Blissful Body Yoga and Wellness: Kundalini

Showing posts with label Kundalini. Show all posts

Monday, September 5, 2011

Monday Mantra: Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wha Hey Guru

This Monday my offering is a Kundalini yoga mantra:

Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wah Hey Guru

This is an absolute favorite of mine because of its powerful meaning and effect, and because it rolls out of my body in such an easy and joyful way. There is a beautiful cadence and rhythm to it, so much so that I tend to use it not only in seated meditations, but when I am out for a run or working in the garden. Try it out and let your heart light shine!!!

This is an Adi shakti mantra (primal power mantra), designed to awaken the shakti energy coiled at the base of the spine, allowing it to vault upwards opening the higher consciousness chakras leading to deep wisdom and bliss states. It acts as a method of communication between your individual soul and the Universal soul.

To practice with this mantra, take a comfortable seat either cross legged on the floor or in a chair. Make sure your spine is straight (to allow the energy to flow freely) and that your breathing is relaxed and deep. As you say the mantra you may also focus on each of the corresponding chakras listed below. A mala, or prayer beads, is a nice way to keep track. Traditionally, a mantra is repeated 108 times in a seated meditation, but start where you are and let the energy guide you on YOUR journey today.

Ek= One, the essence of all; Oneness. (1^st Chakra)
Ong= The primal vibration from which creativity flows “I bow to the Creator.” (2^nd Chakra)
Kar= All of Creation. (3^rd Chakra)
Sat= Truth. (4^th Chakra)
Nam= Name/Identity. (5^th Chakra)
Siri= Greatness. (6^th Chakra)
Wahe Guru=The indescribable joy of going from darkness to light. (7^th Chakra)

All together this mantra may be translated as, "There is one Creator whose name is Truth. Great is the ecstasy of that Supreme Wisdom""...or something like that. Remember that mantras are written in an energetic language base on primal sounds and vibrations –the very building blocks of all Creation– and so don't translate exactly into other languages.

The great sage, Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini yoga to the West says,

“Before sunrise, when the channels of energy are most clear, if this mantra is sung in sweet harmony, you will be one with the Lord. This will open your solar plexus, charging the solar center, connecting it with cosmic energy. You will be liberated from the cycles of karma that bind you to the earth. No tongue can tell how bright the light of cosmic energy is, but when you recite this mantra daily, you will have this light within you.” --Yogi Bhajan.

Here is a beautiful rendition by Snatam Kaur. You can also chant it in an upbeat tempo. Enjoy, and happy chanting!

http://www.art4spirit.com/Images/Artwork/Kundalini5x7.jpg

Friday, November 6, 2009

Kundalini: Spirit of the Present Moment

I am reading a great book right now called, The Inner Tradition of Yoga by Michael Stone. This morning I read a passage on Kundalini energy that I thought was brilliant; here it is:

"The central channel, or susumna, is associated with fire and the union of the ida and pingala. Pattabhi Jois calls the susumna nadi which runs from the center of the pelvic floor through the crown of the head, "the empty flute."

The term Kundalini, which has been fetishized and imbued with literalist interpretations (such as a purely physical feeling of tingling up the spine", reduces the essence of that process. "Kundalini" describes in metaphorical language the present moment that is curled up but inaccessible in every movement of experience in which there is even an ounce of self-image. We are not present because of karmic patterns, most notably greed, hatred and delusion." (Emphasis mine.)

I've never really heard Kundalini described or defined in this manner and I think it is brilliant. We tend to speak of the Kundalini energy as the energy of pure potential, "coiled and sleeping" at the base of the spine. Certainly, there is no greater pure potential energy than the possibility of been fully present in any moment without the veil of Avidya (ignorance) and Asmita (ego) preventing us from seeing and experiencing what truly is.

Burn a little Karma today. Do your practice, whatever that may consist of (asana, pranayama, Jnana Yoga, etc.) and then take it "of the mat" and into your life. Stay with the breath, stay in the present moment, and see how much of the pure potential in every moment you can fully realize.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Self-Observation Without Self-Criticism

"The highest form of spiritual practice is self-observation without self-criticism."
– Swami Kripalu

This quote from Swami Kripalu is one of my favorites. It encapsulates the essence of what the journey of yoga is all about. It is a journey into ourselves. It is a long, and sometimes arduous journey, full of great joy and many sorrows, but it is, I think, always a worthy adventure.

Can you pause now in your day?
Take a moment with me?...

Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Observe the breath moving in and out of your body.
Make the offering of this mantra to your self:

In this moment I breathe, in this moment I am perfect. At all times, in every way possible, I have everything I need.

As you move into your evening keep these phrases in mind, and take some time to contemplate the words of Bapuji (Swami Kripalu). How can you move along this great adventure of life making it an inquiry of self-observation, without entering into the harshness of self-criticism?

I would love to hear the ways that you do this!
Leave a comment, or drop me a line.

Namaste

Monday, October 20, 2008

Awesome Kundalini Yoga DVD

Jai Bhagwan my beloved. A quick post for you this morning.

If you've been reading this blog you know I am a huge fan of Kundalini yoga (Kripalu actually comes from this lineage, Swami Kripalu was a major Kundalini Yoga practitioner.) I encorporate a lot of it into my teaching, and I practice many kriyas as part of my sadhana every morning. When I want to take a Kundalini class and can't get to one, I do this DVD:

Chakra Yoga for Mental Clarity (1998)

Starring: Gurutej Kaur Rating:

Format:

It is SOOOO great and only 60 minutes long. The exercises completely clear and balance my energy and always set me on the path for a great day. I was feeling so tired and scattered this morning (results of a poor night sleep, because my poor Michael has got a terrible cold and was tossing and turning like mad) and now I feel focused and 100 % better.

Give this one a try, you won't be dissapointed.

Sat Nam, Sat Nam, Sat Nam

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Free Kundalini Yoga Class with Gurmukh from Golden Bridge Yoga

Image © Anodea Judith's The Illuminated Chakras DVD. and SacredCenters.com.Enjoy this Kundalini Yoga class with the incredible teacher Gurmukh from Golden Bridge Yoga.

Her book The Eight Human Talents is one of the most beautiful and useful books on yoga I have ever read. She also does amazing prenatal yoga classes, and DVDs. I have taken her classes at Golden Bridge in New York City, and they are transformational.

Kundalini Yoga is an invigorating tradition of yoga. It will get your prana flowing, leaving you energized and cleansed. I include Kundalini kriyas as a part of my morning sadhana every day (check back soon for a post detailing my favorite kriyas.)

The exercises may look at little funny, but let me tell you they are amazingly effective, and not easy! Don't be discouraged if you find them challenging; they are well worth your time and commitment.

GIVEAWAYS!