rise.

The practise of kriyas and meditations is intended to increase whole body awareness in order to prepare the body, neurological system, and mind to deal with the energy of Kundalini rising. The bulk of the asanas emphasise navel and spine activity, and deliberate pressurisation of body points and circuits. The Yoga-Kundalini text lists just two asanas – Padmasana (lotus posture) and Vajrasana (diamond or kneeling posture).

Breath practise and the use of bandhas help to guide the movement of Kundalini energy from the lower to the higher energetic zones. A basic breathing method mentioned is alternating nostril breathing to cleanse the nadis and aid in the awakening of Kundalini energy.

Mitahara is the technique of not eating too much or too little food, as well as self-restraint from eating too much or too little of particular dietary attributes. Those who are unwell or wounded should avoid doing these techniques, as should those who have excretory blockages.

Self-doubt, bewilderment, apathy, irregular sleep, habit of giving up, delusions, getting caught up in worldly drama, inability to grasp descriptions, and lack of faith are the impediments to advancement in a yogin.

What does the Yoga Kundalini Upanishad have to say about this awakening?

“The Kundalini pierces through the Brahmagranthi formed of Rajas. It flashes at once like lightning at the mouth of Sushumna. Then Kundalini goes up at once through Vishnugranthi to the heart. Then it goes up through the Rudragranthi and above it to the middle of the eyebrows. Having pierced this place, the Kundalini goes up to the Mandala (sphere) of the moon. It dries up the moisture produced by the moon in the Anahata Chakra which has sixteen petals.

Through the speed of Prana, when the blood is agitated, it becomes bile from its contact with the sun. Then it goes to the sphere of the moon. Here it becomes of the nature of pure phlegm. When it flows there, how does the blood which is very cold become hot? Since at the same time the intense white form of moon is rapidly heated. The agitated Kundalini moves upwards and the shower of nectar flows more copiously. As a result of swallowing this, the Chitta of the Yogin is kept away from all sensual pleasures. The Yogin is exclusively absorbed in the Atma partaking of the sacrificial offering called nectar. He takes his stand in his own Self. He enjoys this highest state. He becomes devoted to the Atman and attains peace.” (Translations from Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad)