KUNDALINI - HATHA - THERAPEUTIC - YOGA
ONE TO ONE PRIVATE CLASSES
SMALL GROUP CLASSES
ONLINE VIA ZOOM
————————————————————————————————————————
KUNDALINI YOGA
The Yoga of Awareness to awaken the Soul.
The teacher takes the student to the students infinite identity.
Hu means light; man means mind.
A human being is a being of mental light, a being of mind as well as body.
But to experience yourself as a human being, you have to condition your mind to experience Infinity.
Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga you can increase your mental and physical stamina and you can experience your finite self as infinite through the Kriyas, Mudras, Mantras and Meditations.
Kriyas and Mudras stimulate the systems of your body and challenge your willpower and strengthen your neutral mind thus leading to a fuller clearer experience of your self.
Chanting Mantras you invoke the positive power contained in those particular sounds, producing specific vibratory frequencies within your body that impact upon your environment and your experience of it.
Each time you chant a mantra you are tapping a rhythm onto the roof of the mouth with your tongue, stimulating meridians, which initiates a cascade of chemical reactions in the brain and body leading to happiness and higher consciousness.
The Meditations practiced in Kundalini Yoga are seen as a way of cleaning your mind allowing for the receptivity to experience your infinite self. Side effects are a reduction in the inflammatory response to stress and therefore a reduction in stress related health conditions.
My experience of practicing Kundalini Yoga has been transformational in all areas of my life, relationships and happiness, health and youthfulness, managing stress and anxiety. My practice returns me again and again to my sense of wonderment calmness and connection.
What Kundalini Yoga is and the Kundalini Energy.
Kundalini Yoga is the yoga of Awareness to awaken the Soul, the teacher takes the student to the students infinite identity. It is a union of the consciousness with the Supreme Consciousness.
This union is achieved by the Kundalini Energy, the spiritual nerve breaking through the blockage at the muladhara, lowest chakra, working its way up the spine to reach the head. From the rectum to the vocal cord is the Silver Cord, from the neck to the top of the head is the Passage, from the Third Eye to the pineal gland (seat of the soul) is the Golden Cord.
To safely raise the Kundalini Energy you apply pressure through the hydraulic locks, bandh. The locks are a very important part of practicing Kundalini Yoga.
The unique differences with Kundalini Yoga
It is multifaceted and complete and has the Z (White Tantra) Energy the deep Kundalini energy that allows for deeper quicker transformation of the individual, this is described as the Leverage.
Kundalini Yoga is a Raj Yoga and is historically passed through a lineage, a transmission that you pass on to your students with a neutral mind and in service balanced by your humility and patience.
One of the definitions of Kundalini Yoga is that it is a way to expand your mind to bring about equilibrium so that you can control your physical body and experience your Infinite Self.
How Kundalini Yoga compares to other types of Yoga.
My experience of Kundalini Yoga practice is that it has quicker tangible effects on my health, mental stability and happiness. I feel more self directed and purposeful.
Before practicing Kundalini Yoga I practiced and taught Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga both of which are wonderful styles but for me Kundalini Yoga encompasses all that I am looking for in a practice, the spirituality, the esoterica, the discipline, physical and mental challenge, and it keeps me interested in wanting to know more and passionate about sharing it with others. This is not a judgement against other styles or schools of Yoga, it is only my personal preference.
Kundalini Yoga’s main focus is not so much on alignment of the Asana as a main focus such as in the style of Iyengar Yoga, but more concerned with the circulation of internal energy, glandular secretions and the Kundalini energy.
Teachers in Kundalini Yoga never make physical adjustments to students, classes are guided by giving precise instructions such as angles, breath, eye position, bandha, mantra and mudra, however the main objective of the class is to experience the flow of energy in our bodies, to take care that we keep good alignment of the spine and use the locks to allow the energy to flow but to also have loving acceptance of where we are at at that moment and to enjoy.
In Kundalini yoga we do not mix and match asana to create class plans but we refer to our manuals to choose set Kriyas and pair them with suitable meditations and follow a class structure that is universal to Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan.
Many other yoga traditions focus more on Hinduism and Sanskrit, chanting Om and Namaste and generally mainstream modern yoga has less focus on mudras and mantras as a main part of the class structure. Kundalini Yoga used the language of Gurmukhi tuning in and beginning class using the mantras Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo and Mangala Charan Mantra (Ad Guray Nameh) and closes class with Long Time Sun and Sat Nam.
