All About Kundalini Yoga: The Aquarian Age

(Editor's Note: This series is dedicated to sharing the knowledge contained in "The Aquarian Teacher", the teacher training manual shared by all students of the KRI certified Kundalini yoga teacher training program.  You can discover the wisdom in greater depth by taking the Yoga Teacher Training course.  We recommend the training offered by Golden Bridge Yoga held in Rishikesh, India February 1-23,

Kundalini Yoga Horoscope: August 6-12, 2012

There is a feisty start to the week, like a fast jump out of the gate. You will hit the ground running with a pace that may feel a bit maddening if you are trying to keep things slow and subdued. Your best bet is to go with flow, which means going at a rapid pace – picking up your heels and moving forward with confidence and bravery, even if you are hanging on to some doubts with regard to where you are going exactly. Forward motion is better than no motion at all so proceed with confidence and don’t be afraid to speak your mind.

The big news on Tuesday is Venus’s entrance into the emotional water sign of Cancer. Over the next six weeks or so, you can expect affairs in the love and romance department to be more emotional and sentimental than usual. Follow your intuition when it comes to love, and don’t be afraid to side-step toward the goal that you are reaching for. This is the way of the crab – indirect, subtle, quiet, but effective. Following your feelings. They will not lead you astray. Your heart knows where to go. It is generally your mind that fowls up the works.

Speaking of the mind, you can rejoice in knowing that Mercury, the planet of the mind, turns direct on Wednesday morning, suggesting that communication gets back on track and electronics will be operating more smoothly than they have been. Travel will resume to normalcy and you are now safe to make purchases of mechanical objects and sign contracts or major business deals.

Wednesday is also the day that the Moon shifts into grounded Taurus, putting the emphasis on home, security, and practical matters.

On Thursday, the desire for sensual romance and bodily pleasures is strong. Taurus enjoys the fine things in life – good food, pleasant sights and smells, and comfortable surroundings. Enjoy time at an art museum, a musical performance, or in the company of a loved one on a soft bed with clean sheets and chocolate bon bons.

Thursday is a good day for Venus Kriyas with your romantic partner. Light incense, set the stage with candles and low lighting, and take your time to experience the full effects of the exercises by allowing yourself plenty of deep relaxation time afterward. Follow up with a long chant of your favorite spiritual music and/or mantra.

Yoga and Mantras for a Whole Heart by Ramdesh Kaur and Karan Khalsa

On Friday, a veil of uncertainty and indecision plagues the morning hours, making it hard for you to be effective in the workplace, or any other place you may find yourself. It isn’t until the late afternoon (4pm EST/1pm PST) that your head gets back on track and you find your internal compass again.

This is the time that the Moon finds itself in the mental air sign of Gemini – moving and shaking through the air element, and thus jogging your mind of all the things you need to do and people you need to contact.

There is a strong social element to the day on Saturday, encouraging you to discuss plans and important issues with others, and connect with those who share the same ideas and philosophies as you do. Take advantage of this time to expand your social circle and get involved with a community group – be it a dance class, a yoga studio, or a political activist movement or campaign.

On Saturday night, a lingering influence from Jupiter helps to expand your mind and your idea of what is possible. Don’t be afraid to think big!

On Sunday, a helpful trine between Mars and the Moon helps to put your emotional drive into action. There is a desire to take your anger out on a long bike ride or your ecstatic enthusiasm out on the dance floor.

Channel emotions into creative outlets and don’t be afraid to get physical! A rigorous yoga set followed by a calming meditation helps spur creative juices and turn them into artistic works of mastery.

In the late afternoon, a lunar trine with Saturn adds a hint of discipline to the mix, helping you straighten up and get serious about a plan that you can put it into action during the weeks ahead.

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Posted in Horoscopes | Tagged kundalini yoga horoscope, venus kriyas

Japa Kaur is a musician/singer/songwriter currently living in the San Francisico Bay area of Northern California. She is also a Kundalini Yoga teacher, Astrologer, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) practicioner. Born and raised in southern Maine, she came to California to attend Stanford University where she studied Communication, Studio Art, & Music, and where she eventually found Kundalini Yoga. Japa has traveled extensively, performed for the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers and looks forward to touring with her most recent CD, The Aquarian Sadhana. http://www.spiritvoyage.com/yoga/The-Aquarian-Sadhana/Japa-Kaur/CDS-004181.aspx

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Kundalini Yoga and the Chakras: Muladhara – The Root Chakra

Editor's Note: If you're new to yoga, all of the talk about chakras may be a bit confusing.  What exactly are chakras, and what do they do?  Akaljas Kaur shares information, kriyas, asana, and other tips for each chakra in this new series.

