What Is Kundalini Yoga: Awaken Your Life Energy for Self-Realization

{"slug":"what-is-kundalini-yoga","recentPosts":[{"id":"cl8kb5f23jq1w0ciscs2h2bxw","slug":"benefits-of-yoga-for-pregnancy","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"What are the Benefits of Yoga for Pregnancy?","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Yoga for Pregnancy is excellent for stress relief, pain relief, and preparation for labor. Read more to understand the benefits of Yoga for Pregnancy","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-27T14:42:36.767798+00:00","coverUrl":"kvvlqndsbow5dsckhw7i.jpg","content":{"text":"When you get pregnant, people come out of the woodworks with advice, remedies and old wives tales. Everyone’s got an opinion on how you should spend your pregnancy. But the one thing we know for sure is, yoga is great for mom and baby alike. If you’re curious about prenatal yoga, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down why this type of yoga is excellent for moms (and babies).\\nWhat is prenatal yoga?\\nPrenatal yoga was designed for women who are expecting. Rather than taking a regular class and having to worry about modifications or safety, this class is specifically designed for pregnancy. The practice can help women with common pregnancy aches and pains, ease hormonal and emotional stress and help women’s bodies prepare for birth and their postpartum journey. A regular yoga practice when pregnant has tons of amazing benefits!\\nBenefits of Prenatal yoga: \\nWe asked women who’ve done prenatal yoga while pregnant for their reviews, one said “ It’s excellent for stress relief, pain relief, and preparation for labor.” And they all said they’d recommend it to friends! \\nSo let's break down the benefits: \\nRelaxation : \\nPregnancy can be very stressful! But yoga will help you to relax physically, mentally and emotionally and create a safe, relaxing environment for birth. Prenatal helps you with coping and breath techniques for all stages of your pregnancy.\n\\nPreparation for birth : \\nFor first time moms, and even sometimes vets, labor can be scary. This practice will help you to learn birth techniques so you’re relaxed and ready to go!\n⁠\\nYoga can Help with Labor : \\nIn a 2015 study\\n, It was found that a regular yoga practice in the last 10-12 weeks of pregnancy can improve the mother's comfort during labor and help facilitate the labor process. The “yoga group” in this study on average was in labor two hours less than those who didn’t practice. Past your due date? Prenatal Yoga is also known to help induce labor\n⁠\\nCommunity : \\nYoga classes have always been known to help us build community but during pregnancy, it's so important to have a group of women who understand what you’re going through. Taking part in a prenatal class puts you in a group of women who get it. You’ll have a built in support system and maybe even first friends for your baby!\\nFrequently Asked Questions about Prenatal Yoga:\\nIs Yoga for Pregnancy safe?\\nYes. Yoga is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, you should always consult your doctor & make sure you’re practicing with a teacher who understands the prenatal experience and can keep you safe. Our teachers are experts in yoga and are ready to help you on your journey. If you’d like to check out our offerings, you can get started today with a two week free trial! \\nWhen during pregnancy can you practice yoga?\\nDuring your first trimester, you can stick to your regular practice with some modifications. \\nYour second trimester is a GREAT time to start prenatal yoga! At this point, you’ll be starting to officially come into your “pregnancy body” and you’ll need to be practicing poses more specific to prenatal. The second and third trimester are considered the “prep period” for your body to prepare for labor. So it's a great time to keep moving and stretching in your new skin as you make room for the baby to grow! \\nWhat yoga poses should you avoid doing? \\nFor the most part, yoga is considered safe during pregnancy. You really only need to focus on any poses that put pressure on your abdomen. You should avoid any and all twisting poses, backbends and inversions.. \\nYoga for Pregnancy Poses you can perform at Home :\\nIt’s important to stay active during your pregnancy for both mom and baby! You should try to get in some sort of movement daily for at least 30 minutes. You can stick to low impact workouts or walks but if you want to do some yoga at home, it’s a great way to end your day. Yoga while pregnant can help with pain, help you sleep better and fight tiredness and fatigue. \\nHere are some poses you can practice at home to keep you moving! And as a bonus, most of these poses will also help your body prepare for giving birth!\\n1. Bound angle pose (Baddha Konasana) :\\n\\nBaddha Konasana pose will help you open your hips, releasing any pain in your back. It can also help to reduce swelling\\nHow it helps with labor: Opening the hips will help you to stretch the muscles needed to open the birth canal.\\n2. Cat-cow pose (Marjaryasana Bitilasana) :\\n\\nMarjaryasana Bitilasana pose release back and shoulder pain and also reduce pressure from the belly\\nHow it helps with labor: Back pain is a common occurrence during the birth process. This pose will help to keep your muscles limber and help to avoid muscle spasms and pain in your back during labor. \\n3. Yogi squat (Malasana) :\\n\\nBeen sitting too long? This is a great hip opener and will also release lower back pain. \\nHow it helps with labor: This pose will widen the pelvic floor making the birth easier,which may help to reduce injury during birth.\\nRemember, if you’re practicing at home, it’s always best to consult your doctor and make sure yoga is safe for your pregnancy.\\n\\nOther ways to practice self-care during pregnancy\\nBeing a mom is the hardest job in the world. And there are no days off. Starting with pregnancy, we feel out of control of our body, its growth and the way we feel. Remember to take time during this beautiful process to practice self-care so you can be present, happy and relaxed. \\nBook a prenatal massage :\n\n⁠⁠A prenatal massage is GREAT for mom and baby. It can help reduce stress and swelling without meds, help you to sleep and get your body ready for labor and delivery.  \\nTake a bath :\n⁠\n⁠Taking a warm bath while pregnant can also help to reduce stress and lower your blood pressure. It’s a great way to relax and rest your growing body. If you’re feeling pain or swelling, it can be very beneficial to relax in a warm bath. \\n\\nAyurveda for Pregnancy :\\n\n⁠\n⁠This week, MyYogaTeacher has a special Ayurveda event running where you’ll learn how to align with your best self through nutrition and health changes. This specific class is designed to help you have your most healthy pregnancy with nutrition guidelines for a mom and foods to help with baby's development! \\n\nYou can also choose to work 1 on 1 with an instructor of your choice through your MyYogaTeacher membership! Let us help you have your healthiest pregnancy possible! \\n\\nGet started today!\\n"},"category":[]},{"id":"cl8ka13l4ionz0ck2fe0pme7l","slug":"chronic-neck-pain-relief-yoga-poses","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Are you suffering with Chronic Neck Pain? 10 yoga poses to find relief!","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-27T14:11:15.683866+00:00","coverUrl":"rbh6duxy7hy3y207sg1c.jpg","content":{"text":"Do you suffer from chronic neck pain? Nearly 30-50% of adults suffer from recurring neck pain. \\nNeck pain can be a common occurrence for people who:\\nhave long commutes or sit at a desk all day\\nwho have issues with posture \\nwho have chronic sleep issues\\nOur neck and shoulders can also be a place where we may carry tension or pain due to stress. In any case, the good news is yoga can help you to relieve your neck pain and move on symptom free! \\nDaily changes you can make to avoid neck pain\\nStay in alignment. Keep good posture and try not to carry heavy bags on one side of your body. Also, if you sit at a desk and work on a computer, move your monitor to eye-sight so you’re not looking up or down. Need help finding your center? \\nWe can help here at MyYogaTeacher! \\n\\nStay active! It’s important to stay mobilized.  If you sit all day, take breaks to move around and give your body a break from being stuck in one position. Can’t take breaks at work? Try to go for a walk on lunch or maybe before or after your workday. \\nCheck your sleep environment. Make sure your mattress and pillows are still in good shape. Look into the best pillows for your sleep type or body. Getting quality sleep will help you avoid tossing and turning and can be your remedy to wake pain free. \\nIf you’re feeling like you need to move, starting with any slower yoga practice will help! Yin, hatha and restorative classes will all leave your body feeling relaxed, renewed and free of pain. Want to flow on your own? Here are our top ten poses to try! \\n10 Yoga Poses to relieve Chronic Neck Pain :\\n1. Easy seat with ear to shoulder stretch\\nThis pose releases your neck and shoulders and helps relieve tension and stress.\\nStart by sitting with your legs crossed and a straight back. Shoulders down. Bring your ear down to your shoulder. To deepen the stretch, bring your opposite arm overhead. \\n\\n\\n\\n2. Child’s Pose\\nReleases tension in the upper body including the neck and chest.\\nBring your knees as wide as the mat and sit into your heels. You can bring your chest to the mat and extend your arms forward or come to rest on a pillow or bolster. Try to hold this pose for up to 5 breaths. \\n\\n\\n\\n3. Downward facing dog\\nHelps to relieve neck pain by strengthening the upper body and releasing the spine. \\nStart by coming onto all fours. Check your alignment- make sure your shoulders are over your wrist, and your hips over your knees. Without changing the position of your hands and feet, push up and back to bring your heels into the ground. Relax your head, neck and shoulders down. \\n\\n\\n\\n4. Bridge Pose\\nReleases chest, neck, spine and hips.\\nLay down on your mat, bring your feet as close to your glutes as possible. Bring your hands to the sides of your body palms down. Push into the feet and hands while you lift your core and back to the ceiling. Try to relax and breathe here. \\n\\n\\n\\n5. Wide Leg forward fold\\nReleases spine, neck and back. If you’re in pain perform this stretch slowly, and come up one vertebrae at a time. \\nBring your feet as wide as you can, feet facing forward. Hinge at the hips and slowly bend forward and down towards your feet. You can hang here or grab yogi toe lock around your big toe. \\n\\n\\n\\n6. Cow face pose\\nStrengthens core and spine.\\nSit up tall and stack your knees directly over one another. Reach one arm back around your waist and one arm over your shoulder with your palms reaching towards one another. If you can, clasp your hands. If not, rest them on your back, you will still benefit from the pose. \\n\\n\\n\\n7. Sphinx pose\\nThis pose will help to physically open up the shoulders and neck. Looking side to side slowly is a great addition to the pose. \\nLie on your stomach and bring your hands next to your chest facing down. On your inhale press into the ground and lift your upper body. \\n\\n\\n\\n8. Thread the Needle \\nIncreases mobility and releases tension in the upper body. \\nCome on to all fours. Check your alignment, make sure your hips are over your knees, shoulders over your wrist. Reach one arm out to the side and thread it through the opposite side under your ribs. You can stay here or open up the opposite side by reaching the hand to the back or straight up and over. Make sure to do both sides. \\n\\n\\n\\n9. Legs up the wall\\nReleases tension and stress from the upper body by reversing blood flow. \\nFind a wall near your practice space and sit next to the wall as close as possible. Lower your head, neck and shoulders onto your mat, then roll onto your back and stretch your legs up the wall. You can stay in this restorative pose for up to 10 minutes. \\n\\n\\n\\n10. Savasana\\nSavasana releases any stress, lowers heart rate and calms the body. \\nCome onto your back on your mat, and release your body down. This is known as corpse pose because it is a full and final rest at the end of our practice. Release and let go of any and all tension. \\n\\n\\n\\nClasses to help relieve neck pain \\n\\nYoga fusion for joints \\n- This class will help you roll out your joint pain and stretch your tight limbs and joints. \\n\\nYoga for Back Pain\\n - Sometimes, neck pain can be caused by tightness in the spine. Experts say yoga helps soothe muscle pains. Try this class to strengthen and lengthen your neck and back for pain relief! \\n\\nYoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain\\n - Do you sit all day at work? Struggle with your posture? This class will help relieve upper body tension. \\n\nSo if you’re ready to make your neck pain a thing of the past, join us today. Our trial includes two free weeks of group fitness classes, one on one classes and so much more! \\nGet started on your yoga journey now!\\n"},"category":["yoga_poses"]},{"id":"cl8cuq5nnh5860biyek2vhu2w","slug":"reproductive-rights-for-women-yoga-workshop","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop - Supporting Women Through Yoga","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-22T09:28:27.679552+00:00","coverUrl":"dkjwcigamkavxe0yziwq.jpg","content":{"text":"Announcing MyYogaTeacher’s first ever Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop!\\nHere at MyYogaTeacher, we believe in the wisdom of women to make their own choices about their health. \\n\\nThat’s why we’re excited to offer the\\n Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop on October 2 from 9 AM - 11 AM PST (12 PM - 2 PM EST) for only $10!\\nIn the past, our community events have been free. So why are we charging a nominal fee for this one?\\nBecause ALL proceeds from the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop go to support the \\nCenter for Reproductive Rights\\n charity, a nonprofit organization, the \\nonly\\n global legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing reproductive rights.