Experience Kundalini

by with No Comment Adriana writes...KundaliniYoga

“There’s nothing which can be more precious in you than your own relationship with your own consciousness.” Yogi Bhajan

As I sit in easy pose with my eyes closed, having just finished the meditation before closing the class, I can feel the silence in the room, waiting for the yoga teacher to que us on for the Long Time Sun, I can feel the yumminess of the work I’ve done all over my body and mind, and my soul is skipping in sweet Joy, WaheGuru!. My Kundalini Experience. How the “laws” of destiny work I cant be sure but one thing i do know is that if you are meant to have something in your life it will make its way in one way or another. This is the case of Kundalini Yoga in my life. In the course of one month all these events and people and music were linking me to an incredible new life, and I had no idea what greatness was coming. A White Tantric Yoga flier with Yogi Bhajan’s photo on it, and not having a clue who he was then except for a bearded man wearing a turban; the elevating music of Snatam Kaur’s angelic voice blew me away, i remember the morning I opened the store and began sweeping the floor while I listened to the songs of “Grace” and remember realizing I was crying and thinking, “why am I crying??, I dont even understand what she’s saying?!” What is this music??” The words Sadhana, and videos of bearded men in turbans were being flooded into my reality … wow! Then, by the works of Magick, as the Universe does it, I was invited to a Saturday morning Sadhana … Oh My Gurus!! I was home. I had found my Self in myself. WOW … a feeling I will never forget because it will never leave my awareness. The connection to who I Am and where I Am and Life … everything was clear, Light had blessed every aspect of my mind and body and now my soul was BIG, HUGE, I felt… I felt…….. I felt.

As I see it, Kundalini Yoga is the gift that keeps on giving. It goes into the web of life readjusting the patterns and puzzle pieces to ultimately help you feel happy healthy and whole. There are so many roads to discovering inner Happiness, roads that lead back to the I Am, and I’ve explored some of those roads, but Kundalini and Yogi Ji’s teachings delivered me to my Light. I Am the Light of my Soul, Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful.

Full Moon On The Beach

by with No Comment KundaliniYoga
UPCOMING
Full Moon Kundalini Yoga & Meditation on the Beach
Sunday • September 11, 2011 • 7:30pm

Full Moon Kundalini Yoga & Meditation on the Beach

Behind Hollywood Cultural Arts center on the beach.
1301 S Ocean Dr.
Hollywood, FL 33019
(A1A turn onto Azalea Terrace. Park behind the Cultural Center and walk onto beach.)


View Larger Map

Every Full Moon the Kundalini Yoga Instructors of South Florida put together a wonderful gathering on the beach in honor of the Full Moon.
The full moon is a perfect time to channel the fullness of emotions to devotion and open our heart centers.

Please join us for a divine kundalini kriya which will awaken our light within and with out! We will continue with a devotional meditation to honor the lunar energy allowing our hearts to open and guiding us closer to our “sat nam”, our truth …our essence of who we really are.

Bring water, a yoga mat and/or blanket to lay on the sand, and coins for parking.
Love donations welcome.
Each month, all donations received go to various charities or to a person who is in need.

Various teachers lead the full moons if you are interested in leading a full moon and are a kundalini yoga teacher please contact Rev Adriana Hari Gobind Kaur @ lovedriven@gmail.com
If rain events are canceled.

Come join us to manifest our prayers and meditate on the beach together, creating a beautiful opportunity to channel our emotions into devotion, and to use the sacred energy of the moon to open our hearts to kindness and compassion by doing yoga and longer meditation .

Full moon meditations are held on Hollywood Beach Behind the Hollywood Cultural Arts Bldg.

Remember:
. Bring water
. Coins for parking
. A mat and/or blanket
. If rain events are canceled. For weather updates call 646.508.1394

White Tantric Yoga in Miami

by with No Comment KundaliniUpcoming

WHITE TANTRIC YOGA MIAMI

March 27th, 2010 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Temple Beth Sholom, 4144 Chase Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Course fee if pre-registered by 3/21/2010:
. $135 for adults

. $100 for seniors 65 and over

. $100 for full time students under 25 with ID

Registration after 3/21/2010:
. $150 for adults

. $110 for senior citizens and full-time students

The fee for the course includes a catered vegetarian lunch.

