Frequently
Asked Questions
Kundalini
Yoga
These
questions and answers are being compiled from discussions on the
Kundalini Yoga Mailing List - kundaliniyoga-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Our technical assistants are always on hand to help with your
problems.
Why
is Kundalini Yoga so powerful and fast-acting?
How
long do I need to practice for each day?
Can
you recommend a suitable book for beginners?
Would using DVDs help me develop
my practice?
Where
can I obtain suitable meditation and mantra CDs?
How
can I obtain details of teachers and classes in my area?
Can
I effectively practice on my own?
What
is the most comfortable position for meditation?
Do
I need to abstain from sex while practising Kundalini Yoga?
How can I as a Muslim/Jew/Christian believe
that God is within us
and that it isn't a sin to practice KY?
Is it safe to awaken your Kundalini?
Can the practice of Kundalini Yoga be likened
to forcing your Kundalini to awake?
Is there not a natural way to release Kundalini
energy?
How long does it take for a beginner to get
to the point of Kundalini release?
How
does it feel when your Kundalini is awake?
Can
Kundalini Yoga help develop an already awakened Kundalini?
What
are the benefits from a White Tantric Yoga session?
WHY
IS KUNDALINI YOGA SO POWERFUL AND FAST-ACTING?
Kundalini
yoga is based on kriyas, or specially formulated sets of exercises,
not just postures, and the benefits of kriyas are considerably
greater than doing random postures, which is one of the reasons
that KY works much more quickly and effectively than other forms
such as Hatha - it is much more precise, and allows you to target
specific benefits and work on exactly those aspects of yourself
that need work at the current time.
HOW
LONG DO I NEED TO PRACTICE FOR EACH DAY?
Any
amount of time you spend on your practice will produce significant
benefits. You could start with only 1/2 an hour in the evenings,
and once you feel the obvious benefits you will be motivated to
begin practicing for longer. Whatever you do, don't rush your
practice. There are kriyas, or exercise sets, that are short enough
to fit into your available time. Even a 3 minute meditation pays
off when you practice regularly. Take your time, enjoy each posture,
and give yourself the gift of a relaxation period, even if it
is only a few minutes. Relaxing into your practice and enjoying
it to the fullest is vital to getting all the benefits that will
accrue over time.
CAN
YOU RECOMMEND A SUITABLE BOOK FOR BEGINNERS?
Introduction to Kundalini Yoga (Guru Rattana, Ph.D.) is an
excellent introduction to the topic, and contains a good selection
of the most popular and effective exercises to really get you
going. Every posture in each exercise is illustrated, making it
ideal for those practising at home. At the end of the book, Gururattan
has added 30 pages that offer answers to some basic questions
asked by beginners. For a more detailed treatise, check out
Transitions to a Heart Centered World and Relax and Renew.
Browse our extensive range of books
WOULD
USING DVDs HELP ME DEVELOP MY PRACTICE?
DVDs are probably the next best thing to a good teacher.
You can watch a demonstration of each stretch or exercise, while
listening to the accompanying explanation, and then practice it
for the allotted time. We have a Beginners' DVD Series by Nirvair
Singh, in 6 parts (12 lessons), which is an exceptionally good introduction to the basics. Also check out
Introduction to Kundalini Yoga & Chanting by Erin Kamler and
The Awakening &
Flexibility and the Spine by Donna Amrita Davidge.
Kundalini Yoga DVDs
WHERE
CAN I OBTAIN SUITABLE MEDITATION AND MANTRA CDs?
We have a wide selection of mantra and meditation CDs available
on this site, including a good number of Sadhana CDs. Each CD
is accompanied by a RealAudio™ clip, so you can try before
you buy.
Browse ALL our CDs
HOW
CAN I OBTAIN DETAILS OF TEACHERS AND CLASSES IN MY AREA?
You can search for a teacher in your country or area in our Teachers'
Directory.
Free
on-line classes are available - kytraining-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or check out the Web site - http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/classes.html
CAN
I EFFECTIVELY PRACTICE ON MY OWN?
A
group of people practicing will naturally have a great level of
energy that we tap into, but developing the discipline for your
own personal practice will pay off in many ways. The key is to
commit to doing something every day. Whatever you commit to must
be something that you have no problem in doing. Even starting
out with a few minutes each day will have significant benefits.
You can always do more when your energy levels permits, but by
remembering that your only commitment is those few minutes, you
should have no problem maintaining this. Over time, you can add
to this, gradually growing your level of discipline in a way that
never exceeds your current ability, maintaining a positive feedback
cycle and continuing to improve at a comfortable pace.
WHAT
IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE POSITION FOR MEDITATION?
If you are also practicing yoga on a regular basis, you will find
that you can sit (in comfort) for longer and longer periods. Of
course, the goal is not to learn to endure suffering, but to be
sensitive to your body and treat yourself, and others, with kindness
and love.