\\nIn the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade and on the day before the new term of the Supreme Court begins, we think this workshop is a perfect way to silently protest this new ruling through self-care and donations to an organization like the Center for Reproductive Rights.\\nThis will also be a time of healing and processing with a couple of awesome expert yoga instructors!\\nHow to join the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop\\nWhether you’re a member or not, \\nJust click this link and register \\nas you would any other group class! Simple as that.\\nIntroducing a very special guest yoga instructor coming just for this event!\n\\nMeet Harpinder Mann, RYT-500!\\n\\n\n\\nHarpinder is a yoga, meditation, mindfulness teacher, and decolonizing activist based in Los Angeles. She works with women of color who want to reclaim their power and intuition through the lens of a spiritual, joyful, and sustainable path. Her studies have spanned from reading the Japji Sahib since she was 3, to over 700 hours of yogic training within the traditions of Raja, Vinyasa, Kundalini, and Prenatal Yoga. \\nWe’re super excited to have her lead the beginning of the workshop. Afterwards, MyYogaTeacher yoga instructor, \\nTrupti Parikh\\n, will lead us in asanas, and a discussion session will follow.\\nAre you ready to experience a workshop where we solely focus on supporting and advocating for women’s health \\nwhile\\n improving our mental, emotional, and physical health?\\n\\nJoin us for the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop!\\n\\nTogether, we make a difference."},"category":["workshops"]},{"id":"cl8a9804vy5de0biznpg4ai2t","slug":"yoga-benefits-for-runners","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga For Runners : Why Runners Should Incorporate Yoga Into Their Training?","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Adopting an active yoga practice to complement your running routine can have tons of benefits! Read now to learn more","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-20T13:50:56.406936+00:00","coverUrl":"tbdacuzob0fuqml8dyjd.jpg","content":{"text":"Training for a big race? Setting some goals you want to crush before the year ends? No matter what your reasons, yoga can be a great way to cross train for running from a 5k to a marathon! Running is great for your heart and body but can also be a huge strain on the muscles. Having an active yoga practice to complement your running routine can have tons of benefits! Let’s dive into how yoga can help!\\n1. Breathing\\nProper breathing and breath stabilization are both incredibly important principles in Yoga and Running. If you can practice proper breathing while running, you can maintain speed longer because you will take long deeper breaths to match your long strides, instead of short breaths which cause instability and speed decline.\\nPracticing Pranayama for runners - \\nAdding a pranayama breath practice before a run can help you to maintain focus as well as speed. Even if running is a release for you, and feels relaxing, Using breathwork to relax and focus can help you clearly see the physical and mental road ahead. Pranayama can also help if things are going off course on your run. If you need to regain control, you can come back to your breath and refocus. With these practices together, your run really can be a religious experience, or a way to relieve stress! \\nTo start a pranayama practice, all you need to do is focus on controlling your inhale and exhale. Start by standing tall and relaxed, or sitting tall and calm if you prefer. Close your eyes and focus inward. Start by breathing in for two and out for two. As you continue to grow your practice, you can  build up to breathing in for six and out for six. You can even play with pausing for two to four breaths in between your inhale and exhale. When you finally build a practice you’re confident with, you can start to set intentions and visualize your success. With this practice, you’ll begin to see your running dreams come true!\\n\\n2. Flexibility/Strength\\nIt would be great if in life, we only ever needed to do one thing to get to our goals. But in reality,just like we can’t have cookies for every meal, cross training for runners is essential to maintaining a long term healthy routine. While you could easily just add weight training or stretching a la cart into your week, yoga gives you more by going deeper and getting into those smaller, harder to access ligaments and tendons you might otherwise miss with strength training . Adding yoga into your running routine can reduce the risk of injury and help to maintain your goals. The more flexible your muscles are, the less likely they are to tense up or be stressed during running so you can move with more confidence and ease. Not to mention, it’s always great to look forward to a nice long stretch after a run. \\n\n3. Conditioning \\nWe all know running is GREAT for your cardiovascular health, can add years on to your life and keep your heart pumping at its best! But it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a veteran, running can make your body sore. Yoga is great for conditioning those tired and fatigued muscles without having to “take a day off” to rest. In between your runs or on conditioning days, you can take a class focused on your back or knee health, or even a class to open tight hips after a long run. There’s nothing the magic of yoga can’t do! \\n\n4. Balance/Posture\\nEven though running is a “walk in the park” compared to ballet where balance is concerned, you still need to do your best to focus on alignment while you move.\\nYoga can improve your running form by elongating the limbs so you cover more ground in less time. You'll be PR’ing in no time! Proper alignment is also important when running because as you increase your speed, the level of impact (and injury) becomes greater. Maintaining your body's alignment during movement assures you arrive at the finish line aliment free! Love a tree pose? Want to learn to fly into a warrior? Lots of yoga poses force you to balance on one leg, which helps you to build a unilateral movement practice much like the ebbs and flows you take while running. \\n5. Stress and Mental Clarity\\nFeeling stressed before a big run? Worried about your PR? Yoga can help! Focus your breathing and set an intention. You’ve got this!\\nFocus and clarity are so important when running so you can know where you’re headed and stay on track. Add your yoga practice in before training or race days and you’ll feel your worries melt away. According to scientists at \\nHarvard,\\n adding just minutes of yoga to your week can improve your outlook, slow down the body and decrease stress. You’ll find your body will be more relaxed, focused and ready to run for those goals when you release your tension with yoga. \\nGetting started:\\nSo what do you need to get started? Simple! Yourself, a mat, some water and a quiet space are all you need! Are you ready to add yoga into your running routine? \\nGet started with a two week free trial of our classes and one on one sessions!\\n\\nLet’s figure out where your yoga practice would serve you best! \\nDoing yoga BEFORE your run will help you to warm up your muscles and ligaments. By fully warming up your body before you hit the pavement, you decrease the chances of injury, help with an easier recovery and can improve your PR as you continue to train! \\nBest Yoga Poses to practice before a run :\\nHigh Lunge - This pose stretches the legs from top of the thighs down to the ankle\\n\\nWarrior II - Helps with focus and stamina. Great before heading out!\\n\\nSide angle bend - This stretch helps to stretch the side body and release any tension in the shoulders and spine. \\n\\n⁠Prefer to do yoga after your run? That’s a great option too! Yoga is great for recovery after a run! Finishing your running routine with a yoga stretch helps you to rebalance. You can stretch muscles or limbs that became tight during your run and strengthen anything  that may have become fatigued. You can also refocus and deepen your breath to reset for the next part of your day. \\nBest Yoga Poses to practice after a run :\\nButterfly Pose - a basic hip opener to ease into your stretch\\n\\nHalf Pigeon - A great pose for multiple alignments! Working through the psoas and hip flexors. Make sure to practice on both sides.\\n\\nHappy Baby - This pose is great for finishing up your hip opener extension while giving a nice massage to the back and stretching the soles of the feet.\\n\\nWant to take a class? Try some of our favorite classes for runners!\\n\\nYoga for Strength and flexibility \\n\\n\\nYoga for Knee Pain\\n\\n\\nYoga for Back health\\n\\nReady to join us for class? \\nGet started with a free trial now! \\n\\nRemember, with a great training plan for your runs, and an ongoing yoga practice you’ll be ready to run to your greatest finish line feeling and looking your best! Just like peanut butter and jelly, yoga and running are great together!"},"category":["fitness","yoga"]},{"id":"cl81n0o6wh1g80ajz2gpco553","slug":"yoga-at-home","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"How to Start Doing Yoga at Home","subTitle":"Everything you need to know for an at-home yoga routine","seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Get a beginner’s guide to starting yoga at home with tips and suggestions for setting up your own practice, including online yoga classes and private lessons.","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Learn how to perform yoga at home with this quick and easy guide","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-14T13:07:13.39269+00:00","coverUrl":"cqivxw3vkrcihpumlny7.jpg","content":{"text":"There are lots of reasons for doing yoga at home instead of a yoga studio, some of which include distance, busy schedules, kids, financial concerns, and health issues. The good news is you can set up your own yoga practice at home, and still get all the benefits of a regular yoga routine — without the studio. It can also be a great way to integrate yoga into your life on a regular basis, and it’s easy to do in your own home.\\nCan Anyone do Yoga at Home?\\nAnyone can perform yoga at home, and you don’t have to be an advanced yogi to try. Even beginners can practice yoga in a home environment, all you need is adequate floor space, a few (optional) pieces of equipment, and guidelines for practicing the primary yoga poses. \\nIf you’re a beginner, it’s recommended to first learn from a certified yoga instructor, so you can progress with the proper technique and alignment to avoid injury. Thanks to online learning platforms like\\n MyYogaTeacher\\n, you can still practice yoga at home with the help of a qualified teacher.\\n11 Tips on How to Perform Yoga At Home\\nThe idea of starting a yoga practice in your very own living room can seem daunting or intimidating at first, especially if you’re accustomed to attending classes in a yoga studio. But with a little bit of preparation and creativity, you can set up your own yoga space and develop a mindful yoga routine that can benefit your life.\\nHere are some suggestions to help get you started:\\n1. Make Space in Your Home for Yoga\\nIt’s easy (and fun) to make your own yoga space, and you can design it as a temporary space or a dedicated one, depending on your needs. All you need is enough floor space to move around and stretch out the full length of your body — a little more than the length and width of your yoga mat. This can be your living or bedroom floor, your kitchen, or your backyard. Just make sure there isn’t any furniture or objects lying around that could get in your way or cause injury.\\n2. Decorate With Calming Accessories\\nYou can also create a comfortable and inviting space for yoga by hanging calming or inspiring artwork on the wall, lighting a candle or incense, and keeping a few house plants nearby for a pleasing atmosphere. The more you can tailor and dedicate your space for yoga, the easier it will be to motivate yourself to keep up a steady routine. Hanging a mirror in front of your practice space is also helpful in maintaining the correct alignment while performing postures.\\n3. Be Prepared With the Right Equipment\\n\\nYou’ll want to invest in a yoga mat, and it’s wise to also keep modifying props on hand — like blocks, bolsters, blankets, and a strap. If you’re just starting out and you’d like to improvise for props, you can use pillows, blankets, and other items around the house to suit your needs. Just make sure your props are sturdy, supportive, and nearby for when you need them.\\n4. Practice Regularly\\nThe best part about practicing yoga at home is it can be done any time you want. The challenge lies in your dedication and commitment to the practice even when your couch appears more inviting.\\n \\nAccording to this study\\n, it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to create a new habit. It’s important to be patient with yourself and identify guidelines for your practice that you can realistically follow through with. \\n5. Schedule Your Yoga Session\\nSet yourself up for success by committing to your yoga practice at a certain time of day, and for a specified number of days per week. It’s best to start out easy with goals that are achievable and progress as you gain momentum. For instance, if you’ve never been an early riser, don’t expect yourself to suddenly start practicing yoga at dawn. If that’s the case, try scheduling your yoga session for late morning, afternoon or evening, and keep your existing schedule in mind when planning a time that works for you.\\n6. Keep it Simple\\nRegardless of your experience or ability level, practicing yoga at home means watching out for your own safety. Make sure you have props handy for when you need them, and avoid overdoing it with strenuous poses. When it doubt, keep your routine simple. Even if you’re an advanced yogi, those basic, primary yoga poses are still an important part of a holistic yoga practice, and may be less likely to cause injury.