For more information contact:
. Jiwan Kaur at jiwanyoga.com
. Inder Kaur at 954-322-3820 inderkaur@bellsouth.net

Visit MyYogaSource.com for details and to register

Attalataa

by with No Comment KundaliniSikhismSpiritual LivingYoga

“It is for you to understand that you have to achieve, out of all achievement, one state of consciousness called Attalataa – ­unshakable experience of righteousness. . . When you reach and experience a state of Attalataa, there’s no sacrifice which you cannot make, there’s no person which you cannot confront, there’s no situation which you cannot pass through. . . Atta­lataa is the most desirable and highest consciousness which a person should achieve, and it’s living beauty is very divine. . . One thing I want to share with you is this Attal conscious-ness . . . can only come to you through the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini Yoga starts with Nam. Nam is to conquer the Kaam. Kaam means Vaashnaa, desire, desirousness. To transform this kaam, you have to use Nam . . . So, in human caliber, when you want to be somebody, and you want to be a finite who has the experience of Infinity, this is a practice given to you. This is how a person can correct himself or herself. There is no other simple method available. The minimum formula is one hour of sadhana, one hour of Kundalini Yoga kriyas, and a half an hour of Sa-Ta-Na-Ma meditation”.
— Yogi Bhajan

Source: 3HO.org

Glossary

by HinduismKundaliniSikhismYoga

-A-

ABHAYAM: Fearless.
ABHIMANA: Egoism, identification with the body.
ABHYASA: Spiritual practice.
ADHIKARI: A qualified person.
ADHISHTHANA: Substratum, support.
ADHYASA: Superimposition or false attribution of properties of one thing on another thing.
ADHYATMIC: Spiritual.
ADHYAYANA: Study.
ADVAITA: Non-duality.
AGRAHYA: Unknowable.
AHANKARA: Egoism.
AHIMSA: Non-injury in thought, word and deed. Click here for a more detailed explanation.
AISVARYA: Divine powers.
AJARAM: Without old age.
ALABDHABHUMIKATVA: The feeling that it is impossible to see reality.
ALASYA: Laziness.
AMARA: Immortal.
AMARA-PURUSHA: Immortal being.
AMRITAM: Immortal.
ANADI: Beginningless.
ANAHATA: Mystic sound heard by Yogis.
ANANDA: Bliss, happiness, joy.
ANANDA-GHANA: Cloud of bliss.
ANANDA-SVARUPA: Of the form of bliss.
ANANDAMAYA: Full of great happiness.
ANTAHKARANA: Internal instrument such as mind, intellect, ego and the subconscious mind.
ANANTAM: Infinity.
ANTARATMAN: Inner Self.
ANTARYAMIN: Inner witness.
ANUBHAVA: Experience.
APTA: Realized.
ARHATA: A perfected Soul.
ASAMPRAJNATA: Highest superconscious state where the mind is completely annihilated and Reality experienced.
ASANA: A bodily pose or posture.
ASHRAM: A hermitage; monastery.
ASHTANGA: Eight limbs. Click here for a discourse on Raja Yoga / Ashtanga Yoga.
ASURIC: Demoniacal.
ATMA-JNANA: Knowledge of the Self.
ATMA-SVARUP: The essential nature of the Self.
ATMAN: The Self.
AVADHUTA: A naked sage.
AVARANA: Veil of ignorance.
AVIDYA: Ignorance.
AYURVEDA: The ancient Indian science of medicine.

