Kundalini Yoga: Scientific Technology for Happiness
- Vicki Murtagh
- Nov 16, 2018
- 10 min read
"What is this? It is not yoga! But I LOVE it." These words were expressed during the first Kundalini yoga class ever attended. An experience that changed the course of my life. So, what is this Kundalini yoga?
A frequently ask question, that still does not have a solid answer is, "What is Kundalini Yoga?"
You may have questions right now like, "How can someone be a practitioner and teacher of something for nearly a decade and not be able to answer such a simple question?"
Well, how do you summarize an answer about a technology that has been the main catalyst for transformation within one's life? Kundalini yoga has paved the way for stepping into the courage of living the truth of my Self. Kundalini yoga and meditation is the core medicine within my self-care first aide tool box. This medium supports the growth and encouragement that allows acceptance to be all that I am.... hence the hesitation to find the words to answer what seems such a basic question... "What is Kundalini yoga?"
The truth is there are answers but none of them really dive deep into a complete explanation of what Kundalini yoga is. They seem like standard text book responses. It would be worth sharing some of these at this point though, to provide some content around this incredible art form for those whom have not experienced this practice.
Standard responses to the question-"What is Kundalini Yoga?"
"Kundalini yoga is a holistic yoga that incorporates all elements of yoga, such as movement, breath, mantra, relaxation, meditation; all in one class"
"Kundalini yoga is a completely different branch of yoga compared to hatha base ones we are most familiar with. Hatha creates clarity and connection through the physical body. Kundalini creates clarity and connection through the endocrine and energy systems."
"Kundalini yoga is the yoga of awareness. You close your eyes. You breathe. And you sit in acceptance of the totality of who you are."
"Kundalini yoga is an experience. It is something that can not be intellectualized and discussed. It has to be done as the journey is different for everyone."
"Kundalini yoga is the yoga of householders. This means that is stems from a lineage of yogis who did not renounce society but stayed in the villages and lived a "normal" life. This has resulted in a yoga system perfect for today's modern times. The practices provide the vitality and mindset needed for functioning effectively within the demands of life."
And there are many more responses that can provide an idea, a snippet of explanation of what #kundaliniyoga is, but most seem to raise more question than provide clarity.
That is the reason for loving the definition provided by Yogi Bhajan, which was shared in a the picture at the beginning of this #blog. So much depth is provided within the quote. Would love to take the opportunity to provide some more insights around the potent aspects from the definition provided by #yogibhajan
"Kundalini yoga is the uncoiling of the being."
Kundalini is a dormant energy that lays within the energy bodies near the base of the spine. This is the energy of our fullest potential.
Kundalini yoga is:
a technology that develops your #awareness of who you are
the process of sitting in self-acceptance embracing the totality of you, that you are perfectly imperfect just as the Divine intended you too be
the journey of really understanding your core calling, #purpose, passions and contribution to the evolution of humanity
working deeply with the Sat Nam, "Truth is my Identity." This process peels away layers of limitations, mind clutter, egoistic judgement and neurosis, replacing it with the expression of your essence that comes from the stillness within.
the path of the inner teacher. This technology creates a realization that nothing is outside of you, it is all within you. Therefore there technology creates the skills to sit within, listen to the #guidance of your highest knowing and use the resources provided to execute what is being asked of you.
"It is the widening of the behaviour, and it is ultimate happiness in life."
Through the art of awareness Kundalini yoga provides space to embrace the wholeness of yourself through the practice of acceptance.
Kundalini yoga does this by:
providing practical tools that can be implemented into daily life creating an anchor for staying within a space of self-compassion and #love.
breaking the mask of the identities and roles that are so often used to form who we are but take us further away from that state of inner contentment.
allowing one to be okay with feeling uncomfortable or irritated within their own skin. So often when the negative mind and the ego band together or intense emotions arise, we look for an out. Kundalini yoga allows a space to sit with, "Well this is how "I am" right now and that is perfectly divine." This opens a deep self-love and facilitates the development of strong resistant to influences from the external world. Than our negative mind becomes our body guard; our #ego the sorting and categorizing mechanism of the mind; and our emotions a tool to accessing our #wisdom.
creates a training platform where we can master our mind and use this incredible tool to #empower our lives instead of being the puppet to our monkey mind. It is a technology for extremely potent re-calibration of one's #mindset
"It is classic Truth which radiates in every facet of life."
