Kundalini Yoga
What is Kundalini Yoga?
In the process of healing and prevention of illness, it is not just the body that requires focus, but also the mind. Kundalini Yoga is called the 'Yoga of Awareness' as it is a way of developing the awareness of your 'true' self and realizing your greatest potential. In doing so, it encourages self-acceptance and allows you to push beyond self-imposed limits. Kundalini Yoga is dynamic and transformative as it breaks the old masks and awakens you to become who you truly are.
Kundalini Yoga is a powerful form of yoga that integrates active movements with breath, meditation and mantras. Yoga sets or 'kriyas' are a complete set of exercises that increase the flow of life force energy or 'prana' in the body in order to alleviate pain, clear energy blockages, balance the chakras and improve physical and emotional health.
How does it differ from other forms of yoga?
Kundalini Yoga differs from other forms of yoga in that it is comprised of a complete set of exercises, known as 'kriyas' that work to increase balance and inner awareness. Repetitious movements and focused breathing stimulate the inward and upward flow of energy which creates a faster path to transformation and enlightenment.
Whatever your fitness level, Kundalini Yoga is doable for everyone. You do not have to be in excellent shape and are not expected to be in perfect forms or poses. It is known to be the most efficient form of yoga whereby results are noticed very fast. By using Kundalini techniques for only a few minutes each day you can positively change your body, thoughts and feelings. Better yet, practicing for one hour a day, will transform the entire patterns of your life!
The Lineage of Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga is a practice that has been experienced for many thousands of years. It is a royal yoga, whereby in the early days Kundalini Yoga was often given through the line of kings. This yogic tradition was passed on through the Sikh lineage to Guru Ram Das who was acknowledged as having the high throne of Raj (Royal) Yoga. Yogi Bhajan was a student of Guru Ram Das and he brought Kundalini Yoga to North America in 1968. He worked diligently to spread the science and practice of Kundalini Yoga throughout the Western Hemisphere and has become widely acknowledged as a spiritual teacher and Master of Kundalini Yoga. As we tune in to the Adi Mantra before each yoga class, we are aligning ourselves with this lineage through the Golden Chain.
Breathing
The quantity, quality and circulation of the breath creates the foundation of a vital and creative life. Most people do not breathe properly as they have shallow, erratic and upper chest breathing patterns. This leads to chronic tension, weakened nervous system, anxiety and stress.
When we change the way we breathe, we change the way we think, act and feel. This is because the mind, body 
and spirit are influenced by the life force energy or 'prana' which is contained in the breath. When you are at peach within, you reflect peace throughout. Proper breathing allows the prana to circulate more freely in the body, thereby increasing vitality and improving emotional health.
There are many beneficial forms of breathing in Kundalini Yoga. Long Deep Breathing, Alternate Nostril Breathing and Breath of Fire are a few powerful techniques commonly used to relax and calm the parasympathetic nervous system, release tension and toxins from the body, as well as encouraging emotional and physical healing.
Meditation
Meditation is a process of controlling and directing the mind in order to clear the subconscious of fears and negative thoughts and beliefs. As each fear comes up and we look upon it neutrally, the fear loses its power over us and we become more flexible and feel more free. Eventually with a regular meditation practice, the mind is cleared of the clouds of fear and an inner sense of well-being, peace and calmness ensues. Meditation promotes the clarity of mind, mental awareness, develops the intuition, releases stress (and stress producing patterns), and allows for the ability to be present.
Mantras
Every element of the universe is in a constant state of vibration manifested to us as light, sound and energy. Some vibrations are audible, while others are silent, such as our own thoughts. Happiness, sorrow, joy and regret are vibratory frequencies of the mind. They determine the kind of program our mind plays, defines how we feel and what we project to others. By vibrating a particular combination of sounds, you tune into various levels of intelligence or consciousness. Situations, people and events respond to the signals you send out. The vibratory frequency of a mantra draws to you whatever you are vibrating.
Chanting mantras in Kundalini Yoga invokes the positive power contained in the words for peace, prosperity, intuition or a multitude of other benefits. As we chant the mantras, the meridians in the upper palate of the mouth are stimulated which sends messages to the brain, causing changes to the chemistry and function of the mind and body. Simply by chanting we are setting vibrations into motion that shall have an effect regardless if we understand the meaning of the sounds or not.
Sadhana
Sadhana means a practice of self-discipline that allows one to express the infinite within one's self. It is a discipline of the mind and body to serve the soul. Sadhana keeps the mind clear to accurately guide our actions. It is a time each day to notice the patterns that lead us away from higher consciousness and to transcend those patterns.
Morning Sadhana is a practice of yoga and mantra meditation performed a few hours before sunrise as the angle of the sun to the Earth allows for much prana and the body rhythms are more set to support physical cleansing than during the rest of the day. Also, few people are awake and busy, so the clutter and bustle of daily activities does not interfere with your practice. By practicing a regular morning sadhana, we clear our subconscious fears, worries and projections and we begin to vibrate at a higher frequency, so we are better able to handle daily stresses and the entire day flows much better.
Dr. Lynn Tintinalli discovered her passion for Kundalini Yoga in 2006 and has been practicing ever since. After attending Summer and Winter Solstice yearly and seeing the changes within herself, she decided she needed to spread the benefits of this form of yoga and teach others. In 2008, after spending one month of intensive training at the Hacienda de Guru Ram Das Ashram in Espanola, New Mexico, Lynn became a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. She was given the spiritual name of Agampreet Kaur, meaning "One with grace, power and courage to walk her soul's true path." As a Naturopathic Doctor, Lynn understands the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits of Kundalini Yoga, and brings a special awareness of the human body and total health to her classes. She is delighted to be able to share her knowledge of Kundalini with patients and new students. She offers both workshop courses and private sessions for those with individual concerns.
Kundalini Yoga Classes & Workshops
- Introduction to Kundalini Yoga
- Healthy Living Series
- Morning Sadhana
- Chakra Series
Please check our Upcoming Events or call (807) 345-5977 for information on upcoming classes & workshops being offered at the NMHC.