-B-

BENARES: A holy pilgrimage centre of Hindus, now called Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India.
BHAGAVAD-GITA: A scripture containing Lord Krishna’s teachings. Click here to view an online version.
BHAGAVATA: Name of a Purana (sacred work dealing with the doctrines of creation, etc.)
BHAJAN: Devotional song
BHAKTA: Devotee of God
BHAKTI: Devotion.
BHARATAVARSHA: India.
BHAVA(NA): Feeling; mental attitude.
BHAYANAKA-SABDA: A fear inducing sound.
BHOGI: Enjoyer.
BHUMA: The Unconditioned, the Great Infinite, Brahman.
BHUTA-SIDDHI: A psychic power by which mastery is gained over the elements.
BODHISATTVA: A being who, having developed the Awakening Mind (a mind infused with the aspiration to attain the state of Buddhahood), devotes his life to the task of achieving Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings.
BRAHMA-CHINTANA: Constant thinking of Brahman.
BRAHMA-JNANA: Direct Knowledge of Brahman.
BRAHMA-NISHTHA: One who is established in the Knowledge of Brahman.
BRAHMA-SROTRI: One who has knowledge of the Vedas and the Upanishads.
BRAHMA-SUTRAS: Classical Vedantic scripture.
BRAHMA-TEJAS: Spiritual halo.
BRAHMA-VIDYA: The science of Brahman, knowledge of Brahman, learning pertaining to Brahman or the Absolute Reality. Click here for an essay on Brahma Vidya.
BRAHMACHARYA: Practice of celibacy. Purity in thought, word and deed. Click here for a discourse on Brahmacharya.
BRAHMAMUHURTA: Period from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.
BRAHMAN: The Absolute Reality; God.
BRIHADARANYAKA: Name of an Upanishad.
BUDDHA: One who is totally purified from all defilements and who has realized all that can be known.
BUDDHI: Intellect.

-C-

CHAITANYA: Pure Consciousness.
CHAKRAS: Centres of energy in the human system.
CHANDOGYA: Name of an Upanishad.
CHELA: Disciple.
CHIRANJIVI: One who has gained eternal life.
CHITTA: Subconscious mind.

-D-

DAIVIC: Divine.
DAMA: Control of senses.
DARSHAN: Vision.
DAYA: Mercy.
DEHA: Body.
DEVAS: Celestial beings.
DHARANA: Concentration.
DHARMA: Righteous way of living as enjoined by the sacred scriptures, virtue.
DHYANA: Meditation.
DIVYA-DRISHTI: Divine perception.
DVESHA: Repulsion; hatred; dislike.

-E-

EKADASI: Eleventh day of the Hindu lunar fortnight. Click here for a discourse on the significance of Ekadasi.

-G-

GANDHA: Smell.
GANGA: River Ganges.
GAYATRI: One of the most sacred Vedic Mantras; goddess.
GITA: Renowned sacred text “Bhagavad-Gita”. Click here to view an online version.
GUNA: Quality born of nature.
GURU: Teacher; preceptor. Click here for a more detailed explanation.

-H-

HAVAN: Sacred oblations.
HIRANYAGARBHA: Cosmic intelligence; the supreme lord of the universe; cosmic mind.

-I-

INDRA: The Lord of gods; the ruler of heaven.
INDRIYAS: Senses.
ISHVARA: Lord; God.

-J-

JADA: Insentient.
JAPA: Repetition of the Lord’s Name.
JIVA: Individual Soul.
JIVANMUKTA: One who is liberated in this life.
JNANA: Knowledge; wisdom.
JNANA-INDRIYAS: Organs of knowledge or perception.
JNANI: (Pronounced Nyani) A wise person.

-K-

KAIVALYA: Emancipation; state of absolute independence.
KARMA: Actions operating through the law of cause and effect. Click here for a discourse on Karma Yoga.
KARMA-INDRIYAS: Organs of action – tongue, hands, feet, genital organ and anus.
KARMA-KANDI: One who observes strictly the duties ordained in the scriptures.
KARMASRAYA: Receptacle of actions.
KARUNA: Compassion
KASHAYA: Hidden desires.
KIRTAN: Singing devotional songs.
KRIYA: A type of of exercise in Hatha Yoga.
KSHAMA: Forgiveness.
KUNDALINI: The primordial cosmic energy located in the individual.
KUTIR: A small cottage; hut.

-L-

LAYA: Merging; dissolution.
LINGA-SARIRA: The subtle body, the astral body.
LOBHA: Greed.

-M-

MAHA: Great.
MAHABHARATA: A Hindu epic.
MAHANT: Great sage
MAHAPURUSHA: A great soul.
MAHARISHI: Great sage
MAHASAMADHI: The departure of a Self-realized saint from his mortal coil.
MAHATMA: Great soul
MAITRI: Friendship.
MANAS: Mind.
MANONASA: Destruction of mind.
MANTRA: Sacred syllable or word, or set of words through the repetition and reflection of which one attains perfection.
MAYA: The illusive power of God. Click here for a more thorough explanation.
MOHA: Infatuation.
MOKSHA: Liberation.
MOUNA: Vow of silence.
MOUNI: One who observes silence.
MUKTI: Liberation.
MUMUKSHU: One who aspires after moksha or liberation.
MUNI: An ascetic.
MURTI: Idol.

