by Laura Shakti
Radiance, Healing In Motion
A Healing Arts Movement Studio
Bowling Green, Ohio
What is Kundalini Yoga?
Yogi Bhajan brought kundalini yoga to America in 1969, from ancient traditions in India. It is a mind-body experience that benefits the practitioner spiritually, mentally and physically.
Kundalini Yoga is for householders; people who have responsibilities in the world of family, work, and marriage. It helps people with the daily stresses of parenting, managing and living in the everyday world.
Kundalini Yoga is not a religion, but it is a sacred science because it recognizes the GOD power of the universe, which in yoga is described as that which Generates, Organizes and Delivers or Destroys.
The goals of Kundalini Yoga include giving the student exercises and meditations that allow one to experience greater awareness and expand consciousness.
The purpose of Kundalini Yoga is to unite us with the wholeness of life, and to access the fullness of our energy.
Principles specific to Kundalini Yoga
Yoga tools of transformation, which include mantras (sound vibration), mudras (hand positions), pranayama (breathing techniques), Bandhas (muscle contractions), asanas (physical postures), meditation (focus of awareness), and deep relaxation.
Kriyas, which are sets of asanas, mantras, mudras and exercises that are practiced together to produce a specific affect.
The Chakra System, which is a system of unseen subtle energy centers that are acknowledged and worked with during Kundalini Yoga.
Health benefits of Kundalini Yoga
Mental and Spiritual Benefits
~Awaken the creative potential.
~Discover your greatest consciousness.
~Quiet the mind and create mental fitness, clearer thinking and vision.
~Self-awareness of the impact of your habits.
~Develop intuition to understand what is important to you, and to transcend insecurities.
Physical Benefits
~Benefits the circulatory system by strengthening heart muscles, increasing blood flow and reducing impact of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
~Benefits the lymphatic system by detoxifying liver lungs and kidneys, enhancing lymphatic circulation and flushing the system. Also enhanced sense of well being boosts immunity.
~Benefits the Respiratory system by creating deep, long- lasting relaxation that balances the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Cleanses the blood of carbon dioxide to make the blood more alkaline, and increases oxygen intake.
~Benefits the digestive system by increases secretion of gastric juices and enzymes. Increases the ability of the body to eliminate.
~Benefits the endocrine system by enhancing the functioning of the glands, in particular the pituitary and pineal with kriyas that strongly affect these areas through breath and mantra.
~Benefits the nervous system by balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Certain meditations include eye focus, mudras and chanting affect the thalamus.
~Benefits the musculoskeletal system by releasing muscle tension through stretching, enhancing blood circulation, keeping joints flexible, and creating a balance of muscle contraction and relaxation.
Sample Kundalini Yoga class
1.Tune-in. Using mantra, we chant ‘Ong namo, guru dev namo" which means "I call upon the universal spirit, I call upon the always present guidance".
2. Pranayama: Breathing techniques.
3. Spinal warm up series
4. yoga kriya (a set of exercises for specific purpose)
5. Deep relaxation
6. Meditation
Ending chant "Sat Nam" which means" truth is my identity", or "I dwell in truth"
What to bring to Kundalini Yoga Class
~A meditation shawl/headcovering for use during meditation – preferably white cotton or silk, can be a shawl, head wrap, or beanie
~Layers of clothing, to cover up for deep relaxation while the body cools down
~An open heart and mind to experience your true beauty and radiance
Resources for more information
~Radiance Studio at laurakshakti@gmail.com or www.laurashakti.com
~Kundalini Research Institute www.kriteachings.org
~Ancient Healing Ways www.a-healing.com for books, music, lectures
~3HO Foundation www.3HO.org for non-profit organization dedicated to sharing a Healthy, Happy, Holy lifestyle and science of Kundalini Yoga
Laura Shakti, aka Ragubir Kaur, practiced and studied Kundalini Yoga for over fifteen years in Los Angeles, with Yogi Bhajan and the Kundalini Yoga community at the Guru Ram Das Ashram. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and maintains a yogic lifestyle. Laura Ragubir is also a business owner, performing artist, and mother to three little yoginis. She holds a B.S. from UCLA in Women’s Studies and Anthropology, and has studied at the YoSan College of Chinese Medicine. Laura is also a certified in many Healing Arts, including Massage Therapy, Reiki, Pranic Healing, and Sat Nam Rasayan.
