The word kriya means action. It is an action that leads to a complete manifestation like a seed leads to a bloom, a thought into actuality, a desire to commitment. In Kundalini Yoga a kriya is a series of postures, breath, and sound that work toward a specific outcome. Practicing a kriya initiates a sequence of physical and mental changes that affect the body, mind, and spirit simultaneously. There are kriyas that support the liver, balance the glandular system, make you radiant, stimulate the pituitary, increase the flexibility of the spine, and many more. Each kriya has a different effect, yet all work at once on all levels of your being.
After we complete the Kriyas for a given class, we move into Shavasana. Here, we rest, while flat on our backs, and allow all that has transpired to fully integrate.
We finish each class by singing the Long Time Sun – This is typically sung in unison, however, recording technology requires that we recite a call and response. If you ever want to hear it sung beautifully, my favorite musical version is by Kundalini Yoga Grammy award winning singer, Snatam Kaur. We end the class by saying, Sat Nam (pronounced sut nahm) – Translation, My Truth is my Identity. Inhale Sat exhale Nam.
The consistent practice of Kundalini Yoga over the last six months resulted in many benefits: Improved sleep, better breathing, and the resolution of an elbow injury from two years. The combination of our breath work, meditation and movement have greatly enhanced my overall sense of wellbeing while enhancing creativity and productivity in this period of considerable stress.