-N-

NADA: Mystic sound.
NIRODHA: Control or restraint.
NIRVANA: Liberation; final emancipation.
NIRVIKALPA-SAMADHI: Superconscious state where there is no modification of the mind or Triputi.
NITYA-SIDDHA: A liberated soul of marvellous powers who is ever present on the astral plane.
NIVRITTI: Renunciation.
NIYAMA: The second step in Raja Yoga; observance – purity, contentment, austerities, etc.

-O-

OJAS: Spiritual energy.
OM: The sacred monosyllable which symbolizes Brahman.
OORDHVARETA: A Yogi who has stored up the seminal energy in the brain after sublimating the same into spiritual energy.

-P-

PARIVRAJAKA: Wandering monk.
PARAM-DHAMA: Supreme abode.
PARAMAHAMSA: The highest class of Sannyasins.
PASU-SVABHAVA: Animal nature; bestial nature.
PATANJALI: The author of Yoga-Sutras. Click here for a discourse on Patanjali’s Raja Yoga / Ashtanga Yoga.
PRAKRITI: Mother Nature, causal matter.
PRANA: Vital energy; life-breath.
PRANAVA: The sacred monosyllable Om.
PRANAYAMA: Practice of breath-control.
PRATYAHARA: Abstraction of senses; fifth step in Raja Yoga.
PREM: Love.
PREMA: Divine Love.
PRITHVI: Earth.
PURANA: Hindu myths and legends.
PURNA-JNANI: A full-blown sage.
PURNA-YOGI: A full-blown yogi.
PURUSHA: The Supreme Being.

-R-

RAGA: Attachment.
RAJA: King.
RAJAS: One of the three qualities of Prakriti which generates passion and restlessness.
RAJA-YOGA: A system of Yoga generally taken to be the one propounded by Patanjali Maharishi, i.e., Ashtanga Yoga. Click here for a discourse on Raja Yoga/Ashtanga Yoga.
RAJASUYA-YAJNA: A sacrifice performed by a monarch as a mark of his subduing all other kings.
RAMAYANA: A holy narative of Lord Rama.
RASA: Taste.
RASASVADA: Tasting the bliss of lower Samadhi.
RISHI: Sage.
RISHIKESH: A sacred place in the Himalayas.
RUPA: Form.

-S-

SADHAKA: Spiritual aspirant.
SADHANA: Spiritual practice. Click here for a discourse on Sadhana.
SADHU: Pious man; Sannyasin.
SAGARA: Ocean.
SAHASRANAMA: The thousand Names of the Lord.
SAKSHI: Witness.
SAKTI: Power; the feminine aspect of Divinity.
SAKTI-SANCHAR: Transference of power by a developed Yogi.
SAMA: Serenity; control of mind.
SAMADHI: The state of superconsciousness where Absoluteness is experienced attended with all-knowledge and joy. Oneness.
SAMSARA: The process of worldly life.
SAMSKARAS: Impressions in the subconscious mind.
SAMYAMA: Perfect restraint, an all-complete condition of balance and repose, concentration, meditation and Samadhi.
SANKARA: The well known teacher of Vedanta philosophy. Click here for a biography.
SANKIRTAN: Singing of divine songs.
SANNYASINS: Those who have embraced the life of complete renunciation.
SATCHIDANANDA: Existence absolute(Sat), Knowledge absolute(Chid), Bliss absolute(Ananda).
SATSANG: Association with the wise.
SATTVA: Purity-one of the three qualities of nature.
SATYA-YUGA: the Age of Truth, the first of the four Hindu time-cycles.
SHABDA: Sound.
SIDDHI: Psychic power.
SIVA: Lord Siva – bestower of auspiciousness on His devotees.
SLOKA: Verse.
SPARSA: Touch.
SRADDHA: Faith.
SRI: Auspiciousness-a name is qualified by putting “Sri” before it as a mark of courtesy and auspiciousness.
STOTRA: Hymn.
SUDDHA: Pure.
SUKHA: Happiness.
SUSHUMNA: The chief among astral tubes in the human body running inside the spinal column.
SUTRA: Aphorism.
SVADHYAYA: Study of scriptures.
SVARUPA: Essential nature; Reality.

