Kundalini yoga was brought to North America in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan. This type of yoga is a blend of spiritual and physical practices blending movement, breathing, and the chanting of mantras. The belief in Kundalini yoga is that serpent power lies dormant at the base of the spine and needs to be drawn up through the seven chakras, or energy points in the body. Basic poses of Kundalini yoga stimulate glands, organs, and body awareness.
Easy Pose
Begin the easy pose from a seated position on the floor. To execute easy pose, sit with your legs crossed at the ankles. Sit upright and press the lower spine into the floor to help keep the back straight. Breathe normally through the nose and mouth. Hold this pose while taking deep breaths for 1 to 2 minutes or until the pose becomes uncomfortable.
Lotus Pose
The lotus pose is a progression of easy pose. To execute the lotus pose, lift the left foot onto the upper right thigh and place the right foot on the left thigh as close to the hips as possible. This pose is easily held in the middle or at the end of yoga practice for minutes or hours and is designed to enhance deep meditation. In this pose, the right leg is always on top.
Eagle Pose
This pose is begun from the lotus pose. With the legs crossed, extend both arms to 60 degrees while keeping the elbows straight. Curl the fingers in toward the palms without making a fist and point the thumbs up toward the sky. Breathe normally and hold this position for 1 to 2 minutes. This yoga pose is said to increase your aura and magnetic field.
Cat-Cow Pose
The cat-cow pose supposedly clears the diaphragm and abdomen of emotional garbage. To execute the pose, begin on all fours with the hands and knees on the ground and the back in a neutral position. Exhale and bring your head in toward your chest while arching your back up toward the ceiling. Inhale and curve the back, bringing the abdomen toward the floor. After performing the arch followed by relaxation movement, return to starting position with the back in neutral position. Perform the cat-cow pose for 3 to 4 repetitions before moving on to the next pose of your practice.
Warning
Kundalini yoga is a gentle practice, but injury is possible. If a Kundalini pose is uncomfortable, skip it and perform a more comfortable pose. Stay within your comfort zone when practicing yoga and move at a reasonable pace. The warm-up portion of any exercise program is important. Kundalini yoga sessions should start with sun-salutation poses that warm up the body and prepare it for yoga practice.
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