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The Sacred Path of Kundalini, & Pranayama for Control of Metabolism

8/3/2015

5 Comments

 

"The Human Body is the instrument of divine experience.
It is the highest gift of God." ~Yogi Bhajan

Picture
Saturna Island with my daughter - August 2015
Kundalini Yoga was developed to raise Kundalini energy to the upper chakras. Through the Kundalini Kriyas, Pranayamas, and Mantras we can effectively harness and transmute sexual/kundalini energy for healing, rejuvenation, and spiritual development.

A few of the potent benefits of a Kundalini Yoga practice are: 1) A strengthened nervous system which helps us handle increased energy effectively, 2) A balanced thyroid which helps regulate the functioning of the other glands, and regulates our metabolism and our "youth and beauty" hormones, and 3) Increased psychic growth and development through the stimulation of our pituitary and pineal glands.

"For the expression of a transcendent state of Consciousness a highly developed body, a superior nervous system and brain are the prerequisites demanded by nature to effect the transformation." ~Gopi Krishna


This powerful and effective form of Yoga prepares us for higher levels of consciousness, and a healthy and balanced physical, mental, emotional, and sexual life. However, it is the steady and consistant practice of a spiritual discipline (such as Kundalini Yoga) that engenders a healthy awakening. Many of the enhanced states of perception available to us through Kundalini Yoga remain veiled because a balanced lifestyle in other areas is not being cultivated. Basic yogic ethical guidelines for this are encoded in the 5 Yamas (nonviolence, truthfulness, non stealing, right use of sexual energy, and non-grasping) and 5 Niyamas (cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender). Bringing these principles to Life will help align our lifestyle in all areas, including diet, relationships, work, and daily habits.

"The kundalini experience does not mean you have gone into a deep breathless trance and are beyond this world....
It integrates you more fully with reality and gives you a broader vision and sensitivity so that you can act more efficiently." ~Yogi Bhajan

Over and over again Yogi Bhajan emphasized that Kundalini Yoga is a Yoga of Experience - your mind may accept words or it may not, but your consciousness will not accept words alone; therefore, practice practice practice. Eliphas Livi, a 19th century philosopher, cautioned, "Too deep a study of the mysteries of nature may estrange from God the careless investigator, in whom mental fatigue paralyses the ardor of the heart." 
Picture
Saturna Island, August 2015

The Sacred Path of Kundalini

"By Her radiance it is that the whole of the universe and
this Cauldron is illumined" 
~ Nirupana

Prana and Apana are two of the most important Vayus (winds) in the body. (Prana, in this case, is not to be confused with the all-pervasive Prana/Life-Force that is all around us). Techniques in Kundalini Yoga generate Prana Vayu to mix with Apana Vayu to create heat at the Pranic center - at the 8th vertebra - in order to put a charge on the Kundalini Energy coiled at Muladhara Chakra. The flow of Prana Vayu is inward and upward, and the flow of Apana Vayu is downward. When these two forces are joined, the heat created stimulates Kundalini Energy to rise up the Sushumana channel. Engaging Mulabandh helps mix the Prana and Apana Vayus at the navel centre (4th vertebra). This is why heat is often felt in Kundalini Awakening, "That heat is the filament of the Sushumana being lit by the joining of Prana and Apana (Gopi Krishna)."

If enough pressure is generated in the navel point, it will loop back down to the rectum, and then pierce the chakras one by one on the way up. Mulabandh brings the Apana Vayu up to the Navel Chakra, Uddiyana Bhandh brings it up to the Throat Chakra, and Jalandhara Bhandh brings it up to the Third Eye and Crown Chakras. Gopi Krishna reminds us, "Once you have raised it (Kundalini), the hardest job is to keep it up and keep the channels clean and clear." Hence, the practice - Sadhana - one's chosen spiritual discipline.

Picture
Dragonfly at Florence Lake, July 2015

Pranayama for Control of Metabolism

Sometimes our instinctual urges go haywire and start to control us. Our instincts and our senses (as our mind) are meant to serve us, not to control us. One powerful pranayama technique that I've been trying out over the past month (which is used for haywire eating urges) is left nostril breathing:
  • Sit in easy pose with your left hand in Gyan Mudra resting on your knee.
  • With your right hand, close off your right nostril with your thumb, and leave the fingers together and pointing straight up. 
  • Breath long and deep through your left nostril. 
  • Have your eyes closed and focused at Ajna Chakra
  • Start with 3 minutes, and over time slowly work your way up to 31 minutes.
To deepen your experience of the effects of this pranayama, practice daily for at least a full moon cycle.

"People who cannot control their eating have no control over their metabolism. It is a problem in the Eastern Hemisphere of the brain, which results in lack of endurance, effectiveness, and self-respect.
To correct the problem, breathe long and deep through the left nostril for 31 minutes a day for 90 days." ~Yogi Bhajan


Blessings and Sat Nam, ~Dawn



​
5 Comments
Allan Sharp
8/5/2015 04:22:58 am

Hi Dawn, is that your new Symphonic Gong? I am sure the tone is as pretty as the Gong...cannot wait to hear it! Can You let me know what I am owing for therapy ? and I should book a space and come to the Healing Meditation...I am also interested in having Anakin try Kundalini as part of his therapy, as his hormones,pituitary gland are out of balance since the accident.At a class monday we did the Ra Ma Da mantra for healing, and of course Leslie and I were including him..After class I turned on my phone and there was message from his mom saying he wanted to swim with Aubrey,my son. When I contacted Amy(mom) about that , she said she and Aubrey were just speaking of getting them together. My Intention is to have the boys try a few sessions, and I have suggested it to Daniel and Jolene as form of therapy for Anakin with some receptivity.While I am unsure of the extent of the damage to his glands, It would do no harm. Give me your input on that idea,if you have time, and lets catch up financially and personally... Love,Light and Laughter,Al

Reply
Dawn link
9/2/2015 02:46:00 am

Hello Allan! Yes - that is my new Symphonic Gong! The swimming sounds lovely - I hope Anakin was able to do it! And yes, the Kundalini Yoga, especially some of the mantras and pranayamas, would be excellent therapy for hormonal/glandular balance and support. And, there are still 7 spaces left in the retreat - you should come! Love and Blessings, Dawn

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Ronak link
8/18/2015 10:42:33 pm

Nice post. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Ronak Verma link
10/3/2016 06:25:53 am

I belive over all yoga is perfect for mind and soul . That is the reason we call it as yoga retreat as well. I enjoyed doing this as the location was exotic and peaceful to focus on our soul .

Reply
Evelyn scott link
12/26/2019 01:37:51 am

Great read!
Suggestions given in this blog regarding the importance of yoga and meditation are really useful and everyone should be aware of it.
Regular yoga helps a lot to live a healthy and happy life.
So, a person should do some research on the internet or should take assistance from an experienced professional to learn different yoga positions.
It helps a lot to stabilize the blood sugar level and blood pressure of a person and thus plays a crucial role to live a healthy life.

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    Dawn Rabey, PhD

    Transpersonal Psychotherapist Registered Clinical Counsellor 

    Kundalini Yoga Teacher
    ​(E-RYT500, IKYTA Certified)


    Victoria BC, Canada

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