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December 21st, 2023 - Aimeé Durán Triujeque - Kundalini Yoga
Picture this: you, deep into your yoga journey, seeking more than just a series of physical exercises. Enter Kundalini yoga — an intriguing practice that goes beyond the mat, promising not only flexibility but a profound inner shift.
Kundalini is a style of yoga that holds the key to making ancient wisdom accessible in our modern lives. You may have seen images or videos of yoga practitioners dressed all in white, wearing head coverings, doing dynamic movements and chanting. This is but a small taste of what this spiritual practice is about. Some people go as far as to say that Kundalini is a journey into the depths of self-discovery and personal transformation. Continue reading to explore the roots, benefits, and life-changing potential of this style.
To understand Kundalini yoga, we must journey back to the times of ancient Vedic wisdom. The term "Kundalini" refers to the dormant energy coiled at the base of the spine, often described like a serpent waiting to awaken. It represents the energy of our pure potential. This concept is deeply rooted in the spiritual teachings found in texts like the Upanishads and the Tantras. According to this tradition, Kundalini energy has the potential to be incredibly healing as, when activated, it rises up the spine up to the crown of the head. It is believed that the energy collects in the crown chakra and turns inward, spreading through our whole being a message of healing and love. That’s also why many Kundalini practitioners cover their heads — it is believed that a turban or a scarf will hold the energy in the third eye chakra, thus leading to a more meditative state.
Fast forward to the 20th Century, Yogi Bhajan brought traditional Kundalini teaching to the west. These teachings consisted of a combination of breathwork (pranayama), meditation, mantra chanting and dynamic movements known as kriyas. As time went by and the practice became popularized, Kundalini yoga emerged as a systematic approach to activate and guide the flow of this energy through the chakras to achieve spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine.
“Life is a continuous vibration of up and down. And in this up and down, try to be neutral; be seated in your own spiritual integrity. ”
Even if you aren’t looking for spiritual enlightenment, Kundalini yoga is a well-rounded practice that balances, cleanses and energizes the body, stabilizes the mind, and unleashes our potential by allowing that energy to flow freely throughout our body. Below are more benefits of a regular Kundalini practice.
The kriyas enhance flexibility, strength, and balance. It may not be a traditional yoga sequence, but a Kundalini practice is built to activate the energy, move it through the body and stabilize it. The breathing techniques and mudras (hand gestures) help direct the energy to a specific place in the body.
Kundalini yoga offers powerful tools to manage stress through breathwork and meditation. By utilizing these tools, we can release tension, calm the nervous system, and cultivate emotional balance and resilience. The more we practice it, the easier it becomes to create our own inner sanctuary amid the chaos of modern life.
Through meditation, specific kriyas and mantras, practitioners can experience heightened awareness, improved focus, and mental clarity. This enhanced cognitive function extends beyond the yoga mat, contributing to better decision-making and a more present, mindful existence.
The chakra system is a fundamental aspect of Kundalini yoga because, once awakened, the energy travels through each chakra activating and balancing it. From the root chakra, associated with stability, to the crown chakra, symbolizing higher consciousness, the practice aims to create a harmonious flow of energy.
Whether you are turning to Kundalini yoga to embark on a journey of self-discovery or to find holistic wellbeing, you are likely to notice the difference in your body after the first couple of classes. Maybe you’ll feel energized and focused. Maybe you’ll experience peace and contentment. Or maybe you’ll sense vibrations, deep within you, changing how you see yourself. It’s all good!
Go to a class with an open mind and, as you step onto the mat, remember that this ancient practice holds the potential to awaken dormant energies. This could lead to a transformed life marked by mindfulness, resilience and creativity. Embrace the journey, and let the coiled serpent of Kundalini awaken the limitless possibilities within you.
Aimeé Durán Triujeque is an outdoorsy writer, yoga teacher-in-training and artist born in Mexico. Her yoga journey began 10 years ago when she decided to accomplish the extraordinary feat of touching her toes. Her personal practice has evolved into an eclectic and healing combination of Restorative, Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Kundalini yoga.
