by Tirtha Acharya | Sep 11, 2017 | Yoga
What is Yin Yoga?
Yin Yoga is a style of yoga popularly known for holding the position for the longer period of time. It is well-known for its characteristic for remaining in the same position relatively for the longer period. It can also be understood as a yoga practice which is passive where muscles are relaxed. The time of holding a pose may range from 45 seconds for beginners to five minutes or more for advanced practitioners.
Yin Yoga mainly based on the duration of the asana and temperature of the muscle accentuating the principle value of patience. Yin Yoga was developed by the martial art expert and Tao Yoga master Paulie Zink. Paulie Zink is the martial art champion. Yin Yoga has basically been brought from the Chinese tradition of Yin and Yang philosophy. With some similarity with traditional Hatha Yoga, Yin yoga, originally taken from Taoist yoga, has been made something exclusive in its practice and way of holding the postures for a substantial period of time.
Yin Yoga mainly focuses to work on the connective tissues to bring more calm, strength, flexibility, agility, power, and relaxation in the body, mind, and spirit. All the ligaments, fascia, tendons are used properly to circulate the blood and energy to bring the flexibility, strength, and stamina in every part of the body. It emphasizes the floor postures connecting to the earth for its better understanding and application to the greater level.
Moreover, Yin Yoga incorporates five elements Earth, Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire in its practice. It started to get its recognition in the decade of 1970s in the United State of America by the champion of martial arts and Taoist yoga teacher Paulie Zink. It later flourished in Europe and many other places of the world.
Yin Yoga emphasizes, especially between navel and knees. Most of the postures in it tries to work on hip, lower back, hips, pelvis, inner thighs, shoulders which mainly performed in seating, supine and prone position. Even though Yin Yoga is considered to be the simple and quiet practice, it is not an easy practice at all.
Yin Yoga has popularly been the practice not only for the people who want to get relaxed and gentle yoga. However, it has been the everyday practice of athletes who are quite stronger and vigorous. It means to say that Yin Yoga can be for anyone who wants to develop the flexibility, strength, stamina, power, agility, calm and balanced state of body, mind, and spirit.
As a person gets older the muscles of the body get stiffed. The application of Yin Yoga in day to day life can help to reduce the stiffness and rigidity of the body. Yin Yoga has been effectively practiced all around the world. Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Bernie Clark are two other distinguished names in the field of Yin Yoga. Paul Grilley is the student of Paulie Zink and Sarah Power is the student of Paul Grilley.
The Philosophy of Yin and Yang Yoga
Yin Yoga has its deep-rooted connection to the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang as well as the traditional Hath Yoga system. Yin yoga has tried to incorporate both systems in its form and practice. The word yin represents the dark side and the yang stands for the bright side. In other words, it also can be called negative and positive sides of the universe. Yin and Yang’s philosophy is the root from where the yoga called Yin Yoga has been developed.
Originally, the name of Yin Yoga was called in its full form Yin and Yang Yoga. In its popular form, it was stared to be called Yin Yoga. Yin and Yang philosophy in spite of consisting of contrary forces which are always interconnected and interrelated to each other.
The existence of both forces makes the possibility of the universe or the world. Based on the idea of contradiction and opposite forces’ existence, the yin and yang theory has simultaneously correlated with other philosophy of the world such as Hindu philosophy which emphasizes in Prakriti and Purusha. Indeed, the yin and yang can be considered as the complementary forces which are equally significant for the existence.
In Yin and Yang philosophy, yin represents the cold, passive, female, immobile, downward moving force whereas yang can be correlated with the hot, active, masculine, mobile, upward moving. In the case of the body, the connective tissues such as tendons, fascia, and ligaments are regarded as yin and the mobile muscles and blood are taken as yang. In yoga, passive asanas are considered as the yin while active and dynamic asanas are observed as yang.
The existence of both sides is compulsorily found in everything that exists. Only the difference is its amount. Even though the postures are very similar and look alike in both style of yoga, the way of performing them has different techniques and orientation. The muscular exertion in Yin Yoga is significantly less and low compared to the Hath Yoga. The origin of the development of yin yoga has been interconnected to the Chinese philosophy whereas Hath Yoga has its connection to the Himalayas and Hindu philosophy.
During the practice of Yin Yoga, one may undergo various emotional ups and downs as everyone has numerous emotional stuff hidden and stored in the subconscious mind. The emotional state of happiness, sadness, pain, sorrow, anger, anxiety, stress, excitement etc. may come up.
