The Kundalini energy can be described as a powerful form of ‘Chi’ or ‘life energy’ in the form of a ‘sleeping serpent’ that upon being awakened leads to a deep feeling of enlightenment and bliss. Dr. Soorya Kaur, a Delhi-based yoga practitioner, nutritional expert and follower of the Yogi Bhajan School onKundalini Yoga says, “Kundalini in its basic definition is yoga of awareness. It is concerned with inculcating in its practitioners various breathing postures that serves to increase and better the lung capacity while strengthening the nervous system and making it adept at receiving the flow of energy which is generated when the practitioner is engaged in meditation.”
The human body is composed of many systems but it is the nervous system which makes the body and core components perform optimally. It serves as the primary mode of understanding impulses and emotions that one experiences. If Kundalini is the life energy present in the body then Chakra points are the containers present in the body to sustain and act as a channel for the energy that travels from the base of the spine up till the crown of the head. Kundalini Yoga taps the dormant power in this system by awakening the Chakra Points that serve to increase awareness, blissfulness and understanding of the human body in its entirety both spiritually and physically. The Chakra Points in Kundalini are traditionally understood to be seven in number, depicted in increasing order below:
– Muladhara or Root Chakra located at the end of the spinal column. It deals with survival and is blocked by fear.
– Svadishthana or Sacral Chakra located at the tail bone or the pubic bone. It deals with pleasure and is blocked with guilt.
– Manipura or Fire Chakra located just below the rib cage. It deals with willpower and is blocked by shame.
– Anahata or Heart Chakra located in the centre of the chest close to the heart. It deals with love and is blocked by grief.
– Vishuddha or Sound Chakra located at the throat region near the spine. It deals with truth and is blocked by lies.
– Ajna or Light Chakra located directly behind the centre of the forehead. It deals with insight and is blocked by illusion.
– Sahasrara or Crown Chakra located slightly above the top of the head. It deals with cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachment.
In order to practice this form of yoga one needs the guidance of a guru as Dr Kaur believes, “A guru is especially important while understanding the intricacies of Kundalini yoga. Books, superficial explanations and online tutorials are not at all advisable for this branch of yoga as it requires a more personal interaction between a guru and his/her disciple.”
But before practicing Kundalini Yoga, one needs to be away from smoking and drugs since they are an obstacle to the natural flow of energy. Exercise in the form of asanas is also beneficial to prepare the body to receive the flow of energy particularly padmasana or the lotus position, thevajrasana or diamond position amongst others that stimulate and strengthen the nervous system. Moreover Kundalini Yoga can be practiced by anyone with a deep resolve and focus, to reap the benefits of the natural energy that flows in the body. “Kundalini yoga can be practiced by three to five year old kids as well under proper guidance though the lessons would be introductory in the initial stages with more intricate lessons as the time progresses,” mentions Dr Kaur.
Kundalini yoga doesn’t turn oneself into a superhuman, as one might believe, but as one naturally is programmed to be. But at the same time it involves disenchanted and maintaining a balance within oneself, which is an art to master.