Category: Kundalini Kriyas

Before you begin🙏

Begin every Kundalini Yoga and Meditation practice by chanting the mantra: ONGNAMO, GURU DEV NAMO. “Tuning in” assists you to align yourself with the frequency of the Infinite Self and quiet your mind. This mantra is “God’s telephone number.” Chanting ONG NAMO opens your heart and connects you with the Subtle Body of Yogi Bhajan and the “Golden Chain” of the past Masters of Kundalini Yoga.
Chant it three times to cover your past, present, and future.

Position: Sit in easy pose. Press your palms firmly against each other in front of your chest. The sides of your thumbs press on the center of the sternum, which activates your “Mind Nerve,” calming your mind. Tips of the fingers are pointing up. The forearms are parallel to the floor.

Tuning in to your Divine Self

Close your eyes and focus at the Third Eye Point. Inhale and exhale a few times before starting. To begin, inhale deeply and chant on one breath: ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO. Repeat two more times. Inhale and exhale. Relax.

Mantra: ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO
When you chant this mantra, ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO, let it vibrate in your being: “I call upon the Infinite Creator who created me. I call upon the Divine Giver of wisdom.”

ONG means the Infinite Creative Energy in manifestation.
NAMO means reverent greetings; to call upon.
GURU is the giver of wisdom. GURU is the technology which takes one from darkness (GU) to light (RU).
DEV means divine or transparent.
NAMO means reverent greetings; to call upon.

End your practice by chanting one long Sat and a short Nam… Saaaat Naaam 🙏 this seals your practice 💚

Sat Kriya

Sat Kriya, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, is a powerful Kundalini Yoga practice aimed at awakening the dormant energy within.

Posture:

Start by sitting on heels (rock pose) or in easy pose (cross-legged) with a straight spine. Interlace the fingers, extend the index fingers pointing up (forming a steeple), and place the hands above the head.

Begin chanting “Sat Nam” (meaning “truth is my identity”) in a steady rhythm: “Sat” on the inhale and “Nam” on the exhale. As you chant, pull the navel point in towards the spine on “Sat” and release on “Nam.” Coordinate the movement with the breath and continue for 3-11 minutes. Focus on the mantra and the sensation at the navel centre.

To end: inhale deeply, hold the breath briefly, and exhale. Relax with eyes closed, feeling the energy circulating within. Relax deeply 3-11 min

Benefits: Sat Kriya strengthens the nervous system, balances the chakras, and awakens Kundalini energy, promoting vitality and clarity.

Hari Das

Ten Kundalini Yoga Kriyas

1. **Sat Kriya:**

Sat Kriya is a powerful practice involving rhythmic chanting of “Sat Nam” while simultaneously moving the body. It activates the Kundalini energy, strengthens the nervous system, and balances the chakras.

2. **Kirtan Kriya:**

Kirtan Kriya involves chanting the mantra “Sa Ta Na Ma” while performing specific hand movements. This meditation improves cognitive function, reduces stress, and enhances mental clarity.

3. **Agni Sara Kriya:**

Agni Sara Kriya is a technique for cleansing the digestive system and stimulating the fire element in the body. It involves rhythmic contractions of the abdomen to massage the internal organs and improve digestion.

4. **Nabhi Kriya:**

Nabhi Kriya focuses on the navel centre to balance the solar plexus chakra. It involves dynamic movements and breathwork to increase vitality, confidence, and willpower.

5. **Surya Kriya:**

Surya Kriya is a sequence of dynamic postures and breathwork designed to activate the solar energy in the body. It boosts metabolism, strengthens the immune system, and enhances overall vitality.

6. **Trikuti Kriya:**

Trikuti Kriya involves focusing on the “third eye” point between the eyebrows to enhance intuition and insight. It includes visualization, breath control, and mantra repetition to awaken higher consciousness.

7. **Kriya for Elevation:**

This kriya combines breathwork, movement, and chanting to elevate the spirit and expand awareness. It helps release negative emotions, uplift mood, and connect with a higher state of consciousness.

8. **Meditation for Emotional Balance:**

This kriya utilizes specific breathing techniques and mantra repetition to regulate emotions and promote emotional stability. It cultivates inner peace, resilience, and equanimity.

9. **Kriya for Stress Relief:**

This kriya incorporates gentle movements, deep relaxation, and meditation to alleviate stress and tension in the body and mind. It induces a state of calmness, clarity, and relaxation.

10. **Kriya for Inner Strength:**

This kriya focuses on building inner strength, courage, and resilience through a series of postures, breathwork, and affirmations. It empowers individuals to overcome challenges and obstacles with confidence and grace.

Each Kundalini Yoga kriya offers unique benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, providing practitioners with tools for self-transformation and personal growth.

Hari Das

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, is a transformative practice that blends ancient yogic traditions with modern techniques for holistic well-being. Yogi Bhajan introduced Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1969, emphasizing its power to awaken the dormant energy within each individual.

Central to this practice is the concept of Kundalini energy, often depicted as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine. Through a combination of dynamic postures, breathwork, mantra chanting, and meditation, practitioners aim to activate this potent energy and guide it through the body’s chakras, or energy centres.

Unlike other forms of yoga, Kundalini Yoga doesn’t focus solely on physical fitness but also spiritual growth and self-awareness. The practice is designed to clear energetic blockages, release stress, and elevate consciousness, leading to a profound sense of balance and inner peace.

Yogi Bhajan’s teachings emphasize the importance of living in harmony with oneself and others, promoting a lifestyle rooted in mindfulness, compassion, and service. Kundalini Yoga offers a powerful tool for individuals seeking personal transformation, spiritual awakening, and a deeper connection to the divine.

With its dynamic techniques and profound philosophy, Kundalini Yoga continues to inspire and empower practitioners worldwide on their journey toward self-realization and enlightenment.

Hari Das

Various Types of Yoga

The next several posts will cover the different Yoga styles. Below is a quick summary of the different types of Yoga.

  • Vinyasa Yoga: Flowing sequences and synchronizing breath with movement.
  • Ashtanga Yoga: Rigorous and structured series of poses.
  • Bikram Yoga: Practiced in a heated room for increased flexibility.
  • Iyengar Yoga: Focus on precision and alignment in poses.
  • Restorative Yoga: Gentle poses for relaxation and healing.
  • Power Yoga: Dynamic and fitness-oriented approach.
  • Yin Yoga: Holding poses for an extended period for deep stretching.

Hari Das

Harnessing Life Force: The Transformative Benefits of Prana in Yoga

In the ancient practice of yoga, the concept of Prana, or life force energy, holds profound significance. As practitioners move through postures and engage in breathwork, they tap into this vital force, unlocking a myriad of benefits. Prana infuses the body with vitality, promoting physical health and well-being.

The controlled breath in yoga, known as Pranayama, enhances respiratory function, oxygenating the blood and improving overall lung capacity. Beyond the physical, Prana nourishes the mind, fostering mental clarity, focus, and heightened awareness. Regular practice aligns the body’s energy centres, promoting a sense of balance and harmony.

Embracing Prana in yoga becomes a holistic journey, connecting mind, body, and spirit, and unlocking the transformative potential of this life-affirming energy.

Hari Das