\\n7. Listen to Your Body\\nThe best way to avoid getting hurt while practicing yoga at home is to listen to your body. If any posture causes you discomfort or pain, stop practicing it immediately — no matter how easy or difficult the pose. Don’t push yourself too hard, and remember to focus on your alignment. If you are unsure of how to execute a specific pose, try learning it from a certified instructor before performing it on your own at home.\\n8. Take an Online Yoga Class\\n\\nBy far the best way to practice yoga at home is with an online class. This way, you get all the benefits of doing yoga at home in your own time, with the added help of an instructor who can make sure you’re performing poses safely and effectively. You can find\\n \\nonline group classes\\n for every type of yoga at\\n \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n, with over 42 classes offered throughout the day. Private, 1-on-1 instructors are also available for at-home yoga, giving you plenty of options to get the right kind of training while still practicing in the comfort of your own home.\\n9. Squeeze in a Short Practice\\nThe beauty of an at-home yoga practice means you can squeeze in a quick session when you just have 20-30 minutes of time. Even short yoga routines are beneficial for your body and mind, and performing a few of the primary yoga poses on a daily basis will change your life for the better. Try incorporating the Sun Salutation flow series into your morning routine when you first get out of bed in the morning, or practicing some relaxing poses like Legs-Up-The-Wall or Savasana in the evening. \\n10. Switch it Up and Make it Fun\\nYoga doesn’t always have to be serious, and you can make your home yoga practice fun and spontaneous for you and your family. Practicing with your kids is a great way to help them learn mindfulness and self-awareness, while stretching and strengthening their growing bodies. You can also take your practice to the backyard to enjoy sunshine and good weather, or invite friends over to share in the experience. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!\\n11. End Every Practice With Savasana\\nWhen practicing yoga at home, it can be tempting to skip important parts of the journey due to time constraints, distractions, or disinterest. If there is one element of yoga you should never skip, it’s Savasana, or otherwise known as Corpse pose. Always end your practice with 5 minutes of relaxation to help your body integrate the routine. Keep a blanket nearby to warm your body after it has cooled down, and consider an eye pillow to help you relax. Your body and mind will thank you as you move on to the rest of your day, having given yourself the gift of healthy movement to better your life."},"category":["yoga","therapy"]}],"randomPosts":[{"id":"cl7zwz24chnlt0biyk8wtb0cj","slug":"start-hatha-yoga-practice","author":{"name":"Namrata Khandelwal","teacherMytSlug":"namrata-2","pictureUrl":"namrata-k-pro.jpg"},"title":"Interested in starting a Hatha yoga practice? 10 tips to get started!","createdAt":"2022-09-13T08:10:21.940734+00:00","coverUrl":"kwfhavtczeih1sjadbhk.jpg","content":{"text":"Are you new to yoga? Looking to develop a practice but don’t know what style or where to begin? Hatha yoga is a great choice for beginners looking to build a routine or veterans looking to deepen their practice of breathing and flexibility.\\nFirst things first, What is Hatha Yoga?\\nHatha yoga is a form of gentle yoga made up of poses and breath work and often starts or ends with a meditation. This type of practice can be challenging because in most traditional Hatha classes, poses are held for 30 seconds to a minute. \\nStyles of Hatha Yoga that we offer at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n:\\nHatha Yoga - This practice focuses separately on each asana. Focusing on connecting each asana with the breath and deepening each pose. This practice allows for breaks between poses and is more gentle and slow paced. \\nHatha Vinyasa - Known as a flow class, adding in the vinyasa makes the practice a little more fast paced. The poses are more linked together and the movement is connected to your breath work. \\nWhat are the benefits of a Hatha Yoga Practice?\\nThere are many benefits to building a hatha yoga practice. On the surface, for your physical health, hatha can increase flexibility, strength and balance!  Hatha is proven to fight signs of aging and  help with joint or muscle pain and improve blood flow!\\nWhen you turn your practice inward, it can also deepen your sleep and with the addition of the breathwork, your practice can also help you cope with anxiety or depression symptoms. \\nHatha is a great place to start your yoga journey because you can take your time to get familiar with the poses and learn to connect them to your breath.  It’s good for the body and the mind!\\nHere are 10 tips to get you started with a Hatha Yoga Practice:\\nKnow your why - Before you start to build your practice, it’s important to establish why you’re coming to your mat. Is your reason for physical health, mental health or maybe just to press pause on your day and breathe? Each flow can be personalized for whatever brings you to your mat each day.\\nBe a student! - Take a class with us so you can learn how to flow on your own. Sometimes before you fly solo, you need a co-captain. And if you never decide to fly on your own, we're happy to have you here with us! Our teachers are the best and we think you'll love their classes!\n⁠\n⁠Check out these three Hatha classes we love!\n⁠\\nHatha for Beginners\\n\n⁠\\nHatha Yoga Intermediate\\n\n⁠\\nHatha Vinyasa\\n\\nLearn to breath - In this practice, you'll be holding in poses and breathing into the space you create. The traditional breath practice for a hatha yoga class is\\n Ujjayi breathing\\n otherwise known as victorious breath. This breathing practice is often used in yoga because it forces you to slow down and focus on your breathing and its connection to your movement. \\nChoose your asasas - While Hatha is usually a gentle practice, there is no right or wrong way to build your Hatha flow. The goal is just to focus and move your body! All you need is a minimum of three to five poses to get started! Start by reviewing the poses you know and then when you’re ready, add more as you grow.\\nPractice your pause - once you know what asanas you’d like to practice, grab a stopwatch! Work on holding each pose for 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then a minute. Don’t forget to breathe into it. And if you can, try to find space and deepen into each pose as you practice more. \\nFind a way to beat the mental fatigue - Don’t give in to the voice in your head that says you can’t do this.  Holding the poses can be difficult at first. Have a little grace and try your best not to give up. Practice your mantras to keep you going. Our favorite? Your stronger than you think!\\nBuild a meditation practice - When building a meditation practice, it’s important to figure out what you need from it. Do you need mantras to help you keep going? Do you need to visual what's coming? Or do you need to focus inward on your breath and the current moment. Remember, there’s no wrong answer. Play with this practice. Add it to the beginning, then the end and see where it serves you. Can’t settle in for quiet reflection? Try journaling instead. \\nBe benevolent to yourself - In Hatha yoga, one of the most important practices is the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) this means do no harm to yourself or to others Try to go through your life being kind to yourself on and off your mat. For more on this practice, check out \\nthis article\\n by Yogauonline\\nRead the text- Like a lot of Yoga, hatha isn’t just based on a movement practice. In fact, there are two connected texts to teach you the foundations of this practice. \\nHatha Yoga Pradipika \\n- a 15th century Sanskrit manual on the practice and style. \\nSiva Samhita\\n - from the hindu perspective breaking “yoga” the practice, down into five parts.\\nTrack the progress of your practice - Once you’ve developed your practice, there is no ‘ end' in yoga, we can only keep coming back to deepen or extend our practice. That’s why it’s a “practice” because there is no perfect. You can always adjust. Some days you’ll need more, some days less. But all the days…you'll need yoga. \\nFive poses to get started with Hatha Yoga:\\n1. Childs Pose\\nFocus on your third eye here. Move your head from right to left to massage your forehead.\\n\\n\n2. Cat Pose\\nBreath into your spine as you arch your back away from the floor. Relax your neck.\\n\\n\\n3. Down Dog\\nFocus on lengthening your heels into the floor and pushing your hips towards the back of the room. \\n\\n\\n4. Forward Fold\\nSurrender into this pose. Reach your palms towards the floor and deepen your stretch with every exhale.\\n\\n\\n5. Savasana\\nRelax your entire body into the ground. Release all the tension and slow your breath. \\n\\n\nNow that you have the tools you need, you’re ready to go! Find where your practice fits best and get ready to feel relaxed and enlightened! If you’re doing hatha for physical health, try adding the practice in after another workout or at the end of your day. \\nLooking  to build a practice for relaxation or to wind down from your anxiety? Try starting your day with practice and a cup of green tea! \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n has tons of options available to you! See you on your mat! "}},{"id":"cl74q8m3iwlv50cijtnuiw52q","slug":"trip-to-goa-oct-2022","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Trip with your teacher to Goa, India - You’re Invited!","createdAt":"2022-08-22T12:20:58.970314+00:00","coverUrl":"oim4tptrrd9ajzzgnpen.jpg","content":{"text":"Want to hang out with your yoga teacher in India? \\nEmail \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to begin the registration process. If you sign up before September 2nd, you’ll get a discounted hotel rate!\\nArticle Outline\\nTeacher Get-Together:\\n October 14-16, 2022\\nEvent Location\\n7-day Immersion Retreat:\\n October 16-22, 2022\\n3-day Immersion Retreat:\\n October 16-18, 2022\\nPricing\\nHow to Register and Join\\nOctober 14th - 16th 2022, MyYogaTeacher is hosting our annual Teacher Get-Together!\\nAt the Teacher Get-Together, we’ll do yoga, dance, have delicious meals together, go on outings like town tours, and play games together.\\nThe last few years have been a lot of fun – this year will be too! We hope you join us!\\n\\nTeacher Get-Together, schedule of activities\\n\\n\\nNote:\\n \\nat some points the teachers will be in private training sessions, but you’ll have plenty of great ways to spend that time with family and other guests.\\nEvent Location\\nWe will be staying at an incredible 4.5-star resort (picture below) -\\n The Zuri White Sands - click here to see more about the resort.\\n (costs shown in the pricing section below)\\n\\nThe Teacher Get-Together is in \\nGoa, it's a beautiful beach and resort town\\n on the south-west coast of India. You can \\nclick here to see some pictures of the area\\n.\\nThis resort is seriously incredible. You’ll be very comfortable, and we’ll all be staying here together!\\n7-Day Immersion Retreat\\nThis is a chance to completely immerse yourself in yoga at a beautiful resort on the beaches of Goa!\\nIn the 7-Day Immersion Retreat you will dive deeper into your yoga practice – learn pranayama, meditation techniques, have Q&A sessions with your teachers, and learn more about Yogic Philosophy.\\nThe retreat is optional - you can still join the Teacher Get-Together even if you don’t want to join the Immersion Retreat.\\n\\n7-Day Immersion Retreat Schedule\\n\\n\\nRetreat costs shown in the pricing section below\\n3-Day Immersion Retreat\\nThis is a chance to immerse yourself in yoga at a beautiful resort on the beaches of Goa!\\nThe 3-Day Immersion Retreat is a shorter version of the 7-Day Immersion Retreat. Actually, it’s the first 3-days of the 7-Day Retreat. So you will be practicing with other fun yogis! \\nIn this retreat you will dive deeper into your yoga practice – learn pranayama, meditation techniques, have Q&A sessions with your teachers, and learn more about Yogic Philosophy.\\nThe retreat is optional - you can still join the Teacher Get-Together even if you don’t want to join the Immersion Retreat.\\n\\n3-Day Immersion Retreat Schedule\\n\\n\\nRetreat costs shown in the pricing section below\\nPricing\\nTeacher Get Together = free!\\n So come and join us!\\nThe Zuri Resort \\n(includes food & accomodation) = $180 per room per night if you register before Sep 2nd.\n⁠We expect the price to go up by about 10 - 20% after Sep 2nd. \\n(we will help book this and negotiate the best rate for you)\n⁠\\nAfter Sep 15th, we can’t guarantee you a room at The Zuri with us, you may have to stay at a nearby resort.\\n7-Day Immersion Retreat\\n rate = $1,000\\n3-Day Immersion Retreat\\n rate = $500\\nAir Fare\\n = about $1,500 estimated round trip cost from US to Goa (organized and booked by you)\n⁠\n\\n⁠Shuttle to and from the Goa Airport to The Zuri resort = free!\\n We want to give you a hassle free experience when you land in Goa with us\\nHow to Register and Join\\nYou can reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to register.\\nAfter you email care@myyogateacher.com:\\n we will help you book the resort (includes food & accommodation) and shuttle to and from the airport. We will also help you understand the exact pricing for what you want (depending on the length of your stay and if you join the Immersion Retreat).\\nI hope you join us! It will be a beautiful and fun experience where you make a lot of great memories.\\nAnd of course, if you have any questions – just email us at \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n\\nNote:\\n We will not be able to help with booking your flights directly. But if you need it, we can put you in contact with a travel agent.\\nLooking forward to seeing you in Goa!"}},{"id":"ckton7v4wgvq10d35v148w3zn","slug":"yoga-for-postnasal-drip","author":{"name":"Neelmani","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"5 Yoga Moves For Post Nasal Drip Relief","createdAt":"2021-09-17T17:35:56.307081+00:00","coverUrl":"alulueimz6jojr7vmxrs.jpg","content":{"text":"You’ve probably experienced post nasal drip.