A Short Introduction
Kundalini yoga is a sophisticated science, art, and technology which has the same goal as every other form of yoga: a unification of not only the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the personality, but the union of the individual with the divine, or the Infinite Mind. Yoga means literally, yoke, or union. The powerful Kundalini energy is thought to lie dormant within the sacrum of the lower spine, traditionally depicted as a coiled, sleeping serpent, just waiting to be activated by yogic techniques. When awakened, it endows the individual with exceptional health and vitality and an expanded consciousness and awareness beyond the realms of ordinary perception; one becomes empowered to attain the ultimate potential as a human being in this world while being healed in all aspects—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The ancient and venerable tradition of Kundalini yoga has been passed down by word of mouth from teacher (guru) to student, having been taught secretly until introduced to this country in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan.
Kundalini yoga consists of exercises or postures (asanas), specific breathing techniques (pranayama), hand and finger gestures (mudras), body locks (bandhas), sound current or chanting (mantras), and meditation. Having been studied and practiced in the monasteries of India and Tibet for millennia, these techniques, when practiced as taught by the Kundalini yoga masters, will produce specific and predictable effects. A kriya is an exercise set or progression, in which one uses the angles and triangles inherent within the physical structure of the body to achieve corresponding energetic effects. A kriya combines with one or more of the above components, and has a total impact greater than the sum of its parts.
For the most part, asanas, in the Kundalini tradition, refer to various sitting postures, such as easy pose, rock pose, or lotus pose. Kundalini emphasizes the development of the breath more than most other forms of yoga, and teaches that mastery of pranayama (the science of breath) is the key to total health and personal transformation. Not only do we fully oxygenate the cells of the body while optimizing waste removal via the lungs, the breath can also increase the amount of energy available to us, and we can begin to access the vast wisdom of the intuitive mind. Mudras are hand and finger positions which lock and guide energy flow and reflexes to the brain, thereby inducing certain states of consciousness. Bandhas are locks which are applied by contracting isolated muscles within the body in order to direct the flow of the energy being produced by the performance of a kriya. In this way, the healing power of the energy is engaged and released throughout the body, the mind clears, and the spirit awakens. Mantra uses the power of the primal word or sound--the basis of all language--to activate and connect the various regions of the brain in order to elevate mood, enhance range of feeling, and command states of consciousness which align with the agenda of the soul. It accomplishes this through a complex interaction among the autonomic and central nervous systems, the endocrine system, the immune system, and the brain.
A full-length Kundalini yoga class, typically lasting an hour to an hour and a quarter, will begin with the centering and grounding mantra, “Ong namo, guru dev namo”, followed by some warm-up exercises. The chosen yoga set will be performed with one or more relaxation sessions lying on the back. A meditation often follows and the session closes by chanting the mantra, “Sat nam” three times.
It is recommended that you do not eat three hours prior to the beginning of a class, which will begin promptly at the stated time. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, bring a blanket and a small cushion to sit on, and perhaps a bottle of water. Handouts will be given at the conclusion of each class.
As a final note, priya of "priya yoga" refers not to a yogic tradition, but constitutes a business name only. Priya is a sanskrit word meaning "beloved" or "dear" and is also a type of arabian jasmine flower. Linda Dobranowski, the proprietor of Priya Ayurveda, uses jasmine as an essential oil in her skin and body care service, a life work as truly dear and beloved to her as Kundalini yoga is to her husband, Jim Deneff.
