We have an entire sky within us, our fiery strength and heavenly origin: Luna
which symbolizes the continuous motion of soul and body, Mars speed, and
Saturn slowness, the Sun God, Jupiter law, Mercury reason, and Venus humanity.
─Marsilio Ficino, letter to Lorenzo the Magnificent
昆达里尼 瑜伽 KUNDALINI YOGA
Kundalini Yoga is an ancient discipline of art and science that engenders the expansion of consciousness. The regular practice brings about the awakening and raising of the Kundalini Energy up the spine through energy centers called Chakras, activating each chakra in its path. This is accomplished by the mixing and uniting of Prana or cosmic energy with Apana or the eliminating energy, which generates pressure to induce Kundalini to rise, by means of Pranayama, Bhandas, Kriyas, Asanas, Mudras, and Mantras.
Through Kundalini Yoga, the practitioner can unite the personal consciousness with Cosmic Consciousness on a regular basis by thoroughly performing the exercises and meditations in specific sequence and combination. The practitioner soon becomes adept at perceiving the movement of energy within and outside the body, and consciously directs its flow to stimulate and awaken the chakras for healing the self and others.
What is Kundalini?
It is a form of divine feminine energy, or ‘Shakti’ symbolized as a coiled sleeping serpent believed to be located at the base of the spine in the first chakra, or Muladhara. Kundal means ‘curl.’ Once awakened, the kundalini uncoils and ascends up the spinal column through the Sushumna nadi, to the crown of the head to meet the masculine Crown chakra, or ‘Sahasrara’ at the top of the head, passing through each of the seven chakras in its course. The Sushumna nadi is the path to enlightenment.
Prana and Apana
Prana (this is ‘Qi’ in Chinese ethos) is the basic life force of consciousness in the air we breathe and the food we eat, assimilated effortlessly, and Kundalini yoga practice enhances its absorption. Apana is the eliminating energy stored in the lower chakras. When it is raised and united with Prana by breath retention & body locks, psychic heat is generated which raises Kundalini through the chakras.
Kriyas
A series of one or more exercises or postures in combination with pranayama, bhandas, mantras, etc., in precise sequence designed to produce specific effects. Kundalini Yoga kriyas are centuries old. The total effect of a kriya is greater than the sum of its parts. ‘Kriya’ literally means action, deed, effort.
Asanas
A pose or posture designed to stimulate the glands in the body, to bring awareness to it, and to quiet the mind for meditation. Asanas often apply pressure on nerves and marma pressure points (‘marma’ is similar to acupuncture points in Chinese medicine), reflexing to the brain and body for certain effects.
Mudras
A gesture or position of the hands, that locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain. By curling, crossing, stretching and touching the fingers and hands, we can talk to the body and mind, as each area of the hand reflexes to a certain part of the mind and body.
Bhandas
Body locks or muscular contractions applied for the retention and direction of Prana.
Chakras
In the body, centers of exchange between the psychic and physical dimensions. Like transformers, then change subtle prana into physical energy flowing through a system of ‘nadis’ (akin to the meridian system of Chinese medicine). Chakras are energy vortices perceived as spinning discs of light (‘chakra’ means wheel) situated along the spine.
Mantras
A mantra is a syllable, word or phrase in one of the sacred languages of Sanskrit and Gurmukhi, or sometimes English, that vibrates to the sound of different aspects of the Universe and focuses the mind through its sound. The mantra is said either aloud or mentally depending on what is being pursued at the time of its application.
Pranayama
Pranayama is the ability to expand or stretch the life force (Prana or Qi) by controlling the breath. Pranayama provides a vital bridge between the body and the mind. By controlling the breath, one controls the mind.
Meditation
Is the stilling of the rational mind to allow the self to experience the Universal Mind through the sharing of the most silent level of awareness into pure consciousness.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
| In person with pre-recorded instruction | In person with live instruction |
| SUNDAY | 8 am | 11 am |
| MONDAY | 8 am | 11 am |
| TUESDAY | 8 am | 11 am |
| WEDNESDAY | 8 am | 11 am |
| THURSDAY | 8 am | 11 am |
| FRIDAY | 8 am | 11 am |
| SATURDAY | 8 am | 11 am |
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-Above Article Written by Gloria Osorio, 2006.