However, as a yin yoga practitioner one needs to be an observer of the sentiments that pop out in the mind. The emotions in the physical body stored in the knots, shoulder joints, hip joints or in the form of a sore neck, tight hips are released by the practice of Yin Yoga. Yin Yoga helps to recognize and become aware of those emotional hurdles so that we could address them for the better life.
Origin and History of Yin Yoga
In ancient China and Taiwan, the idea of yin yoga used to be practiced as the system of Daoist Yoga. Daoist yoga also has been known as Dao Chin. It was the daily practice for Taoist priests in the greater China. About 2000 years ago, the Taoist priests started to teach the system of Daoist Yoga and breathing techniques to Kung Fu practitioners. Coming to this present form of Yin Yoga, it was developed by the martial arts expert and Tao Yoga teacher Paulie Zink in the decade of 1970s. Master Zink hails from the United States where he started the practice of Yin Yoga.
Under the tutelage of Kung Fu and Taoist master Cho Chat Ling from Hongkong, Paule Zink was trained for a decade. He learned all the essential knowledge and skills which could be required only by the practice of 25 years. With all the treatise of wisdom in the field of Taoism and Kung Fu, he started his career as a martial artist. He won the national championship more than two years and national recognition and awards in his back.
Synthesizing the idea of his education achieved during his ten long years and since childhood, he establishes yoga named Yin Yoga in its present form that has been practicing in the world. At the moment, yin yoga has been one of the most popular practices in the world in the arena of yoga. Especially, by the names like Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers and Bernie Clark, the scope, and publicity of Yin Yoga has spread and elongated much more than before.
Benefits of Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga can be a cooling practice for many people who prefer relaxed and deeper poses. It can be a great yoga to practice for both balancing the body, mind, and spirit in an equal manner.
- It can work as the counter-balance of Yang practices such as Vinyasa and many other dynamic practices. While practicing twice in a week for relaxing and allowing the parts of the body cool down, it can be the best practice to perform.
- It brings the balance of erratic and overactive mindset to its normal and balanced state.
- It helps to deal with many unnecessary thoughts and words come out in the mind and day to day life. It balances the mind to make it work for essential stuff.
- It balances all on-the-go aspects of life.
- It helps to draw calmness, stillness, balance in the body and mind.
- It can be the best yoga to practice for the reduction of anxiety and stress.
- It helps to increase the circulation of the blood throughout the body.
- It supports the flexibility.
- It brings greater joint mobility.
- It maintains the balance of internal organs and flow of prana or chi through meridian stimulation.
- It balances Yang Yoga practice.
- It inspires mindfulness and meditation.
- It helps in regulating the energy level in the body.
- It supports to heal medical issues like migraines.
- It increases the stamina.
by Tirtha Acharya | Sep 6, 2017 | Yoga
Bikram Yoga: Synergistic & cumulative effect to balance body state
Bikram yoga was developed and synthesized by Bikram Chaudhary in the 20th century. Bikram Yoga was named after an Indian Yogi named Bikram Chaudhary. It has been regarded as one of the initial yoga styles brought from Hatha Yoga. Bikram Chaudhary approached with his own techniques and pattern of yoga after his long years of practice in the field of Hatha Yoga. It has been widely popularized and practiced all over the world especially in the United States, Europe, and India including many other countries of Asia.
Hatha yoga incorporates the vast area of asana, pranayama and dhyana practice. In this broad term come dozens of different names of yoga practice. Following the same norms and values of hatha yoga practice, different styles of yoga have been developed. If they don’t include all the aspects of Hatha Yoga, at least they have brought into the practice of one or two aspects.
All these aspects have been considered vital and vast in the field of Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga doesn’t only mean the modern understanding of the name as slow-paced gentle yoga. It has rather broader and comprehensive meaning which has managed to include all the practices which focus on Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (breathing technique), Dhyana (meditation) and that karma. Among many yoga styles sprouted out of the big world of Hatha Yoga is Bikram Yoga.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Bikram Yoga emphasizes the idea of certain temperatures and humidity in the yoga hall where yoga is practiced during the yoga practice. Because of its system of practicing in hot and humid temperature of 104 degree Fahrenheit i.e. 40 degree Celsius and humidity of 40 %, it is also called Hot Yoga. The reason behind the practice at this temperatures is interrelated with the Indian climate by the profounder of Bikram Yoga.
The heat allows the body to stretch more easily and in a safer manner. The heat also permits the circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body. However, Bikram Chaudhary argues that any kind of medication and variation in the time, posture and style doesn’t make it Bikram Yoga. There is a striking difference between Bikram Yoga and Hot Yoga.