\\nEven if you didn’t know what it was, most everyone can relate to the discomfort that comes from excessive sinus drainage and sinus problems. \\nThe sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, the cough. That wooshing sound you may hear in your ears that seems to match the beat of your heart. And of course, who can miss the drippy nose and disrupted sense of smell?\\nYep. That’s post nasal congestion...dripping down post nasal drip into lungs and even stomach.\\nPost nasal drip can be a problem for a number of reasons, which we’ll discuss, but there is something you can do about it without reverting to over-the-counter or prescription medications.\\nYou guessed it! Yoga! Yoga and \\nyogic breathing\\n is great for relief of post nasal drip\n\\nThis is why I really wanted to start my class, \\nTherapeutic Yoga for Asthma and Sinus\\n on My Yoga Teacher! Because sinus drainage and breathing issues are a problem for so many people for so many reasons, and yoga can help.\\n[CTA-NASAL]\\nLet’s talk about how yoga helps with post nasal drip and sinus issues.\\nWhere does post nasal drip come from?\\nBelieve it or not, you don’t have to be sick to have post nasal drip. Sinus drainage is constantly happening in your body. Sometimes, though, your body produces too much mucus and the result of that is post nasal drip that causes problems.\\nIf you’re experiencing issues such as a consistent sore throat (that can be just as painful or more so than Strep throat), swollen and sore lymph nodes under your chin and in your neck, a persistent, nagging cough, constant runny nose, or any combination of these, you probably have post nasal drip.\\nHere are a few reasons your body may be producing too much mucus, resulting in your discomfort.\\n>> Sinus infections\\n>> Allergies\\n>> Common Cold\\n>> Cold temperatures\\n>> Dry air\\n>> Hormonal changes\\n>> Certain foods\\n>> Chemical irritants\\nThese are the most common reasons for excessive sinus drainage. The good news is that yoga for post nasal drainage is an actual thing, and a reality in my class on \\nMy Yoga Teacher\\n!\\n5 Yoga poses to relieve post nasal drainage\\nWe cover all of these in my class, but I want you to have some yoga poses in your holistic “medicine cabinet” to help you when you’re in a crunch and can’t take a full yoga class! \\nYoga poses that help with sinus drainage are typically like the ones below. They give you a gentle inversion, increase lung capacity, and help drain the lymphatic system.\\n1. Downward Facing Dog\\nPoses that require you to be upside down help release built-up sinus pressure and improve the flow of lymphatic fluid. \\n\\n\\n\n2. Bridge Pose\\nBridge pose opens up your chest and throat and helps relieve sinus pressure and allergies. If needed, you can place a block under your hips.\\n\\n\\n\n3. Fish Pose\\nThis is an extension of bridge pose, as it increases that stretch in the chest, opens the throat even more, and releases that fluid build up in your sinuses.\\n\\n\\n\n4. Camel Pose\\nThis is another pose you can practice to get relief from nasal congestion due to any number of things. Camel pose, similar to bridge and fish pose, is a bit chest opener. With the gentle backward drop of your head, it also relieves sinus congestion.\\n\\n\\n\\n5. Child's Pose\\nThe importance of child’s pose for this article is to stress that the forehead make it to the floor or ground. This is a very gentle inversion and gently rocking your forehead side to side on the floor will release pressure and fluid build up.\\n\\n\nWhile yoga for sinus drainage discomfort is helpful, yoga isn’t the only way to help cure post nasal drip swollen lymph nodes and sinus problems.\\n\\nYogic breathing for post nasal drip and sinus issues\\nThis may sound counterintuitive, but breath work helps alleviate post nasal drip swollen lymph nodes and sinus drainage.\\nIf you’re all stuffed up, I get that the last thing you want to think about is trying to take a deep breath through your nose, but \\nalternate nostril breathing\\n is the best thing for you!\\nWe’ve talked about \\nalternate nostril breathing\\n (also called Nadi Shodhana) before in \\nHow Yogic Breathing Helps Asthmatics\\n, but I definitely want to mention it again since this specific form of yogic breathing helps relieve sinus congestion and post nasal drip!\\nIf you need a refresher on how it works, here are some simple steps. Have a tissue handy though! You’ll need it.\\n>> Sit comfortably and fully upright. Place your first and second fingers of your dominant hand on your forehead.\\n>> Gently place your thumb on your right nostril and your ring finger on your left nostril (if you’re right handed, the opposite if you’re left handed)\\n>> Close the nostril that your thumb is on and inhale slowly and deeply through the opposite nostril.\\n>> Hold your breath for a count of 10 and close the nostril your ring finger is resting on and release the one your thumb is closing to slowly release the breath.\\n>> Inhale through the nostril you just released your last breath from and repeat this process.\\nBe sure to breathe into your belly, also known as belly breathing. Repeat this for as long as you can, preferably 5 minutes or longer. When you’re finished, release both nostrils and take a few deep breaths before returning to normal breathing.\\nThis yogic breathing for sinus drainage takes some patience and some practice, but stick with it and you’ll be breathing better in no time!\\nIf you need some guidance on how to use yoga to help relieve post nasal congestion and sinus pressure, we’d love to have you in my class, \\nTherapeutic Yoga for Asthma and Sinus\\n! We practice breathing and poses, including the ones above, that help strengthen the lungs, cleanse your lymphatic system, and reduce or eliminate sinus pressure and congestion!\\nMy Yoga Teacher is the perfect platform for busy people. A large variety of classes are available to our members, taught live at various times of day and night by expert yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! "}}],"relatedPosts":[{"id":"ckfqxn9ao013k0136vj4w0am0","slug":"teaching-as-a-learning-experience","author":{"name":"Pranjal","teacherMytSlug":"pranjal-1","pictureUrl":"pranjal-1.jpg"},"title":"Teaching as a Learning Experience","createdAt":"2019-04-17T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"pranjal-1.jpg","content":{"text":"Recently, one of my friends asked me “You \\npractice yoga\\n, how has it changed your life?” However, how could I know what changed when I can’t remember a time when I didn’t practice yoga? \\n\\nI was very hyperactive as a child so my parents encouraged me to play sports and other physical activities. It was my grandmother who got me to start practicing yoga. \\n\\nMy grandmother was my first guru. \\n\\nSince then I have fallen in love with practicing yoga. It makes my body feel alive and my mind refreshed. If some days I am not able to practice, it makes me restless. So, this is where my yoga journey started, almost 20 years ago, under the gentle and encouraging guidance of my grandmother. \\n\\nI loved yoga and playing all sorts of sports. So, in school I was always participating in competitions. My love for yoga kept increasing. When the time came to decide what I was going to do after I graduated high school, I had only one thing in mind: I wanted to be a yoga teacher. But back then, yoga was not booming as it is now. My parents encouraged me to look at other interests which could help me earn. I was (and still am) interested in wildlife so I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Biodiversity. I continued practicing yoga and I thought I could teach it as a hobby - if not take it up as a career. \\n\\nDuring the summer break, I attended a fitness instructor course which got me a part time job at a gym. During my final year of my Bachelor's, one of my clients at the gym asked if I practiced yoga as she thought I was very good at teaching her different stretches. She then asked me if I could start yoga classes at the gym. \\n\\nI was overwhelmed. \\n\\nI had never thought that I would get to live my dream of becoming a yoga teacher! I was extremely nervous and scared as I had never talked in front of so many people! Let alone teach them anything! Also, I was only 20 years old and all my students were above 40 years of age - which was intimidating. What if no one listened to me? What if no one liked how I was teaching? What if someone was injured because I gave the wrong instructions? These were the questions running through my mind. \\n\\nMy parents, the gym manager, and the clients each encouraged me to at least give it a try. So, I decided to teach a trial class. Only 5 people enrolled that day but even that was too much for me! On the day of the class, I was up early reading up about each asana and the sequence I had chosen. When I started teaching, even though I was nervous the entire time, I was surprisingly confident. I found out that I was learning quite a lot in the process of teaching! The people who came for the class were kind and encouraged me to keep teaching, saying they would attend my classes every week. \\n\\nAt first, teaching was terrifying.\\n\\nI painstakingly planned out entire classes, posture by posture. I practiced explaining how to get in and out of poses. I searched for hours on end until I came up with a theme or focus for my classes that I truly felt inspired by. I researched answers to potential questions from students. It was time consuming but the effort was rewarding. It never felt like work. Teaching yoga gave me a sense of satisfaction and happiness that I had never experienced before. To advance my knowledge in yoga and to get a formal certificate as a yoga teacher, I completed a Yoga Instructor Course from SVYASA University, Bangalore. This opened so many opportunities for me. \\n\\nI started conducting classes at the yoga center at a very reputable hospital in Pune. Here, I conducted sessions for doctors and hospital staff. Many of my students were doctors and knew much more about the human body than I did. They gave me feedback to improve my anatomical cues for my classes. \\n\\nI went back to my yoga school to teach yoga to kids. Teaching yoga and other sports to kids was a very rewarding experience. This made me realize the importance of yoga for improving overall health and sports performance. \\n\\nI got the opportunity to teach yoga and fitness to table tennis players who take part in competitions at state and national levels. My training has helped them improve their strength, flexibility and their game. \\n\\nI conducted two sessions on yoga for Workplace Stress Management at the Amazon office in Pune. Here I taught corporate employees how to manage and relieve stress with easy asanas, breathing and meditation which could be done at their desks. I taught two \\nonline yoga \\nsessions at the College of Charleston, USA as a part of the curriculum for Indian Culture. \\n\\nI now have 7 years of yoga teaching experience. \\n\\nI have experienced the benefits of yoga and I want to pass that on to as many people as I can. My classes have been a wonderful learning experience for me as a teacher and as an individual. They helped me to overcome my fear of public speaking, improve my communication skills and develop networking skills. I think these are essential for people in all walks of life. \\n\\nJust as my personal practice gave me the confidence to be who I am, teaching made me realize that confidence is very different from the confidence you need when teaching others. My experience has helped me gain that confidence over the years and I have reached a point where I can confidently teach a class of at least 30 students comfortably. I always want to keep learning and during my Master’s I found out that I like doing research. I have decided to pursue a degree in Exercise and Fitness research. I want to get into research about yoga so that what I teach will have scientific backing and not just ancient wisdom. \\n\\nYoga has opened up so many opportunities for me and I hope to keep on growing and learning. You too can take a similar journey and find out how yoga can change your life. By taking an online class at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n with a certified instructor, you can \\nstart your personal practice in your very own space\\n and experience all the wonderful benefits of yoga. "}},{"id":"cl7j9tdhd5fwx0ak7iw7szivc","slug":"what-is-ayurveda-yoga","author":{"name":"Shelly","teacherMytSlug":"shelly-1","pictureUrl":"shelly.jpg"},"title":"What is Ayurveda? How can Ayurveda enhance your Yoga practice ?","createdAt":"2022-09-01T16:37:46.744669+00:00","coverUrl":"lyb6uylxsv5tlqxhezb6.jpg","content":{"text":"What is Ayurveda?\\nIn Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “science of life”\\nAyurveda is one of the oldest known medical practices with roots based in India. It’s an alternative type of medicine that believes in using herbs and lifestyle changes for a healthier and more well balanced life. Ayurveda can truly add years to your life even when you’re suffering from major illnesses like cancer or diabetes. Unlike western medicine that loops us all in together, the practice looks at each person separately & helps to find what your body needs to aid in wellness. For example, an Ayurveda practice can ward off the effects of chemo for someone going through cancer treatments. \\nAyurveda is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population report using it. It has survived thousands of years and political values and is currently making its way into western medical practices. \\n\\nWhy should you practice Ayurveda?\\nAyurveda is completely individualized. It believes each person is born with their own health constitution.\\nAyurveda can improve the quality of your daily and overall  life. Just like yoga, Ayurveda is practical for your daily routine because it starts with the routines of your everyday health like a balanced diet, sleep patterns, setting a routine and getting in your vitamins. If you become sick, it targets the root of the issue, not the symptoms. So you can become rebalanced more effectively. \\nAccording to \\nJohn Hopkins\\n, Ayurveda is important because:  “Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person's consciousness, Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.”