-T-

TAMAS: One of the three qualities of nature which generates inertia, laziness, dullness and infatuation.
TANMATRA: Subtle, undifferentiated root elements of matter.
TAPAS: Austerity.
TAPASCHARYA: Practice of austerity.
TATTVA: Essence; principle.
TEHSILDAR: Revenue officer.
TRIPUTI: The triad-seer, sight and seen.
TRISHNA: Sense-hankering.
TURIYA: The state of superconsciousness, the fourth state transcending the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states.
TYAGA: Renunciation (of egoism, desires and the world).

-U-

UDDALAKA: A great sage of yore.
UPADESA: Spiritual advice.
UPANISHADS: Revelation; text dealing with Ultimate Truth and Its Realization.

-V-

VAIRAGYA: Dispassion.
VASANA-KSHYA: Desireless.
VASANAS: Subtle desires.
VASTU: Article.
VEDANTA: The school of Hindu thoughts (based primarily on the Upanishads).
VEDANTIN: One who follows the path of Vedanta
VEDAS: The most ancient authentic scripture of the Hindus, a revealed scripture and therefore free from imperfections.
VEERYA: Seminal energy.
VETTA: Knower.
VICHARA: Enquiry into the nature of the Self, Truth, Absolute, Brahman.
VIGRAHA: Attack.
VIKSHEPA: The tossing of mind.
VISHAYA: Sense-objects.
VIVEKA: Discrimination.
VRITTI: A wave in the mind-lake.
VYAVAHARA: (Worldly) activity.

-Y-

YAJNAVALKYA: A great sage of yore.
YAMA: First step in Raja Yoga; Eternal vows – non-violence, truthfulness, etc.
YOGA: Union; union with the Supreme Being – any course that makes for such union. Click here for a discourse on Yoga.
YOGI (N): One who practices Yoga; one who is established in Yoga.
YONI: Source.

-Z-

ZAMINDAR: A rich landlord.

Yin and You: An opportunity for exploration

by KundaliniNatural HealingTantra

by Rachael Kennedy and Kim Keller

Tantric breathing

Breath is core to accessing the energy centers in our body. Following this three-step process, set aside 10-15 minutes to practice Tantric breathing, and notice the energetic effects you feel on your physical body.

Step One: Find a comfortable upright position (lying down can tempt you to fall asleep instead of finding focus). Place your attention on your pelvic floor as it rests in the chair or on the ground.

Step Two: Imagine there is a live wire of electricity running from your tail bone up your spine, out the top of your head, wrapping back down the front of your body, returning to your tail bone and back up your spine, creating a complete “circuit” of energy. As you inhale, the energy runs up your spine, and as you exhale the energy runs down the front of your body. Once you have this breathing motion moving smoothly and consistently, move to step three.

Step Three: With each inhale tighten your vaginal muscles. On the exhale, release those muscles. Continue contracting and releasing these muscles with each breath.

Practice this breathing pattern along with the muscle contraction and release for 5 minutes. If this exercise seems easy you may wish to expand your practice time to 10 or 15 minutes. However, this breathing can really “charge you up,” and if this is a new practice for you, be cautious not to overload your system. Practice gently, and notice the feelings you experience throughout the rest of your body — before, during and after the exercise.

Visit The Yin Project for Rachael & Kim’s beautiful and inspiring website.

The Ten Bodies in Kundalini Yoga

by Kundalini

The ten bodies of the human psyche are the yogic descriptions of what the perfected human being looks like and acts like. In order to be whole you must get to know all these parts of yourself and learn how to integrate and coordinate them.

You can’t control the events around you, but you can control how you relate to those events. Instead of being reactive, you can use your ten bodies so that your inner peace remains unspoiled.

You know where you have negative, limiting programs about life and about yourself: you’re too fat, nobody appreciates you, etc. Its time to change what you pay attention to and focus on your greatness, your subtlety, your grace, your majesty. The psychic heat you generate by focusing on your greatness will just burn up all that old pain!

