Kundalini yoga

[Nosameerf]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I were discussing trying whether to try yoga for both mediation and stretching (we are not as flexible as we once were). Anyway, I came across a Kundalini yoga teacher who practices near my home and I was thinking of contacting her.
The thing is, I have been reading that this form of yoga is very intensive and was only really taught to those who were prepared for what appear to be very advanced spiritual teachings. Those who are not so spiritually fortunate may cause themselves all sorts of physical and mental mischief, yet everywhere I look, there seem to be classes for complete Kundalini yoga novices.
Has anyone hear tried Kundalini yoga and found it beneficial/damaging and is it wrong for a complete yoga novice to undertake this particular practice?

Thanks,

Nosameerf

[maat]

I have only done Hatha Yoga myself but here is a lot of literature around though warning against 'forcing the raising' of the Kundalini energy. If the mind or body is not ready for it - you'll blow a gasket. No different to electrical appliances ... dwellings have been burnt to the ground and people electrocuted when the rules aren't adhered to where electricity is concerned.

I guess in Freemasonry this might give some meaning to the warnings we are given about seeking the secrets of higher degrees.

Do your homework... google all you can about the Kundalini.

www.tantra-kundalini.com/nadis.htm

Maat

[bluebeard]

Oct 28, 2009 23:01:46 GMT maat said:

I have only done Hatha Yoga myself but here is a lot of literature around though warning against 'forcing the raising' of the Kundalini energy. If the mind or body is not ready for it - you'll blow a gasket. No different to electrical appliances ... dwellings have been burnt to the ground and people electrocuted when the rules aren't adhered to where electricity is concerned.

I guess in Freemasonry this might give some meaning to the warnings we are given about seeking the secrets of higher degrees.

Do your homework... google all you can about the Kundalini.

www.tantra-kundalini.com/nadis.htm

Maat

yup!
just to add, I've also gotten the same warning, unless the Kundalini master is of a proven Tradition and even that, after many many years of practice / experience.

There are other pathways that are much safer. Crystallizing the aura is one, blood and sympathetic paths are also a way to go.

... be careful!

just my 2cents and,

in Love to Light to Life,

+r

[maat]

From your name I would guess you are a cautious man anyway Nosameerf ..

[Nosameerf]

Oct 29, 2009 23:53:02 GMT maat said:

From your name I would guess you are a cautious man anyway Nosameerf ..

Indeed!

I apologise I have written anything but my right arm has swelled up and it is still painful to type. Thanks for all your replies. I am fascinated by this Kundalini yoga, mostly because science often dismisses eastern practices and yet here is something that can cause dramatic changes in a person. I came across a quote from Carl Jung:

"One often hears and reads about the dangers of yoga, particularly of the ill-reputed Kundalini yoga. The deliberately induced psychotic state, which in certain unstable individuals might easily lead to a real psychosis, is a danger that needs to be taken very seriously indeed. These things are really dangerous and ought not to be meddled with in our typically western way."

Though this sounds very scary, I find it fascinating that Jung (a man I deeply admire) takes the practice of this discipline seriously. I was often sceptical of such things but the more I read and investigate, the more a whole new world is opening up for me. The fact that you can transform yourself through meditation or occult practices is for me a great mystery and indicative of a metaphysical reality.
I always used to wonder why some churches wouldn't allow yoga to be practices in their halls. I can sort of understand now, because many churches dismiss or stifle any kind of spirituality, creating a monopoly on 'truth'.

Cheers,

Nosameerf

[JulesTheBit]

Kundalini yoga is frequently featured on one of the lifestyle channels on Sky. The teacher is someone called Maya. Unofrtunately I can't receive it anymore since I switched to Virgin cable a couple of weeks ago.

Interesting to watch, but as it says on the "dog whisperer", don't try these techniques without taking advice from a professional.

Jules

[methuselah]

Oct 28, 2009 23:01:46 GMT maat said:

I have only done Hatha Yoga myself but here is a lot of literature around though warning against 'forcing the raising' of the Kundalini energy. If the mind or body is not ready for it - you'll blow a gasket.

Yep. The same warning is given in western esoteric practice.
Shop carefully for an instructor.

[letterorhalveit3]

Just as they used to tell us when I studied Classical Chinese Medicine, all acupuncture isnt the same. Same with kundalini yoga. I could open up a storefront tomorrow, use the name I was given as a Buddhist monastic and teach kundalini from a book. Ive only experimented with hatha when a former girlfriend was a recognized instructor. Just be careful of who teaches and where and how. As has been said, check them out. I would hate to see you get hurt physically or otherwise and I know from experience with energetic practices that the physical damages caused can heal rather quickly compared to the energetic ones.

I was once taking a class on Qi Gong, and when I did a certain posture felt like I had a hot poker go up the center of my body. For the next two days i was vomitting, passing out, dizzy and had trouble with my visions. Be careful, friend. One good place to check out is the Kripalu center. While is may not be close to wear you live, they can give you good advice since most truly recognized lineage teachers pass through there at one time or another.

Hope this helps.

[Augur]

Absolutely. Go with a tried and true instructor. Hatha Yoga, Qigong, whatever it is you're practising. This stuff is dangerous. Book learning will get you in very deep trouble. There are certain physical positions and methods of breathing that you will only get from a qualified and experienced instructor.

And some of these practices take what will seem (to a westerner) to take a fair bit of time to master in terms of basics. For example, I had to trust my instructor and stand perfectly still in a particular position for 4 months on a daily basis before the magic began to happen.

Now that the 'motor' is running it'll never turn off. But I'd never have gotten the proper physical internal/external alignment by myself. So don't kid yourself. Find someone who knows precisely what they're doing.