kundalini yoga & meditation 
"Kundalini is just that little energy that shifts perspective and consciousness,and creates room for our own heart so that we may say YES to life, offer an open hand to all and be still before the Infinite that is our most intimate self." - Gurucharan Singh What is Kundalini anyway?'Kundalini' is a term that is often misunderstood. It translates as 'lock of hair of the beloved' and refers to a store of energy that lies (usually dormant) coiled 3 1/2 times at the base of the spine within each of us. Its often symbolised by a snake for this reason. We like to think of it as a little spark of pure source (where ever/whatever it is that we came from ... you might call it divine, spirit) energy in each of us. When awakened, this energy rises through the sushmana (central energy channel in the spine) and balances and clears our chakras (energy centres in the body), bringing health, wellbeing and connection with our own inner spirit or divine nature. The Kundalini energy is eventually awakened in all forms of yoga. This energy is our divine potential and is just waiting for us to use it. The practice of Kundalini Yoga that we teach at Spirit Rising Yoga comes from the tradition taught by Yogi Bhajan ( for more info on Yogi Bhajan you can visit 3ho.org). This form of yoga works on strengthening and preparing your body (physical structure, nervous system, endocrine/glandular system, lungs, digestion) and mind so that as they become ready, the Kundalini energy gradually becomes available to us for growth and healing: physical, energetic and spiritual. You might not even really notice, except that life gets easier, and you feel better in yoru body, calmer in your mind. What we at Spirit Rising Yoga like to think of as living as a whole human :) All you need to do is breath and move to the best of your capacity, and you too will reap the rewards of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. How is Kundalini Yoga different from other forms of yoga?? Well, its like other forms of yoga, and yet it is completely different, and the only way to really know is to come along and try a few classes :) There are a few key differences in how we practice - one of the main ones is that in Kundalini Yoga, we address and activate the physical, mental and energetic parts of ourselves at the same time. We dont just do a yoga pose (asana), we include breath, meditation, rhythym, movement and sound into the whole class, often incorporating many of these elements at the same time, so that you are healing and developing yourself as a whole human - not just a mind, or just a body, or even just a spirit. This gives an experience that is integrating and balancing, as well as uplifting. Yes, we chant, and we do lots of breathing that might seem weird - if you want different results from your body/in your life, the it is definitely time to try different things! Breathing better is one of the very easy ways to start that process; similarly if you want to clear your mind and emotions, there is nothing more powerful (quick AND long lasting) than a good mantra (mantra means 'mind wave')... think of it as like positive brain re-programming.
You will also find yourself practising with your eyes closed - bringing an element of meditation throughout the practice, and focussing at your third eye point - calming your mind, balancing hormones and increasing intuition. A small action with a lot of impact. Including movement and rhythym in Kundalini Yoga helps to co-ordinate and harmonise body and mind on physical and subtle levels, opening the door to deep healing and helping build an experience of ease/flow that will go way beyond your yoga mat.
Our favourite part of working the whole being and using these techniques in combination: the impact is exponential. Kundalini Yoga works fast and deep, creating real change whether we are healing your spine (we do a lot of that) strengthening your core (another key practice), balancing your mind, clearing out old emotions or tapping into your spiritual potential. And you will usually being doing a bit of all of that, and maybe more in any one class. Thats what we all need in this increasingly time-poor world. I'm a beginner, can I do it? The quick answer: "...if you can breath and move, you can do yoga..." (Yogi Bhajan) If you are reading this I am guessing you can answer yes to those two questions; so yes, you can do kundalini yoga.... Cant meditate?? Dont worry, we've got tricks (aka techniques) to help you with that as well. And the first thing you need to know is that you dont have to stop your mind from thinking - that is its job after all :) To go a little deeper, the term 'yoga' means 'union' - which we take to mean union with and within the self. It means having a harmonious relationship of understanding and connection with your body, mind and spirit, that enhances the life of you and the world at large. 'Yoga' doesnt mean wrap your leg around your head - especially if doing so would cause a rupture ;) Yoga is a practice that embraces mind and spirit as well as body, and explores the relationships and potentials that are so often left dormant (just like the kundalini energy itself)... so you might find your feet in weird places..... but its not required! We teach our yoga classes in a way that emphasizes meeting you where you are at. We employ not only your body, but your breath, your mind and even your voice box - there is always something everyone can do - and from there we help you to move forward into new possiblities in your body, your mind and your life as you connect deeply with your own soul - the original you. What happens in a kundalini yoga and meditation class? 1. Tuning in - using the mantra "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo" - connecting us to our inner wisdom (you can listen to begin with, but will really feel the power when you make some noise :) 2. Calming and balancing our energy - PRANAYAMA - breathing practices 3. WARM-UPS - for our physical bodies to get our spine and joints moving, and our blood flowing. 4. the "KRIYA" - a set of yoga exercises (often including movement, sometimes stationery) that has some kind of focus - it could be aligning your spine, balancing your chakras, healing your endocrine (hormonal) system, or as esoteric as connecting with your soul. The possibilities here are almost endless, and can vary a lot from class to class. 5. DEEP RELAXATION - savasana (literally translates as corpse pose) lie back and soak up all the glorious effects of your practice, often this is accompanied by LIVE GONG - tuend to the vibration of the cosmos, to heal at the deepest levels 6. MEDITATION - practices working with breath, mantra and the mind - to clear your thoughts, reduce stress, create deeper hormonal/endocrine balance, and cleanse the subconscious so you can free yourself from old patterns and generate a healthier, calmer you. TRY IT FOR YOURSELF The practices of kundalini yoga and meditation are designed to be easy and accessible, as well as fast and effective to fit into our busy modern schedules. Here are some meditations that can help you to help cope with life... especially in these times of change. Kirtan Kriya Meditation for Stress and Sudden Shock For times when you feel anxious, stressed or experience a sudden shock - especially those times when you feel overwhelmed or frozen from action. It doesnt matter the cause :) MedStressOrSuddenShock.jpg JPEG Image 731x865 pixels.pdf Meditation for Awareness and to Stimulate the Brain For when you need to get your brain really working! Posture: Easy Pose (comfortable cross legged on floor, or in a straight backed chair with feet on the floor) Mudra (hand position): place hands behind the neck, with fingers interlocked Mantra: Har (to help you keep time use 'Tantric Har' by Guru Prem Singh and Simran Kaur, find it on itunes!)) Movement: chant Har from the navel point. Pull the navel point in a pumping action and move the elbows forward on each repetition. (NOTE: pregnant or menstruating women should not pump/pull back on the navel) Time: continue for 3-11 minutes Meditation for Grounding For those times when you cant get your feet on the ground, cant sit still, your head is stuck in a cloud or off with the pixies! It will bring you into your body, and into your heart. Posture: Easy Pose (comfortable cross legged on floor, or in a straight backed chair with feet on the floor) Mudra (hand position): hands in position for Sat Kriya (arms extended straight up over head, fingers in Venus Lock except index fingers, which are together pointing up) Mantra & movement: chant Sat Nam (pronounce it 'sun num') as in Sat Kriya - pulling the navel point towards your spine on 'Sat' ('sut') and releasing on 'Nam' (num). Do 3 repetitions, then move the hands, still in Sat Kriya mudra, in a sharp movement down to the heart center and chant 'Wahe Guru' (wah-hey goo-roo) slowly. Time: continue for 2 minutes | 
