More of Kundalini yoga

10 Important Guidelines For Kundalini Yoga Practice
Kundalini Yoga Reference: Kundalini Yoga Guide

The following is a list of suggestions to help guide you on how to practice Kundalini Yoga, Kundalini Yoga Kriyas (sets) and Yoga sessions in general.  To understand more about what Kundalini Yoga is and how Kundalini Yoga works, please read the following article Introduction to Kundalini Yoga.

1. Kundalini Yoga Attire:
1. Clothing should generally be loose and comfortable.  Unlike other schools of Yoga, in Kundalini Yoga it is advisable to keep the shoulders and spine covered, so practicing without any covering on the upper body is not recommended.  This has to do with the awakening, flow and distribution of Kundalini Shakti up and down the back, specially its movement via the 3 main psychic channels (ida, pingala and shushumna) that lie in and along the spinal cord.
2. Kundalini Yoga is generally practiced barefoot.
3. A blanket can be used to cover the body after doing a Kundalini Yoga kriya during the relaxation period.  Most Kriyas are followed by a period of relaxation that is usually done in corpse pose (shav asana) and during this time the body temperature tends to drop, so a blanket (or shawl) can be used to stay warm and comfortable.  You will fall asleep at least once, no worries we have all done it :-).
   
2. Kundalini Yoga Diet:  This is a rather big topic, but here I will just provide some important highlights.
   
1. Try not to eat at least 2-3 hours before doing your Kundalini Yoga kriyas and asanas.  Given that Kundalini Yoga uses many different bandhas (body locks), pranayamas (breathing exercises), asanas and vigorous movement, you could be quite uncomfortable if your stomach is still full.  Use a nutrient bar or other healthy snack if you feel you need some energy prior to your yoga set.
   
2. Although Yoga in general recommends a Sattvic diet (foods that promote calmness and clarity), and not rajasic foods (energetic foods that promote activity) or tamasic foods (foods that promote heaviness and dull the mind), due to the physical, energetic nature of Kundalini Yoga, including some rajasic foods in your diet is not a significant issue.  Still it is recommended that the bulk of your diet be sattvic.  Sattvic foods are generally fresh and sweet such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, honey etc.  Rajasic foods are generally spicy and stimulating, such as onions, garlic, eggs, fish, tea etc.  Tamasic foods are fatty foods, stale food, meat, etc.
   
3. Kundalini Yoga Kriyas are designed to force the organs, tissues, nerves and vessels to expel buried toxins out into the elimination systems of the body.  So after any kriya or tough yoga set, one should drink plenty of water to help cleanse the body of these toxins and waste that have been released.
   
3. Kundalini Yoga Breathing:  
1. Kunadalini Yoga significantly relies on the Science of Pranayama (breathing exercises) to work its magic.  Each exercise and asana is accompanied by a specific pranayama.  Unless it is specifically specified all pranayama should be done through the nose.
2. Although Jal Neti (washing the nostrils with saline water) is recommended for cleaning the nasal passageways to help maximize the benefits of the pranayamas, it is advisable as a minimum to keep a box of tissues handy.
   
4. Kundalini Yoga Safety:
1. Some Kundalini Yoga Kriyas can be quite challenging and it is recommended to always do warm-ups first before doing these tough sets and asanas.  There are several good easy kriyas and sets which work very well as warm-ups to the tough kriyas.  It is especially important to do spinal warm-ups as charging the cerebrospinal fluid within the spinal cord and brain assists in the flow of awakened Kundalini Shakti.
2. This item can’t be emphasized enough.  Don’t overdo it.  Try to walk the middle ground between fanaticism and laziness.  This goes for both, your overall practice and also for each kriya and asana you do.  In other words, each exercise you do should not be too easy and not be too hard, and your overall sadhana (spiritual practice) should be equally balanced, between being ridiculously ambitious or excessively easy.  With regard to your sadhana try to establish a steady, long-term daily practice, rather than doing 10 hours a day for 2 weeks and then nothing after that.
3. This is probably the most important guideline.  Use common sense with regard to injuries.  Use modifications that are provided for the difficult asanas and exercises and back off if you feel you are risking injury.  Also, feel free to increase the relaxation time between exercises or reduce the time suggested for doing a particular exercise to suit your pace.  As my yoga teacher Ravi Singh used to say, Kundalini Yoga is all about you and you - it is not a competition - so listen to your body and let your inner voice guide and direct you.
   