"You can't handle the Truth." So often we attempt to narrow our view points and focus on the positive and that which we are attempting to manifest.
Kundalini yoga takes a different angle on working with mindsets by:
taking the blinkers off. The blinkers that happen when focusing on goals and achievements. Instead, Kundalini yoga, encourages one to sit within the stillness so to be able to access Infinite #possibilities. This reduces struggle as a deep cellular knowing, of what is meant to occurs, happens bring forth ease and contentment. All is that is needed from us is our participation within life.
working with neutral mind. Positive #affirmations are great. The positive mind is what drives our enthusiasm for life with a forward motion. The positive mind though is hyperactive, can lead to burn outs and can flips into self-doubt. The neutral mind is the expansive space of shuniya - the point of stillness. Where you sit like a "Cup of Prayer" allowing the nectar of the Creation to fill your vessel full. Then you know what is needed each step of the way .... even if the end point may be unclear.
shifting the focus from manifestation to #intention. Intention is the sensation, the power of the universe operating through you, the selfless service that enhances the bigger picture. Manifesting is often the material, the forward projection, focused on the ego aspect of the Self. Intention is always in-line with your purpose your Truth. Whilst manifestation is an intellectual process so often shrouded with ego.... hence the reason why somethings can manifest in your life yet others do not. At the end of they day, what is needed upon your path will come. Kundalini yoga allows you to be receptive as to claim these things when they come along. This way you don't mis-taking.
vibrating the cosmos through potent meditations and mantras. These technologies are literally strengthening the neural pathways that are associated with expanding one's capabilities; whilst this is happening so too is the cutting of ties to the pathways that feed our limitations.
"It is a scientific technology which can be learned and taught ......, it is not a momentary diversion to look unusual or feel unusual."
To be honestly frank .....Kundalini yoga is weird. Things are done that you probably would not do elsewhere. To name a few- scream at the top of your lungs whilst holding a flat back forward bend; play patty cake with other students whilst chanting "Me God, You God." And just the other night did a complicated dance requiring the arms to be above the head whilst performing 8 twists in different parts of the body to each beat of the song. The beauty of all this though is, whilst your ego is freaking out, you feel so at home and in a complete state of connection. How does this work? It has to do with the fact that-
Kundalini yoga is a scientific technology. But what does this means?
it is a science. There is no need to pull statistics here about how scientist are discovering things that Yogis have know for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. Just research the impact that meditation has on the brain. The impact that words have on water molecules. The change with our blood pressure when our breath is slowed down. Yoga is a science. It always has been.
Kundalini yoga was developed by the Yogis who studied the shifts within the endocrine and energy systems when different movements, breathing and mantras were used. Other yoga was developed by observing the interplay within nature. This is the reason for why Kundalini yoga is so different to Hatha base #yoga. It is a completely different science.
the original Kundalini yogis where not concerned about what your neighbour may think if you are screaming loudly for over 5 minutes early in the morning. They weren't concern if you had rhythm and style whilst dancing in downward dog. They weren't concern about giving detail instructions about how to "be a fish out of water" (yes that is actually a Kundalini yoga movement). All they were concerned with was the science of inner systems and how to most effectively enhance and cultivate #energy.
the movements/mantras/ meditation and all the weird things within Kundalini yoga are designed to active the energy systems by moving life force through every channel within the body.
The very first kundalini yoga kriya every experienced- Becoming Like Angels.
"It is the central nerve system we are talking about which extends the grasp of the brain to imagine Infinity in its totality, and then it is a gradual process to work from that experience."