He asserts the point that Bikram Yoga Teacher Training can be provided by his direct and authorized Bikram Yoga Schools all around the world. He points out that they can take Teacher Training Course but they are not allowed to teach Teacher Training Course even to a single person without getting authorization from himself only.
In Bikram yoga, there is no system of music, clapping or hands-on instruction whereas Hot yoga may incorporate those things during the practice. Hot yoga can be practiced at the temperature ranging from 80-105 degree Fahrenheit but Bikram yoga has an exact measurement of temperature to follow. Furthermore, the timing is fixed to 90 minutes for Bikram Yoga which may be applicable in hot yoga it tends to be more flexible with time. The asana also can also be taken differently than those 26 postures given in the Bikram Yoga. In the system of Bikram Yoga, the hall must be carpeted with the mirror in front of the yoga hall which may not necessarily be the case in Hot Yoga. Only practicing in the hot temperature, it cannot be Bikram Yoga.
Bikram yoga is both hot and hard. It encompasses 26 Asanas including two pranayamas. All the asana practice and pranayama is designed to complete in 90 minutes class in a hot temperature room. It has been approved and taken as the practice applicable to all age groups. Irrespective of a person’s gender, age, race and position, everybody can practice it.
It also helps to vitalize the immune system and organs of the body. In the body, there are five systems which can be healed and addressed by the practice of yoga. They are the respiratory, digestive, nervous, spinal and circulatory system which can be cured and improved in the better manner even penetrating the energy into the very minute level of body i.e. atom. He states his firm belief on his system of yoga, “If you follow the dialogue and do the sequence to the best of your ability, you will live a better, healthier and more peaceful life.”
It is a belief of Bikram Chaudhary that the practice of Bikram yoga can heal all the problems of the body and make one live with healthy and quality life for 100 hundred years. In his interview in News World India, he further claims that he has brought the system which can help people to celebrate their 100th birthday. He analogizes the yoga hall of hundred people is like the biggest toilet in the world as all have carried the heavy amount of toxins and problems in the body. As one gets into the practice of Bikram Yoga, one purifies the toilet and becomes a brand new person with a vigorous body and energetic mind.
Bikram Yoga has 26 asanas and the reason behind that as Bikram Chaudhary says is that he corresponds and correlates the number of the English alphabet. Likewise, the asana also works gradually every issue of the body and mind if it is practiced the system he has advised and regulated.
In spite of its popular argument that Bikram Yoga is for everyone, it has been found very hard and difficult for many people. The asanas combined in a sequence are not the asanas practice which can be incompatible for many people. However, the asana given in the series look strenuous and difficult to practice for many.
The good point of Bikram Yoga is that each asana stretches and strengthens joints, ligaments, and muscles. The asana has been combined in a very practical sequence which helps to prepare for the next asana practice. Starting from breathing, the yoga class ends with the breathing whereas the savasana is placed almost middle part of the practice after the end of standing and sitting postures and before reclining postures.
It is argued that Bikram Yoga has been designed in such a scientific way that the practice of this style takes one into complete health addressing all the issues and parts of the body. It is expected to eliminate and alleviate all the toxins in the body. It has also been found to be highly efficacious for the developing the balance and strength of the body. In addition to its physical benefits, Bikram Yoga also leaves the greater impact for our balanced mind, concentration, patience increasing the level of balance of body, mind, and spirit including reduction of the stress and anxiety.
Bikram Yoga consists of following asanas and pranayama practice:
- Pranayama (Standing Deep Breathing)
- Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)
- Utkatasana (Awkward Pose)
- Gaurdasana (Eagle Pose)
- Dandayamana Janusirsasana (Standing Head to Knee Pose)
- Dandayamana Dhanurasana (Standing Bow Pose)
- Tuladandasana (Balancing Stick Pose)
- Dandayamana Vibhaktpada Paschimottanasana (Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose)
- Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
- Dandayamana Vibhaktapada Janusirsasana (Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose)
- Tadasana (Tree Pose)
- Padangusthasana (Toe Stand Pose)
- Savasana (Corpse Pose)
- Pawanmuktasana (Wind Removing Pose)
- Padahasthasana (Situp)
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
- Salabhasana (Locust Pose)
- Purna Salabhasana (Full Locust Pose)
- Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
- Suptavajrasana (Reclining Thunderbolt Pose)
- Ardhkurmasana (Half Tortoise Pose)
- Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
- Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose)
- Janusirsasana (Head to Knee Pose)
- Ardhamatsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fist Pose)
- Kapalbhati
Benefits of Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga has the synergistic and cumulative effect to return the body to a balanced state. With its scientifically combined poses in a sequence, it offers the systematic way of creating sound and strong health and calm and equanimity of the mind. It’s the complete package of flexibility, strength, balance, gravity, and stamina. Followings are the benefits of Bikram Yoga:
- It empowers the respiratory system and extremely famous yoga for reducing the fat of the body.
