First things first
First I explain what yoga is about. When I ask people they mostly answer it is to perform as correctly and elegantly possible complex postures. Not at all! The word ‘yoga’ literally means ‘connection’ or ‘union’. On the wings of an airplane you see many circular elevations. These are rivets that firmly unite the parts together. Yoga can be seen as a rivet, a robust connection.
But what to connect with? Firstly, with your spirit. You can describe ‘your spirit’ as the answer to questions such as ‘who am I really?’, ‘what am I doing here in this life?’. Even if you have already asked yourself these questions, you may not yet have an answer. Yoga is an ancient technology helping you hereby. A technique to dive deep inside yourself, to initiate transformation, to expand your consciousness.
Imagine that consciousness is a pond. Through yoga, that pond overflows and a small brook begins to flow out. As you practice further, that brook becomes a river that after a long period reaches an infinite ocean. Then you have connected ‘your personal limited consciousness’ with the ‘Universal Infinite Consciousness’. Your pond is one with the ocean. That is the final goal of yoga.
Eight limbs
You therefore work simultaneously on eight domains. The first two domains that will boost your transformation process are called the yamas (1) and niyamas (2). See it as adopting a correct attitude to life, some do’s and don’ts, imposing a number of limits and disciplines on yourself. I give the example of ‘not stealing’. That seems obvious and reminds on the ten commandments of Christianity, but is to be interpreted very broadly. My son bought a house with many hidden defects and even though I would maybe not buy it myself, I will continue to support him and I will never blame him for a wrong decision. I do not want to ‘steal’ the life experience he will gain from it.
The next two domains are the physical body exercises (3) and breathing techniques (4) that people always refer to. In fact they are a preparation for meditation. Meditation is the next three domains. It consists of turning inward (5) and concentrating for a long time (6) to finally be able to still the mind (7).
The eight limb is samadhi (8) which is the so-called ‘realisation’. It’s about realising the very life that lies in front of you, the mist that disappears, the increase in consciousness as I already said. The ability to ‘see equally’ and without disturbance from the mind, without your experience being conditioned by likes, dislikes or habits, without a need to judge or become attached to any particular aspect. That is also sometimes called ‘bliss’, your space-rocket is really propelling quickly now.
Keep your car clean
Kundalini yoga is a specific flavour of yoga that ensures a healthy, happy and harmonious life. I use the metaphor of your car. To maintain its visible exterior, you use water with detergent and a sponge. In Kundalini Yoga you train your physical body through physical exercises (3), combined with breathing techniques (4). That way you stay healthy.
If you want to maintain the interior of your car, you act differently. You use soft impregnated cloths. In kundalini yoga, to clean your inside, thus calming your mind and strengthening your nervous system, there is the technique of meditation (5, 6, 7). That way you stay happy.
To maintain the essence of your car, its engine, you are even more careful. You call in the help of an expert, a trusted mechanic. It is the same with kundalini yoga. You let yourself be guided by a teacher so that your soul awakens to live in harmony. However, there is a big difference between kundalini yoga and the maintenance of a car. When your car is worn out, you can replace it. From your body there is only one copy available.
Sometimes kundalini yoga can be reminiscent of religion, but here too there is a fundamental difference. While in religion you draw strength from an external power, in kundalini yoga you awaken the latent power that is already present within yourself.
So what is kundalini yoga?
Kundalini yoga is a delicious blend of the finest ingredients of the most diverse yoga varieties: shakti yoga (passion and devotion), bhakti yoga (perseverance and command), hatha yoga (physical exercises) and laya yoga (mantras). Therefore, it is very powerful. You should try it yourself.