\\n\\nSo how does Ayurveda connect to Yoga?\\nIt is often said that “Ayurveda is considered yoga’s sister science”  Like yoga, Ayurveda uses the same style practices like postures, breathing, mantras and meditation. While some people use yoga to treat physical ailments or mental fatigue, Ayurveda also uses herbal formulas and oils.  Also, just as there are 8 limbs of yoga, there are 8 branches of Ayurveda. The practices are like paternal twins!\\nIn Ayurveda, it is believed that each body has a constitution that falls under three main dosha types. Your constitution will help you discover more about yourself as well as the best kind of yoga for your body and mental health. \\nThe Type of practice that balances each Dosha are as follows: \\nVata - Calming and grounded. Try a \\nrestorative\\n or \\ngentle\\n class. \\nKapa - Stimulating and warm. Try a \\nvinyasa\\n class. \\nPitta - Assertive and intense. Try a \\npower\\n class or \\nashtanga\\n class. \\nWant to know yours? \\nTake this quiz!\\n\n⁠Once you know your dosha, you can find the best asanas for your practice! \\nHow can Ayurveda enhance your Yoga practice\\nYoga and Ayurveda practices are intertwined like tree branches. Quite frankly, connecting the two will create ultimate peace in your life and body.\\nIn the words of Dr. David Frawley, esteemed scholar of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies:\\n“Using Ayurveda along with Yoga helps us gain complete harmony and balance in body and mind so that we can discover our true self that is one with all. All Yoga teachers should learn the fundamentals of Ayurveda and all Yoga students should seek Ayurvedic guidance to enhance their Yoga practice.” For yoga teachers or those who practice often, it tends to be a lot on our bodies. An Ayurveda practice can help with muscle fatigue, burn out, dehydration and sleep issues.\\nBe Intentional about your “self care”\\nWe can be so focused on the culture of “self care” in our modern lives. We think an expensive coffee or a trip to the salon is what we need for “self care” but if you can be as intentional about your self care practice as you are about your yoga practice, thata Ayurveda. It can be as simple as realizing your body is tired and getting a massage or drinking more water to keep yourself hydrated on a long day. Tuning in to what you need, just like when you set an intention in yoga will help you to achieve a more balanced, happy and healthier life. \\n\\nWhat Yoga Classes pair best with an Ayurveda practice?\\n\\nPranayama and Meditation \\n\\nA pranayama class is great to pair with Ayurveda because pranayama is the science of “self healing” through the breath. It’s an essential part of both a yoga practice and an Ayurveda routine because it promotes physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. \\n\\nAshtanga Yoga\\n\\nAshtanga is a great choice because it forces the yogi to focus on your nervous system. It makes you check in & notice how your body feels and what may be imbalanced. When you discover what’s bothering you, you can apply Ayurvedic techniques to the aliment. \\n\\nKundalini Yoga\\n \\nNo matter what your dosha, kundalini fits all Aryuvedic constitutions. This practice will help you be intentional, set a mantra and meditate. \\n\\nHatha Yoga \\n \\nHatha is actually considered one of the “ Ayurvedic healing modalities. The asanas help all dosha’s to properly align both physically and mentally. \\nNeed help getting started? We’ve got you covered!\\n\\nHere, read about the diet and how to start eating for optimal health.\\n\\nWant to speak with a professional to see if Ayurveda is right for you? \\nContact our staff practitioner! \\n\\nThere’s no time like now to align your practices! If you’re interested in starting an Ayurvedic practice to pair with your yoga practice, all you need to do is look within. Be intentional and listen to your body! It’s had the answers all along! "}},{"id":"ckoa1aav4qv5a0b63w9h2eb4j","slug":"yoga-101-what-is-yoga","author":{"name":"My Yoga Teacher","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Yoga 101: What Is Yoga? Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Started","createdAt":"2021-05-04T12:54:40.207865+00:00","coverUrl":"ozfwdauigdcdmkiwkeqs.png","content":{"text":"What Is Yoga?\\nYoga is an approach to physical and mental health and wellbeing that has been around for thousands of years. According to Sadhguru, the word \"yoga\" means \"that which brings you to reality.\" Taken literally, the word means \"union.\" Many take this to mean a \"union of the body and mind.\" Some might add \"spirit\" to the mix.\\n\\nThe word comes from the Sanskrit root word \"yuj,\" which means \"union,\" \"integration,\" or \"wholeness.\"\\n\\nThere are more than 300 million people in the world who practice yoga, according to the Yogi Times and the Economic Times. And roughly half of that number is yoga practitioners from India, but more and more people around the world are coming to yoga for various reasons, including 36 million people in the United States who make yoga a nearly $12 billion industry in the country (Statista). In this Yoga 101 article, you'll learn more about the practice of yoga, different yoga paths and styles, and the benefits of yoga.\\n\\nTo get the best possible understanding of yoga, we encourage you to \\nsign up for a free two-week of myYogaTeacher\\n. Once inside, you'll have two weeks to try more than 35 live online yoga classes every single day from Indian teachers who have a comprehensive understanding of the entire yoga practice. We even offer a \\nYoga 101 class\\n that you'll probably enjoy if you're here reading this article!\\n\\nPaths of Yoga\\n\\n\\nYoga philosophy\\n tells us that the cause of our suffering is a disconnection from our true self. That's why Vedanta offers four yoga paths to help us reconnect with our true selves. Let's take a look at these four paths of yoga: Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja.\\n\\nBhakti Yoga (Devotion)\\nBhakti yoga is the path of yoga built on self-realization through devotion. It's typically practiced through kirtans or bhajans (devotional chants) and helps practitioners work through intense emotions by focusing on the divine being.\\nBhakti yoga is all about prayer, worship, and ritual that gets the practitioners closer to the spirit, letting the ego and desire go.\\n\\nJnana Yoga (Knowledge and Wisdom)\\nJnana comes from the Sanskrit for \"knowledge.\" This is the path of intellect and wisdom and involves the study of sacred texts as well as contemplation and self-analysis. Those practicing Jnana are seeking to break through illusion to find the true meaning of life.\\n\\nJnana yoga is called the \"science of the self,\" by Swami Sivananda and the philosophy of Vedanta teaches self-inquiry to discover your true nature.\\n\\nKarma Yoga (Selfless Service)\\nKarma means \"action.\" Through Karma yoga, we learn to be kind and compassionate without expecting anything—even kindness and compassion—in return. Karma yoga is practiced through any acts of service when you put others’ needs before your own and feel grounded during these acts.\\n\\nThis practice is \"work as worship,\" cosmic love and tolerance when we act without expectation of personal gain. It is seen as liberating, through selfless service we free ourselves from karmic bonds and find peace.\\n\\nRaja Yoga (Meditation)\\nThe fourth path of yoga we're going to talk about is Raja yoga. Raja means \"royalty\" or \"kind\" in Sanskrit and balances the three other paths (Bhakti, Jnana, and Karma) to help you find inner peace and self-awareness. While asanas and pranayamas are integral to Raja, the main practice is silent \\nmeditation\\n.\\n\\nThis type of yoga is also known as Ashtanga because the practice can be divided into \\neight limbs\\n:\\nYamas, or ethical standards: Ahimsa (non-violence), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), Aparigraha (non-attachment), and Satya (truthfulness)\\nNiyamas, or self-discipline: Saucha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (austerity), Svadhyaya (study), Isvara Pranidhana (surrender)\\nAsana: the postures practiced in yoga\\nPranayama: breath control\\nPratyahara: internal awareness\\nDharana: concentration\\nDhyana: meditation\\nSamadhi: fulfillment, joy, ecstasy\\nStyles of Yoga\\n\\nNow that you have a better understanding of the paths of yoga, let's turn our attention to the styles of yoga that you might find in any yoga studio. Styles of yoga range quite a bit, from power yoga and other demanding classes, to gentle yoga, and more meditative classes.\\n\\nSome of the styles of yoga have a yoga lineage (like Kriya, Hatha, Ashtanga, and others), but yoga lineage has become less important to practitioners as yoga becomes more readily available to different cultures and people around the world.\\n\\nThis is by no means a complete list of the different styles of yoga. Inside \\nmyYogaTeacher\\n, you'll also find offerings like gentle yoga, chair yoga, and therapeutic yoga for things like thyroid, \\ndiabetes\\n, and more.\\n\\nKriya Yoga\\nKriya yoga is an ancient practice that includes pranayama and meditation. Swami Paramahansa Yogananda is the guru known for bringing Kriya yoga to the Western world. This style of yoga uses meditation to lead practitioners to spirituality.\\n\\nHatha Yoga\\nHatha yoga is a broad term that encompasses yoga styles using asanas (poses). \\nHatha classes\\n tend to be slower-paced and train practitioners to regulate their breath and meditate while in poses. It's truly a \"moving meditation.\"\\n\\nVinyasa Yoga\\nVinyasa yoga uses movement and breath, similar to Hatha. However, \\nVinyasa\\n tends to be a faster pace and flows through asanas rather than holding them. It's a physically demanding practice without a set structure.\\n\\nAshtanga Yoga\\nAshtanga yoga is another physically demanding style of yoga that helps increase flexibility, as well as build strength and stamina. With Ashtanga, practitioners work through the same series of poses every time.\\n\\nIyengar Yoga\\nIyengar yoga was created by B.K.S. Iyengar in the 1960s. This style of yoga focuses on precise movements and alignment. Poses are generally held for a long time and props are used to help practitioners perfect their form or get deeper into poses.\\n\\nKundalini Yoga\\n\\nKundalini yoga\\n is a spiritual and physical yoga practice designed to release the energy trapped in the lower spine. This style of yoga uses fast-paced postures and breathing, chanting, mantra, and meditation. It was introduced in the West during the 1970s by Yogi Bhajan.\\n\\nBikram Yoga\\nBikram yoga is often called \"hot yoga\" since it is practiced in a humid, heated room (105º and 40% humidity). It's named after Bikram Choudhury and includes a series of 26 postures, performed twice, in a fast flow. It's a challenging practice that improves endurance and flexibility. As more and more practitioners try to distance themselves from the style's founder, you'll find a deviation from the series of postures as well as room temperatures and humidity.\\n\\nYin Yoga\\nYin yoga focuses on seated postures held for long periods of time. It's a slower-paced style of yoga and can be quite meditative. Poses are generally held from 45 seconds to two minutes.\\n\\nPower Yoga\\nThere are several different forms of \\npower yoga\\n but it's always intense and fast-paced. It combines flexibility, strength, concentration, and breathwork into a flowing style and was originally created for athletes.\\n\\nRestorative Yoga\\nOn the opposite end of the yoga spectrum from power yoga is restorative yoga. This style of yoga focuses on body relaxation and freeing your mind. It borrows pieces from several other yoga styles. Like Iyengar, \\nrestorative yoga\\n practice encourages the use of props to encourage complete relaxation through body support. Like Yin, the poses in restorative yoga are held for a long time (though much longer than in Yin).\\n\\nBenefits of Yoga\\nSo far, we've covered the paths of yoga as well as several different styles of yoga. But you may be wondering why you'd practice yoga in the first place.\\n\\nThere have been so many scientific studies about the practice of yoga and its benefits. Those benefits range from physical to mental to emotional. Here are some of the benefits you can expect.\\nBetter posture. Yoga postures can help strengthen shoulder and back muscles. That strength then leads to better posture.\\nImproved flexibility and mobility through a combination of active movement and held stretches.\\nIncreased strength. Yoga isn't easy. Many of the poses \\nchallenge muscles\\n in the legs, shoulders, and core.\\nCardiovascular strength and endurance. Several yoga styles can improve your cardio through movement and flowing poses that increase the heart rate.\\nBetter brain function and stress management. Many styles of yoga include meditation that has been shown to calm the mind, relieve stress and tension, improve concentration, and stabilize mood. The addition of Mudras (hand positions) and Pranayama, or controlled breathing, only heightens those positive effects.\\nWrapping Up\\nBy now, you should have a much better understanding of what yoga is, the paths and styles of yoga, as well as which forms of yoga you might want to check out. To gain access to different styles of yoga, we invite you to \\nsign up for a free two-week trial of myYogaTeacher\\n where you'll find 35+ live online yoga classes of various styles every single day to choose from."}}],"blogContent":{"id":"ckok5nb2024t70b67ztls85u7","slug":"what-is-kundalini-yoga","author":{"name":"My Yoga Teacher","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"What Is Kundalini Yoga: Awaken Your Life Energy for Self-Realization","createdAt":"2021-05-11T14:54:27.034481+00:00","updatedAt":"2022-05-17T11:40:07.07114+00:00","coverUrl":"eruhm7089a6kndlklogz.png","seoDescription":"Kundalini yoga may not be as familiar to you as some other types. Learn what kundalini yoga is and what you can expect from this type of class.","content":{"text":"What Is Kundalini Yoga?\\nKundalini yoga is a combination of Bhakti, Shakti, and Raja yoga. Through Kundalini yoga, practitioners seek to awaken kundalini energy through breathing exercises, mantras, meditation, and physical postures.