Old emotions and energetic blockages may begin to shift when you start practicing Kundalini yoga. This style of yoga is best suited to people who are ready to experience profound shifts within themselves. When that energy at the base of your spine activates and begins to move, places in you that have been blocked with old emotions will clear. You could have flashes of intuition or suddenly see your life with a sense of clarity. You may let go of childhood wounds and long-held resentments. Your mind may feel lighter and quieter. Because many of us have blocked chakras, this activated energy can sometimes bump up against roadblocks and feel uncomfortable, which is why Kundalini is best introduced under the guidance of an instructor.
The reverberation chanting creates in your body, the resistance you feel as some of the breathing exercises challenge you to push through old emotions and blocks, and the deep peace at the end of the practice may lead to an entirely new experience of life, one that is more vital, clear and energizing.
You won’t know if Kundalini is for you until you try it.
Here are 3 Kundalini exercises to move stuck emotions and energy, release anger or worry, and transform your negative patterning.
Alternate Nostril breathing to Balance Emotions and Give Perspective
This basic technique in Kundalini yoga is excellent to do before bed to let go of emotions and worries.
Posture: Sit in Easy Pose, with a light Neck Lock (Jalandhar Bandh).
Focus: Close the eyelids and look up to the 3rd eye point.
Mantra: Although this may be done without a mantra, you can mentally use the mantra, “Sat Nam,” to help with concentration. (Inhale, “Sat” and exhale, “Nam.”)
Mudra: Use the right thumb and right little finger to close off alternate nostrils.
Breath Pattern: Close off the right nostril with the right thumb. Inhale deeply through the left nostril. When the breath is full, close off the left nostril with the little finger and exhale smoothly through the right nostril. The breath is complete, continuous and smooth.
Time: Continue with long, deep, regular breaths for 3-31 minutes.
End: Inhale, exhale completely, hold the breath out and apply mulbandh. Relax completely.
Fists of Anger to Release Frustration
In just 3 minutes, this powerful exercise can help clear emotions of frustration and anger.
• Sit in easy pose (legs crossed) and put your palms together.
• Start by saying this mantra 3 times: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo.
• Next, fold your thumbs inside your palms and make a fist.
• Engage in a powerful backstroke motion over the top of the head while simultaneously exhaling intensely through the “O” shape of your mouth.
• While you are breathing powerfully, consciously bring up the heavy, negative feelings that are affecting you and expel them, using your breath.
• Your cheeks will billow out and your navel will pump as you do this exercise. Use the breath to push through any feelings of fatigue or discomfort.
• After 3 minutes, interlace the fingers, press the palms up over the head, straighten the elbows, inhale, hold the breath. Imagine white light all around the body. This will make you feel secure, clean and focused. Exhale and enjoy the huge influx of energy in your body.
Meditation to Clear Emotions From the Past
Even when we have moved on mentally from events in our past, trapped emotions can continue to linger in our physical bodies. Here is an exercise to help clear them out:
- Sit up straight in Easy Pose or in a chair.
- Bring the hands together in front of the chest
- Touch the tips of the thumbs together, as well as the tips of each finger to the corresponding finger on the opposite hand. Point the fingertips upward and the thumbs towards the heart. Keep the palms spread apart.
- Close your eyes and then open them a tiny bit. Look down towards the tip of your nose.
- Breathe in this pattern:
• Inhale for a count of 8.
• Suspend the breath in for a count of 8.
• Exhale for a count of 8.
• Suspend the breath out for a count of 8.
• Continue for 3 to 11 minutes, or until you feel better.
Happy practicing!
