According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Hatha Yoga is the yoga practiced the most in the United States. Hatha is a physical form of yoga involving certain postures and breath work designed to prepare the body for spiritual meditation. Each version of yoga is slightly different and which discipline you choose to practice is based on personal preference. Kundalini yoga is a discipline of hatha yoga incorporating postures, focused breathing and chanting.
History
Kundalini yoga was a guarded secret among yogis until the 1960s. In 1969, Yogi Bhajan decided to bring kundalini to the West. Bhajan believed that all people, regardless of their religion, could benefit from kundalini yoga and through practice, experience a great awakening.
Function
The basic belief in kundalini yoga is that everyone has a dormant energy, coiled up at the base of their spines like a serpent. Kundalini yoga is designed to awaken that energy and draw it up through each of the seven centers of energy, known as chakras. As chakra energy is released, yoga practitioners are believed to experience a spiritual awakening and an increased awareness.
Features
Kundalini yoga incorporates yoga postures and energetic breathing, as well as chanting and meditation. During class, participants chant mantras such as "I am truth." According to the Yoga Journal website, the goal of kundalini exercise is to improve the body's vitality and increase awareness. In some kundalini exercises, music or a gong is used to produce transformation and encourage relaxation. Instructors of kundalini yoga usually wear white because white is believed to provide the body with good energy and benefits to the nervous system.
Benefits
Kundalini yoga is designed to strengthen the body and improve health and well-being. According to yogayoga.com, regular practice of kundalini yoga has the ability to strengthen the nervous system, provide emotional balance, improve your sense of awareness and increase energy levels. Kundalini also improves mental clarity, reduces stress, strengthens the immune system and increases lung capacity to allow for deeper and more purposeful breathing.
Warning
Kundalini exercise is usually a gentle practice, but injury is possible. Yoga instructors should be properly certified and participate in a regular practice of yoga as well. For those new to kundalini yoga, it is advised that they stay within their limits and range of flexibility and ask the instructor for suggestions of alternate poses if a particular pose is uncomfortable. The warm-up portion of any exercise program is very important. Kundalini yoga sessions should be begun with poses designed to warm up the body and prepare it for exercise.
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