How Often? Head Coverings? White Clothing?

      How often should I do Yoga?

      Ultimately, a yoga practice is best done daily. Even a few minutes every day can make a big difference!  This gets you centered for your day and provides maximum progression.  But any practice, however often, will be beneficial.  Two to three times a week will provide noticeable results.  Many people find that they feel so good when they do yoga, they want to do more and more! 

      Why do some teachers wear a headscarf or turban?

      Head coverings of any kind are useful for a meditative practice.  Turbans in particular are useful for holding energy in, and for creating a meditative focus at the third eye point (brow point).  In addition, the turban provides a nice cranial adjustment. Some teachers wear a turban or head covering for these yogic reasons alone. 

      

      Why wear white yoga clothing?

      For the practice of Kundalini Yoga it is helpful to wear white, natural fiber clothing.  The color white is good for the body energetically and for the nervous system.  Natural fiber clothing (cotton is suggested) allows the body to breathe and is comfortable during yoga.  White clothes can enhance your Kundalini experience by expanding your electro-magnetic field (aura), your personal awareness and makes it easier for the teacher to see how you are breathing and moving during class.

What happens in a Kundalini Yoga Class?

Each Kundalini Yoga class follows a similar structure designed for optimal results physically, mentally, and emotionally, but no class is completely the same as there are over 8,000 yoga sets and meditations to choose from.  All Kundalini classes begin with a time for centering. The teacher leads the class in the mantra, Ong Namo, Guru Dev Namo. Students may chant or listen, as they like.  The class then is lead in 10-20 minutes of warm-up exercises, which prepare the body for the yoga sets (kriyas) that follow.  After warm-ups, yoga sets (kriyas) are begun.  Each yoga set involves physical postures (asana), breath work (pranayama), and meditative focus. Yoga is followed by a short meditation. Class ends with a long, deep relaxation that allows time for regeneration, stress release, and peace.  Each class closes with a song of blessing, in which students can sing along or listen.  After class, students may relax or visit. At this time, the teacher is also available to answer questions. 

The Background of Kundalini Yoga

      The earliest known written mention of Kundalini Yoga is in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad, which is the eighty-sixth among the 108 Muktika Upanishads, associated with the Krishna Yajurveda, originating from India.  The origin of this particular writing is difficult to substantiate but it is believed that all Upanishads have been passed down through oral tradition.  Some have estimated that the composition of the Yajurveda texts date as far back as between 1,400 and 1,000 BC.

In 1969 Kundalini Yoga was formally introduced to mainstream American culture by Yogi Bhajan, a Kundalini Yoga Master from India.  Before this time the teachings had only been passed on from teacher to student throughout India and Tibet and the ‘technology’ developed by the yogis, saints and sages was still relatively misunderstood.  Yogi Bhajan revealed this technology to the West as a comprehensive spiritual system for personal growth.  Observing the many Westerners arriving in India seeking a spiritual experience, Yogi Bhajan initially set about teaching Kundalini Yoga as an alternative and transformational technology for self-development, and to counter the drug abuse of the 60's.

This was the first time Kundalini Yoga was openly taught by a recognized Indian Master teacher in a Western format outside of India. Throughout his 35 years teaching until his death in 2004, Yogi Bhajan built up a legacy of information and teachings around the subject of Kundalini yoga, including the publications of over 100 related books on the applications of the yogic technology in a multitude of different fields of spirituality – covering yoga, meditation, drug rehabilitation, women's and men's yoga, psychology, body-work, healing, re-birthing, teaching, business, relationships, and marriage.

FAQ's

We've decided to dedicate the next month answering some of the frequently asked questions about Kundalini Yoga and Meditation.  If there is something you'd like to know - get in touch!


What makes Kundalini Yoga different from other forms of Yoga?


Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is different to other forms of yoga as it is based on kriyas, (specially formulated sets or exercises) instead of just postures. The benefits experienced from these kriyas which combine asanas, pranayam, mudras and mantra are far greater than doing random postures, which is one of the reasons that Kundalini Yoga works far more quickly and effectively than other forms of yoga such as hatha. It is much more precise and it allows you to focus on specific areas that need work. It  enhances the nervous system, glands, mental faculties, balances the chakras, and builds spiritual strength while it integrates the flow of kundalini energy.  Kundalini Yoga, at its highest form, is practiced for the purpose of attaining bliss, opening the heart center, developing power, serving others, attaining self-realization and ultimately merging into God consciousness.

