Kundalini Yoga: Is unity through awakening psychic nerve force, which indicates the depth of this Yoga style. Kundalini Yoga is sometimes referred to as the "Mother of all Yogas." On the surface Kundalini Yoga might resemble Hatha Yoga, but the emphasis on the subtle body, chakras, mantras, meditation, and Pranayama is presented in a uniquely powerful way.
Kundalini Yoga was cloaked in secrecy until Yogi Bhajan gave a lecture in Los Angeles during January of 1969. Until that time, most information about Kundalini Yoga had been exchanged verbally from teacher to student. So, this was the beginning of Kundalini Yoga teaching "going public."
The awakening of Kundalini energy starts with focusing on dormant energy at the base of the spine within the first major Chakra; also known as the Muladhara Chakra. Through asanas, coordinated Pranayama, Japa (repeating mantras), and meditation, the Kundalini energy is sent up the spine to the Sahasrara Chakra at the crown of the head.
Samadhi, also known as intuitive enlightenment, is one of the most sought after results of Kundalini Yoga practice. Therefore, Kundalini attracts a much different type of student and Yoga teacher from what is most commonly found in a Hatha Yoga class. This is neither right, nor wrong, but most Hatha Yoga students are not usually pursuing a spiritual transformation process.
As a side note: Kundalini has taken a few verbal assaults, from religious fundamentalists, for being a bit mystical and a little harder to understand. Based upon my own experience, Kundalini Yoga sessions will purge negative energy from your mind and body. Only positive results can be gained in the study of Kundalini Yoga, under the supervision of a competent Kundalini Yoga teacher.
Mantra Yoga: Is unity through sound. Mantra Yoga is also referred to as Japa Yoga and the repeating of particular Mantras will cause sensory withdrawal (Pratyahara). This is, in fact, easier for most people to accomplish than meditation and it allows the Mantra Yoga practitioner to remove negative energy from the body, mind, and spirit.
In Sanskrit Mantra literally means "tool for thinking" or "tool for thought." The purpose of Mantra Yoga is to achieve salvation through unity with the supreme consciousness, which you many people refer to as God, Brahman, Yahweh, Jehovah, or Allah. The repeating of Mantras, which is also known as Japa, is in fact prayer. So, Mantra Yoga may not look like much "from the outside looking in," but it is a deeply spiritual, powerful, and rewarding Yoga practice, in its own right.
© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He's a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches that along with fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who want to be a teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
Using Your Bad Looks to Your Advantage
By: Kasan Groupe | 04/12/2009Many people focus on all of the advantages of being good looking but forget that there are some great advantages to being bad looking and homely as well. Here are some advantages in life to being less than beautiful—far, far less.
Diabetes a growing health issue in thhe western world
By: anthony turner | 04/12/2009Diabetes a growing health issue in the western world: In the 21st century, even people suffering from diabetes can eat great food.
In Bible versus Quran: When God sends a curse upon the priests
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 03/12/2009In the Bible, The Lord God says unto the priests: I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me. In the Quran, Monasticism is man invented; it is not prescribed by Allah.
How To Write Memoirs - The Basic Principles
By: Trevor Johnson | 27/11/2009Many of us have at some stage of our lives thought about writing down our life experiences. But the idea often passes as quickly as it arrives. Most of us plainly don't know the basis principles of how to write memoirs.
THE VIBRANT SHADES OF VERMILLION
By: mamta | 27/11/2009The changes I underwent in life led me from a hatefulness to a strange fondness for the color red.. We always tend to relate colors with different moods and stages of our life..vibrant shades of vermillion brings about a few experiences that my heart encountered!
Random Things that Wake Me Up at Night
By: Kasan Groupe | 24/11/2009Title really says it all.
In Bible versus Quran: the Ostrich Forgets that a Foot may crush her Eggs
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 23/11/2009The Bible says that the ostrich forgets that a foot may crush her eggs or that the wild beast may break and trample them. The ostrich is not mentioned therein in the Quran. On the other hand, the Quran says that the birds in general live in societies like human beings.
Why Should You Write Your Own Life Story?
By: Patrika Vaughn | 19/11/2009Writing your life story is embarking on a journey through the past. It’s a unique journey, one no one else has ever taken.
Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 3)
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 21/07/2006 | Non-FictionStrangely, Yoga has sometimes been compared to "witchcraft." A few people feel strongly about it but just like anything else, people have difficulty understanding, Yoga can be misunderstood.
Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 1)
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 20/07/2006 | Non-FictionYoga and Yogic philosophy is occasionally misunderstood because some people have not been informed of the universal principles that are not threatening to any belief or disbelief. Yoga requires and in depth explanation.
Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 6)
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 05/07/2006 | Non-FictionIt is every Yoga student's prerogative to choose a style of Yoga or a Guru that fits his or her needs. However, if you ever find a Guru who does not embrace spiritual health, what does that tell you?
Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 5)
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 04/07/2006 | Non-FictionKundalini Yoga: Is unity through awakening psychic nerve force, which indicates the depth of this Yoga style. Kundalini Yoga is sometimes referred to as the "Mother of all Yogas." On the surface Kundalini Yoga might resemble Hatha Yoga, but the emphasis on the subtle body, chakras, mantras, meditation, and Pranayama is presented in a uniquely powerful way.
Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 4)
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 04/07/2006 | Non-FictionWhen I think of Karma Yogis, the first that would come to mind is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as "Mahatma Gandhi." His model of peaceful resistance for civil rights has been successfully copied since, but most importantly, his actions were for the highest moral reasons.
Teaching Hatha Yoga: Should a Yoga Teacher be a Vegetarian?
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 04/07/2006 | TutoringIf you teach Yoga, should you be a vegan? Are dairy foods and eggs okay? What about goats, chicken, or fish? Yes, some Yoga teachers do eat goat, but not beef. Some people still claim that fish feel no pain, but I never heard that from a Yogi.
Universal Principles of Yoga (Part 2)
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 04/07/2006 | Non-FictionThere are many styles of Yoga, but let's look at some of the main Indian Yoga styles and their approach to unity. Many styles of Yoga do use components found in other Yoga styles, so each style has many facets.
The Da Vinci Code: What can Christians Learn from it?
By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. | 29/06/2006 | ReligionDan Brown wanted fame and he has received it. However, Christianity will benefit from this controversy "in the long run." For the first time, many people are reading and searching for factual information about Miriam of Magdala, Templars, Crusades, Inquisitions, Cathars, Gnostics, and the formulation of the early Roman Catholic Church.