Dawn Smith Yoga

Kundalini Yoga

• Kundalini yoga fundamentals

• What is different about Kundalini Yoga?

• The Heart of Kundalini Yoga

KUNDALINI YOGA FUNDAMENTALS

Kundalini Yoga is a synergistic combination of postures, mantras and meditations combined to produce specific benefits.

The body is self regulating and knows how to heal itself. The successful completion of each yoga set/kriya brings physical relief, mental clarity and spiritual awareness.

This powerful system of yoga is always taught in its undiluted form to preserve its intent ~ to heal all the levels of our being and to maintain its authenticity.

There are regular weekly classes on Wednesday evenings to guide, encourage and support you as you discover your potential for self healing. The monthly yoga days will help to deepen your practice, develop spiritual maturity and elevate your consciousness

Sat Kriya

Sat Kriya is an incredible gift and brings profound results. It works on the energies of the Sacral and Navel chakras, developing creativity and self esteem. It strengthens the entire nervous system. It can recalibrate your metabolism, heal digestive issues around self nourishment and facilitate weight loss. Sat Kriya is always practiced with the Bija/seed mantra “Sat Naam”/Truth is my identity and can be practiced on its own or as part of a set. Begin a gentle practice of 1 – 3 minutes a day and experience the results for yourself.

Mantras

Yogic mantras consist of specific sounds usually from the ancient Sanskrit languages. Mantras work according to the yogic principle of japa/repetition. The 84 meridian points in the upper palate of the mouth correlate to nerve endings that lead directly to the brain. Therefore the words you speak directly affect your consciousness. Japa or repetition of mantra sets up a vibratory frequency. The sound that is generated when you chant either aloud or silently is called the Naad or sound current. The combination of Naad/sound current, various yoga postures, breathing patterns and movement fundamental to Kundalini Yoga is a powerful way to positively influence the psyche, endocrine, immune and nervous systems and elevate consciousness

Stretch Pose

The inaccurately named ‘Stretch Pose’ (it’s hardly a stretch, more of a strengthening exercise) is among the most powerful exercises in Kundalini Yoga. It centres and focuses the mind. Strengthens and tones the entire nervous system. Works powerfully on the Navel Point, strengthening your digestive fire, your ability to commit, communicate, and complete on projects.

Breath of Fire

One of the foundational breathing techniques used in the practice of Kundalini Yoga accompanies many of the postures.

It is very important to practice and master this breath so that it is done accurately and automatically before incorporating it into the postures. Don’t worry this will be taught and practiced diligently until we are all on point.

Caution: Breath of fire should not be done during menstruation, pregnancy or in the case of abdominal hernia or recent surgery

Benefits of Breath of fire

• Cleanses the blood and mucous linings of the lungs and body cells

• Expands your lung capacity

• Strengthens the nervous and immune systems

• Increases aerobic capacity and physical endurance

• Balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

• Strengthens the naval chakra and abdominal muscles

• Develops personal courage and commitment

Archer Pose

Archer pose activates and balances all your chakras and develops courage. It strengthens the electromagnetic field/aura. With a strong aura you are able to ward off stress and stressful situations. Long deep breathing in Archer pose helps you maintain a steady focus, develops inner strength and determination

Long Deep Breathing

Your state of mind directly affects your rate of breath and your rate of breath directly affects your state of mind. It develops your ability to remain calm and centred no matter how hectic the circumstances are around you.

Benefits of Long Deep Breathing

• Improves your lung capacity

• Increases your aerobic capacity

• Improves athletic performance

• Efficient oxygen and nutrient uptake to keep your muscles and mind fuelled

• Strengthens your body’s ability to remove toxins and environmental pollutants from your lungs

• Makes you calm and focused

• Develops self control

Frog Pose

Start position one Finish position two

Although physically challenging Frog Pose is incredibly rejuvenating. Frog Pose encourages the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid that flows along the central canal of the spine and around the brain. This brings mental clarity, improved memory and a deep sense of inner peace. Physically this exercise removes toxins out of the muscles and strengthens your legs, hips and lower back, which also has a beneficial effect on the lower chakras, helping to heal issues and energetic blockages associated with these areas.

