Yoga

‘Yoga’ is an ancient Indian Sanskrit word with many meanings.

First, it means ‘union’, ‘to come together or unite’. For example, we tie strands of our mind together before we start a yoga practice, to form an intention. We unite mind, body and spirit.
It also means ‘attain what was previously unattainable’. For example, when we bring our desire to do something into action - doing a yoga posture - it can gently lead us to doing something we couldn’t do before. This can be discovering an insight or a deep capacity within ourselves, physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.
It means ‘acting’ or ‘becoming present'. It helps us become more present, in our bodies, to the present moment, dwelling less on the past or the future.

And it means ‘being one with the Divine’ which can be anything that brings us to a closer understanding that life is greater, more powerful than ourselves.

The many, rich practices of yoga are mainly based in ancient thought from India. Its application however is universal and we do not have to give up or develop beliefs in any or other ‘gods’ or religions to practice it. Practicing yoga only asks us to act and to be attentive to our actions. What this leads to is entirely personal. It is an entirely individual thing.

Kundalini

‘Kundalini' is the ‘energy of consciousness’.

Translating as ‘the coiled one’, again from ancient Sanskrit, refers to the intrinsic life force, the huge potential deep within each person, that may lie dormant until it is ‘awakened’. This energy resides at the base of the spine, coiled like a sleeping serpent, hence ‘the coiled one’. When this energy awakens, it rises up through our whole being, expanding our awareness on many levels - our consciousness, our experience of ourselves and of life. In doing so it brings many lasting physical, mental, emotional and psychological benefits. It is immediately nourishing, relaxing, strengthening and enlivening, it provides skills for daily life, helping with stress, and healing from trauma.

‘Kundalini Yoga’ is an ancient tradition from India involving a whole range of yogic techniques including:

• ‘Asanas’ - exercises and postures for the body

• ‘Raja yoga’ - meditation

• ‘Naad Yoga’ and ‘Mantra’ - sacred sound, music and chanting

• ‘Pranayama’ - breath awareness, breath techniques and breath work

• Tantric Yoga - the union and balance of polarities (eg. dark and light, the masculine and the feminine)

Kundalini Yoga uses these techniques in an integrated way that produces an effect not possible from the individual techniques alone. For example, Kundalini Yoga involves ‘Kriyas’, one exercise or a series of exercises in a certain structure, to produce particular effects. The result can be beneficial for the individual in many ways, with a myriad of physical benefits - eg. physical strengthening, increased flexibility, better glandular functioning, posture and core strength - as well as emotional balance; and emotional empowerment. It can shed light on deeper life patterns and support transformation. It can enable us to embrace our full humanness, including our sexuality.

Kundalini Yoga is very practical and enhances our perspective so we can embrace life more fully, in all its shades.

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is an extremely pleasurable, ancient Indian practice which combines deep relaxation with attentive awareness.

It involves very simple gestures and postures, usually lying down, standing or sitting, with light and subtle breathing exercises, gentle focus and meditation. It is deeply relaxing, refreshing and calming and can bring intense feelings of bliss and joy.

Tantra

‘Tantra’ is also an ancient Indian Sanskrit word meaning ‘system’. It refers to the ‘weaving’, the union or balance of ‘polarities' in ourselves and in life - the dark or shadow, and the light… the masculine and the feminine…

Through this weaving, aspects of our being, our life, are integrated. We may see parts of ourselves we have not yet seen or some which do not serve us well. We can strengthen qualities and energies, and balance them. We may integrate our physical existence in life with a greater awareness or ‘consciousness’.

This integration leads to personal growth, wholeness and a greatly expanded experience of life so that one may see and feel more of the unlimited richness, pleasure, beauty and possibility in life.

Tantra can involve numerous techniques such as creative visualisation and imagination, meditation.

Joanna Hearne

(With acknowledgements: TKV Desikachar, 1995, The Heart of Yoga. Developing a personal practice, Guru Rattana, 2015, Introduction to Kundalini Yoga and Meditation,

P Bonnasse, 2015, Yoga Nidra Meditation. The sleep of the sages)