Kundalini Yoga believes in self initiation rather than being initiated into a lineage by a teacher or Guru and it is designed to be practiced by householders, people out in the world sharing their light, not hidden away from the world but living in it, in everyday lives.
“Your every action of life IS special, because whatever you are, whatever you are doing, you are doing as an aware being. And when you are totally aware, then you are aware of the relationship of you as you and the universe. And this contact is the yoke. It is where you join with each other.”
Yogi Bhajan Beads of Truth 1980 *4
Kundalini Yoga classes have a specific structure and sequence
We tune in with the Adi Mantra x 3-5 In Easy Pose with Pranam Mudra Prayer Pose.
ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO
I bow to the Infinite Creative Consciousness. I bow to the Divine Wisdom within and without.
This mantra is to bring us into connection with the Golden Chain and brings GOD (that which generates, organizes, delivers or destroys) and our connection to infinity into our teaching. This mantra calls upon the Creator, the Divine Teacher inside every human being. It establishes a strong and clear connection so that we can receive the highest guidance, energy and inspiration.
Then we chant the Mangala Charn Mantra x 3 for protection.
Ad guray nameh
Jugad guray nameh
Sat guray nameh
Siri guru dayv-eh nameh.
I bow to the Primal Wisdom, I bow to the Wisdom of all the ages, I bow to the True Wisdom, I bow to the great invisible Wisdom.
Pranayam is a vital tool for cultivating and moving energy within your body, it also serves as a way to develop a relationship to your breath, the vital link to life. Breath with awareness has the ability to regulate your energy, the quality of your emotions and allows you to direct your mind.
Pranayam at the beginning of each class acts as a ‘channel cleansing’ so the pranic energy can flow through them and also through the meridians, these channels are known as Nadis, so that the following kriyas and meditations are effective.
Warm up exercises are short sets separate from the main kriyas that prepare the body, loosening it up a little before the start of the main kriya. Examples are Cat Cow, Nerve Stretch and Spinal Flex, short version of the Surya Namaskara or a short Kriya.
A Kriya is a specific set of Kundalini Yoga exercises with a particular purpose and are to be followed exactly as Yogi Bhajan guided them to be.
Relaxation is an important part of the class structure as deep relaxation changes the glandular balance of the blood and alters the functioning of the brain. Students are asked to lie in Corpse Pose and keep warm with a blanket. The relaxation can be to a gong, or to gentle music, or a guided visualization. The relaxation is usually 8 - 11 minutes long and there is a specific sequence to come out of the deep relaxation.
Meditations are chosen to compliment the theme of the class and chosen Kriya. Upon ending the students are asked to vigorously shake their arms overhead to ground themselves and then to rub their palms together ready for the closing prayer.
Sunshine Song Long Time Sun in Easy Pose and Pranam Mudra we sing The Long Time Sun 2 times in Europe and 3 times in America.
May the long time sun shine upon you. May all love surround you. May the pure light within you guide your way on.
Followed by 3 x Long Sat Nam and then bowing, which brings the head lower than the heart symbolizing that the teachings have been assimilated through the heart and not the mind, and is a sign of respect and gratitude to Universal Consciousness.
‘Teachers have to not show their ego, they have to show their discipline’
Yogi Bhajan
Kundalin Yoga is an exact science, each Kriya has a specific purpose right down to the angles held, the timing of the exercises and the types of breath used. There are some guidelines for slight alterations, such as shorter times and the option to raise one leg instead of two in the case of back weakness but the kriyas are to be followed to the letter.
One to one teaching or small group classes available both in person and online.
To learn more get in touch
‘The soul is the truth of who we are’
Marianne Williamson
Kundalini Yoga is designed to awaken your Soul by expanding your mind to bring about equilibrium so that through the earthly senses of your physical body you can experience your Infinite Self.
The teacher takes the student to the students infinite identity. It is a union of consciousness with the Supreme Consciousness.
Although there is some influence from Hinduism within Kundalini Yoga the language of Gurmukhi is predominant and many of the practices are from the Sikh religion. Practicing Kundalini Yoga does not automatically mean you are a Sikh. It is correct to give reverence and respect to this aspect of the practice.
Within the practice of Kundalini Yoga focus is on self initiation. It has been devised to be practiced by householders, people out in the world sharing their light, not hidden away from the world but living in it, with everyday lives.
It is not about worshiping something outside of yourself.
Instead it is a time to devote to your self through practicing movement, yoga, breath, meditation, mantra, prayer and self inquiry.
A daily conversation with your soul.