“Reconciling the conscious and subconscious emotions in the specific arena of each chakra will create a flow of energy and personality in which the human is consistent and not defeated, and has conscious goals.” ~Yogi Bhajan

When considering the chakras, sometimes we get caught up with where they are located in the body and if they are balanced, unbalanced, open, or closed. In reality, the chakras are not limited to exist in any one specific location of the body. The chakras are energy centers where interplay between the physical and subtle realms take place. Kundalini Yoga teaches us how they represent various parts of the physical body, our emotions, our perceptions and how we project ourselves out to the world. As vortexes of energy, the chakras from which we are operating or projecting will always change just as energy itself is always changing vibratory frequencies. Understanding the chakra system is a great tool through which we can gain deeper insight into ourselves and make sense of life. Through Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Bhajan has shared many techniques for us to work with this system and move toward higher states of consciousness.

The first chakra is called Muladhara which means root or foundation. In this particular chakra we can begin to transcend the basis of physical nature. Connecting to the earth element here, this energetic center is responsible for everything that manifests in the physical world. It is involved with material and primal survival, our health, bodies and habits. In Kundalini Yoga, the specific body parts that are related to the first chakra are the bones, feet, legs, rectum, perineum, large intestine, base of the spine, adrenal glands and immune system. The theme here is elimination, steadiness, health and stability. Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga we can build a strong connection with this energetic center and use it to help us live fully in our bodies and on this earth.

Kundalini Yoga shows us how simply the emotions relate to all chakras. These emotions vary, showing shadow and light qualities depending on how connected we are to the particular chakra. When we disconnect from this energy center we might be greedy and insecure or suffer from depression. We may distrust the world and have very rigid perspectives. The reason for these shadow emotions boil down to the feeling of fear. Fearing separation, hunger, poverty, anything really are symptoms of a disconnect from the earth energy within. Operating from a place of fear is a strong sign that we have lost our relationship with the first chakra. Luckily, with a strong Kundalini Yoga practice, we can strengthen our connection to the chakras. When our relationship with the first chakra is strong, we are calm, patient, generous, loyal and we value ourselves. We feel supported and are able to support others. The first chakra gives us the foundation from which we allow our self-awareness to take root and grow.

There are many Kundalini Yoga kriyas, meditations, mantras and asana (poses) to assist us in strengthening our relationship with the first chakra so we can project those light qualities and find physical and emotional balance in this arena.

Kriya for Relaxation and Releasing Fear from Kundalini Yoga for Youth and Joy will get right down to the heart of the matter and assist in letting go of the subconscious fear we hold.

Kundalini Yoga for Youth and Joy by Yogi Bhajan

Elimination (Apana) Exercises from Sadhana Guidelines gets deep into the intestines to help with any physical issues arising from this chakra.

Kundalini Yoga: Sadhana Guidelines

Meditation for the First Chakra from Physical Wisdom is an excellent meditation to connect you to the power and flow of energy associated with the first chakra. It also utilizes a wonderful Kundalini Yoga mantra “Humee Hum, Brahm Hum” which translates into “we are we, we are God”. Chanting this mantra fixes our identity to its true reality; that we are the spirit of God. Once we know this, we can trust in life, others and ourselves.

Physical Wisdom

A great resource to chant along with is Hummee Hum Brahm Hum by Gurucharan S. Khalsa & Gurusangat Singh. This CD offers a variety of versions so you can find the one you like best. If you’d prefer a simple rendition, try Mantras of the Master by Santokh Singh.

Hummee Hum Brahm Hum by Gurucharan S. Khalsa and Gurusangat Singh

Mantras of the Master by Santokh Singh

There are Kundalini Yoga postures that focus specifically on the first chakra energy. If you need a first chakra boost and you only have a few minutes, try one of these:

Crow Pose: Begin standing and bring the feet a little wider than hip width’s distance apart, turn the toes outward. Slowly lower down into a squat, hips coming all the way down by the ankles if possible. Interlace the fingers, except for the index finger and straighten the arms so the fingers point straight ahead. Focus out beyond the horizon and begin long slow deep breathing. Let the inhales move down to the base of the spine filling this area with vitality as the exhales release any tension or blockages you may feel.

Crow Pose

Chair Pose: Begin standing and bring feet shoulder’s width distance apart. Squat down until the thighs are parallel to the earth. Bring the hands through the inside of the legs, wrapping them around the back of the ankles and placing the palms on the tops of the feet. Keep the back straight and chin slightly tucked. Begin long deep breathing.

Fun lifestyle tips for enhancing root chakra energy: Eat more root vegetables like beets and carrots. Include ginger in your cooking or juices. Wear red clothing or red gemstones. Walk barefoot on the earth (not concrete).