1. Soul Body. The part in us connected to the Infinite; unchanging, non-reactive, never dies. To experience and identify with this Body is ideal.

The Three Mental Bodies:

2. Negative Mind. Identifies possible dangers or shortcomings in a situation; necessary for protection.

3. Positive Mind. Inspires us by showing the best possible results in any situation.

4. Neutral Mind. Takes the information from both negative and positive mind and decides on the best course of action using unbiased, intuitive knowledge, the ultimate state of mind for success.

5. Physical Body. The vehicle through which we participate fully on earth. It is perfected by balance in all the physical aspects: diet, work, play, and essentially avoiding extremes like laziness or fanaticism.

6. Arcline. Historically depicted as the halo. The arcline arches from ear to ear and is the seat of the akash, the ether, in the body. Its color varies with a person’s health and mental or psychic condition. Women have a second arcline reaching across the chest from nipple to nipple which Yogi Bhajan says gets imprinted with the sexual experiences she has had in her life.

7. Auric Body. The eighth chakra of the body, the aura, is the electromagnetic field of energy which surrounds every living creature. Kundalini Yoga kriyas and pranayama increase the auric field, thus increasing awareness. In yogic teachings, a woman is receptive to the penetrating quality of men. Even flirting can open holes in the aura, making a woman extremely vulnerable. A strong, radiant aura can protect from many misfortunes and strengthen our mental, physical and spiritual bodies.

8. Pranic Body. Controls the breath and takes in life force energy of the universe. Energy, control over the mind, gives courage and healing power. Pranayam feeds the Pranic Body.

9. Subtle Body. This carries the Soul to the Infinite at the time of death. It is the other Body with the Soul Body which exists after all the others have disappeared. The Mother makes all the other bodies. Often, we can project our subtle bodies beyond time and space to be at two places at once. The visions of saints and angels are their subtle bodies. It is that which although we are merged with the Infinite still exists uniquely through eternity.

10. Radiant Body. Gives spiritual royalty and radiance. A strong radiant body manifests as “charisma”. Their very presence works before a word is spoken. (To those who are in their negative minds it can be perceived as arrogance.)

Source: Kundalini Yoga In The Loop

KY, Astrology & Numerology

by with No Comment AstrologyKundaliniMonitor Your ThoughtsNumerologySikhismSpiritual LivingYoga

Q: I wonder if you would let us know how doing Kundalini Yoga has brought you to a belief in Astrology. After years of practicing Kundalini yoga I still have no interest in such things and I don’t understand how they relate to each other.

A: The experience of Kundalini Yoga brought credibility to astrological and numerological concepts to me, based on the theory or cosmic law that all matter in the universe has an impact on all other matter in the universe, according to its frequency projection, calculated by its size, density, rotation, speed, and gravitational and electromagnetic fields. Throughout scientific exploration, the concept of the microcosm being a reflection of the macrocosm is affirmed. Our bodies and minds are created and formed in structures remarkably similar to the forms and structures we see throughout our solar system and the galaxy. In the tips of each of our fingers there are nerve endings that receive electrical impulses from the brain, via neural pathways, which reflect similar energetic pathways that exist in our solar system. That is why the yogis called the little finger Mercury (the messenger) because applying pressure there improves our communication ability; the fourth finger is the Sun finger and improves physical health and radiance; the third finger is Saturn for discipline and patience; and the index finger is Jupiter for wisdom. The benefits of increasing the flow of energy in our bodies, explained by the names of the planets, reflect the same energetic benefits the planets, sun, and moon have in our solar system. When one studies astronomy, mathematical calculations bear out the effects and impact each of the planetary bodies has in our solar system. When we practice the technology of Kundalini Yoga and meditation, we not only increase the flow of energy within our own being; through the law of attraction, we also connect to harmonious energetic patterns in the universe. When one is harmed, all are harmed, when one is healed, all are healed. Continued practice brings our awareness from individual consciousness to group consciousness to universal consciousness. It actually does not matter whether one believes or is interested in astrology and numerology or other esoteric subjects because it is the practices will bring the experience and the experience is the only thing of importance.

