Sahaja Yoga Poses

Sahaja yoga, as founded by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, known as Mataji, is a technique for awakening your kundalini energy, which yogis say lies dormant at the base of your spine. According to classical yoga, awakening your kundalini and the resultant state of self-realization -- a state of experiencing oneness with God -- is the result of a disciplined and a consistent practice. However, according to Mataji, you can awaken the kundalini through means of sahaja yoga's simple sequential exercises.

Sitting

To perform sahaja yoga meditation, you should sit comfortably in a chair with your legs straight, not crossed and your hands resting upward in your lap. Mataji recommends removing your shoes to increase your connection to the earth. She says this connection is effective in releasing any negativity from your consciousness.

Lower Chakras

The first part of the sahaja yoga practice awakens the kundalini and moves it through the lower chakras. These are energy centers associated with the lower half of the body. While still sitting comfortably, you move your right hand around your abdomen and the left side pf your rib cage while stating your intention of acquiring pure knowledge and declaring that you are your own teacher.

Heart Center

The next pose of sahaja yoga involves moving the energy to the heart center. You will do this by placing your right hand over your heart and stating that you are your spirit. According to Harish Johari, author of "Chakras," the heart center represents human nature and connects the lower chakras, which represent your nature as a being in an animal body, with the upper chakras, your spiritual nature.

Forgiveness

The subsequent poses are concerned with forgiveness of self and others, and they continue to move the kundalini upward. Place your hand on the left side of your neck and state that you are innocent. Your right palm then moves to your forehead and you say you "forgive everyone." According to Mataji, you must do this in full sincerity. If you do not truly forgive, the practice will not be effective.

Crown Chakra

In the final pose of sahaja yoga, you will press your right hand into the crown of your head with your fingers extended and rotate your scalp seven times clockwise, while asking for self-realization seven times. According to Sahaja Meditation, you can then lift your right hand 5 or 6 inches away from your head and feel the rising kundalini as a rush of cold air against your hand.

Disclaimer

The benefits of this meditation method are those claimed by Mataji and her followers. There is no conclusive clinical evidence about the nature of kundalini energy or any benefits associated with awakening it.