4. The Kundalini Yoga teachings and methodology provided here have been perfected over the centuries to not only, optimize the benefits of the kriyas, but, also to reduce any dangers and risks associated with awakening Kundalini Shakti.  The general idea is not to activate the chakras by excessively using the Beej Mantas (seed sounds) associated with each chakra or other direct methods; the idea, instead, is simply to prepare the system physically, emotionally and mentally for greater and greater flow of Kundalini Shakti. The approach is to trust the Universe to awaken this energy in accordance with the level of preparation.  This approach  helps avoid many of the difficulties involved with the premature awakening of Kundalini that one sometimes comes across in the literature.
   
5. Kundalini Yoga Teachings:
1. It is suggested to initially learn Kundalini Yoga from a teacher who can ensure that the knowledge is accurately transferred.  If possible you should at least try to attend a few live yoga classes so that you can get a feel for the kriyas, asanas, and pranayamas.  But keep in mind that the real Guru is within and is always available to guide you if asked.
2. There is also some good literature and websites available which provide guidance and resources for practicing kundalini yoga.  You can look for books written by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Ravi Singh or visit their websites for more information.  Of course you can also go to the Kundalini Yoga Section or the general Yoga Section of this website for plenty of good stuff too :-D.
   
6. When to Practice Kundalini Yoga:  In general Kundalini Yoga should be practiced in the early morning hours.  But if you can’t do your sadhana at that time, it is fine to practice at other times of the day as well.  Some kriyas, such as those that help you sleep, etc. of course need to be practiced at their designated times.  Below are some reasons to motivate you to practice in the early morning hours.  You can also ready The Secret on How to Become an Early Riser if this is something you want to accomplish.
   
1. Early morning is called brahmamuhurta in Sanskrit.  It literally means "The Divine Time." This is the time of the day when the spiritual energy on our lovely planet is at its highest.
2. The air at this time is fresh and contains the greatest amount of prana (cosmic life force).
3. The mind is also fresh and unburdened with the worries of everyday life.  This will help in the practice of concentration and meditation.
   
4. This is the time of day when you are least likely to be distracted by the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
5. The stomach is empty, which is necessary before practicing many of the Yoga asanas and pranayamas.
7. Where to Practice Kundalini Yoga:  It is important for the place where you practice Kundalini Yoga to be neat, spacious and clean, but more importantly it should be well ventilated.  You can also use a fan to keep the air fresh, but make sure it is not pointed directly at you.  Practicing outdoors is fine as well, although in direct sunlight it may become too warm due to the energetic pranamayas and exercises.
8. Tools for Kundalini Yoga Practice: 
1. It is fine to use inspirational music when doing the Kundalini Yoga kriyas and sets, but music in general should not be used when doing the meditations, unless it is specified otherwise.
2. You can use a firm cushion, yoga block or folded blanket to sit on if it helps take the pressure off your knees, hips and back.  You may also use a zafu, smile cushion and zabuton to practice the meditations or kriyas if you like.  I have ordered my zafus and zabutons from here and have been very happy with them zafu.net.
   
3. It is recommended for obvious reasons to make sure you are not practicing on a slippery surface.  A yoga mat or appropriate yoga rug should be used.
4. To help you stretch and hold certain asanas it is fine to use a yoga blocks or yoga straps.
5. Yoga neck pillows or folded blankets are fine to use to support your neck or lower back (by placing under your knees) during relaxation periods while in shav asana and similar asana.
9. Medical Conditions and Kundalini Yoga Practice:
1. Kundalini Yoga should never be practiced under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  You are about to awaken the most potent force within yourself, trust me you wont need to get a high of anything else once you start this journey.
2. If you are taking prescription medication, or are under medical supervision you should check with your health care provider before starting a Kundalini Yoga Program.
3. If you are pregnant you should check with your health care provider before proceeding.  There are also Kundalini Yoga kriyas specifically designed for Pre-natal and Post-natal periods.
10. Kundalini Yoga Attitude:  Be committed and trust in the Universal Forces to guide, nourish and deliver you.  Kundalini Yoga is a very powerful science and you will find it an invaluable asset in helping you reach and surpass your maximum potential.

