The Order of Things – What happens in a Kundalini Yoga class?
“Keep the teachings as they are given. Each kriya is complete in itself, a perfect jewel that acts to create a flow. [Kriyas] they are perfectly designed ensembles intended to produce predictable and subtle impacts on the total Being.” ~ Yogi Bhajan
Kundalini Yoga is more than just an exercise to stimulate the body. This yoga moves energy! KY is about having an energetic experience. It is important to impart the teachings correctly to produce the expected results. How can we be pure vessels for the teachings if we mess up the formula? It is specific and tested. It’s not called science for nothing!
To give you a bit of background, Kundalini Yoga classes have a specific 6-part teaching structure to follow, as outlined below.
- Tune in to the Adi Mantra
- Pranayama (breath work) and/or proper warm-up
- The Kriya (the set of exercises)
- Relaxation
- Meditation
- Closing Prayer and Long Sat Naams
Within this teaching structure there is a critical piece involving the third point, Kriya. The critical piece is not to skip or alter the Kriya in any way other than the length.
That means we teach the exact sequence of exercises in each set. We do not change the order or add or subtract poses. Kundalini Yoga is a science to bring a specific result. Don’t mess with what works.
Another important point to recognize is that we are truly honor bound to uphold the integrity and sacredness of the Kundalini Yoga Teachings, especially now that Yogi Bhajan has passed away. It is the legacy of every teacher to preserve the purity of the teachings.
The system and techniques have been proven to work. Period. Why be so arrogant as to think that you should change them? Can you do better than perfection? Yogi Bhajan tells us: “It is a proven path of three thousand years, it will not stop.” So stick with the program…because it works. The only way you will reach Infinity is by being given the ability to experience the teachings as they are meant to be taught.
©Copyright 2010 Kundalini Yoga with Sharlene Starr. All rights reserved.