Kundalini Yoga Techniques, Poses, Mantras, Music, Clothes & Benefits

Kundalini Yoga has been found as the eminent fitness developing technique. But, not just this, yoga gives immense peace and develops spirituality.

Various forms of yoga prevail, and each form has its own significance. Let us explore more about this form of yoga: The Kundalini Yoga.

What is kundalini yoga?

Also called Laya Yoga, Kundalini yoga is based on a “coiled-snake” and its energy concept. Just like a still, coiled snake is quiet, and looks futile in the immovable stage, the energy stored at the base of the spine remains still until not awaken.

As the snake gets into the active state, the explosive energy it gives out is immeasurable and so powerful! And so does the energy of the spine.
Kundalini Yoga is often concerned with the awakening of the serpent power at the base of the spine, through the seven chakras.

The power remains a mystery until it is not searched for! When explored, it takes the human power to a complete new level.
It is a little mix and match of physical and spiritual elements.

The power released on the awakening activates the centres of energy. Kundalini Yoga has a very deep history. The strength as observed since ages depicts that it is the most critical and dangerous yoga form. Proper knowledge and guidance is necessary for doing this.

Kundalini yoga poses

The form of yoga comes with the asanas definitely! Let us have a look at these:
1.   The Crow Pose
This is the awakening of the first chakra, the root chakra (Muladhara). Stand with your feet close to each other. Extend your hands in the forward direction. Now sit down, your knees bent forward and the whole body weight focussed on both the feet. Stand back up.
2.   The Frog Pose
This is the awakening of the second chakra (Swadisthana). Stand with your feet a few inches apart. Set your hands on the floor by bending through the back. The fingers should touch the floor. Now, breathe in air. Gradually, sit down on your toes, with your heels raised. The knees should be bent properly and you can rest your hands on the floor. You have to sit like a frog. Look forward. This can be taken as a squat as well.
3.   Stretch Pose
This awakens the third chakra (Manipura). This is a quite common “stretching” exercise we often do. Lie down on the floor with your back in contact with the floor. Now, you have to raise your head and your feet (put close together) a few inches above the ground. Extend your hands straight from the sides. Breathe in as you hold and breathe out while releasing.
4.   Camel pose
This is the awakening of the fourth chakra (Anahata). This is the way you make a bow. Hold your legs with your hands, and give your back a full arch backwards! A pretty tough thing to do, but you can slowly do it.
5.   Cobra Pose
This awakens the Fifth Chakra (Vishudhha). You know how to do the BHUJANGASANA? Lie on your tummy to the floor. Put your feet together and extend them backward. You can rest your hands at the waist level, with palms facing the floor. Push your torso upwards now. Try to give our back a curve, followed by the neck. Do not let the elbows bend. Toes should be pointing backward.
6.   Guru Pranam
This awakens the sixth chakra (Ajna). Sit down on your knees, with your knees joint together. The toes should be pointing backward. Your hips should be placed on your heels. Now bend down and let your torso be in touch with the thighs. You have to extend your hands forward above the head and put them together so that they make a “pranam” pose. Do not bend your elbows and keep your head down.
7.   Sat Kriya
This awakens the seventh chakra (Sahashrar). You have to sit down on your knees, toes pointing forward. Hips should be placed on the heels. Now extend your arms up towards the ceiling. Interlock your fingers, but leave the index finger. The index finger should point forward. While you lock the fingers, the thumb should be placed one over the other thumb. Men should place the right thumb above the left one, and women are supposed to do the left thumb above the right one.
You have to chant “Sat Nam” while doing this. When you chant “Sat”, breathe in. This will expand your lungs and bring your navel closer inwards. When you chant “Nam”, breathe out. The lungs will compress and the navel will revert back.

Kundalini yoga mantras

What you chant unleashes the power in you gradually. Kundalini Yoga is equipped with several “mantras” which are definitely the base of this form of yoga. These mantras can be chanted in one of the ancient and sacred language “Gurmukhi”. However, English translations have also been done.
The mantras give the utmost positive energy and a divine peace which is undefined. But, they need to be properly recited. Their pronunciation and the number of times you repeat is a matter of great concern.
Here is a list of few mantras:
–   Sat Nam
It says “truth is my identity”. It is done along with the exercises, hence providing physical as well as spiritual development.
–   Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
It says “I bow to the Creative Wisdom; I bow to the Divine Teacher within”.
–   Guru Guru Wahe Guru Guru Ram Das Guru
It says “Wise, wise is the one who serves infinity”.
–   Wahe Guru
It says “Wow, the divine inner teacher, the dispeller of darkness is beyond description!”