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KMYOGA Flyer

Check out the new flyers that we've recently been putting up around town.  They are so bold and vibrant and we've had really great feedback.   My current class schedule for both Yoga and Meditation classes are there.  Just click on the images to get a larger view.  And for those of you new to the meditation classes at my studio in Tamarama, I offer the first class for free.  So come, bring your friends and try it out! Looking forward to welcoming you soon.

The 7th Chakra - The Tenth Gate or Crown Chakra

‘The Angel’  - How I feel my purpose.  Humility.

The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head.  It is the seat of the soul, the centre of all perceptions, all dimensions and all forms of being (we are ONE).

This chakra is associated with cosmic sound, like the sound of the gong.  If you listen to the gong carefully as is cascades into crescendo, all the nerves are stretched to their limit.  The pressure of the sound gives a chance for the body, mind and spirit to merge and become one with the infinite. You have the choice to let go and surrender or to contract and pull out of the experience.

The 7^th Chakra has the key characteristic of surrender – the humility that fills you as you bow before Infinity. That is one of the reasons that so many traditions use the act of bowing. The top of the head, the 7^th Chakra is brought all the way to the Earth, so the blood circulation and Prana becomes focused at the 7^th Chakra and the person is given a new purpose of openness and strength (experience of the Divine) so that you flow spontaneously in rhythm with the Universe.

Colour: Violet

*When this chakra is balanced/unblocked it can manifest as bliss, unity, enlightment, secure relationship with the unknown and the experience of all as ONE.

 

*Suggested Affirmation:  “I acknowledge and rejoice in my spirituality.”

The 6th Chakra - The Brow Chakra

‘The Visionary’ - How I perceive Myself.  Known as the third eye (intuition, wisdom).

The brow Chakra located in the middle of the forehead just above the space between the eyes.  It is the centre of vision and perception.  The pituitary gland (master gland) is located here and it is there that you reach the integrity and integration of personality.  It is from here that you get the sense of intuition and the direction you want to take.  It is where the major channels of energy come together (positive = sun+ moon = negative / Ida+ Pingala +Sushmuna).  It is the eye that goes beyond the 2 eyes.  The 2 eyes give you dimension in the normal world and the third eye gives you depth and dimension into the subtle worlds.

ELEMENT:  Light (beyond the elements)

COLOUR:  Indigo

*When this chakra is balanced/unblocked it can manifest as, clear perception, developed intuition, psychic abilities-clairvoyance, seeing energy within and beyond matter and form, power of projection and understanding your purpose.

*Suggested Affirmation: “I always receive and perceive the guidance I need.”

The 5th Chakra - The Throat Chakra

‘How I express Myself’ - The power of the word, communication, speaking the truth and the Teacher.

The Throat Chakra, located at the top of the breastbone, is the centre for the expression of creativity, love and abilities.  It influences the thyroid gland which effects the balance of the entire nervous system, metabolism, muscular control and body temperature.  The throat chakra must be cleared in order to express your potential, once the heart chakra is open.

ELEMENT: Ether

COLOUR: Light Blue

*When this chakra is balanced/unblocked it can manifest as, always voicing the truth (honoring the word), authenticity, knowledge and the ability to communicate that effectively, inspiring, teaching and embodying God’s will.

*Suggested Affirmation: “I express my deepest truth gracefully, respectfully and confidently.”

The 4th Chakra - The Heart Chakra

‘Love & Compassion’ - The one who cares, how I care about myself, Awakening from ME to WE (Finite to Infinite)

The heart Chakra is located in the centre of the chest (thymus).  It is the seat of our source of caring, intuition, compassion and unconditional love. This is where the opening of the higher consciousness and the higher self takes place.

COLOUR - Green

ELEMENT- Air

*When this chakra is balanced/unblocked it can manifest as humility, unconditional love for all, seeing the Divine in All, harmonious relationships, acceptance that all is as it should be, compassion, kindness and forgiveness.

*Suggested Affirmation:  “I am open to give and receive love, freely and effortlessly.  I forgive and release the pains of my past, and I am free to love in the present.”