My first Kundalini Yoga class is one I vividly recall. It was my first encounter with yoga, of any type. Actually, it was a bit of a fluke that I ended up there, but perhaps that's typical of men. After all, when it comes to yoga, the stronger sex usually reacts by saying that men look ridiculous doing poses like downward dog, cobra, and corpse. “Yeah, yoga is fine for ladies,” we reason, “but what man would willingly do such a thing!”
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I'll admit that I had no idea what I was getting myself into before my first class. After years of competitive sports in school, intense fitness and outdoor training, a few years of asian martial arts, and eventually extreme half-marathon training, my body felt not only worn but virtually abused by the time I was thirty. During those years, it had done an excellent job of supporting my desire for athletic greatness. It was now hard, tense, and stiff, despite being robust, fit, and muscular. Even back then, I realized I needed to make a difference. My physique lacked suppleness, elasticity, and softness. So I decided to give Kundalini Yoga a try and signed up for a free lesson.
I got there with a mix of emotions: excitement for a new experience, but also apprehension and curiosity. I wasn't the only guy in the class, which surprised me. And the teacher in front was a male, not a woman. I instantly felt better, thinking that at the very least, I now have an ally in him. He understands how difficult it can be for a man in a yoga class to face his own flaws! But it wasn't long until I had to face the reality of the situation. My spine's suppleness and flexibility were a catastrophe, nearly embarrassingly so, especially in forward bends. I was relieved that everyone else had closed their eyes during the exercises.
Kundalini Yoga, according to my teacher, is the most man-friendly of all the yoga types. Is this a true statement? What is it about Kundalini Yoga that appeals to men who are rational? Maybe it's the way the arms and legs move in time? Or the goal-oriented kriyas, which always have a well-defined effect? Or is it Yogi Bhajan's particular authoritarian personality that fascinates males the most? I'm not sure.
Physical effort is something that all men like. They enjoy going for broke and pushing the boundaries. Kundalini Yoga provides them with something they can relate to while yet offering them something completely new. The pursuit of personal perfection is a recurrent theme. What makes it unique is that there is no competition or comparison, as is common in sports.
Each person works on their own posture and achieves a different level of capability depending on their mobility, strength, and experience. That's fine because no one is looking.
There's more, though. With frequent practice, I noticed that I was changingnot just physically, but intellectually and emotionally as well. Men are generally unafraid of both the physical and mental aspects of life. When it comes to emotions, however, it's a different story. Men avoid discussing their feelings because they believe it is a sign of weakness. But isn't this precisely what our society needs right now: men who open up more, men who are real, men who express their sentiments and can talk about what's on their minds?
Men who begin practicing yoga believe that their greatest flaw is physical since they are so rigid and inflexible, and this is where yoga's greatest value lies. But that isn't the case. I believe that males may benefit the most from yoga, particularly Kundalini Yoga, because it opens the heart and allows them to reconnect with themselves.
Sukhnam Singh (Stefan Grob) is the founder of the Shuniya Kundalini Yogaschule in St. Gallen, Switzerland, which recently opened. He works hard as the owner of his own media agency specializing in communication when he is not advertising the class schedule or instructing. Sukhnam devotes his time to his business clients and to presenting the holistic philosophy and practice of Kundalini Yoga to the community he serves. He is well-known for his martial arts career and qualification as a mental coach.
Is kundalini masculine or feminine?
) is a type of divine feminine force (or Shakti) thought to reside in the muladhara at the base of the spine. It is a key idea in haiva Tantra, where it is thought to be a force or power related with the divine feminine or Goddess's formless aspect. This energy in the body is thought to lead to spiritual liberation when it is developed and awakened through tantric practice. Kualin is linked to Parvati or Adi Parashakti, Shaktism's greatest entity, as well as the goddesses Bhairavi and Kubjika. Hatha yoga gained the word, as well as the practices associated with it, in the 9th century. Since then, it has found its way into various varieties of Hinduism, as well as modern spirituality and New Age ideas.
Who does Kundalini Yoga?
Although Kundalini yoga is performed all throughout the world, no one knows where it originated. The concept of Kundalini energy has been around for centuries, and it was first stated about 1,000 B.C. in ancient Vedic scriptures.