\\n\\nThere are several different types of yoga that range in intensity from the very gentle poses of restorative yoga to the blood-pumping movements of power yoga. Kundalini is a balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. It emphasizes rising energy that starts at the root chakra and moves slowly up through all seven chakras to increase prana and create conditions for the energy to exit through the crown of the head and produce a Kundalini awakening (a feeling of euphoric release or bliss that leads to self-realization).\\n\\nA Brief History of Kundalini Yoga\\nThe origin of \\nKundalini Yoga\\n is unknown, but Kundalini philosophy is found in the Upanishads which are ancient Vedic texts dating back at least 2,500 years. Kundalini was introduced in the West in 1968 by Yogi Bhajan from the Punjab region and it's most often associated with him.\\n\\nKundalini comes from the Sanskrit term \\nkundal\\n which means \"circular\" or \"coiled.\" This yoga practice teaches us that life energy lies at your root chakra (the base of your spine), and is there, coiled like a snake, waiting to be awakened.\\n\\nWhen you \\npractice Kundalini\\n, you can awaken this energy through breathing, mantras, mudras, and physical movement, moving the energy through your \\nseven chakras\\n until it is released at the crown chakra (your head):\\n\\nThe release of this life energy is said to promote awakening, enlightenment, and balance.\\n\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nWhat Are the Benefits of Kundalini Yoga?\\nKundalini Yoga benefits are both anecdotal and science-backed. Here are the four benefits of Kundalini Yoga that we're most excited about.\\n\\n1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety\\nA \\n2017 study\\n found that Kundalini may offer immediate stress release and may even be helpful for conditions that are linked to high stress like cardiovascular disease and insomnia. The study looked at a small group of middle-aged women who experienced lower blood pressure and reduced stress after practicing. Additionally, the findings of a \\n2018 study\\n suggest that Kundalini Yoga may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.\\n\\n2. Improve Emotional Wellbeing\\nKundalini Yoga can increase hormone production in your brain, balancing your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and producing a feeling of elation.\\n\\nEnhance Cognitive Function\\nAnother Kundalini yoga benefit is enhanced memory and focus through improved blood flow to your brain. According to a \\n2017 study\\n, older adults were able to improve memory and executive function through the practice of Kundalini.\\n\\nImprove Respiratory Health\\nKundalini can also help increase lung capacity and improve overall respiratory health based on \\nresearch\\n into yogic breathing techniques.\\n\\nKey Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\\nKundalini Yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. This secretive practice was brought into the spotlight by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960s. Since then, the practice hasn't quite reached the popularity of other types of yoga, like Hatha and \\nVinyasa\\n, but it has seen a surge in popularity. If you're wondering what to expect from this increasingly popular yoga practice, there are four key characteristics that all Kundalini Yoga classes have.\\n\\nMantra\\nMantra is considered a \"quantum technology\" in Kundalini Yoga. The mantras as designed to be repeated aloud and each mantra has its own vibratory frequency. Mantras in Kundalini are generally spoken in Gurmukhi, an ancient Sikh language. The good news is that you don't have to actually understand the language for the frequency to do its job on you.\\n\\nOne of the more common mantras used in Kundalini Yoga is Sat Nam, meaning \"I am truth.\"\\n\\nPranayama\\nPranayama is known as breath control or breathwork and is a vital component of Kundalini. Breath is seen as life energy and in Kundalini, certain \\nbreathing techniques\\n are tied to different Kriyas to maximize the benefits of the movement.\\n\\nKriyas\\nA Kriya is a grouping of sound, breath, and posture design to alter the state of the body and mind. There are said to be thousands of different Kriyas in Kundalini Yoga, each intended to remove specific blocks and negative energies.\\n\\nRelaxation and Meditation\\nAfter the completion of Kriya, Kundalini practitioners will go into a relaxation stage that then leads to meditation.\\n\\nPractice Kundalini Yoga Safely With myYogaTeacher\\nLike all yoga practices, Kundalini Yoga has contraindications. If you have any of the following conditions, consult your doctor before practicing:\\n\\nHypertension or hypotension\\nCongenital heart defect\\nEpilepsy\\nCholelithiasis\\nFrequent dizziness/fainting\\nAsthma\\nRecent injury or surgery\\nDrug or alcohol use\\n\\nOne of the best ways to minimize the potential for injury during your yoga practice is by working with experienced yoga teachers. With myYogaTeacher, you'll get access to a team of yoga teachers from all around India who have extensive experience both practicing and teaching yoga. And, since our classes are all live and online, you can get cueing help from a real teacher right in the moment.\\n\\nReady to awaken your Kundalini energy through this practice? \\nSign up for a free two-week trial of myYogaTeacher\\n and you'll get access to not only our Kundalini sessions but 35+ live online classes every single day. Deepen your yoga practice, increase your enjoyment, and restore your mind and body with myYogaTeacher!","html":"<h2>What Is Kundalini Yoga?</h2><p>Kundalini yoga is a combination of Bhakti, Shakti, and Raja yoga. Through Kundalini yoga, practitioners seek to awaken kundalini energy through breathing exercises, mantras, meditation, and physical postures.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/Fnbi1DMoSuqj09Pkawi5\" alt=\"Warrior Pose\" title=\"kundalini archer pose.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p>There are several different types of yoga that range in intensity from the very gentle poses of restorative yoga to the blood-pumping movements of power yoga. Kundalini is a balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. It emphasizes rising energy that starts at the root chakra and moves slowly up through all seven chakras to increase prana and create conditions for the energy to exit through the crown of the head and produce a Kundalini awakening (a feeling of euphoric release or bliss that leads to self-realization).</p><p></p><h2>A Brief History of Kundalini Yoga</h2><p>The origin of <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/kundalini-yoga\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/kundalini-yoga\">Kundalini Yoga</a> is unknown, but Kundalini philosophy is found in the Upanishads which are ancient Vedic texts dating back at least 2,500 years. Kundalini was introduced in the West in 1968 by Yogi Bhajan from the Punjab region and it&#39;s most often associated with him.</p><p></p><p>Kundalini comes from the Sanskrit term <em>kundal</em> which means &quot;circular&quot; or &quot;coiled.&quot; This yoga practice teaches us that life energy lies at your root chakra (the base of your spine), and is there, coiled like a snake, waiting to be awakened.</p><p></p><p>When you <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/kundalini-by-sujit\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/kundalini-by-sujit\">practice Kundalini</a>, you can awaken this energy through breathing, mantras, mudras, and physical movement, moving the energy through your <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/clear-your-chakras\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/clear-your-chakras\">seven chakras</a> until it is released at the crown chakra (your head):</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/8UvVoBNpRbG46ki9QDmA\" alt=\"Seven Chakras\" title=\"chakras.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p>The release of this life energy is said to promote awakening, enlightenment, and balance.</p><p></p><p>[CTA-DEFAULT]</p><h2>What Are the Benefits of Kundalini Yoga?</h2><p>Kundalini Yoga benefits are both anecdotal and science-backed. Here are the four benefits of Kundalini Yoga that we&#39;re most excited about.</p><p></p><h3>1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety</h3><p>A <a rel=\"noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433116/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433116/\">2017 study</a> found that Kundalini may offer immediate stress release and may even be helpful for conditions that are linked to high stress like cardiovascular disease and insomnia. The study looked at a small group of middle-aged women who experienced lower blood pressure and reduced stress after practicing. Additionally, the findings of a <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://meridian.allenpress.com/ijyt/article/28/1/97/138204/Kundalini-Yoga-for-Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-An\" href=\"https://meridian.allenpress.com/ijyt/article/28/1/97/138204/Kundalini-Yoga-for-Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-An\">2018 study</a> suggest that Kundalini Yoga may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.</p><p></p><h3>2. Improve Emotional Wellbeing</h3><p>Kundalini Yoga can increase hormone production in your brain, balancing your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and producing a feeling of elation.</p><p></p><h3>Enhance Cognitive Function</h3><p>Another Kundalini yoga benefit is enhanced memory and focus through improved blood flow to your brain. According to a <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540331/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540331/\">2017 study</a>, older adults were able to improve memory and executive function through the practice of Kundalini.</p><p></p><h3>Improve Respiratory Health</h3><p>Kundalini can also help increase lung capacity and improve overall respiratory health based on <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3482773/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3482773/\">research</a> into yogic breathing techniques.</p><p></p><h2>Key Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga</h2><p>Kundalini Yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. This secretive practice was brought into the spotlight by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960s. Since then, the practice hasn&#39;t quite reached the popularity of other types of yoga, like Hatha and <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/what-is-vinyasa-yoga\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/what-is-vinyasa-yoga\">Vinyasa</a>, but it has seen a surge in popularity. If you&#39;re wondering what to expect from this increasingly popular yoga practice, there are four key characteristics that all Kundalini Yoga classes have.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ucM97YMSA2zPFQfD3S8w\" alt=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\" title=\"characteristics of kundalini.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><h3>Mantra</h3><p>Mantra is considered a &quot;quantum technology&quot; in Kundalini Yoga. The mantras as designed to be repeated aloud and each mantra has its own vibratory frequency. Mantras in Kundalini are generally spoken in Gurmukhi, an ancient Sikh language. The good news is that you don&#39;t have to actually understand the language for the frequency to do its job on you.</p><p></p><p>One of the more common mantras used in Kundalini Yoga is Sat Nam, meaning &quot;I am truth.&quot;</p><p></p><h3>Pranayama</h3><p>Pranayama is known as breath control or breathwork and is a vital component of Kundalini. Breath is seen as life energy and in Kundalini, certain <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/breathing-and-meditation\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/breathing-and-meditation\">breathing techniques</a> are tied to different Kriyas to maximize the benefits of the movement.</p><p></p><h3>Kriyas</h3><p>A Kriya is a grouping of sound, breath, and posture design to alter the state of the body and mind. There are said to be thousands of different Kriyas in Kundalini Yoga, each intended to remove specific blocks and negative energies.</p><p></p><h3>Relaxation and Meditation</h3><p>After the completion of Kriya, Kundalini practitioners will go into a relaxation stage that then leads to meditation.</p><p></p><h2>Practice Kundalini Yoga Safely With myYogaTeacher</h2><p>Like all yoga practices, Kundalini Yoga has contraindications. If you have any of the following conditions, consult your doctor before practicing:</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ihVg9fPDRaSXQqFw0aqN\" alt=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\" title=\"contraindications of kundalini.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><ul><li><div>Hypertension or hypotension</div></li><li><div>Congenital heart defect</div></li><li><div>Epilepsy</div></li><li><div>Cholelithiasis</div></li><li><div>Frequent dizziness/fainting</div></li><li><div>Asthma</div></li><li><div>Recent injury or surgery</div></li><li><div>Drug or alcohol use</div></li></ul><p></p><p>One of the best ways to minimize the potential for injury during your yoga practice is by working with experienced yoga teachers. With myYogaTeacher, you&#39;ll get access to a team of yoga teachers from all around India who have extensive experience both practicing and teaching yoga. And, since our classes are all live and online, you can get cueing help from a real teacher right in the moment.</p><p></p><p>Ready to awaken your Kundalini energy through this practice? <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\">Sign up for a free two-week trial of myYogaTeacher</a> and you&#39;ll get access to not only our Kundalini sessions but 35+ live online classes every single day. Deepen your yoga practice, increase your enjoyment, and restore your mind and body with myYogaTeacher!</p>"},"category":["therapy"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<h2>What Is Kundalini Yoga?