Sat Naam! You have questions and I have answers! Here is my list of Q&A on Kundalini Yoga, Kirtan and Gong. I include brief answers to everything from what Sat Naam means to why I wrap my head in a turban.
Printed copies are given to new students who come to class or read up before you come! Many of the answers are short and sweet but don’t hesitate to contact me for more information or ask me anything in person.
So let’s get started…
What does ‘Kundalini’ mean? ‘Kundalini’ means, ‘the curl of the hair of the beloved’. This euphemism describes the subtle feeling of the Kundalini energy awakening at the 4th vertebra and traveling up the spine. Kundalini Yoga awakens this creative energy within you. When someone experiences a ‘Kundalini Awakening’ they’ve tapped into the true nature of who they are. They begin to blossom into their true selves and live their best life.
How is Kundalini Yoga different? Kundalini Yoga is a very wholistic type of yoga which includes chanting mantra, meditation, pranayam or breathing exercises and asanas or physical movements or postures. Kundalini Yoga focuses more on the neurological and glandular systems and the movement/transformation of energy than stretching and exercising the musculoskeletal system.
What is Kirtan? Kirtan is a spiritually uplifting practice of community singing or chanting. During a kirtan you’ll participate in singing transformative ancient chants that vibrate your being releasing joy and increasing feelings of happiness and well being. The word kirtan means several things, including ‘divine song’ and also ‘to repeat’.
What are the benefits of The Gong? The gong is one of the oldest instruments and has been used for healing for thousands of years. The vibration of the gong balances our glandular system, it aligns and balances the chakra system (energy centers in the body) and slows down the brain waves. My gong is tuned to the same frequency as the planet Saturn and enhances discipline and wisdom and works to release past issues and memories that our subconscious is ready to release.
Who is Yogi Bhajan? He is the visionary who brought the teachings of Kundalini Yoga from India to the United States in 1969. Up until then Kundalini Yoga was not available to the public – it was very closely guarded and kept secret. Yogi Bhajan realized that our information-driven lifestyle would only become more and more fast-paced and that people would become more and more stressed out as we moved into the Aquarian Age. He set up yoga centers in North America and taught with the intention of teaching teachers who could help others navigate these stressful times with ease.
What is the Aquarian Age? We are currently shifting from the Piscean Age to the Aquarian Age which has created a huge expansion of human consciousness. With technological advances the human brain processes more information today in one day than people had to process during their entire lifetimes in the 1700’s. The demands on our nervous systems and brains is tremendous and causes great stress and ‘burn out’ over time. The tools of Kundalini Yoga helps us navigate the increased information and stresses and heal ourselves and others.
What does ‘Sat Naam’ mean? It is common for Kundalini practitioners to greet each other or part by saying “Sat Naam”. Sat meaning truth and Naam meaning name or identity. I see the the beauty of the truth within you – it’s the same truth that resides within me.
Do I have to wear white and or cover my head? No, it’s not required. The white clothing and head coverings are tools in our yoga toolbox that you might want to try. Read more below…
What’s with white clothing? Wearing white expands your aura and creates a powerful connection between you and your environment. Negative energy is reflected away from the body and positive energy is contained within. By wearing white, all the colors are available to support and enhance your aura and eight chakras (energy centers).
Why the turban? Turbans provide a way for the head to be covered retaining the energy within we’ve worked so hard to activate. The fabric presses on acupressure points on the head increasing feelings of well being and focus. A turban literally, ‘keeps your head together’. Plus Yogi Bhajan encouraged his students to wear turbans so that those in need could easily recognize us and ask us for help.
Why practice on a wool blanket or animal skin? Similar to wearing the color white, practicing on natural fibers helps to expand our aura and electromagnetic fields. Try it and feel the difference for yourself.
What is Pranayama? Pranayama is the science of expanding and regulating the flow of life force/vital energy through the breath. We can change our consciousness at any moment simply by changing our breath.
Why Chant Mantra? Think of a mantra as a vibration that shakes something loose or activates a desired state of being within you. There’s mantra to make us feel protected, courageous, compassionate. Mantras also heal. Chanting mantra puts us in touch with the Naad the sacred sound current of the universe.
What is the Chakra System? Understanding the chakra system will help you understand how to become aware of your own energy plus you’ll have new tools to help you change your energy. The chakra system is a series of seven energy centers that run from the base of the spine to the crown of the head plus the eighth chakra – the Aura or the electromagnetic field that surrounds us. When the Chakra System is in balance we feel balanced in mind, body and spirit.
What is a Kriya? A series of exercises, mantra, mudra, meditation and or pranayam that create a desired state of consciousness or has a desired effect. Kryia means ‘action’. There’s Kryia to detox and tone different organs, gland and other systems of the body, Kryia to bring the spine into alignment, or open the heart, or help us become like angels – quite literally there’s a Kryia for whatever you’d like to work with in body mind or spirit. There are thousands of Kryia and also thousands of meditations so one Kundalini Yoga class can be very different from from the next.
Why do we relax after kryia? Resting in stillness at the end of class is challenging for a lot of people mainly due to emotional conflict. However it’s an important part of the practice which allows your body to assimilate all the good work and benefits from the practice you just did.
Where can I find out more? Some resources for all things Kundalini Yoga are the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization https://www.3ho.org/ and Spirit Voyage http://www.spiritvoyage.com/ Check them out!
Last’s nights Kundalini Yoga class at Mandala Moon Yoga in Marcellus finished a 4 week series on Finding the Light Within. During this class we worked with releasing fear to make way for love. Many people believe that hate is the opposite of love, when in fact it’s fear that begins to create polarity and separateness from each other, our universe and our creator. Once we’ve released fear we can move into love.