Like other forms of yoga, kundalini provides a variety of mental and physical benefits. Kundalini is an ideal form of yoga for beginners through advanced students. It incorporates breathing techniques and poses to achieve better awareness. Serious followers may even incorporate a variety of kundalini practices into their everyday routine, such as braiding their hair before bed or taking cold showers in the morning.
History
The word kundalini means "the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved" in Sanskrit, which refers to the kundalini energy coiled at the base of the spine. Traditionally a secret form of yoga, kundalini was first brought to the United States by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. Bhajan broke the rules by teaching kundalini to the public and his classes rapidly grew in popularity and numbers. Bhajan went on to found the 3HO Foundation, an international kundalini center, and the Kundalini Research Institute.
Physical Effects
The primary aim of kundalini yoga is to release the kundalini energy and unite it with the mind. Kundalini poses move the energy upward through each body center, or chakra, which heightens awareness. By moving the energy up the spine, kundalini poses aim to activate the secretion of the pineal gland in the brain, which is thought to control the nucleus of every cell in the body, according to "Kundalini Yoga" by Shakta Kaur Khalsa.
Kriya Benefits
The activation of the pineal gland results in heightened awareness and focus, as well as a variety of other physical benefits. It also improves the overall functioning of the nervous system and increases the immune function. Some kundalini kriyas are especially designed to target specific body organs or areas, such as the liver, pelvic region, heart and back. As with all types of yoga, kundalini improves flexibility, range of motion, strength and balance when it is practiced consistently, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Breathing and Body Locks
Kundalini yoga also incorporates other special techniques like breathing and body locks. Breath techniques like breath of fire aim to cleanse the blood of impurities, expand lung capacity, improve nerve functioning, warm the body and activate the brain. Kundalini also incorporates three kinds of body locks: the neck lock, diaphragm lock and root lock. These muscle contractions are supposed to alter blood circulation, nerve functioning and spinal fluid flow, which helps raise the kundalini energy through each chakra.
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