- It has the greater effect on the overall health of the body and its fitness.
- It also helps to relieve the arthritis strengthening and toning the leg muscles.
- It supports to circulate the pure blood to the reproductive system and its circulation throughout the body cleansing internally.
- It also improves the sciatic nerves flexibility and good for the hamstring muscles strength.
- It is one of the best styles of practice for the balancing the body. It is very good practice for developing the balance of the body.
- Posture practiced in this yoga helps send the blood to the heart cleansing the arteries and veins.
- It has also the highly comprehensive effect on the lower back pain.
- It also improves the metabolism and immune system of the body.
- Asanas practiced in Bikram Yoga helps to relieve hemorrhoid problems as well as strengthening the knees, ankles, and feet.
- It also helps to strengthen the arms, abdomen and thighs along with improving the flexibility.
- Menstrual disorders, scoliosis, slipped discs and arthritis can be eliminated by the regular practice of Bikram Yoga.
- The lungs get strengthened by the practice of Bikram Yoga while releasing the tension and pain in the neck and shoulders.
- It also helps to improve the spine and back muscle strength and elasticity while working on the cold and sinus problems.
- It is good practice to develop the mental clarity and stress reduction.
- It increases the control of the mind and fitness of the body.
- By the practice of Bikram Yoga, the cholesterol gets regulated in the blood.
- It flushes the lymphatic system.
- It strengthens the immune system.
- It also balances the endocrine glands.
- It helps to supply the oxygen and nutrients in the area of the body which has been blocked by the toxins.
by Tirtha Acharya | Aug 13, 2017 | Yoga
Human Consciousness and yoga: Balancing the interactive mind
Human Consciousness is more than just a simple awareness and intelligence. As being the subject of mystery for the study of science especially physics, psychology, and parapsychology, it’s beyond the boundary of matter and its property. To understand the real nature of our consciousness is the prime goal of Yoga. The self is the limited form of identity which is known as individual ego.
We have a tendency to develop a false identity of ourselves based on the things that we do, behave and get the response which is always under trouble and can be manipulated with the time and situation. On the backdrop of the derived sense of identity remains the deeper identity which is also called as the true self. Yoga approves the idea that knowing true self is indeed the understanding of true nature of consciousness.
The wonderful sequence of yoga has subliminal interrelation with the nature of consciousness. Even though the yoga starts its practice from the body, it ultimately targets the attainment of the true nature of the self which means to say that one becomes able to understand the crux of consciousness. For the complete well-being of our life, the harmony and congruence of body, mind, and soul seem to be highly important in yogic perspective.
The book named Human Consciousness and Yogic Science by Dr. Kamakhya Kumar and Dr. Ajay Bhardwaj mentions in the introduction of the book regarding the types of consciousness. It mentions that yogis and mystics have categorized consciousness into seven stage or steps. Generally, the human being can experience three stages; waking, sleeping and dreaming.
In meditation, one can experience the transcendental consciousness which is called Turiya, the fourth stage of consciousness. When the fourth state called Turiya concurs with the first three states, it becomes the fifth state; expansion of I-consciousness to merge with cosmic consciousness. At the sixth state, one sees God in everything and everything which is called God-consciousness. The seventh one is the state where exists the coherence inside and outside in the form of unity consciousness.
The book also opens the view of consciousness which is apprehended as a non-physical unit which differs the four basic fundamentals of orthodox science; space, time, energy and matter. It has existed with a self-sufficient entity of creation.
The Relation between Yoga and Human Consciousness
Yoga is a union, the union in many ways. Borrowing the words of Sadhguru, yoga has been strived to comprehend comprehensive manner. The level of union varies as per one’s need and aspiration. When one tries to find the union at the basic level, it is the matter of sexuality. When the same union is targeted in emotional expression, it becomes the matter of love. When it strives to adjoin with mental expression, it becomes the part of ambition, conquest, and greed. At the state of conscious level, it is yoga.
Sadhguru says in his speech on yoga and human consciousness, “Consciousness is there all the time. If it was not, you would not be able to convert your breath and your food into life. You are alive – that means you are conscious. But so far, you only have minimal access. As your access improves, your sense of boundary expands. If you become identified with consciousness, you will experience everyone as yourself. This is what yoga means.” The function of consciousness is to bring awareness in a person. Consciousness always exists there.