 Is Kundalini Yoga Dangerous?

Dangers of Kundalini Awakening

Is Kundalini Yoga dangerous?  Ah yes, the question I get asked more and more as people learn about Kundalini Yoga is general or discover this website.  Kundalini Yoga is certainly a powerful science and if not approached with intelligence and respect it can produce some challenges and difficulties for the practitioners.  That is not meant to discourage you from taking up it’s practice, it is meant to help guide you so that you undertake Kundalini Yoga practice safely and thus, enjoy the enormous benefits that this form of yoga bestows (See Rapid Benefits of Kundalini Yoga Practice & Top 10 Health Benefits of Yoga Practice for more details on the benefits of yoga).
Kundalini Yoga is favored over other forms of yoga, because of the rapid gains that can be made by those who practice it sincerely.  What this means in practical terms, is that Kundalini Yoga can more quickly purify your energetic channels, charge and balance your chakras (energy centers) and awaken in you greater and greater flow on kundalini shakti (energy), than other forms of yoga.  Thus, it is the fast track to spiritual growth and enlightenment.  This is great, but herein also lies the danger.  Improper Kundalini Yoga, coupled with incorrect lifestyle and preparation, can unleash more energy in you than you are ready for.

This premature awakening of kundalini or excessive flow of shakti (energy), before the body is ready to handle it, is the danger with improper Kundalini Yoga practice, or with kundalini shakti in general.  The reasons for kundalini awakening are vast and varied, and sometimes have nothing to do with yoga practice at all.  You can read about the difficulties that sometimes arise with such kundalini awakening in the popular article Symptoms of Kundalini Awakening. 
Ideally, you want kundalini to awaken as per your body’s capacity to handle her and to that end, there is no better approach to preparing the body than intelligent yoga practice, and specifically intelligent Kundalini Yoga practice.
So what is intelligent Kundalini Yoga practice and how do we go about awakening kundalini safely and wisely?  In many articles on this blog I have provided such important safety guidelines and in this article I would like to put all that wisdom together so that it’s easily accessible for all who are interested. 
Below are these important guidelines to help you minimize the danger of premature kundalini awakening and thus, avoid the problems that this condition can sometimes cause.

Guidelines for Safe Kundalini Yoga Practice:

1. Don’t Over Strain:

This is rule number one for minimizing the danger of premature kundalini awakening by ensuring you are not going further than what your body is ready for.  This applies to the practice of all forms of yoga.  Weather you are doing yoga breathing exercises (pranayama), yoga poses (asans) or kundalini yoga sets (kriyas), you should not push excessively.  Of course some challenge is good, but you are looking to develop your capacity systematically, so keep that in mind and aim for steady progress.  Remember, the turtle beat the hare.
Two more important safety notes when it comes to doing your Kundalini Yoga practice.  First, be sure to warm up before doing any difficult kriyas (sets) or asanas (postures).  Second, be sure to work around injuries and use modifications for advanced poses whenever necessary. 

2. Don’t Do Excessive Chakra Meditations:

I constantly have yogis reaching out to me, both online and at my studio, who have focused exclusively on Chakra Meditations and thus, created imbalances for themselves.  I have given some powerful Chakra Meditation techniques in the following 2 articles, The Top 3 Chakra Meditation Techniques and the very popular AUM Mantra Meditation for Opening the Third Eye Chakra, and although, I expect you to learn and use these techniques, I have advised that they should not be the only focus of your Kundalini Yoga practice.
Chakra Meditation techniques, directly stimulate and open the chakra points, which then creates the greater flow of kundalini to take place in the respective regions.  The danger of course, is if the nerves, glands, organs, psychic pathways (nadis), etc, are not strong enough to handle this flow. As thhen it can create imbalances and issues for you.  So the advice is to practice such direct techniques only after you have sufficiently developed your level of fitness, health and strength of internal systems.  This of course you can accomplish by practicing Kundalini Yoga Kriyas Sets, Hatha Yoga Asanas and/or Yoga Breathing Exercises (Pranayamas), regularly and sincerely.