A
Vee-shaped cushion, stuffed with buckwheat, can be used in different
ways to support the various sitting positions, making it possible
to do long meditations quite comfortably, in rock pose, easy pose,
half lotus, etc.
For those who simply cannot sit comfortably regardless of position
or cushion, sit in a chair that provides firm support. It is essential
that the feet be equally placed, flat on the ground to assure
that the lower spine and hips stay in balance. The back of the
chair will support you if it is straight.
DO
I NEED TO ABSTAIN FROM SEX WHILE PRACTICING KUNDALINI YOGA?
KY is one of the few yogic paths to allow sex. Many of the Hatha
paths require celibacy. The question is how best to use your Kundalini
energy, which is also related to sexual energy. You can actually
facilitate a Kundalini rising during sex if you use rootlock to
raise the energy to the higher chakras. Because regular practice
of KY can greatly enhance your sexual energy, you will also find
it will boost your performance, and add a completely new dimension
to your sexual relationships and enjoyment. For
those of you who are celibate by choice or circumstance, KY helps
distribute your sexual energy throughout your entire chakra system,
making you feel more alive, balanced and whole.
HOW
CAN I AS A MUSLIM/JEW/CHRISTIAN BELIEVE THAT GOD IS WITHIN US
AND THAT IT ISN'T A SIN TO PRACTICE KUNDALINI YOGA?
Kundalini yoga is about EXPERIENCING God within. It has
nothing to do with beliefs. Beliefs are a mental discussion. Practising
Kundalini yoga will make you a better Muslim, Jew or Christian
or whatever you aspire to be, because you will be able to really
experience the teachings. Whatever your beliefs, the end goal
is the same. Life is not about being identified with a label.
Life is about being divinely you.
IS
IT SAFE TO AWAKEN YOUR KUNDALINI?
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan has been carefully designed
so that the awakening process is gentle and safe - even for people
living in areas where there are no teachers available, and who
are obliged to work from books. Follow the teachings with attention
and mindfulness and there is nothing to fear.
We
systematically train our mind and attune our body to safely hold
higher frequencies of energy associated with Kundalini. People
in the past, who have not strengthened their nervous systems or
prepared their bodies and psyches to hold these vibrations have
had problems. It makes sense that if your body is wired for 100
volts and you suddenly receive the equivalent of 1000 or even
10000 volts, there could be negative reactions.
CAN
THE PRACTICE OF KUNDALINI YOGA BE LIKENED TO FORCING YOUR KUNDALINI
TO AWAKE?
No! It is the opening of the pathway to consiousness.
IS
THERE NOT A NATURAL WAY TO RELEASE KUNDALINI ENERGY?
There are many ways. Kundalini Yoga is one of the safest.
HOW
LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A BEGINNER TO GET TO THE POINT OF KUNDALINI
RELEASE?
There are no hard and fast rules. Every individual is different
and responds to the exercises differently. We know of (rare) cases
of almost immediate awakening. Usually the process is more gradual,
and it is hard to discern exactly when an awakening actually occurs.
The form that it takes too can have many subtle variations.
HOW
DOES IT FEEL WHEN YOUR KUNDALINI IS AWAKE?
The kundalini rising experience is different for everybody - however,
one thing seems certain - when it happens, you will know it. Quoting
from Introduction to Kundalini Yoga - "Some experience it as heat along the
spine and others see it as brilliant light. It is described as
spiraling up the spine by some and as shooting straight up the
spine by others. Whatever the individual perception, it is definitely
a delightful and euphoric sensation, often attended by extraordinary
phenomena and exalted consciousness".
CAN
KY HELP DEVELOP AN ALREADY AWAKENED KUNDALINI?
Any exercise or meditation in KY will help you to develop, particularly
when practiced regularly. It isn't particularly difficult to raise
the Kundalini energy, but what is more of a challenge is to maintain
the awakening in the face of daily life. Most exercises and meditations
in KY actually have a specific purpose, such as to work on an
organ, gland, or chakra, or open all the chakras, etc., but there
are plenty of kriyas designed specifically to raise Kundalini
energy. For example, Sexuality and Spirituality
has seven.
The most basic meditation of KY, Sat Kriya, is designed specifically
to raise the Kundalini, and it is said that if you have time for
nothing else, practice this kriya daily. It is found as a portion
of many kriyas, and may be practiced as a stand- alone meditation.
WHAT
ARE THE BENEFITS FROM A WHITE TANTRIC YOGA SESSION?
White Tantric Yoga clears blocks in the subconscious. This release
opens possibilities for heightened clarity, self-awareness, and
understanding your limitless potential. It has been said that
one White Tantric Yoga session is equivalent to doing a whole
year of meditation on your own. It is an incredibly powerful experience.
TRY
GURU RATTANA'S KY SET AND MEDITATION OF THE WEEK
POPULAR BOOKS, VIDEOS & MEDITATION CD's
