Gurusha Singh’s Web

Kundalini Yoga has a unique blend of both physical and spiritual excercise.  I believe this accounts for it’s limited appeal in some parts of the world where people have a difficult time connecting body and spirit.  It seems much of the world is caught in the idea that the physical body is ugly, or to be hidden away, least it somehow spoil the spiritual aspects of our beings.

In response, this poor image of the body/spirit relegates yoga to health clubs and sporting activities, where people who lean toward the physical spectrum of the dichotomy already are comfortable spending lots of time working out so they feel better about how they look.  Most of these environments either remove the spiritual aspects of yoga completely or do their best to hide it behind a curtain.  Walk into many yoga classes and mostly you’ll see young pysically attractive people who already appear to be pretty fit.

Kundalini Yoga is different. Not only do we need to apply self discipline to do physical excersize, we need to learn to love ourselves, love life, and even love funny looking toes, chubby tummies and receding hairlines.  As a result Kundalini Yoga classes are sometimes a little different. It’s not that unusual to see a wider range of ages and body types.  Kundalini Yoga teachers talk about becoming one with God and raising conciousness to higher levels.

Kundalini Yoga deserves it’s reputation as “the Spiritual Yoga” though all yoga has spirit in it’s deep roots.  I feel in some ways it’s being marketed out in the search for popularity. Let’s not make the same mistake and hide our spirituality behind curtains and euphemisisms until it’s only a dusty picture in the corner or a subect for mere historical curiousity.

One of the first things you’ll notice in a Kundalini Yoga space is often an altar or table with pictures of various saints, gurus, gods and other images made sacred by their placement.  This is what first attracted me to Kundalini Yoga and led me to the conclusion that I’d found a yoga that wasn’t afraid to embrace the union of body and spirit.

Part of our homework for the Conscious Communication module I just completed this weekend, is a meditation called “Meditation to Break  the Mask.” We’re to do this 31 minute mediation for 90 days.

The meditation calls for a difficult breathing pattern:

• Inhale 1/3 of your breath capacity, hold breath for 15 seconds
• Inhale next 1/3 of your breath capacity, hold breath for 15 seconds
• Inhale last 1/3 of your breath capacity, hold breath for 15 seconds
• Exhale and repeat the segmented Pranayam for 15 minutes.

Then you chant a specific mantra for 11 minutes and repeat the breathing pattern another 5 minutes. You do this while holding a particular mudra.

Today was my first day and I’m finding this kind of pranayam very challenging. You seem constantly on the verge of not having enough breath. It’s also very difficult to measure without distraction 1/3 of your breath. The easiest way I found was by concentrating on the parts of the lungs, and first filling the lungs using the adbdomal breathing techniques, then lift the diaphraghm higher to get the mid to upper part of the lungs, and finally fill the upper part of the lungs. This is called “Complete Breath.” It’s difficult partly because these three segments are not exactly equal in terms of volume of air, it’s too easy to get most of your lungs filled with the first segment and not have enough room to top it off with much air for the second and third segments.

I can see how this pranayam also hits some very interesting mental and psychological and emotional aspects. Fears of being out of control, of being unsure where your next breath is coming from, of suffocating, drowning, many of these kinds of semi-involuntary reactions are brought up to the surface. Gradually I can see how this will create a much more stable and controlled understanding of the breath.

It’s going to be a challenging 90 days but I’m also really looking forward to finding out how I’ll be experiencing this after spending that much time refining and working on the practice.

Here are a few excerpts from some of the flashwriting exercises

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In addition to my usual Wednesday Classes at the Center for Happiness, beginning Monday February 26th and continuing on the 4th Monday of each month I’ll be offering an Introduction to Kundalini Yoga class at our local O.T.O. Lodge, Leaping Laughter Lodge.

I’ll be introducing a few core concepts and techniques and we’ll experience a couple of Kundalini Yoga Kriyas and mediations. Since these are once a month classes, I plan to give people enough material so that they can take some practices home to work with between classes.

These classes are open to anyone, and are a benefit for the Lodge.  Classes are free for Lodge members, and a $7 donation is being asked for everyone else. Class starts at 7PM and will run for about 2 hours.

Leaping Laughter Lodge
1618 Central Ave NE Suite 137
Minneapolis MN
Here is a map

Parking is in the south lot and then enter through the Diamonds Coffee Shoppe entrance on Central. Once you’re in the building, instead of going into the coffee shop, go straight ahead and turn left, and you’ll find yourself in a common area with several suites. Take a short walk down the hall and then continue around to your right until you find suite 137.
Be sure to bring:

• A yoga mat (or two)
• Bring or wear comfortable exercise or yoga clothes. Sweats and a T are fine.
• Water - you will get thirsty
• Cushion to sit on. (optional) We spend a lot of time sitting cross legged on the floor.
• Light blanket. Kundalini Yoga classes usually include a period of deep relaxation. It’s nice to be able to cover up a little bit to keep warm.