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In the classical literature of Kashmir Shaivism kundalini is described in three different manifestations. Shaivism, also spelled "Saivism" names the oldest of the four sects of Hinduism. The first of these is as the universal energy or para-kundalini. The second of these is as the energizing function of the body-mind complex or prana-kundalini. The third of these is as consciousness or shakti-kundalini which simultaneously subsumes and intermediates between these two. Ultimately these three forms are the same but understanding these three different forms will help to understand the different manifestations of kundalini. [1]

Kundalini yoga is a physical and meditative discipline, comprising a set of techniques that use the mind, senses and body to create a communication between "mind" and "body". Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness Kundalini yoga focuses on psycho-spiritual growth and the body's potential for maturation, giving special consideration to the role of the spine and the endocrine system in the understanding of yogic awakening (Sovatsky, 1998). In Human anatomy, the vertebral column ( backbone or spine) is a column of 34 Vertebrae the Sacrum, Intervertebral The endocrine system is an integrated system of small organs that involve the release of extracellular signaling molecules known as Hormones The endocrine system is instrumental Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar)

Kundalini Yoga concentrates on chakras in the body in order to generate a spiritual power, which is known as kundalini. Chakra ( Pali: chakka Tibetan: khorlo Malay: cakera is a Sanskrit term meaning Circle or Wheel Kundalini (kuṇḍalinī sa कुण्डलिनी Sanskrit, literally "coiled"

Kundalini is the potential form of prana or life force, lying dormant in our bodies. Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full" It is conceptualized as a coiled up serpent (literally, 'kundalini' in Sanskrit is 'That which is coiled. ' (Sanskrit kund, "to burn"; kunda, "to coil or to spiral") but some claim that it should be translated 'lock of hair of the Beloved') lying at the base of our spine, which can spring awake when activated by spiritual disciplines.

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Kundalini yoga practice

The practice of kundalini yoga consists of a number of bodily postures, expressive movements and utterances, characterological cultivations, breathing patterns, and degrees of concentration (Sovatsky, 1998). None of these postures and movements should, according to scholars of Yoga (Sovatsky, 1998), be considered mere stretching exercises or gymnastic exercises.

Shannahoff-Khalsa (2004) describes several Kundalini Yoga techniques in his Kundalini Yoga Protocol. Most techniques include the following features: cross-legged positions, the positioning of the spine (usually straight), different methods to control the breath, the use of mantras, closed eyes, and mental focus (often on the sound of the breath). A mantra ( Devanāgarī मन्त्र (or mantram is a religious or mystical syllable or poem typically from the Sanskrit language The author emphasizes that the techniques are not meant to be a substitute for medical care and advice.

Like a few other yogas, kundalini yoga links movement with breath. It is differentiated by a direct focus on moving energy through the chakra system, stimulating the energy in the lower chakras and moving it to the higher chakras. The chakras are energy centers, seven in total, located beginning at the base of the spine and ending at the top of the head. An eighth chakra exists in Kundalini Yoga, which is the electromagnetic field, sometimes called "aura. " The aura is thought to be strengthened through the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini Yoga is intended to awaken the energy that resides in the spine by activating the nerve channels that are intertwined there.

Kundalini Yoga is sometimes called "the Yoga of Awareness" because it awakens the "kundalini" which is the unlimited potential that already exists within every human being (Sat Bachan Kaur Karla Becker, 2004). Practitioners believe that when the infinite potential energy is raised in the body it stimulates the higher centers, giving the individual enhanced intuition and mental clarity and creative potential. As such, Kundalini was considered a dangerous practice by ruling powers and so, was historically practiced in secret. The knowledge was handed down by Master to student only after long initiation processes to determine the student's commitment.

Underlying philosophy

Sovatsky (1998) describes 'kundalini yoga' as an energetically guided yoga. Yoga ( Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, joːgə refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the This means that the discipline is informed by the Hindu understanding of pranotthana, or "intensified life-energy". A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full" Pranotthana is sometimes thought to lead to spontaneous psycho-motor manifestations which, according to Yogic hermeneutics, might be interpreted as signs of psycho-spiritual growth and bodily maturation. Hermeneutics may be described as the development and study of Theories of the interpretation and understanding of texts

The word, 'kundalini', literally means "the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved. " [1] [2] It is a metaphor, a poetic way of describing the flow of energy and consciousness which already is said to exist within each person. Metaphor (from the Greek: μεταφορά - metaphora, meaning "transfer" is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects Higher consciousness, also called super consciousness ( Yoga) objective consciousness ( Gurdjieff) Buddhic consciousness ( The practices are said to enable the person to merge with or "yoke" the universal Self. This merging of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness is said to create a "divine union" called "yoga. "[3]

Kundalini yoga should be practiced with the guide of a credible teacher, as serious mental and physical problems may result from improper practice (called Kundalini Syndrome). The Kundalini Syndrome is a set of sensory, motor, mental and Affective symptoms reported predominantly (according to certain A growing body of clinical and psychological literature notes the growing occurrence of meditation-related problems in Western contemplative life (Lukoff et. al , 1998; Perez-De-Albeniz & Holmes, 2000).

Medical research on kundalini yoga

Recently there has been a growing interest within the medical community to study the physiological, as well as the psychological, effects of meditation, and some of these studies have applied the discipline of kundalini yoga to their clinical settings (Cromie, 2002; Lazar, et. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. al, 2000):

See also

References

  1. ^ Kundalini Yogas FAQ

External links

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