Kundalini Guide

Closely connected with the Hindu religion, yoga -- as a philosophy and practice -- has existed since around 2,800 B.C., according to Tara Fraser, author of "Total Yoga." Contemporary yoga classes regularly combine different types of yoga, and yoga in general is recommend by such organizations as the Mayo Clinic for stress reduction, weight loss and the alleviation of depression, pain, sleep problems and fatigue. Yoga is closely tied to the concept of kundalini.

Kundalini

According to Fraser, kundalini is a type of "latent energy" that resides at the bottom of an energy channel, known as "chakra," located between the anus and genitals. Through "pranayamas," or breathing exercises, and "mudras," or hand, eye and finger positioning exercises, the kundalini energy is directed upwards through the various chakras. If your yoga practice emphasizes pranayama and mudras, it may be described as kundalini yoga.

Chakras

Kundalini energy flows upward in channels along the area of the spine through seven chakras. The chakras begin with the muladara, located near the genitals and associated with basic physical survival and safety, then progresses through manipura, located at the navel, corresponding to fame, will-power and control; the anahata, located near the heart, lungs and ribcage, and associated with ambition, hope, love and devotion; and through the final chakra, sahasrar, located at the crown of the head and representing the point at which you actually transcend the physical body altogether.

Pranayamas

Pranayama teaches you to become aware of your inward and outward breaths, and includes exercises to direct the flow of breath for various purposes. Long Deep Breathing, for example, requires that you fill the lower regions of the lungs, around your diaphragm, slowly and fully. You then hold your breath slightly before releasing it, also slowly and fully, pausing for a few seconds before beginning another breath.

Whereas Long Deep Breathing is meant to relax your body, Breath of Fire is meant to clean and energize. In this pranayama, you breathe in and out rhythmically and quickly, also from the diaphragm. The goal is to let the rhythm of the breathing create an energy of its own.

Mudras

Lothar-Rudiger Lutge, a Kundalini teacher, notes that the hands are "a mirror for your body and mind." In other words, the mudra hand positions reflect and intensifies the effect of your body posture or breathing, all for the purpose of increasing the kundalini energy flow. Or, as the Kundalini Yoga website puts it, because each area of the hand corresponds to another part of the body and mind, curling, crossing or touching various parts of the hand stimulate other parts of the mind and body.

Some common mudras include guyan, where the tip of the thumb touches the tip of the index finger to provide receptivity and calm; buddhi, where the tip of the thumb touches the tip of the little finger for communication; and prayer mudra, where the palms are pressed together for balance and centering.