Yogi Bhajan, a Pakistani yoga teacher, is mainly associated with Kundalini yoga. In the 1960s, he is credited with bringing the practice to Western countries.
The phrase “The word “kundalini” is derived from the Sanskrit word “kundal,” which means “circle.” It can also apply to a snake that is coiled. Kundalini energy, according to practitioners, is like that coiled snake: it sleeps at the base of your spine, unaroused.
Kundalini yoga is used to activate this energy, allowing it to flow up and down your spine through the chakras.
Kundalini energy is said to help balance these chakras and contribute to spiritual wellness as it increases.
Kundalini yoga is claimed to lead to spiritual enlightenment with constant practice. This is referred to as a “Awakening of the Kundalini.”
What religion is Kundalini Yoga?
Kundalini yoga (kualin-yoga) is derived from kundalini, which is defined in Vedantic culture as dormant energy at the base of the spine that is activated (by yoga, blunt force trauma, breath work, or psychological trauma leading to spiritual awakening) and channeled upward through the chakras in the process of spiritual perfection. Kundalini is thought to be a power related with Shakti, the divine feminine. Shaktism and Tantra schools of Hinduism have inspired Kundalini yoga as a yoga school. It gets its name from a concentration on kundalini energy awakening through frequent mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga, or meditation practice.
Is Kundalini awakening permanent?
Kundalini awakening can be long-term or short-term. Kundalini awakening is permanent if it is triggered in the right way.
It is caused by an intentional effort to lead oneself into enlightenment, which is what temporary Kundalini awakening is. It is not created by swallowing any medicines or a sudden by-product of practising yoga.
Permanent Kundalini looks to be an endless electric current, and everyone who has experienced it knows it will never stop.
These people's lives are considered to have been irreversibly altered. This is comparable to electricity flowing 24 hours a day.
The majority of people describe it as “a constant companion,” rather than a rush, a transitory mood, or a long-lasting recollection.
What happens after Kundalini awakening?
Kundalini awakening is the movement of powerful emotional and mental patterns in the subtle body, rather than a physical force that may be started and stopped as needed. As a result, awakening is impossible without taking the proper steps to purify the subtle body's pathways. Beware! Unpreparation could have disastrous consequences, such as a nervous breakdown during Kundalini awakening.
No human being can deny the reality of the Divine Mother Kundalini. It's simply a matter of reawakening the Holy Spirit and allowing the power to spread throughout the body. As she ascends to the crown, passing through various nadis and chakras, the divine power purifies both the body and the spirit. She ascends from Muladhar chakra by spreading her rings and passing every chakra in her way to the sahasrara, or crown chakra. She will begin by regenerating the chakras and repairing any harm produced by your poor lifestyle. She will use this to awaken the deities, bringing you closer to the stage of spiritual awareness.
Is Kundalini Yoga bad?
Kundalini meditation is frequently used by people who want to experience the energy release known as a Kundalini awakening. Many individuals find this to be a spiritual experience, but if you're not sure what to anticipate, it can be intimidating.
Physical feelings such as warmth or tingling, disorientation, and perhaps momentary discomfort are reported after a Kundalini awakening.
Some argue that if a person isn't entirely prepared for the experience, they may suffer long-term consequences. While meditation can be a transformative experience, there is no evidence that it has long-term negative consequences.
Apart from that, Kundalini meditation entails deep breathing exercises and slower breathing. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded if you aren't used to it.
Take breaks as needed, and drink lots of water before and after your meditation session.
What are the dangers of Kundalini Yoga?
So, what's not to enjoy about that? B.K.S. Iyengar Swami Vivekananda, a yogi, compares the nervous system to an electrical system, including wire (nerves), circuits (chakras), and gates (locks) (bandhas). A Kundalini power surge, like any other electrical system, can disrupt the grid, causing serious mental and physical sickness. While the channels Kundalini flows through are broadly correlated with the neurological system, Kundalini is a subtle energy form that cannot be tested like normal nerve circulation.
Can beginners do Kundalini Yoga?
