Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan

Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan, also known as Kundalini yoga, is a comprehensive spiritual science and holistic system of yoga taught openly in the West by Yogi Bhajan PhD, Master of Kundalini Yoga. The teachings were first revealed in this format in 1968, through the opening of the first Kundalini Yoga studio in Los Angeles, California in 1969, and is now commonly practiced in the United States, Asia, Europe and South America. Yogi Bhajans' legacy is that he broke with centuries old traditions and secrecy to openly train certified instructors and teach Kundalini Yoga worldwide. Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan is synonymous with Kundalini Yoga based on practices in the West and East, including Europe and Asia.
The practice of Kundalini yoga revolves around kriya, pranayama and meditation. It is closest in practice to the asanas and pranayama in Laya yoga and Raja Yoga in which yogis immerse themselves in meditation and chanting in order to attain a state of shuniya and samadhi. It also has a strong correlation with Bhakti yoga, Shakti yoga, Naad yoga, Mantra Yoga, Kriya yoga and Tantra. An additional part of the system introduced by Yogi Bhajan is the introduction of Sikh dharma to help support practitioners, and Sikh-based mantra to cut through the constrictions and distortions of the ego, and help create a higher vibrational state of consciousness.
Yogi Bhajan called the Kundalini a spiritual nerve or the nerve of the soul. According to the teachings, the word kundal means coil of the hair of the beloved. and the goal of Kundalini Yoga is simply to uncoil and raise this energy from the lower energy centers to the higher centers in the brain. It considered the yoga of awareness because the release of kundalini energy helps one develop intuition, self consciousness and sensitivity to the soul - all of which aids in awakening the powerfully creative potential that exists within every human being. The practice of Kundalini Yoga is a scientific, safe and rapid method of raising Kundalini and realizing a spiritual connection with universal Consciousness, atman, or God.
History of Kundalini Yoga Practice
Kundalini Yoga is a yoga which the householder may practice, although for many generations this style was secretly reserved only for students at the highest levels of self-attainment. In other respects Kundalini yoga follows the same 8 limbs and 3 pillars of Patanjali including aspects of moral restraint yama, spiritual observances niyama, and Sikh tapas such as rising early before dawn to practice yoga in the amrit vela or ambrosial hours, seva, and dedicated self study.
Kundalini Yoga compared to other yoga systems is a high-level, systematized and complete system. The kriyas and meditations are directed to be taught and passed on just as they were delivered to Yogi Bhajan without alteration. The teachings as they exist now are a complete system with no new meditations or exercises to be added in the future. Because of this -- and unlike other styles of yoga -- Kundalini Yoga teachers always teach from pre-approved manuals.
Kundalini Yoga is paired in some respects with Sikh Dharma, yet, not specifically linked to any religious practice. It integrates with the philosophic teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus and use of the Shabad Guru (sound current, mantras) from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib for purposes of meditation and enlightenment. The mantras are mostly spoken or chanted in Gurmukhi, a language developed by Guru Nanak in India based on the Punjab language. Commonly, Kundalini Yoga teachers from this system may also follow the Sikh Dharma lifestyle, and may adhere to Sikh religious practices and observances, but this is not a requirement for practitioners, students, or for teachers.
While adhering to the three pillars of Patanjali's traditional yoga system: discipline, self-awareness and self-dedication (Patanjali Yoga Sutras, II:1), Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan does not condone extremes of asceticism or Brahmin (class, caste-based) practice. Yogi Bhajan encouraged his students to marry, establish businesses, and be fully engaged in society. Rather than worshiping God or following religious doctrine, Yogi Bhajan insisted that his students train their minds to experience God.
A Tantric Numerology system was developed by Yogic Bhajan which introduces the Ten yogic energetic Bodies, numerology and the characteristics of the ten Sikh Gurus to create another layer of refinement in the style. The Tantric Numerology and practice of the Ten Bodies aids in developing personal balance and is used as a guide for applying the energy of the kriyas and meditations to live to the fullest of one's destiny and path.
Yogi Bhajan was regarded as the last living Mahan Tantric Master of White Tantric yoga. Courses continue to be led internationally using a series of DVD video-based recordings of Yogi Bhajan teaching the course. The videos are said to contain and transmit the subtle body of Yogi Bhajan. This form of White Tantric is not to be confused with sexual tantric practices (typically Red Tantra).