Posted by: Gurumeet Kaur Khalsa

Pranayama

by Healthy LivingKundaliniSikhismYoga

Kundalini Yoga Breathwork (Pranayama)

“In me, I have found only one reality – that I breathe in and I breathe out. And so anything that breathes in or out is reality. When I found this as a reality in everybody, I found myself in eveybody and everybody in myself.”
— Yogi Bhajan, Master Teacher of Kundalini Yoga

In Kundalini Yoga, we use conscious breathing as a tool for balancing mental and emotional states and for increasing vitality in the body. Each breath brings oxygen and life and provides the opportunity to connect consciously to the moment. By breathing slow, deep breaths, we can release tension, bring stillness to the mind, and calm the body physically. Other breathing techniques use a faster, more energized breath (such as “Breath of Fire”) to increase energy in the body, bring focus, and build the inner heat of detoxification in the body. Each breath exercise in Kundalini Yoga has a specific purpose and approach to better the health of the body and mind.

________________________________________

TRY THIS:

Long Deep Breathing- for Peace and Calm

This breath can be done throughout your day. It is especially useful if you find yourself feeling stressed or anxious. It is simple yet very effective; This breath can help the lungs expand to around 8 times their normal size! Practice several times a day and notice how your mind and body respond!

How to do it:

* Begin by increasing your awareness of how your breath is naturally flowing. Notice where the breath moves in your body and listen to the sound of your inhalation and exhalation.
* After a few breaths, begin to deepen and expand the breath and make sure you are breathing through your nose. As you inhale, draw the breath into the belly- allow the belly to expand with the breath. Continuing this inhalation, expand through the rib cage and upper chest.
* It may be helpful to place one hand on your belly to feel the expansion as your inhale. Take as much time as you need to get a full, deep breath.
* Then, as you begin your exhalation, relax the chest, the rib cage, and, finally, the belly. At the end of your exhalation, the belly should draw in slightly- as if helping the breath move out. The breath should become a bit louder than it was before you began the long, deep breathing.
* Continue this breath, making it slower, deeper, and more complete.

________________________________________

Breath of Fire – for Energy, Focus, and Vitality

Breath of Fire is a rapid, rhythmic, and continuous breath that sounds like powerful sniffing. The breath is forcefully exhaled by rapidly contracting the diaphragm and pulling the navel point toward the spine. The inhale occurs naturally as the diaphragm relaxes and air flows effortlessly back in without a sharp intake or effort. The inhale and exhale are equal length and usually occur 2 to 3 times per second. This breath is great as “pick-me-up” if you are feeling lethargic or unfocused. It can be done throughout your day- for 30 seconds to 3 minutes- if you need to increase your energy.

How to do it:

* Take a deep breath in, through your nose, and feel your stomach relaxing outward. Exhale, through your nose, as you pull the stomach back in.
* Inhale again. As you exhale out this time, pull the solar plexus (the area above the navel) back toward the spine with a pumping motion. The exhaled air should leave the nose in a forceful sniff.
* Immediately relax the solar plexus and let the air come back in with a sniff.
* There should be no pause between the inhalation and exhalation. Continue the pumping motion with the sniffing breath.
* In the beginning, it may be easier to simply concentrate on the exhale as you pull in on the solar pelxus and let the inhale come naturally as you relax the solar plexus.
* At no time should the breath of fire be practiced beyond your current level of comfort. If at any point you begin to feel strain, breathlessness, or pain, stop the attempt at breath of fire and relax the breath.
* If often takes practice and time to become familiar with this breath and, when familiar, there is a sense of joyful rythm and boundless energy.

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Left Nostril Breathing – to Soothe a Busy Mind and Rest

This method of breathing is a useful tool when the mind is dizzy with thoughts, there is a sense of nervous tension, or when you are having trouble getting to sleep at night. It is a soothing, calming, cooling breath.

How to do it:

* Start with a long, deep breath (as described above.)
* Place the thumb of your right hand against the right nostril, pressing it closed.
* Allow the breath to move in and out of the left nostril only.
* Keep the breath smooth, slow, and deep.
* If you are feeling congested, usually the left nostril will open with practice.
* The benefit of this technique is best achieved if the breath is kept through the left nostril.
* If practicing this breath when trying to go to sleep, lay on your right side. (This will help direct the breath through the left nostril.)
* Practice for 3-11 minutes, or as long as you feel is needed.

From yogayoga.com