Only we need to know is to expand ourselves to find that consciousness. He further beautifies the relation between yoga and human consciousness in delightful and adorable lines, “Expanding the sensory boundaries in such a way that if you sit here, the entire universe is a part of yourself – this is yoga; this is raising consciousness.” At the time one becomes able to identify with anything, it increases the state of consciousness which indeed is yoga; the state of the union. In this sense, the broader the consciousness becomes the greater and deeper the realization of yoga occurs.
Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati speaks on Yoga and Expansion of Consciousness that consciousness and energy both exist in human beings. He mentions the example of a lame person and blind person. He compares the lame person with energy and the blind person with consciousness. Without the support of the consciousness, energy can do nothing and vice versa. In spite of having dynamic quality, energy can’t move without the cognition, awareness, and consciousness. Similarly, consciousness can’t move without the support of the energy even though it has the ability to see. Both are reciprocal and complimentary for each other.
He further states that prana is cosmic energy and consciousness is evolving energy. Swamiji explains the mind as an extension of cosmic consciousness. Everything is experienced by the mind either it is happiness, joy, sorrow, philosophy or ideas. The desires, dream, and destination are set by the mind and body to become the medium to work on them while applying the senses as tools to achieve the goals. The understanding of the mind as the expansion of cosmic consciousness is the fundamental understanding of yoga.
The subject of yoga combines body, mind, and soul to create the balance in all these aspects. Starting from the practice of physical postures and its practice for the well-being of physical body, yoga tends to maintain the balance in mental level. When the talks of mind come, it has been divided into three types; tamasic, rajasic and sattvic.
In the analysis of Swami Niranjanananda, Tamasic is referred as conditioned mind, rajasic is related to aggressive mind, and the sattvic is concerned to the balanced mind. The real goal of yoga has been perceived as balancing the mind. The ability to observe the situation of the external world and internal thoughts is the condition of balanced mind. Balancing the interactive mind, one is led to the state of consciousness.
Different level of understanding or consciousness is perceived according to the different level of understanding in mind. There is no such thing as conscious, unconscious and subconscious according to Swami Niranjanananda but only the different level of awareness takes the understanding in the different level. He says, “as long as there is awareness, we are able to perceive ourselves and the world, but without awareness, we continue to exist without that knowledge.”
Therefore, the consciousness is taking one to the state of deeper awareness. He further expounds that the stronger the light of awareness becomes, the more the darkness decreases. That is the goal to be experienced in the field of yoga. As the meditation practice dips deeper one starts to realize the causes of many things. There are many things which are just experienced in our life, but the real root cause of the problem has not been identified. The awareness is the key which leads one to know the real cause either internal or external.
by Tirtha Acharya | Aug 6, 2017 | Yoga
What is Vinyasa Yoga Flow?
Vinyasa Yoga Flow is derived from Hatha Yoga. In spite of many similarities and being the style originated from Hatha Yoga, it differentiates in many ways as it follows faster pace and asanas are connected in a sequence and series of movements with synchronized breaths. It focuses more on breath and transition that is made in every in and out of the postures. Instead of relaxing and loosening the body as like traditional Hatha Yoga style, it instead incorporates the way of flow (Vinyasa yoga flow)and continuity of the asana practice.
The Sanskrit word ‘vinyasa’ means ‘variation within parameters’ or ‘transition between two movements’ which expands the place and platform for different asanas with varieties of taste and toasts to bite! However, the vinyasa style of yoga can be more fun and interesting for the practitioners who have been following yoga for sometimes. It may not be suitable practice for a newbie who rather prefers gentler form of yoga. Again, there is always chance and offer of accepting the challenge of vinyasa in spite of being a newcomer in the field of yoga.
It’s a dynamic form of yoga which is performed in a flow with the combination of breath, movement, and gesture of the body. In the contemporary society, it has been one of the most influential styles of yoga as it strings asanas in a sequence with the flow which has somehow oppose the long-standing traditional procedure of hatha yoga which demands relaxation in between every posture. To make the area broader, it also can combine some other popular style such as Ashtanga Vinyasa and Power Yoga with its practice.
Generally, vinyasa is understood as the transitional poses like chaturanga Dandasana, upward facing dog, downward facing dog performed in between every poses. As a yoga practitioner who loves to practice different asana every day, the vinyasa yoga flow can be the best way to heal and help one boom and boast in the practice of yoga.