Kundalini yoga benefits

Yoga, in any form, has the benefits. Kundalini yoga, however dangerous, still proves to be good! The spiritual awareness you may obtain by doing this will make you realise the limitations of yourself you overcame, and thee contentment you receive will take you to a new level. You increase your range of movement by doing the various stretching exercises involved in the kundalini yoga, and also become flexible! No?
1.   The deepest conscience awakens and you are able to know your inner you more. You are able to reason your own thoughts and analyze the situations in a better way. The decisions you make, the questions you ask to yourself, the way on which you wish to move on from now on, all these points prove to be effective and well executed.
2.   Chanting has various health benefits. It improves your breathing process, purifies blood, maintains the coordination of the body, improves the functioning of CNS (Central Nervous System) etc. The chanting of the mantras has holistic effect on the personality and health of an individual. The vibrations included in the sounds activate the centres present in the body.
3.   The kundalini yoga is the best way to improve focus and concentration. It links you to the old ancient days, when the sages used to practice the same.
4.   The positivity you gain is of unmatchable standard. The magnetic fields around you make you feel relaxed and pacified.
5.   Since you are able to focus and concentrate more, and your brain is functioning with better efficiency, then definitely you have become strong on the emotional and intellectual level.
6.   The relaxed state you achieve can heal your soul and body! It brings back your enthusiasm and fills you with the fighting spirit!

Kundalini yoga meditation

Kundalini Yoga meditation has different sets of breathing exercises and chants.
Find a yoga mat and a perfect serene place to perform the breathing exercise.

It would be better if you do it in the nature’s arms! Sit down and either put your hands on your thighs, or make a praying position. Keep your eyes closed!
Breathing exercises can be done at any time. You can do them in the morning, or even when you really need to be peaceful, i.e., when you are stressed or to release out your anger.
Inhale and exhale should be properly coordinated, with proper pauses and holds. Remember, inhale expands your chest, so while doing this, try to pull your tummy in. Exhale releases this expanded position, and release your pulled-in stomach as well.
Breathing exercises should be repeated a number of times. And while breathing, chant a mantra.try to focus on a single point.
When you stop this breathing exercise and chants, let your body relax and meditate for a while.
Continue doing these breathing exercises as the kundalini yoga meditation is definitely a deal of profit!

Kundalini yoga kriyas

What exactly is a kriya? It is a meditation equipped physical activity, which provides food for soul. It is the way of motion which results out from the deep conscience within. The deep conscience arises spontaneously, and not voluntarily or as a function of command.
–   Kirtan Kriya
It is one of the most significant spiritual elements. It makes everything in a perfect alignment in your life. It creates more balance and you are able to sort your present conditions easily.
This meditation process proves out to be a strong cleanser of soul.
–   Hast Kriya
This focuses on the nervous system and helps to focus on the pain. This can be a healing kriya.
–   Sat Kriya
It is a complete meditation with postures. It brings the holistic development.
–   Sudarshan Chakra Kriya
It is a simple kriya, yet may seem quite difficult. It focuses on the neurons and the activities of the brain!
Other kriyas are: The Gurmukh Kriya, The Moon Kriya, Shabd kriya, Surya Kriya etc.

Kundalini yoga music

Music is the element by which most of the people connect to the sub consciousness mind. Kundalini Yoga also has music as its component. Its music section comprises of the mantras, chants and the “kirtan”, which is suitable to listen while doing yoga and the meditation.
Not just you can listen to this kundalini yoga music while doing yoga only, but also you can enjoy listening to it at any point of your daily routine life.
You can easily find music available in the market, in CDs and DVDs, and on the internet as well. Whether western style or with an Indian touch, Kundalini yoga music is available in every sound that suits your ears.

Kundalini yoga for beginners

Since it is believed that kundalini yoga is accompanied with extreme power, it needs to be handled safely. And, definitely for those who start, it requires proper guidance, practice and perseverance.
Kundalini yoga is a mixture of postures, the asanas, meditation positions, breathing techniques and the sounds. Each element needs to get coordinated with the other to bring out the best results.
The order of doing, the way of doing and the frequency of doing – all needs to be properly planned and executed.
You can definitely begin with a group or joining a class. Learn about it more and more. Once you are aware of its concept, practice regularly at home.
Keep on listening to the mantras and the chants.
Before doing the asanas, do some warm up and breathing exercise. Follow it with a Kriya, and then an asana. Give yourself some rest period and then begin with the meditation part.

Kundalini yoga clothes

The kundalini yoga requires to be done with some special clothes. Not really special, but colour specific and material specific.
People doing kundalini yoga or conducting the classes often wear white and only white clothes. Why white?
White is considered as the colour which gives out the rest of the colours. Just like a white light can be dispersed into seven colours, white cloth is considered to be the colour in which all colours are enclosed. Hence, it depicts all the colours in unison.
Also, white is considered to reflect the inner optimism, and as a filter of the negative energy. White also has a very positive effect on the mind as well. The white look gives you a serene and peaceful feeling.
The clothes are specifically preferred to be made of cotton. And, it is suggested that you wear clothes that do not stick to your body. The clinging clothes are uncomfortable, and make doing the kundalini yoga a bit fidgety.
You need utmost focus and concentration, so wear suitable clothes. Wear a loose long sleeve cotton top or shirt with the loose pants, and drag yourself to the classes.