Kundalini Yoga - A Psycho-Spiritual Awakening
Kundalini Yoga is a physical and meditative aspect of Yoga. It consists of a flexible set of Yoga techniques that engages the mind, senses and body in a bid to develop a union of the body and mind.
In Kundalini Yoga the focus is more on psycho-spiritual growth besides one's body's ability to mature. At the same time, due consideration is given to the role of the spine and the endocrine system in the comprehending Kundalini awakening.
Kundalini Yoga focuses attention upon the 7 chakras (psychic centers) in the body. The endeavor is to release a Yogic power, known as Kundalini Shakti (energy).
According to the philosophy of Yoga, Kundalini is the latent form of prana or life force, lying dormant at the base of the spine in our bodies, visualized as a coiled serpent. However a lot of people say that it should be read as 'lock of hair of the Beloved') lying dormant at the base of our spine. This power has the ability to spring awake when activated by Yogic disciplines.
Kundalini Yoga is tough and rather elaborate practice. It consists of many physical poses (asanas), expressive movements and incantations, breathing exercises, and practice of meditation. Then again, scholars of Yoga say that none of these poses and breathing exercises should be considered merely stretching exercises or gymnastics.
Even though it is rather physical in nature, the main benefit of Kundalini Yoga is obtained from through inner experience. For this reason, Kundalini Yoga is also called Yoga of Awareness as it awakens the dormant Kundalini. This is an infinite potential existing within each and every one of us. Once this unlimited potential energy has been awakened and released in your body it rises up the 7 physical chakras and rouses the higher centers. This gives you greater intuition and mental clarity as well as creative potential.
Kundalini being considered a precarious practice - if misguided or misused, the power can backfire badly - traditionally it was practiced secretly. The knowledge of its techniques was passed on by Guru to disciple only after a long and tedious initiation processes. This was done more to determine the pupil's commitment to the subject.