3. Danger of Using Drugs:

Unless you are a wandering naked sadhu (Naga Yogi) or a developed Aghori (see article Nude Yoga Exposed), it is very unlikely you are a master of how to use narcotics.  The techniques of how to prepare, mix and use narcotics (and certain rare herbs) for awakening kundalini, is still held in great secrecy and if you want to learn this alchemy, you are going to have to take a trip to India and get initiated.  There are other ancient religions that also know some of these secrets (like the varied use of tobacco by the American Indians, etc.), but most of that knowledge is also not easily available.  So, I suggest you just stay away from drugs all-together.

Besides recreational drugs and tobacco, even alcohol, which has a strong affect on kundalini can be dangerous to a practicing yogi and therefore, should be approached with care.  Overall, I am not an advocate of the use of chemicals to facilitate kundalini awakening as more often than not, the end result of such attempts is bad.

4. Get Healthy First:

Before jumping into any advanced Kundalini Yoga practice, you should first try to heal yourself from any serious diseases or illnesses.  Of course, yoga itself is very helpful in this matter, but what I am saying here is that you should not jump ahead to doing advanced yoga if you are suffering from serious health issues.  Resolving the health issues should be a priority and during this healing phase, only use gentle yoga techniques instead.  This will minimize the danger of complicating your health issues with kundalini imbalances.

In addition to practicing gentle yoga to help heal yourself, you should employ Ayurvedic treatments as well.  Ayurveda is the ancient science of health and healing, and goes hand in hand with Kundalini Yoga practice.  You can get more information on Ayurveda via the following links: Introduction to Ayurveda - The Science of Self-Healing and Ayurveda Category Articles. 
You will find Ayurveda to be an invaluable resource on the path to enlightenment and healthy living.  It will not only help you achieve optimum physical health, but will also help you find emotional and mental balance, both of which are also prerequisites to advanced Kundalini Yoga practice.

5. Make Time & Space:

Kundalini awakening is not a predicable process.  It affects each of us differently and it is advisable to give yourself time and space to allow this process to run it’s course when required.  I am not suggesting here that you need to join an ashram, but I am saying that if you have awakened kundalini, then there will be times you need to just rest, relax and be alone.  By not providing such down times, you increase the danger of imbalances as kundalini is not able to complete the work she is doing within you.

6. Attitude of Gratitude & Prayer:

Don’t underestimate the value of right attitude when it comes to eliminating the danger that kundalini shakti can pose as she awakens.  It is perhaps the best tool at your disposal, to help you make safe and graceful progress on the path of full kundalini awakening.  Be respectful, appreciative, devoted and humble and the great Shakti, as well as the Universe, will cooperate with you.  Here is a nice vedic mantra to express your love and devotion, but feel free to use your own methods as well:  Greatest Vedic Mantra to Express Gratitude.

In addition, before doing your Kundalini Yoga practice always start by asking for protection, guidance and inspiration.  This ensures you are approaching these cosmic forces with the correct state of mind and heart.  Here are 2 articles detailing how to do this: AUM Mantra Video for Starting Kundalini Yoga Class & Can a Guru Help with Enlightenment.

Summary of Danger of Kundalini Yoga Practice:

Life is dangerous.  There is no getting around it.  You can, if you wish, hide in a cave and play it safe until Yama Raj (Lord of Death) comes knocking, or you can choose to embrace the adventure.  Kundalini Yoga & Meditation practice are doors to infinity and they are an exploration of the unknown.  In fact, they finally take you to the doorway to the Great Void, at which point knowledge and mind end, and to enter requires the faith and courage to just let go. 
Kundalini Shakti is the wave you ride on this journey to the beyond.  There are certainly dangers on the way, but if you follow the guidelines above it will go along way in making your journey safer and smoother.  My best wishes are always with you.