Movement, mantras and meditation in Cosmic Flow Kundalini Yoga at Point Loma
Yoga is a diverse world. Kundalini, also called the yoga of awareness, is meant to enable you to know yourself. The practice involves combining different breathing techniques with specific movements for fast and powerful results. Much of the practice is done with the eyes closed, encouraging participants to go inward and connect with the deepest parts of the subconscious.
“You can see results right after one session, even after just one exercise,” says Gurumeher Khalsa, head of Cosmic Flow Kundalini Yoga Studio in Point Loma. “Even a few long, deep breaths are calming, focused, and relaxing. You can come to class feeling overwhelmed or overwhelmed and leave an hour later feeling much lighter, relieved, and joyful. I see it all the time.”
The practice is relevant and convenient in our time, when it seems that every new day brings a new reason for a panic attack. Khalsa says that Kundalini yoga can teach breathing techniques to deal with such situations. Techniques focus on releasing things like anxiety, stress, fear, and self-hatred. Meditations and mantras are used to open up even more and focus on self-healing and connecting with higher consciousness.
“We take long, deep breaths because it calms, focuses, relieves stress and anxiety,” she says. “But it’s on a different level.”
At another level, various breathing techniques are used in conjunction with other aspects of the practice, including movement, mantras, and meditation. Khalsa says her 75- or 90-minute sessions teach different types of breathing techniques in person or via Zoom.
“One breath that is unique to Kundalini is called the Breath of Fire—a quick breath in and out through the nose,” she says. “The best way to learn this is to stick out your tongue and put your hands on your belly button and then pretend you are panting like a dog. And it’s basically the same breath, except you just close your mouth and switch it to your nose. And in fact it is one long, continuous breath, the purpose of which is to open the lungs. It’s good for removing toxins and purifying the blood.”
Khalsa says that with practice, this breathing technique can give an overall feeling of calmness, and “things that may have bothered or annoyed you before don’t bother you anymore.”
Another technique is called Sitali Pranayama which involves twisting the tongue like a taco.
“And then breathe in through that taco tongue and then breathe out through your nose,” Khalsa says. “As the name suggests, it is a cool breath on both a physical and mental level. It’s good for releasing inner anger.”
Another way is alternate breathing through the nostril, that is, with the thumb or little finger, close the right nostril, and then inhale deeply and low through the left nostril, exhale through the left nostril and alternate with each other.
But, Khalsa says, exercise is about more than just breathing.
“A typical class structure is to attune with a mantra to connect with yourself and also connect with the teachings,” she says. This is followed by meditation on the breath, and then a part of yoga that combines the work of the breath with the movement prescribed by the teachings of Kundalini. Classes end with meditation and relaxation, when participants lie down on the ground and accept all the work done.
“So, what you will really feel is just a general sense of calmness and general well-being,” Khalsa says. “And that’s just because you’re doing the work yourself.”