Crow Pose

Bring strength and flexibility to the middle back, pelvis, hips and thighs. Stimulate the energy of the lower chakras benefiting the bowels, colon and process of elimination. When we experience constipation and other symptoms of lack of flow in our bodies these manifest in our lives and personality as being rigid or narrow minded; unable to let go of situations. Squatting movements and postures greatly help our ability to let go of all that no longer serves us, known and unknown and go with the flow

Meditation for a Calm Heart

Just 3 minutes practicing this meditation induces a feeling of peace, calm and stillness.

Mudras

Each area of the hands correlates to an area of the brain and each area represents different emotions or behaviours. By performing various hand Mudras we can effectively communicate with and reprogram the body-mind complex. Mudras used with specific Mantras in Meditation set up specific energy patterns in the brain that will calm or energize, develop courage, patience and intuition, as well as stimulate the healing of various organs and illnesses

Caliber of Life Meditation

Develops your ability to concentrate, stay focused and finish what you start

Meditations

The simple but not always easy practice of meditating is the process of raising your awareness above the often conflicting flow of endless thought.

One of the beauties of Kundalini Yoga is that instead of dealing with thoughts with affirmation or other positive thought. It uses exercises that automatically bring the mind into a more meditative state. This can save years of meditation time, allowing you to experience your life Now as a continuous spiritual flow of radiance from the soul

Benefits of Meditation

• Develops the intuition

• Releases subconscious fears and blockages

• Promotes clarity of mind, thought and speech

• Brings the ability to stay focused, enhances effectiveness and efficiency

• Helps to break stress producing habit patterns

• Promotes a sense of well-being, inner peace, mental and emotional stability

• Encourages Self confidence, Self reliance and Self Mastery

• Expands our perception of life from the mundane to an experience of the Infinite

The synergistic use of Mudras, Mantras and Meditations is the science of

Kriya and the basis of Kundalini Yoga

Dive into the Now and Experience your Limitless Self

Call/Text or email Dawn Smith Now to book your Classes and Yoga Days.

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What is different about Kundalini Yoga?

As we practice Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan we experience a shift in our consciousness. A change in our perception of the world around us and the parts we play

The question I am most frequently asked about Kundalini Yoga is "how does it differ from other Yogas?"

Let me begin by suggesting that for the benefit of humanity we focus on our similarities and what we have in common. That is after all how we make friends and build relationships. By identifying our shared interests

In the interest of responding to the intention behind the question, which, I think is to find out if (a) it is a strenuous practice? and will you be able to cope? (b) is it all about stretching? you might not be very flexible? or indeed (c) you might be looking for something relaxing with a meditative approach 

In asking what the difference is, the real question, if I may be so bold is to ask yourself "what am I really looking for right now?" What do I really need? and will I really find it in a Kundalini Yoga Class?"

If you've paused and asked these questions in pursuit of truth and clarity, then the answer is "I want Yoga/Union, I want to unite all the aspects of myself and develop the strength and courage to be who I really am, have the compassion to relate to my fellow human beings from a place of All Oneness" and so on

So the difference is there's no difference, all yogas have this as their aim. It really is a case of all Yogas lead to Union. Some take the scenic route while others allow you to languish in the lakes of tranquillity. Some approach the union through the shaping, stretching and strengthening of the physical body via asanas and others approach it via the mind with quietening techniques. We are blessed or cursed in this incarnation with a veritable smorgasbord of styles and fashions.

Kundalini Yoga goes straight to the heart of each matter working on our subtle anatomy and energetic bodies harmonising the Pranic flow of our very life force.

Every Kriya/Yoga set and every Meditation is a specific recipe with the exact amount of every spiritual nutrient you will ever need to nourish you, your soul and every aspect of your being. This has been my personal experience. If you are truly curious, just try it ...the question may well have arisen out of your own souls calling for union. 

About Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is among the highest forms of yoga, a Raja/Royal Path. It is both a science and a subtle technology.

Kundalini Yoga is Spiritual but it is not religious and supports people of all faiths and no particular faith. It is a system of Self Mastery which encourages our personal, professional and spiritual growth.

All forms of yoga aim to raise consciousness. The techniques used in Kundalini Yoga are simply a direct way of achieving this transformation without having to go to a mountain top or sit in a cave!

Kundalini Yoga was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in 1968. A move which broke the ancient tradition of secrecy surrounding what is now called the ‘Yoga of Awareness’.

Traditionally these sacred teachings were passed from teacher to student in a very selective and elitist fashion. Any student who wanted to learn Kundalini Yoga had to serve a Master, prove his/her humility, self-discipline, and devotion before the Master would consider teaching them.

Kundalini Yoga Teachers today take an oath to teach with humility and honesty not changing or diluting the teachings or kriyas for variety or entertainment but to share the wisdom and the technology that has been handed down exactly as Yogi Bhajan taught.

FIVE SUTRAS of the AQUARIAN AGE ~ Yogi Bhajan

1: Recognize that the other person is you
2: There is a way through every block
3: When the time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off
4: Understand through Compassion or you will misunderstand the time
5: Vibrate the Cosmos, the Cosmos shall clear the path

Yogi Bhajan taught that, through the practice of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation

...your glandular and nervous systems are stimulated, their functions harmonized

...your body easily shakes off the adverse effects of stress, anger and depression

...and your capacity for creativity is heightened

Balancing body and mind reduces stress facilitating an experience of inner peace

Classes are based on specific sequences of exercises called 'Kriyas' or Yoga Sets. The Kriyas vary in degree of physical and mental stamina - from light stretching to powerful workouts. You'll get just what you need from each practice.

No previous experience in yoga is required for you to achieve results with your very first class.

So if you're feeling the vibe, hearing the call or even just a teeny bit curious, call/text or email me to book your class...Remember its 3 Classes for £10 for newbies

The Heart of Kundalini Yoga

By Dawn Smith

Kundalini comes from the word kundal which means “lock of hair from the beloved”.

When it is said that the kundalini uncoils this refers to the uncoiling of our potential. Our consciousness rises during various stages of our human development.

Quite literally from the embryo to the child to the adolescent , the young adult through our 20’s 30’s 40’s our understanding of life changes, we manage situations with maturity, we handle stress in healthy, constructive and more loving ways. Our consciousness uncoils until we reach the wisdom of older ages.

The rising of consciousness however is not dependent upon age or life experience but upon the harmonization of our nervous and endocrine systems.

Through regular practice of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation we balance out the energies of the chakras and functions of each system which in turn increases our ability to be able to understand, live and express the higher aspects of ourselves as spiritual beings in our human existence.

For example when the energy of the immune system, thymus gland or heart chakra is imbalanced it can manifest as a sense of alienation, self rejection, fear, unhealthy attachment, co dependency, grief, loneliness, passive aggression and even as far as questioning the existence of love.

This is one of the most powerful centres of the body where among its many attributes compassion, kindness and goodwill reside.

The idea that certain thoughts, emotions and experiences can cause dis-ease is not a new one. With the prevalence of heart and lung disease and breast cancer more and more people are suffering from blockages in this area that any other.

Anahat is the Sanskrit word for the Heart Chakra meaning un-struck, unhurt. With a healed or unhurt heart your capacity to love, to be kind and compassionate is boundless.

With a regular practice of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation you can work towards reducing these blockages strengthening your immune system and your thymus glands ability to resist and fight disease while simultaneously balancing the energy of the heart chakra allowing you to experience harmonious relationships, give love unconditionally, and accept that all is as it should be.

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On-going Special Offer 3 Classes for only £10

Karuna Yoga, Chi Wellness or Kundalini Yoga

Better still ~ try one of each!!!

For new participants only: Call/Text or Email to book up your classes