There may be a various way of conducting the vinyasa yoga flow. Nevertheless, the indispensable factor of this style of yoga is sun salutation with the movement of breathing and body. Indeed, vinyasa style comprises advanced asanas and wonderful alignment. On the basis of schooling and style of yoga teacher has learned, he or she tries to run the class; some starts with sitting postures and some stretching whereas other may begin with standing postures. Above all, all these varieties come under the same umbrella because they contain the vinyasa.
What appeals one for Vinyasa Yoga Flow?
With the significance of yoga heightens day by day, the style of practice has comprehensively been taken into consideration and application. Among this newly developed and highly sought-after style of yoga is Vinyasa Yoga Flow. Since it has been able to comprise different styles altogether still remaining in its principle, the synchronization of breath with the physical movement, it has found its place in the majority of yogis mat in the world.
They have adored the style enthusiastically performing it on the daily life. The question arises what may have been the cause that it has been such a popular style of yoga in the current scenario especially in the Western countries. The curiosity or query may be revealed in following passages!
As it moves from one asana to another in a continuous manner which helps to increase the cardiovascular benefits. In addition to releasing the accumulated tension and toxin of the body, it has a high effect on building the strength, increasing flexibility and reducing the stress level.
It can be regarded as benefits or weakness that it has no such hard and fast sequence to follow which allows one to go with different yoga asanas maintaining the pace sometimes faster and sometimes slower. Because of its broad area of choice and flow of your own idea, it can be both challenging and interesting style of practice as it doesn’t confine in a strict boundary of the certain sequence. As a matter of fact, this can be the best yoga style who find difficulty sticking in one specific sequence every day.
by Tirtha Acharya | Jul 29, 2017 | Yoga
The Sanskrit word Kundalini means ‘circular’, ‘annular’. It is also denoted as the coiled serpent which is remained in dormant form at the base of the spine. The word Shakti-Chala is the combination of the word Shakti which denotes the kundalini and the Chala the movement. Thus, the flow of kundalini up to the eyebrow center is Shakti Chala and The process is kundalini yoga.
Therefore, an energy needs to be straight from spiral form to get activated and circulated to the third eye from the root chakra finally reaching to the Crown Center. Even though the origin of Kundalini yoga is interconnected with the Tantra Yoga and Hatha Yoga, some yogis differentiate it from Hatha Yoga.
Kundalini Yoga is regarded as the combination of Bhakti Yoga, Shakti Yoga and Raja Yoga along with Kriyas and Meditation. It focuses on all these yogas for highly influential achievement or experience of Dharma or the Life Purpose liberating oneself from the Karma, the bondage of the life. Either Kundalini or Laya, both represent the same Yoga that is awakening the serpent energy.
Elucidating the concept and core of yoga, Laya Yoga an infallible relation to the goal of yoga. Ever effecting aura of yoga has been embraced with the meaning of Laya refers to ‘dissolution’, ‘absorption’, and ‘extinction’.
Based on the same principle of the absorption of the individual self to the supreme self through the process of specified yogic practices by circulating the quiescent energy to the top of the head from the base of the spine makes the Laya Yoga as one of the vital facets of Yoga.
The practice concentrates on kriyas and meditation to prepare the nervous system and balances the energy channels to make the possibility of the Kundalini energy to flow from the spine to the crown center.
The yoga asanas are designed to aim the activation of the certain center such as navel, crown, other chakra centers, and whole spine as well as the implication of Bandhas and Pranayamas to regulate the prana, the vital force, in a systematic manner to the higher part of the body.
The practice concerning on the elements of Patanjali’s Kriya Yoga such as Tapas (discipline or perseverance), Swadhyaya (spiritual study or self-study), and Ishwarpranidhan (Devotion to the God) are also practiced in Kundalini Yoga.
As a process of awakening the dormant energy, Kundalini Yoga has an undeviating relation and stimulus with the philosophical aspect of Shaktism and Tantric school of Yoga which incorporates the practice of yoga asana, pranayama, bandhas, and meditation.
In this sense, Hatha Yoga has the greater influence on Kundalini Yoga in that later comprises the ingredient of former in its practice and procedure to activate the latent energy supposed to be stationed at the base of the spine in a passive state.
The Yogic scriptures of around 15th century such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Shiv Samhita have been very influential texts to enhance the significance of the Kundalini Yoga.
Shiv Samhita has mentioned the implication of four yogas; Mantra, Hatha, Laya and Raja to lead oneself into the higher state of awareness and the liberating oneself from the labyrinth of duality.
Who Is Kundalini Yoga Suitable For?
Kundalini Yoga is one of the best yogic practices for the heightened and in-depth entrance into the intricacies of yoga going beyond the boundary of yoga asana. Still assembling the physical postural practice, it tends to concentrate on arising the chakra of the body working on pranic and subtle energy level.
