The wise men understood that we are whole and complete to begin with. Therefore, the practice of Kundalini Yoga is not to fix something. Instead, it is to awaken our potential, our dormant or hidden gifts, our creativity, talents, and align ourselves with our soul's purpose. The original intention of Kundalini Yoga is to help healthy people achieve their excellence and fulfill their destiny. It was not originally conceived as a healing system.
However, many of us who practice and teach Kundalini Yoga experience its healing benefits. How does this happen? It is through the effect of yoga on prana.
The components of Kundalini Yoga practice: breathing, asana, mudra, mantra, drishti, bandha and bhavana - alone or in combination - are the practical methods of directing the flow of prana. The specific sequence and coordination of breathing with rhythmic movement that make up kriya constitute the cornerstone of Kundalini Yoga. All of this is to build, support, balance and direct the flow of prana.
The transformative and healing experience of Kundalini Yoga has to do with prana.
The conversation about prana can fill more than one book. So, for this short article, we are going to focus on prana in relation to breath, movement, mudra and asana, (with a touch of mantra) and how these impact the physical body. In this article we use the language of the yogic tradition, rather than the language of science and research.
The meridians or nadis are the pathways through which prana flows. These pathways are believed to be based on fascia, the connective tissue in the body that contains and connects all muscles, joints, nerve and endocrine plexuses, and organs.
Meridian pathways pass through the joints. Yogis understand that mudra – the way we hold our fingers and hands (where we bend or extend the joints) – directs the flow of prana along the meridians in a way specific to the mudra. The asana does the same thing: the way we position our body (where we bend or extend the joints) directs the flow of prana along the meridians in a way specific to the asana.
The mudra and asana themselves impact the meridians by opening a blocked pathway or balancing the flow of prana along the meridian. If the prana is insufficient, the mudra and asana give a boost to the meridian point. If the prana is more than enough, the mudra and asana balance it along the path.
Because fascia interconnects meridians, muscles, joints, nervous and endocrine plexuses, and organs, when we move one area of the body, the movement is also experienced in other parts of the body. Adding movement and breathing to mudra and asana increases their impact.
Rhythmic movement synchronized with breathing is what makes Kundalini Yoga so effective at moving prana. The meridian pathways are opened, strengthened and balanced. Prana is available to support all key functions of the body. With adequate and balanced prana, the vital systems of mind, body and spirit are restored and renewed and work together again. Physical and emotional well-being is recovered.
Yogis know that prana is carried in the mantra, as the current of sound resonates throughout the nadi. The Pavan Guru mantra is the mantra of the pranic body. This sound current links the individual pranic body to the universal pranic body and is the mantra of the Pran Bandha mantra meditation included here.
Meditation begins with paying attention to your sensory experience as you listen to and feel the mantra. Once the sound is incorporated, you then chant the mantra out loud.
Bring your awareness to the meridians of your lips, tongue and upper palate as you create the sound. Listen to the sound at the same time you make it. Feel the resonance of the sound and notice how the rhythm of the mantra affects the rhythm of your breathing. These simple steps promote incarnation and deepen the experience of the healing power of prana.
When you have completed the meditation, stay still for a minute in awareness to integrate your experience.
Original article: Guru Ram Das Center
With gratitude
Gabriela Ana
Holistic Health Coach
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