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How Old Is The Practice Of Kundalini Yoga

The practice of Kundalini Yoga is a very, very ancient art and science. It deals with the expansion and alteration of human consciousness, the stimulation and elevation of Kundalini Shakti up the so-called Sushumna Nadi, i.e. the central column corresponding to the human spine. From there is said to rise to the Sahasranama Chakra (thousand-petalled center) located in what corresponds to the pineal gland in the brain. Kundalini Shakti or power is said to be the ultimate energy in man, lying dormant at the base of the spine in the form of a Kundalini (coiled up snake).

If, on the other hand, you're referring to the Kundalini Yoga that Yogi Bhajan, a self-styled yogi went to America to propagate his teachings that surfaced in the sixties. This Kundalini Yoga is a blend of Tibetan physical Yoga, that of the Bihar School and Sikh mysticism, together with Mantrayana. Kundalini Yoga is designed to awaken latent Shakti (energy) that lies dormant at the base of the spine by stimulating certain vital nerve channels, which are intertwined all over and around the spinal cord.

There are other yoga cults and styles that also attach the word Kundalini to their form in the name of the Yoga, that include initiations and practices that claim to raise Kundalini Shakti (energy). The original Kundalini Yoga is several centuries old. Raising the Kundalini energy up the spine through 7 energy Chakras (plexuses) and activating them, is a very methodical and meticulous task calling for vast reserves of determination and dedication accompanied by purity of body and mind. All this is achieved by uniting and blending Prana (bio-energy or Cosmic energy) with Apana Prana (the eliminating energy in the system).

This is said to engender a type of pressure that propels the Kundalini up the central channel located in the spine and is accomplished by a rigorous set of Pranayama (breathing exercises), Kriyas (exercise sets), Banda’s (three locks in the body), in certain asanas (poses), Mantras (incantations) and Mudras (static hand gestures). Kundalini Yoga is all about energy; it’s about achieving it and directing it through the proper channels to the right end. To this extent, Kundalini Yoga is totally and completely disparate from other forms of Yoga. It's, in reality, the most sacred as well as the most ancient of all styles of Yoga.

By practicing Kundalini Yoga, the individual is said to be able to unite one’s consciousness with the overall Mahat (Cosmic Consciousness). While a lot of yogis claim to achieve this intermittently, the point is to be able to retain this on a regular basis through the regular and consistent practice of yogic poses, breathing techniques and meditation in specific combination and sequence. It follows, therefore, that Kundalini Yoga is not for anyone and everyone. So please be careful while attempting to practice this liberating form of Yoga.

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