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Posted in Chakras, Kundalini Yoga, Yoga | Tagged chakras, kundalini yoga, muladhara, root chakra

Akaljas Kaur Medley; M.Ed., eRYT, is a humanologist, writer, yoga conduit, great listener, and a lover of the oceans. She is certified through IKYTA and Yoga Alliance in Kundalini and Hatha Yoga. As an independent yogini she teaches Kundalini Yoga, writes, does Jyotish readings, gong sound healings and life-coaching. Kundalini Yoga is the music of her soul and she delights in sharing this amazing transformational technology with whomever is listening. Originally from the bustling metropolis of Houston, she now lives in Honolulu and is enjoying the island life. She loves to travel and is drawn to places with relaxed welcoming attitudes and a reverence for the natural energies of the environment. When she's not teaching, writing, studying the stars, breathing, meditating, laying in the sun or playing in the ocean, you can find her getting creative in the kitchen with fresh local ingredients. She firmly believes that life is deliciously precious and every moment holds potential for bliss.

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Kundalini Yoga for Peace During Times of Tragedy

It is hard to not be affected in some way by the recent shootings at the Wisconsin Gurdwara and in Aurora, CO. We all have varying reactions to the tragedies. I can only imagine the pain that the families and friends of these victims are experiencing considering these senseless acts of violence. So many thoughts come to mind about why such things could happen.

What is it that makes a human do such a terrible thing? This article isn’t intended to pass judgement on the killers involved or minimize the horrific events, but more to understand the underlying psychology behind them.

In order to avoid our internal reality, we get into neurotic and extreme behavior. We can become obsessed with certain fantasies or identities which become our alternate reality. They can act as the loudest voice in the room. Although when there is extreme behavior, there is the absence of taking responsibility for the internal world.

When years of subconscious suppression and unexpressed emotions pile up without consciousness, it can create external tragedy. Emotions have to come out in some way. For example, have you ever had something done to you, but allowed it to happen without defending yourself? Just because you didn’t outwardly object doesn’t mean that you didn’t react. Emotions get stored over time when they are not released. Think about unexpressed emotion as a missile. Missiles get stored over time when not used and when they go unused, they are ticking time bombs for the future. Sooner or later we have to deal with our internal reality and through consciousness we can work to disarm these “missiles”. Emotions must be brought to consciousness and released in a healthy manner which Kundalini Yoga can help with.

When feeling angry, no matter what caused the anger, it is your anger. One must examine why the anger occurred and learn from it. When a person decides not to deal with their own anger, the responsibility can get transferred to others. As with the recent violence, it is all the innocent victims and their families left picking up the pieces as a result of the perpetrators' internal conflict. Taking anger out on others is irresponsible and selfish on all levels. We all have enough on our plates as it is.

When dealing with violence, one of the best things we can do is pray for peace and conscious on earth. Global peace starts with each individual. Then we can live in a world where the value of human life is higher than our own personal pain.

There is an amazing meditation that Yogi Bhajan taught on 9/11/2001 after the terrorist attacks in NY, VA and PA. It is called “Oneness of Heart Meditation” and is excellent for times like these. The meditation brings about peace internally and sends out peace to the world. Yogi Bhajan specified used Gurunam Joseph Levry’s “Ra Ma Da Sa” from Ra Ma Da Sa: Healing Sound. The rhythm of the chant creates a beautiful effect. Try it and pray the peace may prevail on earth.

Oneness of Heart Instructions:

Sit in Easy Pose with the hands in Prayer in front of the heart area. Close the eyes and chant along with Gurunam Joseph Levry’s “Ra Ma Da Sa” for 11 minutes. Sing with devotion and with a full voice.

I highly recommend using the version that Yogi Bhajan recommended, however if that is not immediately available to you, try a version that really allows you to sing with all of your breath and heart such as GuruGanesha’s version from Power Mantras.

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Posted in Announcements, Kundalini Yoga, News | Tagged kundalini yoga for peace, tragedy

Nihal Singh (Matthew Lubecki) is a Certified IKYTA Kundalini Yoga teacher, Sat Nam Rasayan practitioner and second generation healer. He specializes in emotional consciousness, personal development and inner body awareness. Nihal is a writer for Spirit Voyage’s blog and a career consultant. He lives and serves in Philadelphia, PA area. To learn more, visit www.nihalhealingarts.com or his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mattlubecki.

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Kundalini Meditations for the Negative Mind

How often during the day do you find yourself dwelling on the negative?  Even if you have a committed yoga practice and you are working to become self-aware, is “I can’t” something that you frequently say or think? At home or work, do you find that you have a lot to complain about?  When with friends or family, do you gossip or become critical of others, or even of yourself?   Do you believe you have a “glass half-empty” outlook on life?  These are aspects of the Negative Mind, the second of the ten bodies that are part of the teachings of Kundalini Yoga.  While the negative mind provides us with necessary boundaries and protection, it can also limit us.