| Kundalini Yoga | | | | very useful for emotional balance, stress relief, |
| Kundalini yoga is considered the most powerful form | | | | mental clarity, and personal transformation. Kundalini |
| of yoga. Kundalini yoga comes from the Sanskrit | | | | can be awakened by various means and these |
| word kundal, which means the lock of the hair from | | | | different methods are called by different names, viz., |
| the beloved. The hair symbolizes the unlimited | | | | Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, etc. |
| potential inside each individual. | | | | Chakras |
| Basic Idea behind Kundalini Yoga | | | | A yoga practitioner should know something about |
| In Kundalini Yoga the creating and sustaining Sakti of | | | | the spinal column, which is the location of five of the |
| the entire body is in fact and truly united with Lord | | | | seven chakras, or energy centers to practice |
| Siva. It uses asanas, pranayama, and mantra. It is | | | | Kundalini yoga. We all know that the spinal column is |
| based upon Kundalini energy which is "one's dormant | | | | part of the human nervous system, which also |
| spiritual energy." | | | | includes the brain and nerves. |
| This energy is symbolized as a coiled up snake at the | | | | These things jointly are responsible for our thought, |
| base of the spine, which is the first chakra. The | | | | imagination, memory, and intelligence. Five of the |
| energy is released through breathing, chanting, and | | | | seven chakras are situated alongside the spinal |
| movement in order that you can recognize your full | | | | column and the remaining two chakras are situated |
| potential. | | | | on the head one in the middle and one on the top. |
| It brings together the masculine and feminine powers | | | | A person can visualize the Kundalini energy traveling |
| of the body. The goal of Kundalini yoga is to move | | | | up the spine as he or she breathes. This energy |
| the Kundalini energy up through all seven chakras. | | | | begins and ends with that individual. It is the |
| When you reach the seventh chakra you experience | | | | awakening of the self. Often a person will feel |
| enlightenment. | | | | warmth along the chakras, when an individual awaken |
| Benefits of Kundalini Yoga | | | | the Kundalini energy. Others have reported they feel |
| * Balancing of emotions | | | | a tingling sensation. |
| * Strengthening of the nervous system | | | | Kundalini yoga includes a set of postures and |
| * Increases energy level | | | | exercises that work on a particular area of the body, |
| * Enlivens sense of awareness | | | | mind, and spirit. There are hundreds of these sets, |
| * Encourages sense of peace | | | | which can be used to awaken a yoga practitioner to |
| * Brings clarity to the mind | | | | his or her full potential. |
| * Stress reduction | | | | These postures deal with each aspect of human |
| * Strengthens the immune system | | | | nature right from the issues of physical health to |
| * Increases lung capacity for better breathing | | | | issues of mental health to general well being. |
| * Supports and encourages personal transformation | | | | Yoga practitioner enters a state of deep relaxation |
| and growth | | | | often accompanied by spiritual music and sometimes |
| * Orients consciousness to create happiness and | | | | a gong after the completion of the sets. Lastly, the |
| health | | | | yoga practitioner of kundalini yoga ends up with a |
| Kundalini yoga is not only useful in strengthening the | | | | breath or mantra meditation. |
| health and well-being of the physical body, but also | | | | |