Kundalini yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on mental health with the aim of awakening wisdom and energy from within each person.
In Vietnam, kundalini yoga is a relatively new type of yoga. However, the number of people choosing to practice this type of yoga is increasing rapidly day by day. What is Kundalini yoga and why do so many people want to try it? Let’s see the sharing below with easyhealthylive.com to understand more about this “new” type of yoga.
What is Kundalini yoga?
Kundalini yoga is a type of yoga that receives great attention from yoga lovers in particular and the community in general. Although this type of yoga has been very popular in many parts of the world, the exact origin is still unknown. According to many studies, the concept of kundalini energy dates back many centuries and has been mentioned in texts from the Vedic period (about 1,500 – 600 BC).
Kundalini yoga is “associated” with the name of Yogi Bhajan, a yoga teacher from Pakistan. And he is also the one who brought this sport to Western countries in the 1960s.
Kundalini is a Sanskrit word meaning “circle” or a coiled snake. Because during the practice, kundalini yoga will awaken the dormant energy or strength at the base of the spine in the form of a coiled snake in the body. When this energy is awakened, the body is balanced and provides great support for mental health.
Kundalini is a form of yoga that is more cognitive, helping to cultivate spirituality and belief in self and life. This type will focus on meditation, mantras, breathing exercises and repetitive postures to activate kundalini or shakti energy – a spiritual energy located at the base of the spine. When this energy is awakened, self-awareness will be enhanced, and you will also overcome your own ego and spiritual enlightenment.
How is Kundalini yoga different from other types of yoga?
Compared to other forms of yoga, kundalini yoga is a spiritual form of yoga
Although there will still be physical exercises in the process, that is not the main focus. This is different from hatha or vinyasa yoga, which mainly revolve around postures.
Kundalini yoga will also be more precise and repetitive. If other types of yoga only follow the breath, kundalini yoga combines meditation, mantras, movements and breathing exercises. Specifically, kundalini yoga will include 6 main parts:
- Chanting at the beginning of the lesson
- Do pranayama breathing exercises or movements to stretch the spine
- Kriya is a series of postures, breathing, and mantras integrated together in a particular way. When you focus and perform a particular kriya, the energy in your body responds by moving correctly.
- Relaxation helps the body and mind absorb the kriya
- Meditation to cultivate awareness
- Chanting at the end of each lesson
Benefits of kundalini yoga
Several studies have shown that kundalini can provide many health benefits:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Like other forms of yoga, kundalini can also help reduce stress and anxiety. In a small 2017 study, some kundalini yoga practitioners felt immediate relief from stress. This effect is even more noticeable after 3 months.
A 2018 study concluded that just eight weeks of kundalini training can reduce anxiety levels. Researchers also believe that kundalini is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders.
Improve cognitive function
A 2017 study randomly divided 87 people with mild cognitive impairment into two groups. One group practiced kundalini yoga, while the other group received a memory-enhancing exercise for 12 weeks.
After a while, both groups had a significant improvement in memory. However, only the kundalini group showed short- and long-term improvements in skills such as reasoning, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, and more. In addition to the cognitive improvement, the kundalini yoga group also had fewer depressive symptoms.
Increase self-awareness
A study conducted in 2017 found that kundalini can increase your body positivity awareness and increase self-acceptance. These benefits were observed in 9 women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. According to researchers, kundalini yoga may help treat eating disorders by improving self-awareness and belief.
Spiritual Enlightenment
Many people believe that when the kundalini energy awakens, it is easier for you to connect with the spirit. In addition, kundalini yoga is also believed to offer a number of benefits that have yet to be scientifically proven:
- Increase empathy
- Increase creativity
- Improve attractiveness
- Increase energy
Simple yoga kundalini poses for beginners
Lotus pose or padmasana:
Lotus pose is the most basic sitting position in yoga classes. When you do this, you will have to widen your hips, so you may find it difficult to strain in this position. Move slowly and avoid doing lotus pose if you are having problems in the hip area.
Instructions for lotus pose:
- Keep your back straight, head and neck straight, and eyes facing forward.
- 2 hands placed on either side of the knee. The right finger touches the thumb.
- Close your eyes and start focusing on taking deep breaths.
Lotus pose
Cobra pose or Bhujangasana
This pose will stimulate your kundalini energy to help relieve fatigue, sciatica pain and improve the spine.
Instructions for the cobra pose:
- Lie on your stomach on a yoga mat, legs stretched out behind you. Support your hands and lift your front body up.
- Always keep your fingers straight forward and your elbows parallel.
- Straighten arms, lift chest and abdomen. Lower your shoulders and bring them back.
- Hold the pose for 30 seconds and breathe deeply.
Cobra pose
Who is Kundalini yoga suitable for?
Kundalini yoga is suitable and beneficial for everyone. However, due to the focus on consciousness and spirit, kundalini yoga movements are almost always slow and in a static state. Therefore, for those who want to practice perseverance and discipline, this is the right sport. As for those who like the vibrant, strong, kundalini is not a good choice.
Although kundalini is considered safe and suitable for everyone, you should still consult your doctor before practicing if you:
- Having trouble breathing
- Athritis
- Injury
- There is a problem with balance
- Pregnant.
Also, before taking a kundalini yoga class, you need to know about popular mantras, Kriyas, pranayama breathing exercises, wearing white and meditation.
Reference source
What Is Kundalini Yoga and What Are the Benefits? https://www.healthline.com/health/kundalini-yoga Accessed date: 8/20/2020
What Is Kundalini Yoga and What Are the Benefits? https://www.healthline.com/health/kundalini-yoga Accessed date: 02/04/2021
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
