Spiritual growth and a true yogic stirring within the soul are the key goals that a student of Kundalini yoga aspires to. Different from the eight more known and practiced styles, the focus is more on meditation and thus makes this the most powerful yoga. Specific techniques are used to incorporate each phase of the body to achieve unobstructed communication between the mind and the body.
The concentration of Kundalini yoga is on the seven chakras, or psychic hubs in the body that transmit energies. Stay fixated on these puppies through movements and meditation for a period of time to accumulate a special spiritual energy that derives its name from the yoga style practiced to harness it. The seven chakras are:
1) Muladhara (root) is the first chakra and is located at the base of the spine.
2) Svadhisthana (sweetness) is the second chakra and is located near the belly button.
3) Manipura (lustrous gem) is the third chakra and is located at the solar plexis.
4) Anahata (not struck) is the fourth chakra and is located at the heart.
5) Vissudha (purification) is the fifth chakra and is located at the throat.
6) Ajna (to perceive) is the sixth chakra and is located between the eyebrows.
7) Sahasrara (thousand petaled) is the seventh chakra and is located at the top of the head.
What Is All This Kundalini Business Anyway?
The term Kundalini actually refers to a coiled life force, or prana that is lying quiescent at the base of your spine. The purpose of Kundalini yoga is to tap into and release that force, letting travel up and eventually converge in your mind. Serenity and sublime ecstasy are the result. Having a working knowledge of the nervous and endocrine systems is essential for success in Kundalini yoga. This way you can better understand what is happening within yourself.
Specific poses, meditation, and chanting are all integrated into a session. Chanting is the most important of the three. Another must when beginning your sojourn with this very powerful Kundalini yoga style is the assistance of a qualified guru. Kundalini can be imagined like a snake. The right snake charmer can make this creature dance and purr like a kitten. Someone inexperienced could get their hand, or more bitten off. If you follow the guidance of your guru, this can be an amazing experience for you.
Yoga has been practiced for about 5,000 years. Over the course of that long expanse of time, many branches of yoga have developed. Many of the older schools emphasized the denial of the physical world and the serious followers of the discipline often left home and family to live a Spartan existence in an ashram. The mind was focused on the spiritual realm while the body assumed postures that helped in meditation or in the seeking of spiritual truth.
No yoga mat was necessary since the ashram was built with asanas (postures) in mind. No bag was necessary since the students devoted their lives to the ashram. There was no place to go. Today's yoga practitioner has a very different view of the discipline. Instead of yoga being the center of your life, it is usually a means to bettering your life. Instead of scheduling your day around asanas, breathing techniques and the study of the ancient texts, you probably try to fit a quick visit to the gym in around your busy demands. What you really need is a yoga bag.
Portable Spiritual Transport
Many Western yoga students follow a form of yoga based on Hatha Yoga which combines physical postures with meditation and other spiritual pursuits. Hatha Yoga strives for a balance between mind and body in a way similar to the Asian balance of Yin and Yang. Very often, yoga is used for exercise and physical health in the West. When the yoga student travels from the yoga studio or gym to the home studio, he needs to carry the few props needed for his yoga study.
While the props are few and the needs are simple, a good yoga bag is necessary. Before deciding on the type of yoga bag to get, take a close look at the type of yoga you are studying. Some yoga forms like Power Yoga, Ashtanga and Bikram or Hot Yoga include intense physical workouts. The mat and clothing will become sweaty and a washable yoga bag is a good idea. Bags are available in cotton and denim among other washable materials.
Another consideration is the type and amount of gear that needs to be carried. If you are wearing simple exercise clothing to the gym for your workout, you may appreciate a yoga bag with pockets for keys and glasses. Always make sure that there is room for a bottle of water besides your rolled mat. Get your mat before choosing your yoga bag. Most mats are thin, but thicker mats are available.
You may also want a blanket to roll up as a comfortable seat for meditation. Know how much room you'll need before you start looking for your yoga bag. Yoga requires a mind clear of worries. By looking ahead and planning for the right yoga bag, you won't be so distracted by your temporary needs.
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