</h2><p>Kundalini yoga is a combination of Bhakti, Shakti, and Raja yoga. Through Kundalini yoga, practitioners seek to awaken kundalini energy through breathing exercises, mantras, meditation, and physical postures.</p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/Fnbi1DMoSuqj09Pkawi5\" \n                alt=\"Warrior Pose\"\n                title=\"Warrior Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/Fnbi1DMoSuqj09Pkawi5\"\n                alt=\"Warrior Pose\"\n                title=\"Warrior Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/Fnbi1DMoSuqj09Pkawi5\"\n                alt=\"Warrior Pose\"\n                title=\"Warrior Pose\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p>There are several different types of yoga that range in intensity from the very gentle poses of restorative yoga to the blood-pumping movements of power yoga. Kundalini is a balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. It emphasizes rising energy that starts at the root chakra and moves slowly up through all seven chakras to increase prana and create conditions for the energy to exit through the crown of the head and produce a Kundalini awakening (a feeling of euphoric release or bliss that leads to self-realization).</p><p></p><h2>A Brief History of Kundalini Yoga</h2><p>The origin of <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/kundalini-yoga\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/kundalini-yoga\">Kundalini Yoga</a> is unknown, but Kundalini philosophy is found in the Upanishads which are ancient Vedic texts dating back at least 2,500 years. Kundalini was introduced in the West in 1968 by Yogi Bhajan from the Punjab region and it&#39;s most often associated with him.</p><p></p><p>Kundalini comes from the Sanskrit term <em>kundal</em> which means &quot;circular&quot; or &quot;coiled.&quot; This yoga practice teaches us that life energy lies at your root chakra (the base of your spine), and is there, coiled like a snake, waiting to be awakened.</p><p></p><p>When you <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/kundalini-by-sujit\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/kundalini-by-sujit\">practice Kundalini</a>, you can awaken this energy through breathing, mantras, mudras, and physical movement, moving the energy through your <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/clear-your-chakras\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/clear-your-chakras\">seven chakras</a> until it is released at the crown chakra (your head):</p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/8UvVoBNpRbG46ki9QDmA\" \n                alt=\"Seven Chakras\"\n                title=\"Seven Chakras\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/8UvVoBNpRbG46ki9QDmA\"\n                alt=\"Seven Chakras\"\n                title=\"Seven Chakras\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/8UvVoBNpRbG46ki9QDmA\"\n                alt=\"Seven Chakras\"\n                title=\"Seven Chakras\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <p>The release of this life energy is said to promote awakening, enlightenment, and balance.</p><p></p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"},{"type":"HTML","value":"<h2>What Are the Benefits of Kundalini Yoga?</h2><p>Kundalini Yoga benefits are both anecdotal and science-backed. Here are the four benefits of Kundalini Yoga that we&#39;re most excited about.</p><p></p><h3>1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety</h3><p>A <a rel=\"noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433116/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433116/\">2017 study</a> found that Kundalini may offer immediate stress release and may even be helpful for conditions that are linked to high stress like cardiovascular disease and insomnia. The study looked at a small group of middle-aged women who experienced lower blood pressure and reduced stress after practicing. Additionally, the findings of a <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://meridian.allenpress.com/ijyt/article/28/1/97/138204/Kundalini-Yoga-for-Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-An\" href=\"https://meridian.allenpress.com/ijyt/article/28/1/97/138204/Kundalini-Yoga-for-Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-An\">2018 study</a> suggest that Kundalini Yoga may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.</p><p></p><h3>2. Improve Emotional Wellbeing</h3><p>Kundalini Yoga can increase hormone production in your brain, balancing your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and producing a feeling of elation.</p><p></p><h3>Enhance Cognitive Function</h3><p>Another Kundalini yoga benefit is enhanced memory and focus through improved blood flow to your brain. According to a <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540331/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540331/\">2017 study</a>, older adults were able to improve memory and executive function through the practice of Kundalini.</p><p></p><h3>Improve Respiratory Health</h3><p>Kundalini can also help increase lung capacity and improve overall respiratory health based on <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3482773/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3482773/\">research</a> into yogic breathing techniques.</p><p></p><h2>Key Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga</h2><p>Kundalini Yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. This secretive practice was brought into the spotlight by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960s. Since then, the practice hasn&#39;t quite reached the popularity of other types of yoga, like Hatha and <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/what-is-vinyasa-yoga\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/what-is-vinyasa-yoga\">Vinyasa</a>, but it has seen a surge in popularity. If you&#39;re wondering what to expect from this increasingly popular yoga practice, there are four key characteristics that all Kundalini Yoga classes have.</p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ucM97YMSA2zPFQfD3S8w\" \n                alt=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\"\n                title=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ucM97YMSA2zPFQfD3S8w\"\n                alt=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\"\n                title=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ucM97YMSA2zPFQfD3S8w\"\n                alt=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\"\n                title=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <h3>Mantra</h3><p>Mantra is considered a &quot;quantum technology&quot; in Kundalini Yoga. The mantras as designed to be repeated aloud and each mantra has its own vibratory frequency. Mantras in Kundalini are generally spoken in Gurmukhi, an ancient Sikh language. The good news is that you don&#39;t have to actually understand the language for the frequency to do its job on you.</p><p></p><p>One of the more common mantras used in Kundalini Yoga is Sat Nam, meaning &quot;I am truth.&quot;</p><p></p><h3>Pranayama</h3><p>Pranayama is known as breath control or breathwork and is a vital component of Kundalini. Breath is seen as life energy and in Kundalini, certain <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/breathing-and-meditation\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/breathing-and-meditation\">breathing techniques</a> are tied to different Kriyas to maximize the benefits of the movement.</p><p></p><h3>Kriyas</h3><p>A Kriya is a grouping of sound, breath, and posture design to alter the state of the body and mind. There are said to be thousands of different Kriyas in Kundalini Yoga, each intended to remove specific blocks and negative energies.</p><p></p><h3>Relaxation and Meditation</h3><p>After the completion of Kriya, Kundalini practitioners will go into a relaxation stage that then leads to meditation.</p><p></p><h2>Practice Kundalini Yoga Safely With myYogaTeacher</h2><p>Like all yoga practices, Kundalini Yoga has contraindications. If you have any of the following conditions, consult your doctor before practicing:</p>\n            <picture>\n              <source \n                type=\"image/webp\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:webp/compress/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ihVg9fPDRaSXQqFw0aqN\" \n                alt=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\"\n                title=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <source \n                type=\"image/jpg\"\n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ihVg9fPDRaSXQqFw0aqN\"\n                alt=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\"\n                title=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n              <img \n                data-srcset=\"https://media.graphcms.com/resize=w:930,fit:crop/quality=value:75/output=format:jpg/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ihVg9fPDRaSXQqFw0aqN\"\n                alt=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\"\n                title=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\"\n                \n                \n                class=\"lazyLoadingImg\"\n              />\n          </picture>\n        <ul><li><div>Hypertension or hypotension</div></li><li><div>Congenital heart defect</div></li><li><div>Epilepsy</div></li><li><div>Cholelithiasis</div></li><li><div>Frequent dizziness/fainting</div></li><li><div>Asthma</div></li><li><div>Recent injury or surgery</div></li><li><div>Drug or alcohol use</div></li></ul><p></p><p>One of the best ways to minimize the potential for injury during your yoga practice is by working with experienced yoga teachers. With myYogaTeacher, you&#39;ll get access to a team of yoga teachers from all around India who have extensive experience both practicing and teaching yoga. And, since our classes are all live and online, you can get cueing help from a real teacher right in the moment.</p><p></p><p>Ready to awaken your Kundalini energy through this practice? <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\">Sign up for a free two-week trial of myYogaTeacher</a> and you&#39;ll get access to not only our Kundalini sessions but 35+ live online classes every single day. Deepen your yoga practice, increase your enjoyment, and restore your mind and body with myYogaTeacher!</p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"what-is-kundalini-yoga","showPopUp":false,"popUpType":null,"showedPopup":false,"windowWidth":null,"ctaPath":"free-trial-o","redirectURL":"#","ctaContent":[{"id":"ckxrz2i14tov40c25g1dpicsg","name":"[CTA-DEFAULT]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz37hsu0cj0a76mgb4594m","name":"[CTA-FREECLASS]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz4d5stsye0b75dtlx1w0n","name":"[CTA-TRENDS]","description":{"html":"<p>Get ahead of the next trend and practice with authentic Indian yoga teachers! Sign up today and <strong>get 2 free private yoga sessions PLUS 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong>. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Practice with Authentic Indian Yoga Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz6nq0tqdr0c258titvagg","name":"[CTA-REVIEWS]","description":{"html":"<p>Find out what all the hype is about! <strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>103,478 Happy Students &amp; 12,086 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz7nzktu400b752fym6wpw","name":"[CTA-HATHA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private hatha yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(including tons of daily Hatha yoga classes). No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Hatha Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>with Authentic Indian Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"cky90p88g3zgc0d23yz6taont","name":"[CTA-NASAL]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private sessions </strong>to relieve post nasal drip and clear out your sinus. </p><p><strong>PLUS, 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>with authentic Indian yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Relieve Post Nasal Drip &amp; Clear Your Sinus Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyirvl8g25ce0c70cldmca2g","name":"[CTA-TRATAKA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private sessions </strong>with experienced Trataka teachers. </p><p><strong>PLUS, 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(like ‘Candle Gazing Meditation) with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Learn Trataka (Candle Gazing) Meditation Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyisqh482ck60b79rp1r1jcg","name":"[CTA-YIN]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions</strong>, work with an experienced yoga therapist to reduce (and even eliminate) your back pain. <strong>PLUS 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(like ‘Yoga for Back Pain’) with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Therapy – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Relieve Back Pain Safely &amp; Effectively Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyitki4w2liz0b30tqpzhy4i","name":"[CTA-KRIYA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions </strong>for Kriya Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation <strong>and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Practice Kriya, Pranayama, and Meditation Today!</strong></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyitxgyg2pot0b79lu1fcpp1","name":"[CTA-BREATH]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions </strong>for yogic breathing techniques (pranayama) and <strong>2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong>, like ‘Stretch and Breathe’, ‘Kriya, Pranayama, and Meditation’, and many others. 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Learn what kundalini yoga is and what you can expect from this type of class.","content":{"text":"What Is Kundalini Yoga?\\nKundalini yoga is a combination of Bhakti, Shakti, and Raja yoga. Through Kundalini yoga, practitioners seek to awaken kundalini energy through breathing exercises, mantras, meditation, and physical postures.