Yogi Bhajan left behind a legacy of over 8,000 presented lectures spreading his message of positive lifestyle practices and self-realization, 1,000's of unique meditations and kriyas -- many previously secret for hundreds of years -- and 1000's of videos, all of which are currently being digitally preserved through the Library of Teachings Foundation.
He also inspired his students to play and record spiritual music which has grown to include 100's of albums in the new age, spiritual and gospel musical categories. Some of the more recognized artists are Snatam Kaur and Grammy Award winner Nirinjan Kaur.
The Contributions of Yogi Bhajan
Born Harbhajan Singh Puri on August 26, 1929, in India. At age 8, Yogi Bhajan began yogic training, and 8 years later was proclaimed by his teacher to be a master of Kundalini Yoga, which stimulates individual growth through breath, yoga postures, sound, chanting, and meditation.
After Yogi Bhajans' death on October 6th, 2004, the US Congress and Senate unanimously enacted a Joint Congressional Resolution honoring Sri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji (also known as Yogi Bhajan) for his life accomplishments, and the teachings of Yogi Bhajan about Sikhism and yoga. This places him on a list of honorees that includes Martin Luther King, Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa.
When Yogi Bhajan visited the United States in 1968, he recognized immediately that the experience of higher consciousness that many young people were attempting to find through drugs could be alternatively achieved through Kundalini Yoga, and in response, he began teaching Kundalini Yoga publicly, thereby breaking the centuries-old tradition of secrecy surrounding it.
In 1969, Yogi Bhajan founded 'Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO)', a nonprofit private educational and scientific foundation dedicated to serving humanity, improving physical well-being, deepening spiritual awareness, and offering guidance on nutrition and health, interpersonal relations, child rearing, and human behavior.
In 1971, Sikh Dharma was legally incorporated in the State of California and recognized as a tax-exempt religious organization by the United States, and in 1972, Yogi Bhajan founded the ashram Sikh Dharma in Espanola, New Mexico.
In 1973, Yogi Bhajan founded '3HO SuperHealth', a successful drug rehabilitation program that blends ancient yogic wisdom of the East with modern technology of the West.
In June 1985, Yogi Bhajan established the first 'International Peace Prayer Day Celebrations' in New Mexico, which still draws thousands of participants annually.
Yogi Bhajan traveled the world calling for world peace and religious unity at meetings with leaders such as Pope Paul VI; Pope John Paul II; His Holiness the Dalai Lama; the President of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Mikhail Gorbachev; and two Archbishops of Canterbury.
Yogi Bhajan wrote 30 books and inspired the publication of 200 other books through his teachings, founded a drug rehabilitation program, and inspired the founding of several businesses.
Sikhs and students across the world testify that Yogi Bhajan exhibited dignity, divinity, grace, commitment, courage, kindness, compassion, tolerance, wisdom, and understanding.
Up until his death on Oct 6th, 2004, Master of Kundalini Yoga and the Siri Singh Sahib (chief religious administrative authority) Yogi Bhajan spent his life teaching and improving the lives of thousands through his teachings on yoga and Sikh Dharma. It was through his efforts that Sikh Dharma became a tax-exempt, recognized religion in the United States. In addition, Yogi Bhajan founded the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy) Foundation. With over 300 centers in 35 cities, 3HO uses Kundalini Yoga to help people improve their physical well-being and deepen their spiritual awareness.
Publications by Yogi Bhajan
* Yogi Bhajan, The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, Santa Cruz, NM, Kundalini Research Institute, 1977.
* Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji (Yogi Bhajan), Furmaan Khalsa: Poems to Live By, Columbus, Ohio, Furman Khalsa Publishing Company, 1987.
* Yogi Bhajan, The Master's Touch, Santa Cruz, NM, Kundalini Research Institute, 1997.
* Yogi Bhajan with Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, The Mind: Its Projections and Multiple Facets, Espanola, New Mexico, Kundalini Research Institute, 1997.
* Yogi Bhajan, The Aquarian Teacher - KRI International Kundalini Yoga Certification Text and Manual, Santa Cruz, NM, Kundalini Research Institute, 2003.
* Yogi Bhajan, The Game of Love, A Book of Consciousness: The Poems and Art of Yogi Bhajan, Sikh Dharma, 2007.
* Yogi Bhajan, Man to Man: A Journal of Discovery for the Conscious Man, Santa Cruz, NM, Kundalini Research Institute, 2008.
* Yogi Bhajan, I am a Woman: Book and Yoga Manual, Santa Cruz, NM, Kundalini Research Institute, 2009.

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