With the specific orientation to activate chakra, the postures are set. The postures are performed to effect the energy of certain chakra in the combination of pranayama, bandhas, and meditation with visualization. It can be the best choice for the seekers who have better interest and inclination towards Chakra activation and its’ relations to the awakening of Kundalini Shakti.
Kundalini Yoga can be the fascinating and integral style for the spiritual practitioners who are inspired and dedicated to cleansing the energy channel and making the physical body as the bridge to reach to the state of liberation through its yogic association.
In General, Kundalini Yoga class is begun with mantra chanting, spinal stretching, and flexibility followed by particular asanas for chakras leading to the meditation and end of the class with closing songs or mantras. Even though Kundalini Yoga has its perennial history and link to the ancient yogic practice as guru-discipline tradition, it has been practiced in the different style and in many schools.
As long as the zest of Kundalini Yoga i.e. activating the kundalini energy is placed on high and intact, the style or pattern would not be discarded as not being a Kundalini Yoga. The Yoga which basically focuses on stimulating the energy center and awakening the Kundalini energy by its proper practice that is Kundalini Yoga in the broader sense.
For realizing the divine destiny of Kundalini Yoga, numerous schools of yoga have been running having carried slightly different philosophies but not forgetting the crux and fundamental aspects of Kundalini Yoga.
In the modern time, Yogi Bhajan has been perceived as the pioneer yogi who started Kundalini Yoga in 1969 in the west beguiling the principle of Healthy, Happy and Holy or 3HO by setting up an organization named Healthy Happy and Holy Organization.
Nevertheless, it is still the exotic and esoteric practice in Nepal and India revealed only to the disciples in a very specific and systematic way who are in strict and intensive Sadhana in the discipleship of a guru for few years at least.
by Tirtha Acharya | Jul 5, 2017 | Yoga
In spite of their distinct practice, Bandha has also been traditionally incorporated with other yogic practices such asana, pranayama, and mudras. Therefore, they posit themselves as the significant constituents of yogic practice. The Sanskrit word ‘Bandha’ means ‘to lock’ or ‘to restrict’. Applying certain lock in the certain part of the body, the practice of Bandha is made. The flow of prana is protected performing Bandhas. In order to preserve and redirect the prana to the energy center, the lock in the physical body is applied which leads to an effect on the pranic body.
For awakening psychic genii, the application and regular practice of bandha have greater help. Actually, the Bandhas has a direct connection with granthis (psychic knots). The psychic knots indeed prevents the free-flow of energy along the Sushumna Nadi which also bars in activating the kundalini. There are mainly four Bandhas; Moola Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha and Maha Bandha, the combination of first three Bandhas.
Moola Bandha is connected to Brahma Granthi whereas Uddiyana bandha is connected with Vishnu Granthi and Jalandhara Bandha is interlinked with Rudra Granthi. Brahman Granthi is allied with first two chakras Mooladhara and Swadisthana chakras mainly focused on survival instinct, awareness, and innate insight. Vishnu Granthi is related with Manipura and Anahata chakras which emphasize on the nourishment of Pranamaya Kosha ( Pranic Body) and Manomaya Kosha( Mental Body) respectively resulting in the effect of Annamaya Kosha ( Physical Body).
Furthermore, Rudra granthi is accompanied with Visuddhi and Ajna chakras centering on Vijnanamaya Kosha (Intellectual Body) which concerns on higher intuitive and intellectual understanding. In this regard, Bandha is applied in our yogic practice for awakening and allying our consciousness into universal consciousness starting through the physical level of practice.
Jalandhara Bandha
Jalandhara Bandha emphasizes the locking of the throat so that the breath that has been inhaled will be held in between the throat and pelvic floor. At the throat, the lock is applied not to allow the breath go away from this point placing the chin in the upper part of your body in the notch between your color bones.
The word Jala refers to ‘net’ and Dhara means ‘flow, stream’. The practice which locks the net of the stream of the energy from this point at the throat is generally perceived as Jalandhara Bandha. It also has the meaning of locking the flow of nectar which descends down to Visuddhi Chakra followed by the entrance into other chakras. Thus, the practice of Jalandhara Bandha preserves the prana.
Jalandhara Bandha compresses the carotid sinuses which are located in the carotid arteries in the neck. The carotid sinuses help to control the respiratory and circulatory system properly. It also regulates the increased breathing and heavier breathing. It also develops one-pointed state of mind, release tension, anxiety, anger, and laziness. The thyroid is also balanced and metabolism is also maintained in a proper manner.
