Kundalini Yoga - 8

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ACTIVATING THE INTERNAL FIRE WITH THE BHANDAS

 

The Kundalini is the boundless energy of our Soul. Like the Dragon,

it lies dormant, ready and waiting to be awakened. The awakening

process involves 3 complementary, principles.

 

(1) Activation (2) Allowing (3) Alignment

 

(1) Activation is the conscious effort or the masculine aspect.

Activation is associated with practicing a discipline involving

techniques designed to shift energy. Activation involves some form

of action or " doing. "

 

(2) Allowing is the conscious acceptance of what is occurring.

Allowing is the feminine aspect. Allowing involves simply being,

doing nothing, but at the same time being very aware of what is

happening.

 

(3) Alignment is the integration or the result of activation and

allowing. The goal is two fold (1) to align our energy with universal

energy, so that universal energy effortlessly flows through us and

(2) to align our body, mind and emotions so our infinite potential is

unleashed within us.

 

The practice of Kundalini yoga incorporates these 3 principles.

 

(1) Activation takes place with the practice of asanas or yoga

exercises. When it is properly functioning, the release of the energy

of the Kundalini is facilitated. The power of the exercises is

enhanced with the breath and the internal recitation of mantras. The

exercises strengthen the nervous system, stimulate the glands to

secrete, loosen up the muscles and align the skeleton. The body is

the temple of the Soul.

 

(2) Allowing happens when we relax, let go and stop trying to make

something happen. We are programmed to try to control ourselves, the

events in our lives and our environments. Yet perhaps 90% of what

happens within ourselves and in our lives happens beyond our

control. Ideally we would spend equal time simply being aware of

what is happening and tuning into the reality of what IS. By simply

allowing, we not only expand our awareness of what is transpiring

within about outside ourselves, we release the resistance that

prevents our energy from flowing and things from happening in our

lives.

 

(3) Alignment has both and active and a passive component. The

active component involves " applying the locks " or performing subtle

internal movements in the chakras and along the spine. The passive

component happens naturally when the blocks in the body have been

released. The physical and energy bodies automatically align when

the resistance to the natural state and flow is gone.

 

ENERGY

 

Our goal is to access, activate and increase the energy flow in our

bodies. There are several ways to do this. The practice of Kundalini

yoga incorporates the following principle techniques.

 

Movement or exercise which opens channels in the body and causes the

glands to secrete. Receiving the energy contained in the breath

Allowing our innate energy to flow by releasing resistance and blocks

Opening ourselves to receive Divine energy by opening our chakras and

our mind.

 

LOCKS OR " BHANDAS "

 

Check out kundalini yogakyt08.html for illustrations.

(see also kundalini yogabhandas.html)

 

Locks or " Bhandas " create a posture that is maintained while the

breath is held out or in. The slight movements in the muscles align

the body so the energy in the spine can flow upward, not downward.

Lock refers to the action performed by the locks before a dam, which

prevent water, or in this case energy, from being released in a

backward or downward direction. The term locks should not be

interpreted as a forceful constriction. The idea is not to block the

energy but to open up the spine so that the energy can flow easier

and be released upward. A more gentle way to relate to the locks is

to view them as ways to open up the flowers or the pedals of the

lotuses along the spine.

 

WHEN TO APPLY THE LOCKS

 

Relaxing while holding a posture (after the exercise is completed),

creates a dynamic space for movement of energy. In general, the

locks are applied while holding the posture after completing a yoga

exercise. This direction is not always specified. It assumed that

the student will gently apply the appropriate locks to anchor in the

internal effects of the asana.

 

ROOTLOCK OR MULBHAND Rootlock or mulbhand closes the lower three

chakras so that the energy cannot be lost or leaked out through the

base of the spine. As a consequence the energy stays in the body and

can flow up the spine. As with all the locks, rootlock is done

either while holding the breath in or holding the breath out.

 

The complete rootlock is done by slightly contracting the muscles of

the rectum or anal sphincter, and the sex organ and pulling the navel

center in toward the spine. To identify and work with the muscles of

each of the chakras, practice working with them separately.

 

When the mulbhand is applied while retaining the breath, the two

major energy flows, prana and apana are united. This generates

psychic heat which triggers the release of Kundalini energy.

 

DIAPHRAGM LOCK OR UDDIYANA BHANDA

 

Diaphragm lock works with the solar plexus and the heart chakra. It

is actually easier to apply this lock while holding the breath out.

The diaphragm muscles are pulled in and up. Start by sucking in the

solar plexus, pull the muscles toward the spine and then pull them

up. The chest will expand and the spine will straighten.

 

Diaphragm lock massages the heart muscle and causes the thymus to

secrete. It is also used during chanting. Rhythmically applied, it

enhances the effect of chanting.

 

NECK LOCK OR JALANDHARA BHANDA

 

The neck lock involves a very subtle movement. Move the chin down

slightly and pull the head up. The chest will open up. You will

move from a slumped posture and caved in chest to a straighter

posture and open heart center. The shoulders should relax, drop and

release downwards. The tongue and throat should relax.

 

Straightening the cervical vertebrae allows the free flow of prana to

the brain and opens the connection between the head and the heart.

 

TONGUE AND EYE LOCK

 

Yogic texts stop with the neck lock. However, to complete the

stimulation of the 6th and 7th chakras, what we will call the tongue

and eye locks are also applied. The tip of the tongue presses gently

to the roof of the mouth. The eyes look up as though looking out the

top of the head. You may feel the pulse at the crown chakra (the

soft spot on a baby's head.)

 

MAHABHANDA

 

Mahabhanda is the application of all the locks at once. When all the

locks are applied, the nerves and glands are rejuvenated.

 

BHANDA EXERCISE

 

Sit on the heels with the knees spread wide apart, palms on the

thighs. Apply rootlock and relax it. Apply diaphragm lock and relax

it. Apply neck, tongue and eye locks and relax them.

 

Pull the locks while holding out the exhale. Repeat in rhythmic

alternation for 3-11 minutes.

 

Stay very present to the energy movement along the spine. Notice how

the slight movements and adjustment to your position effect the flow

of energy. Apply the same concepts as above - ACTIVATE, ALLOW AND

ALIGN.

 

And make sure to take the time and attention to really enjoy with is

happening in your body!

 

(by Gururattan Kaur Khalsa)