What is Kundalini Yoga and why is it special?

Yogis believe that no spiritual knowledge and “final liberation” (nirvana) is possible without awakening the Kundalini energy.

What is Kundalini and why is it good for you?

Kundalini Yoga is much more than a system of physical exercises. It is a powerful tool for raising awareness. The creative energy – present in every human being – moves and awakens the energy of consciousness: the Kundalini.

Practicing kundalini balances the glandular system, strengthens the nervous system. It allows us to harness the power of our minds and emotions to control ourselves, rather than being controlled by our thoughts and emotions. This method precisely and consciously combines breathing, hand posture, eye contact, mantras, body locks and postures, thus affecting the body, soul and mind.

Kundalini Yoga is for ordinary people, people who face the daily challenges and stressful situations of going to work, maintaining a family, raising a child. Kundalini Yoga is for anyone who wants an ability to stand up to the challenges of today.

The history of Kundalini yoga

Hindu sacred documents: the Upanishads – dating from around the 5th century BC – also refer to the Kundalini force, although it is said that it may have originated even earlier. The secret science and practices of Kundalini Yoga have been passed down from master to disciple for thousands of years. This trend was not taught in public.

Yogi Bhajan, rejecting the secretive tradition of old ages, broke the silence. In 1969, at the age of 39, he came to the U.S. to teach and demonstrate kundalini yoga. Later, his wife and children also followed him to the United States. He gave his first performance at a gym in L.A. and he didn’t have many disciples at the time. However, today the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) – founded by him – holds kundalini yoga trainings all over the world and teaches the possibilities of a healthy, happy life.

Why is Kundalini Yoga special?

Kundalini and other yoga types share some common ground as they use postures and breathing to create union of mind, body, and soul.

What makes Kundalini different is that it approaches yoga like a technology through a sequence of movements called “kriya”. Kriya is a definite series of asanas or exercises. Each kriya has a specific purpose, such as strengthening the immune system, enhancing kidney function, overcoming fears, relaxing, strengthening the spine, or opening the heart. There are hundreds of predetermined kriyas in Kundalini Yoga.

Kriyas include:

• Asanas – postures
• Mantras– sound vibration
• Pranayama– breathing techniques
• Bandhas-body locks (also known as bandhs in the Kundalini tradition)
• Mudras– energy seals with hand gestures
• Meditation

So we can say that Kundalini is perhaps the most special and complex type of yoga in the world. It is recommended to give it a try.

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The Egely Wheel allows you to check, measure and increase your own Kundalini Energy flow.