Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a discipline which calls for physical and spiritual training to bring its practitioners into a deep, God-like consciousness. Kundalini is the spiritual force that resides at the base of the spinal column. Through the use of mantra, controlled breathing, specific poses, and meditative thought, this spiritual life force is released to improve the mind and body.

History of Kundalini Yoga

Although the original ideas involved with Kundalini yoga were found in old Sanskrit documents, the basic tenets were not brought to the western world until 1935 when Sri Swami Sivananda wrote a book about this type of yoga. This system became popular in the United States in 1969 through the efforts of Yogi Bhajan, who touted it as a way to spirituality. This Indian yoga master taught Kundalini yoga for thirty-five years and wrote over a hundred books on its effects.

Kundalini Yoga Poses

The positions, or asanas, used in Kundalini yoga work almost like acupuncture, in that they put pressure on key nerves. Rapid breathing or deep inhalations are coordinated with repetitive poses to force energy from the lower part of the body to the higher portions. Some of the most common poses used in Kundalini yoga are the Perfect Pose, the Hero Pose, the Lotus, and the Rock Pose.

Pluses and Minuses of Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is intensely spiritual in nature. Its movements can bring tranquility to the mind and energize the organs of the body, causing them to act more effectively. Traditionally, this type of yoga is considered an avenue to love, intuition, and joy. Physically, its advocates claim that Kundalini yoga will help with pain, diabetes, asthma, and memory problems. Kundalini yoga is also used by some to help with additive behaviors. Because Kundalini is such a spiritual exercise, it has been known to cause psychological problems in some participants.

Comparison of Kundalini with other Yoga Styles

Kundalini yoga has a greater spiritual connection to the Hindu religion than some other types of yoga. It involves greater introspection and should not be practiced without a highly trained teacher. Kundalini is not recommended for students just beginning to learn yoga because it focuses on the complexities of the body and mind, universal energy, and a consciousness of one’s place in the universe.

Find Kundalini Yoga Classes by Country WorldWide

Italian Republic 61
Canada 418
United States 6078
Kingdom of Sweden 39
Argentine Republic 59
Republic of Austria 39
Kingdom of Belgium 70
Republic of Cyprus 28
Kingdom of Denmark 25
Republic of France 98
Federal Republic of Germany 280
Hellenic Republic 37
Republic of Indonesia 58
Ireland 85
State of Israel 30
Japan 23
Mexico 93
Kingdom of the Netherlands 116
New Zealand 55
Portuguese Republic 67
South Africa 101
Kingdom of Spain 166
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 18
Switzerland 68
Kingdom of Thailand 53
Republic of Turkey 38
Federative Republic of Brazil 35
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 984

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