There is nothing mind can do that cannot be better done in the mind's immobility and thought-free stillness.
When mind is still, then truth gets her chance to be heard in the purity of the silence.
Sri Aurobindo
Sadhana
A time to be.
To experience being.
Approach it with wonder and self compassion.
Not with the mindset of guilt, punishment or failure.
Making time to be divine.
Start with a small amount of time and give yourself short goals.
If you find you do not meet these goals don’t waste time indulging in a negative attitude towards your self. Our subconscious, ego and self sabotage tactics are crafty so don’t take that aspect of yourself too seriously. Start again to commit to your spiritual practice one day at a time.
In the practice of Kundalini Yoga there are recommended amounts of time for many of the practices for example how many times to repeat, time in minutes to practice and time in consecutive days to practice, each having a numerical, biological and esoteric meaning.
Sadhana recommendations
11 days this is the first step to overcoming the challenge of being in the physical realm our material world. 11 is the number of infinity so practicing for 11 days straight gives you a taste of what it is like to experience your infinite self and be free from the restraints of your mind.
40 Days this breaks through any negative habits that block you from the expansion possible through the kriya or mantra. Practicing for 40 days straight gives you a clear slate to create more beneficial habits for your future. Clearing out beleif sytems that limit you, as you change your habits you change your destiny.
90 Days this establishes a new habit in your conscious and subconscious minds based on the effect of the kriya or mantra leading to deep change within.
120 Days this confirms the new habit of consciousness created by the kriya or mantra, permanently integrating the benefits into your psyche. 120 days is the average lifespan of the human red blood cell, imagine imprinting brand new cells with a new thought pattern. You embody your new destiny.
1000 Days this will allow you to master the new habit of consciousness that the kriya or mantra has promised. No matter what the challenge, you can call on this new habit to serve you.
‘Without inner experience all ritual means nothing’
6th Pauri of Japji.
What could be the difference between empty ritual and inner experience?
Self care can be so much more than a candlelit bath, some paleo santo and a soundtrack.
Benefit from self discipline, physical challenge and commitment to reach deep enough into yourself to pass beyond your minds conception of the actions of being spiritual to actually experiencing the Self.
Your soul.
Kundalini yoga holds all that you may need to reach deeply within yourself and achieve that inner experience.
It is a discipline that becomes self discipleship.
I encourage you to try this for yourself.
Our new era is all about actual experience over belief.
So don’t take my word for it - experience it!
SAT NAM - TRUTH IS MY ESSENCE. - ALL PERVADING SUPREME REALITY
Start your practice let’s connect
get in touch below
HATHA YOGA
Reconnect to nature within yourself.
Synchronise to the pulsations of cycles of breath,
waves, seasons, the sun and the moon.
Beheld Hatha Yoga is based on movement exploration around Asana poses using
awareness
breath
visualisation
music
poetry
meditation
Encouraged to feel the awe of being you.
A safe space to explore yourself, a welcome place for your emotions and for you to reconnect to the nature within you.
Rediscover your playful child and sense of freedom.
Mysticism becomes available to you as you begin to recognise yourself as nature.
Beheld beginners Hatha Yoga is a great place to start as the focus is on the gentler physical side of Yoga called the Asanas, so this is the shapes you make with your body and how to use your breath as a way of opening into the movements, for releasing emotions and also for energising you.
Gain your confidence practising yoga.
You will learn a good foundation as the base of your practice as I weave in postural and breathing reeducation into the yoga from my knowledge of Bodywork.
I keep classes small for a closer sense of care and a non dogmatic approach that encourages exploration of what feels right for your body.
A gentle exploration of the mindbody connection
It is slower paced and relaxed giving time to get the details understood and to give you an understanding of how the postures work for your body individually rather than uniformly forcing yourself into general one size fits all yoga.
So instead of forcing yourself into forms you let the forms emerge from you by exploring them and embodying them.
Physically you can expect to have a stronger core, better balance, improved digestion and sleep, and due to increased circulation that glow that leads to healthier skin. You may feel more awarenesss seep into your daily life, a deeper connection to your inner self and nature.
Its best not to eat a heavy meal before you practice, and afterwards its a good idea to drink some warm water to keep you hydrated.
I encourage you to listen to your body and most of all enjoy it.
Leave class having rested your mind, let go of tension, stretched, breathed deeply and released a good dose of endorphins and dopamine. All of which means you will feel relaxed and uplifted.
1:1 Teacher to Student or small classes available in person or online.