Kundalini yoga looks back on a long and sometimes even mysterious history, as this ancient yoga tradition, described as an experiential science, was only passed on to a few students in northern India for thousands of years.
In recent years, however, this has changed. Kundalini yoga is now referred to as the holistic yoga of consciousness because, in addition to physical and meditation exercises, it also opens up access to lifestyle teachings that are designed to help you cope even better with the daily demands of everyday life. The focus is more on spiritual aspects than on physical fitness, for example.
Kundalini Yoga - History and Background
For many millennia, the teachings of this ancient empirical science from northern India were reserved exclusively for students who were specifically selected by the gurus of this yoga tradition to be allowed to learn more about this holistic yoga teaching.
It was not until 1969 that the Sikh yogi Bhajan decided to reveal the background of Kundalini Yoga, as he was of the opinion that in view of the world being out of balance, people needed some kind of support to be able to cope with the external pressures and demands of modern times. Kundalini Yoga represented the perfect solution for him, which is why he headed west to teach interested students in California.
At that time in the US sunshine state, "hippies" in particular were able to identify with the guru's extraordinary yoga teachings, which opened up new horizons and are therefore also seen to this day as a kind of support in difficult life situations.
This unique experience succeeds through a harmonisation of body, mind and spirit, combining physical and meditation exercises with healing techniques, yogic massages and nutritional and lifestyle teachings. The martial art Gatka also plays a role in Kundalini Yoga, as well as large group meditations. The yoga style is therefore also referred to as a holistic teaching that encompasses all areas of life and is intended to provide omnipresent support.
Yoga of Consciousness: Objectives and Benefits
Kundalini Yoga is primarily intended for people who are in the middle of life and want to approach everyday problems or social pressures in a more relaxed way. Body, soul and spirit are brought into harmony through exercises and meditations. This is also the case, for example, with Sonnhof Spirit Yoga© at the Sonnhof Ayurveda Resort.
The so-called Kundalini - a dormant force at the base of the spine - is gradually awakened to life for this purpose through holistic self-training in order to achieve a connection between body and mind.
This is achieved through calm and dynamic holding exercises as well as meditations, which are held to mantra music and bring the life energies to flow. The Kundalini student benefits from a kind of everyday awakening and is able to perceive circumstances more consciously and to deal better with his or her own self and with other people.
The yoga teachings are thus extremely effect-oriented and perfectly tailored to everyday life. This also applies to the exercises that characterise Kundalini Yoga. These are sometimes easy to perform on a daily basis and still have an effective effect.
This makes the North Indian teachings interesting for beginners or students of all ages, as well as for yogis in different states of health. In recent decades, Kundalini Yoga has proven to be a suitable alternative for harmonising the body and soul, especially in cases of mental stress or tension based on psychological problems or physical complaints.
During Kundalini Yoga, the so-called seven power centres of the body are opened. By opening and balancing the centres with each other, a connection is made to a creative energy source in order to be able to recognise one's own self and to achieve greater awareness.
Typical aspects of the Kundalini Yoga teachings
Kundalini Yoga takes up different fixed exercise sequences, which can sometimes be quite time-consuming and yet at the same time are characterised by their suitability for everyday life.
Starting the day with breathing exercises and posture exercises in the morning is thus quite advisable and effective to prepare for the challenges ahead. Sometimes even rather amusing snoring exercises or breathing exercises are part of the routine, in which you are sometimes asked by the teacher to pant like a dog during the yoga session.
But very traditional and classical elements also characterise this teaching. For example, it is often customary to hold the yoga class in white clothing. This has a positive effect on the individual energy field. In general, however, you can of course also do the Kundalini exercises in ordinary feel-good sportswear. Because well-being is always in the foreground.
The turban also has a long tradition in the Kundalini teachings and is still worn today when performing the exercises. The same applies to the sheepskin on the floor, which is appropriate because of the many exercises performed in a sitting position.
Kundalini classes follow a variety of approaches and exercises to, among other things, open the heart, optimise digestion or overcome fears or emotional conflicts. This is achieved through targeted and effective breathing exercises, followed by meditation and deep relaxation.
Kundalini Yoga and European Ayurveda®
In European Ayurveda® we have also adopted some of this yoga teaching. Especially the aspect that we holistically consider body, mind and soul in one is a part of it. For us, yoga as a gentle form of movement is good for physical fitness. But we also see the spiritual part in European Ayurveda® as important. Because only if we take the energy and the connection with the cosmos and ourselves seriously, we also manage to strengthen and use these energies.
Conclusion
Kundalini Yoga is a teaching that should appeal to you first and foremost if your interest in spiritual experience is greater than in getting in shape physically through yoga. People who are struggling with mental problems will also find this yoga variant a very effective method to be able to work on the respective problems in everyday life in an uncomplicated way and thus expand their own consciousness.