Technique:
- Sit in any comfortable posture keeping the eyes closed and spine erect.
- Place your palms flat on the knees.
- Inhale and retain the breath. Bend the head forward to place chin to the upper part of your chest in the notch between the color bones.
- Straighten the arms and press the knees with the hands at the same time also raise the shoulders upward and forward creating the hunch little bit on the upper back.
- Stay in this position for few seconds and then release your shoulders, arms and throat lock making your head upright and then exhale.
- You can practice three to ten rounds.
Contra-indication:
A person suffering from cervical spondylitis, vertigo, epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart disease, and high intracranial pressure should be cautious and are recommended not to practice Jalandhara Bandha.
Uddiyana Bandha
The practice of Uddiyana Bandha necessitates the contraction of the abdomen. The word Uddiyana Bandha literally means Abdominal Contraction. The process of flying upward is the meaning of word Uddiyan. In the practice, the stomach is lifted upward and inward to the diaphragm and chest. Before directly jumping to the practice of abdominal contraction in the sitting posture, the preparatory practice can be performed.
Standing with feet about half a meter apart, you will take a deep inhalation and you will exhale simultaneously and slowly bend forward from your waist. Your palm will be above your kneecaps fingers facing downward with slight bending of your knees. You will start to feel that your abdomen is moving upward and close to your spine. After for few comfortable minutes or seconds, you will slowly make your head upright. You may need to exhale and inhale while coming to the standing posture. Now the practice can be performed in sitting posture.
The practice of Uddiyana Bandha has the higher effect on the liver and pancreas. It stimulates the digestive fire. In addition, it also massages the abdominal organs which also helps to balance the adrenal glands leading us to the soothing and calming state decreasing lethargy and sluggishness as well as releasing tension and anxiety of the body and mind. The practice of Uddiyana Bandha has been very effective for the proper blood circulation in the entire torso of the body.
Technique:
- Sit in any comfortable posture with spine erect and eyes closed.
- Place your palms flat on your knees while keeping your elbows straight.
- Take a deep inhalation and exhale completely which means the Bahya Kumbhaka (External Retention) will be applied.
- Raise your shoulders which will allow the extension of your spinal cord.
- Lock the throat that is Jalandhara Bandha placing chin to the chest.
- Contract the abdominal muscles upward and inward to spine. Hold the abdominal lock as much as you feel comfortable still applying external retention.
- Release your abdomen and make your head upright.
- Take a deep inhalation and exhale and relax.
- Uddiyana Bandha can be performed three to ten round in single sitting.
Contra-indication: During pregnancy, Uddiyana Bandha is not recommended to practice. Besides, the lock is advised not to practice for people having the issues of high blood pressure, stomach ulcer, heart disease, glaucoma, colitis, diaphragmatic hernia, and intracranial pressure.
Moola Bandha
Moola Bandha requires the lock at the certain muscles of pelvic region in the perineum. The area between anus and testes is contracted and pulled upward for the practice of Moola Bandha. In the process of practicing Moola Bandha, the application of Ashwini Mudra and Vajroli/Sahajoli Mudra also become an essential yogic practice to understand and differentiate as these three have similar and close connection indeed. The contraction of an anus is Ashwini Mudra also called Horse Psychic Attitude. The contraction of testis for men and contraction of labia for women is called Vajroli and Sahajoli respectively.
Moola Bandha can be practiced along with other yogic practice such as pranayama and asanas as well as it can be practiced separately. It is connected with emotion, happiness, sadness, ecstasy and gloomy, anger and joy all are part of the emotion. At the beginning of the practice, a separate practice of each bandha is essential for its proper understanding and experience. The practice of Moola Bandha has numerous benefits to be mentioned.
It’s not only about physical and emotional uplift does it make, but also the spiritual and mental aspects. It has been boon for transferring the sexual energy into the spiritual awakening path. Pelvic nerves and urogenital and excretory systems also get stimulated by the Moola Bandha. The issues of psychosomatic such as depression and degenerative issues can be lessened and relieved by the practice of Moola Bandha.
Technique
- Sit in any comfortable posture and close your eyes.
- Place your palms on your knees and make chin or jnana mudra with your index fingers and thumbs.
- Take deep inhalation. Place your chin on the upper part of your chest in the notch between your color bones to apply Jalandhara Bandha and hold your breath.
- Contract your pelvic floor, the area between your testes and anus in the perineum.
- Slowly make your head upright and release Moola Bandha and then Jalandhara Bandha.
- Then exhale and relax. The practice can be performed for 10 times.
Contra-indication: It is not recommended to practice Moola Bandha during menstruation.