This is maybe one of the most beautiful blessings of Kundalini yoga. There is no initiation. There is no fast tracking your awakening. There is no emergency from the soul peaking at crown chakra forgetting to reground. There is simply a re-connection to your true self, which is your Divinity than allowing this awareness to permeate through your being awakening even further a deeper understanding and living through your potential.
Kundalini yoga is a gradual process that:
builds your connection to your core, your centre, you nahbi / hara / dantian. Than circles this energy from you power centre through out your body.
brings #balance to the lower #chakras and awakens the higher chakras, all whilst residing within the heart. This ensures that you are open to your expansive potential and intuition whilst bringing this into your day-to-day life so you can walk your walk and talk your talk.
stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands. These glands are know to the be command centre of your #wellness and overall #health. Through the gentle process of continuously stimulating these glands during Kundalini yoga you are replenishing and renewing the endocrine system and bringing balance to the nervous system. You are also tapping into the vast expansive energy of Infinite that occurs when stimulating these glands.
allows each person to release the stagnate energy that comes from living with #stress and operating from limiting patterns. When each person is given the support and opportunity to prosper upon their own journey within Kundalini yoga, they develop a deep understanding of their own energy system and how it communicates and relays information to them.
A Story of a Modern Day Yogi - Kundalini Yoga Liberated Me!
On that fate filled day, whilst hitting the floor and chanting "Har", with a room of over 100 people, the missing piece of the puzzle in my life was found. I had found home.
Don't mistaken what is being said. I was home. But a lot of house cleaning, renovation and elbow grease was needed to pull down the curtains, remove the cobwebs and make this temple a shining vessel of divinity. But the tools of how to do this had been found.
I was no longer blindly stumbling through the terrain of spiritual unfolding. A guide had been found through the connection of this ancient art ... and the biggest blessing what that this guide, this teacher, this guru, was inside of me.
Had a wild journey for a decade before Kundalini yoga unfolded upon my path. Prior to Kundalini Yoga, the Grace of Spirit had released the dangerous addictions within my life and allowed me to step fully onto a path of healing and health. However, damage from the addictions had occurred, especially on the mental minds; emotionally; as well as the impact on the psyche. On top of this, suppressed memories from childhood had surfaced. Whilst healing was occurring, there was a lot that was required.
This is how Kundalini yoga become my medicine kit. Kundalini yoga had build a strength to connect with my inner teacher. This allowed a knowing as to when it was time- to do the hard work and really release the demoralizing critique within; or to softness through the act of self-love; or to dive deep into a re-birthing processes to cleanse the childhood patterns; or do daily practice of kriyas to strength the body and build caliber; or to repair my hormones and reclaim my sexual power. The incredible thing was, it didn't seem to matter what come to surface to be worked with ... there was also the most incredible and applicable kriya or meditation to assist with this next layer of growth. Completely extraordinary.
I love self-growth. It is my passion. It is the driving force and motivation behind everything that is done. Now. within my hands is this resource that amplified this passion a hundred times over.
How Kundalini yoga has impacted my life really is another blog in its self. Oh my, the changes. Firstly .... can meditate. Really meditate. Can drop in at the snap of the fingers. The monkey mind is no longer. The mind is now the most incredible powerful tool, that listens to the commands and directions that stem from the compassionate heart. Then there is acceptance. Am able to embrace all that I am whilst dropping the expectations of what "being a spiritual person" needs to look like, be like. Another change - I love my emotions. They rise, they release, they shift the energy and bring forth an awakening in a more deeper sense of being. Then there is the change of being able to live within each moment. Which has bought forth the ability to embrace the miracles of life. AND MOST VITAL OF ALL "TO LOVE MYSELF FULLY .... JUST AS I AM."
These tools are available to everyone. Anyone can practice Kundalini yoga. Have even taught a student once who had two broken arms in casts!!!! It can be as simple as learning to breathe fully or as complicated as being dedicated to a two and a half hour daily practice. The scope of Kundalini yoga is incredible which is why it truly is the householders yoga.
Am trusting you found some #motivation and #inspiration within this blog.
Keep beaming your beauty.
Vicki Murtagh
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