While anyone can practice Kundalini yoga (unless they have a pre-existing medical problem), this kind of yoga is especially beneficial for those who want to combine a spiritual practice with a physical workout.
Although Kundalini yoga is a demanding practice, its physical and mental benefits make it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned yogis. There's a reason the discipline has exploded in popularity, attracting everyone from yoga aficionados to celebrities.
What is God in Kundalini Yoga?
It's a safe bet that Kundalini Yoga would still be unknown in the United States if it hadn't been for Yogi Bhajan. Yogi Bhajan experienced the hippie cultural revolution in California in the late 1960s, many of whose concepts he recognized from his own Sikh culture. He made two observations. #1) Young people in America yearned to experience God, as shown by their yearning for enlarged consciousness. #2) They were going about it all wrong, aided by drugs and half-baked mysticism.
Outside of the holy Indian lineage, Yogi Bhajan recognized it was illegal to teach Kundalini Yoga. On a weekend vacation to Los Angeles in 1968, however, he got a vision of a new spirituality that merged ancient knowledge with modern practicality during a meditation. He was inspired as he awoke from his meditation. “It is everyone”TMs birthright to be well, happy, and holy, and the practice of Kundalini Yoga is the way to claim that birthright,” he would assert as he taught Kundalini to the west. His weekend trip to Los Angeles grew into a year-long stay. He would found the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) Foundation and the Kundalini Research Institute within the next two years. He hadn't even begun yet.
Yogi Bhajan”TMs effect is not limited to yoga. He authored several books, founded Foreign Peace Prayer Day, and collaborated with a number of international governments on programs aimed at promoting peace and mindfulness in the globe. Yogi Bhajan felt that through practicing mindfulness and compassion, we can all help to improve society, and he committed his life to making his vision of practical spirituality a reality. Following his death, a bipartisan resolution recognizing his services to the world was passed by the United States Congress.
“Kundalini Yoga is the science of bringing the finite and infinite worlds together.”
Yogi Bhajan is a devotional song written by Yogi Bhat
Let us trace the history of Kundalini Yoga back to the Upanishads, which were the first historical works to mention it by name. The Upanishads (similar to the Vedic literary writings) are a collection of oral teachings on the spiritual nature of reality written by various unknown writers over the duration of 500 years (between 1,000 and 500 B.C.).
The Upanishads are the foundation of Eastern spirituality, having been passed down from masters to students following deep contemplative insights. The Upanishads are where Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religious traditions get their ideas. Kundalini feels the same way.
The philosophical objective of Kundalini, as the “yoga of awareness,” is to awaken your Higher Self. Each individual is thought to be a Brahman energy center (God-like creative consciousness). We can disengage from the worldly Ego and connect directly with Universal Brahman by applying the scientific procedures developed by Kundalini masters over thousands of years.
The essence of God, according to Kundalini Yoga, is the same essence of ourselves. God is the creative awareness that flows through everything, including ourselves. Because Brahman is already a part of us, we can reach it. To put it another way, we are all expressions of the same collective energy. Kundalini is a technique for releasing our false Ego story of separation and experiencing the genuine nature of our being. Isn't that good for a little stretching?
What is the difference between spiritual awakening and kundalini awakening?
Spiritual awakening (also known as “spiritual ascension”) is usually an emotional and psychological experience. Kundalini awakening, on the other hand, is an energetic surge that can be mild and progressive or rapid and strong.
While kundalini awakening normally occurs after a spiritual awakening, it is not always the case. Kundalini can erupt quickly in response to psychedelic drug experiences, sexual encounters, or even tragic ones, as previously indicated.
Another difference is that kundalini energy is felt extremely physically, whereas spiritual awakening is typically more focused on the mind and emotions. While powerful vibrations and heat may be felt in the body during kundalini rising, there is a soulful element of deep questioning, understanding, and transfiguration during spiritual awakening (some refer to this as spiritual alchemy).
Is it possible to have both spiritual and kundalini awakenings at the same time? Without a doubt. And it's for this reason that both can lead to the Dark Night of the Soul (or the inevitable after-effect of feeling as if you've lost touch with the Divine). In the end, they're just two sides of the same coin.