\\n\\nThere are several different types of yoga that range in intensity from the very gentle poses of restorative yoga to the blood-pumping movements of power yoga. Kundalini is a balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. It emphasizes rising energy that starts at the root chakra and moves slowly up through all seven chakras to increase prana and create conditions for the energy to exit through the crown of the head and produce a Kundalini awakening (a feeling of euphoric release or bliss that leads to self-realization).\\n\\nA Brief History of Kundalini Yoga\\nThe origin of \\nKundalini Yoga\\n is unknown, but Kundalini philosophy is found in the Upanishads which are ancient Vedic texts dating back at least 2,500 years. Kundalini was introduced in the West in 1968 by Yogi Bhajan from the Punjab region and it's most often associated with him.\\n\\nKundalini comes from the Sanskrit term \\nkundal\\n which means \"circular\" or \"coiled.\" This yoga practice teaches us that life energy lies at your root chakra (the base of your spine), and is there, coiled like a snake, waiting to be awakened.\\n\\nWhen you \\npractice Kundalini\\n, you can awaken this energy through breathing, mantras, mudras, and physical movement, moving the energy through your \\nseven chakras\\n until it is released at the crown chakra (your head):\\n\\nThe release of this life energy is said to promote awakening, enlightenment, and balance.\\n\\n[CTA-DEFAULT]\\nWhat Are the Benefits of Kundalini Yoga?\\nKundalini Yoga benefits are both anecdotal and science-backed. Here are the four benefits of Kundalini Yoga that we're most excited about.\\n\\n1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety\\nA \\n2017 study\\n found that Kundalini may offer immediate stress release and may even be helpful for conditions that are linked to high stress like cardiovascular disease and insomnia. The study looked at a small group of middle-aged women who experienced lower blood pressure and reduced stress after practicing. Additionally, the findings of a \\n2018 study\\n suggest that Kundalini Yoga may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.\\n\\n2. Improve Emotional Wellbeing\\nKundalini Yoga can increase hormone production in your brain, balancing your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and producing a feeling of elation.\\n\\nEnhance Cognitive Function\\nAnother Kundalini yoga benefit is enhanced memory and focus through improved blood flow to your brain. According to a \\n2017 study\\n, older adults were able to improve memory and executive function through the practice of Kundalini.\\n\\nImprove Respiratory Health\\nKundalini can also help increase lung capacity and improve overall respiratory health based on \\nresearch\\n into yogic breathing techniques.\\n\\nKey Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\\nKundalini Yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. This secretive practice was brought into the spotlight by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960s. Since then, the practice hasn't quite reached the popularity of other types of yoga, like Hatha and \\nVinyasa\\n, but it has seen a surge in popularity. If you're wondering what to expect from this increasingly popular yoga practice, there are four key characteristics that all Kundalini Yoga classes have.\\n\\nMantra\\nMantra is considered a \"quantum technology\" in Kundalini Yoga. The mantras as designed to be repeated aloud and each mantra has its own vibratory frequency. Mantras in Kundalini are generally spoken in Gurmukhi, an ancient Sikh language. The good news is that you don't have to actually understand the language for the frequency to do its job on you.\\n\\nOne of the more common mantras used in Kundalini Yoga is Sat Nam, meaning \"I am truth.\"\\n\\nPranayama\\nPranayama is known as breath control or breathwork and is a vital component of Kundalini. Breath is seen as life energy and in Kundalini, certain \\nbreathing techniques\\n are tied to different Kriyas to maximize the benefits of the movement.\\n\\nKriyas\\nA Kriya is a grouping of sound, breath, and posture design to alter the state of the body and mind. There are said to be thousands of different Kriyas in Kundalini Yoga, each intended to remove specific blocks and negative energies.\\n\\nRelaxation and Meditation\\nAfter the completion of Kriya, Kundalini practitioners will go into a relaxation stage that then leads to meditation.\\n\\nPractice Kundalini Yoga Safely With myYogaTeacher\\nLike all yoga practices, Kundalini Yoga has contraindications. If you have any of the following conditions, consult your doctor before practicing:\\n\\nHypertension or hypotension\\nCongenital heart defect\\nEpilepsy\\nCholelithiasis\\nFrequent dizziness/fainting\\nAsthma\\nRecent injury or surgery\\nDrug or alcohol use\\n\\nOne of the best ways to minimize the potential for injury during your yoga practice is by working with experienced yoga teachers. With myYogaTeacher, you'll get access to a team of yoga teachers from all around India who have extensive experience both practicing and teaching yoga. And, since our classes are all live and online, you can get cueing help from a real teacher right in the moment.\\n\\nReady to awaken your Kundalini energy through this practice? \\nSign up for a free two-week trial of myYogaTeacher\\n and you'll get access to not only our Kundalini sessions but 35+ live online classes every single day. Deepen your yoga practice, increase your enjoyment, and restore your mind and body with myYogaTeacher!","html":"<h2>What Is Kundalini Yoga?</h2><p>Kundalini yoga is a combination of Bhakti, Shakti, and Raja yoga. Through Kundalini yoga, practitioners seek to awaken kundalini energy through breathing exercises, mantras, meditation, and physical postures.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/Fnbi1DMoSuqj09Pkawi5\" alt=\"Warrior Pose\" title=\"kundalini archer pose.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p>There are several different types of yoga that range in intensity from the very gentle poses of restorative yoga to the blood-pumping movements of power yoga. Kundalini is a balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. It emphasizes rising energy that starts at the root chakra and moves slowly up through all seven chakras to increase prana and create conditions for the energy to exit through the crown of the head and produce a Kundalini awakening (a feeling of euphoric release or bliss that leads to self-realization).</p><p></p><h2>A Brief History of Kundalini Yoga</h2><p>The origin of <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/kundalini-yoga\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/kundalini-yoga\">Kundalini Yoga</a> is unknown, but Kundalini philosophy is found in the Upanishads which are ancient Vedic texts dating back at least 2,500 years. Kundalini was introduced in the West in 1968 by Yogi Bhajan from the Punjab region and it&#39;s most often associated with him.</p><p></p><p>Kundalini comes from the Sanskrit term <em>kundal</em> which means &quot;circular&quot; or &quot;coiled.&quot; This yoga practice teaches us that life energy lies at your root chakra (the base of your spine), and is there, coiled like a snake, waiting to be awakened.</p><p></p><p>When you <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/kundalini-by-sujit\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/kundalini-by-sujit\">practice Kundalini</a>, you can awaken this energy through breathing, mantras, mudras, and physical movement, moving the energy through your <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/clear-your-chakras\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/clear-your-chakras\">seven chakras</a> until it is released at the crown chakra (your head):</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/8UvVoBNpRbG46ki9QDmA\" alt=\"Seven Chakras\" title=\"chakras.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><p>The release of this life energy is said to promote awakening, enlightenment, and balance.</p><p></p><p>[CTA-DEFAULT]</p><h2>What Are the Benefits of Kundalini Yoga?</h2><p>Kundalini Yoga benefits are both anecdotal and science-backed. Here are the four benefits of Kundalini Yoga that we&#39;re most excited about.</p><p></p><h3>1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety</h3><p>A <a rel=\"noreferrer nofollow\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433116/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433116/\">2017 study</a> found that Kundalini may offer immediate stress release and may even be helpful for conditions that are linked to high stress like cardiovascular disease and insomnia. The study looked at a small group of middle-aged women who experienced lower blood pressure and reduced stress after practicing. Additionally, the findings of a <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://meridian.allenpress.com/ijyt/article/28/1/97/138204/Kundalini-Yoga-for-Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-An\" href=\"https://meridian.allenpress.com/ijyt/article/28/1/97/138204/Kundalini-Yoga-for-Generalized-Anxiety-Disorder-An\">2018 study</a> suggest that Kundalini Yoga may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.</p><p></p><h3>2. Improve Emotional Wellbeing</h3><p>Kundalini Yoga can increase hormone production in your brain, balancing your parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and producing a feeling of elation.</p><p></p><h3>Enhance Cognitive Function</h3><p>Another Kundalini yoga benefit is enhanced memory and focus through improved blood flow to your brain. According to a <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540331/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540331/\">2017 study</a>, older adults were able to improve memory and executive function through the practice of Kundalini.</p><p></p><h3>Improve Respiratory Health</h3><p>Kundalini can also help increase lung capacity and improve overall respiratory health based on <a rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" target='_blank' title=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3482773/\" href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3482773/\">research</a> into yogic breathing techniques.</p><p></p><h2>Key Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga</h2><p>Kundalini Yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. This secretive practice was brought into the spotlight by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960s. Since then, the practice hasn&#39;t quite reached the popularity of other types of yoga, like Hatha and <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/what-is-vinyasa-yoga\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/what-is-vinyasa-yoga\">Vinyasa</a>, but it has seen a surge in popularity. If you&#39;re wondering what to expect from this increasingly popular yoga practice, there are four key characteristics that all Kundalini Yoga classes have.</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ucM97YMSA2zPFQfD3S8w\" alt=\"Characteristics of Kundalini Yoga\" title=\"characteristics of kundalini.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><h3>Mantra</h3><p>Mantra is considered a &quot;quantum technology&quot; in Kundalini Yoga. The mantras as designed to be repeated aloud and each mantra has its own vibratory frequency. Mantras in Kundalini are generally spoken in Gurmukhi, an ancient Sikh language. The good news is that you don&#39;t have to actually understand the language for the frequency to do its job on you.</p><p></p><p>One of the more common mantras used in Kundalini Yoga is Sat Nam, meaning &quot;I am truth.&quot;</p><p></p><h3>Pranayama</h3><p>Pranayama is known as breath control or breathwork and is a vital component of Kundalini. Breath is seen as life energy and in Kundalini, certain <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/breathing-and-meditation\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/breathing-and-meditation\">breathing techniques</a> are tied to different Kriyas to maximize the benefits of the movement.</p><p></p><h3>Kriyas</h3><p>A Kriya is a grouping of sound, breath, and posture design to alter the state of the body and mind. There are said to be thousands of different Kriyas in Kundalini Yoga, each intended to remove specific blocks and negative energies.</p><p></p><h3>Relaxation and Meditation</h3><p>After the completion of Kriya, Kundalini practitioners will go into a relaxation stage that then leads to meditation.</p><p></p><h2>Practice Kundalini Yoga Safely With myYogaTeacher</h2><p>Like all yoga practices, Kundalini Yoga has contraindications. If you have any of the following conditions, consult your doctor before practicing:</p><img src=\"https://media.graphcms.com/output=format:png/resize=width:600,height:400/ihVg9fPDRaSXQqFw0aqN\" alt=\"Kundalini  Yoga Contraindications\" title=\"contraindications of kundalini.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" /><ul><li><div>Hypertension or hypotension</div></li><li><div>Congenital heart defect</div></li><li><div>Epilepsy</div></li><li><div>Cholelithiasis</div></li><li><div>Frequent dizziness/fainting</div></li><li><div>Asthma</div></li><li><div>Recent injury or surgery</div></li><li><div>Drug or alcohol use</div></li></ul><p></p><p>One of the best ways to minimize the potential for injury during your yoga practice is by working with experienced yoga teachers. With myYogaTeacher, you&#39;ll get access to a team of yoga teachers from all around India who have extensive experience both practicing and teaching yoga. And, since our classes are all live and online, you can get cueing help from a real teacher right in the moment.</p><p></p><p>Ready to awaken your Kundalini energy through this practice? <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html\">Sign up for a free two-week trial of myYogaTeacher</a> and you&#39;ll get access to not only our Kundalini sessions but 35+ live online classes every single day. Deepen your yoga practice, increase your enjoyment, and restore your mind and body with myYogaTeacher!</p>"},"category":["therapy"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"recommendations_group_class":null}