What is kundalini yoga?

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Permalink Reply by Ken on April 9, 2009 at 12:44am

here are my thoughts:

Kundalini practice is far more complex/specific then any other yoga practice. some people think it is 'the more spiritual' of yoga, this may be true, but more accurately its like a fine tuned complex system of achieving a variety of goals both spiritual and physical. I am contrasting this as opposed to something like hatha with main goals of stilling the mind and releasing stuck energy/opening one up.

the format is always the same...(tune in / a series of kryias [ exercises] / and a long meditation [which is basically just a longer exercise of chants/mantras postures that can go form 7 minutes to many hours]) but every class is different with a different intention

kundalini meditations are incredibly difficult and in some ways incredibly stupid to the resistant mind.

In kundalini

much benefit is drawn from the teacher (who rather then just leads the class, adjusts and 'troubleshoots' the energy of the class)
as well as just participating in the exercises to the best of ones ability (so it doesn't even require the physical prowess of hatha, although some kryia's ARE actually more stressful or demanding physically) and working with the group.

kundalini is just a type of yoga, so you can more or less do it on your own I suppose. I'd say, more so then any other yoga, it is better (and some might even say..safer) to do it in a group and follow very specific protocols. certainly doing some of the exercises of meditations and/or chants alone is ok.

I suggest finding a group that practices, and not experimenting solo with a book etc...

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Permalink Reply by Hitesh = Raw in Mumbai on April 9, 2009 at 3:55am

can you suggest some yoga exercises, it doesnt have to be kundalini. for my arms and abs, that i can perform alone. till then i'll look for some classes that i can afford.

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Permalink Reply by Ken on April 9, 2009 at 9:05am

ok...kundalini people have great abs... heh

the reason for that is stretch pose..and a few variations similar to leg lifts. (plus many other exercises which work 'the core' I suppose)

I just found this
http://www.yogalesson.com/abdominal/stretch.html

the leg lifs are prety self explanatory. lie on back and raise one leg up perpendicular to the floor..one at a time. try to set a time limit and do vigirously ->past comfort zone. (this is more exercise advice rather then kundalini..which has specific sets/intentions)


what do you mean for arms? like building arms?

this is an overall great tricept /chest exercise

hindu pushup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcW61Bb8uOo


GL

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Permalink Reply by Hitesh = Raw in Mumbai on September 17, 2009 at 11:34pm

im doing great. i still have eating issues. alot of fried, unhealthy food, sweets, etc.
but yes im trying to gradually make changes in my diet and in my exercise.
do tell me more KEN. your the only one whose giving me some hints on what i should be doing. if anybody else can help me with this im new. please tell me more.
i am not part of a yoga group and i am waiting to join one. i heard about a yoga institute its a bit far. and my aunt is a teacher there.

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Permalink Reply by YogaBrudder on September 20, 2009 at 3:18pm

Hitesh, probably a good idea to practice along with youtube, search for kundalini yoga, much more practical than reading a description would be actually seeing the class. even better would be a meeting with someone in your town. nothing like the teacher's presence, my friend!

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Permalink Reply by YogaBrudder on September 20, 2009 at 3:12pm

Can you take a class? Where are you, India?

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Permalink Reply by YogaBrudder on September 20, 2009 at 3:15pm

Well, I can tell ya about Kundalini! Ha-Ha. "It's what I do", as they say, ntika (not that I know anything).

Hitesh, I am certain Kundalini yoga in India is a lot different than throughout the states, which was brought here in late '68 by Yogi Bhajan, from India. He probably modified it for us wild and crazy Americans.

I could go on and on about it for hours. But you need to get out there and meet people/talk, find out who teaches yoga, someone will help yu and lead you to the right way for YOU!! It just might not be kundalini, you know.

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Permalink Reply by Hitesh = Raw in Mumbai on September 21, 2009 at 10:35pm

i have a friend but he just got employed as a yoga instructor in a rehab. i was with him, took him to the owner of the rehab. told her that hes a fine yoga teacher.
he learned vipassana, he lived like a monk for 3 years, and he also learn reiki and seiki from actual japanese teachers. so he teaches me yoga+ acupressure. but i guess now he cant.

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