Rules and Preparation

The aspirant who earnestly wishes to follow the path of kundalini yoga has to approach the path of kundalini yoga with a different attitude. His whole life must become a sadhana and he must be totally devoted to his practices and his goal. He will need to live a life of moderation and higher awareness in the midst of his daily responsibilities. He or she has to be a warrior in life and must seek the guidance of a competent guru who can point the way for the spiritual quest ahead. The kundalini yogi has to be ardent and faithful to his practice and his guru’s instructions. He will need to devote more time each morning to perfect the practices given in this book. Whatever your personal aim in life, and whatever your commitments and responsibilities, kundalini yoga can definitely help you to become more efficient, more peaceful and more aware. Seek the instructions of a sannyasin or a qualified yoga teacher, learn the techniques in this book, and practise them systematically according to the amount of time you are able to spare each day. In this way, your life will be transformed into the most exciting adventure ever - the journey to inner experience and unitive life.

The following rules and regulations apply to both the specific chakra practices and to the kriya yoga techniques. They should be followed as closely as possible.

Diet

Most people who are ready for kundalini yoga will be leading a well regulated life and taking a balanced vegetarian diet. If you are still keeping late hours, drinking alcohol and eating large quantities of meat, we strongly suggest that you slowly reduce these and do some of the hatha yoga shatkarmas, such as shankhaprakshalana. In fact, we request you not to start the practices given in this book until you have become pure vegetarian. Eat vegetarian food that is fresh, clean and easily digestible, and eat in moderation. Kundalini yoga is a system which purifies the whole body; if there are excessive toxins in your body then there may be a drastic purging process. The consumption of too much food will also make it difficult to do most of the techniques properly, especially pranayama and those which involve uddiyana bandha. You should use your discrimination in choosing the food that you eat. Remember, all kundalini yoga courses given in our ashrams are accompanied by compulsory food restrictions, therefore, you should adopt similar restrictions. But please do not starve yourself or become a food faddist; only try to adopt sensible eating habits.

Illness

If you suffer from any physical illness, we advise you not to start the kundalini techniques given in this book. First of all you should take steps to cure your illness by any suitable means, possibly hatha yoga. If necessary, write to this ashram, to any of our branch ashrams, or contact any competent yoga teacher for guidance. If you suffer from any serious mental or emotional problems you should not, at present, start the practices of kundalini yoga. Practise other types of yoga to bring harmony into your life and mind, then start kundalini yoga. The kundalini techniques are very powerful, and if you do not have some degree of mental stability, they may worsen your condition. If in doubt, contact us. Sound health is the basic requirement for kundalini yoga practice.

Yogic preparation

Before commencing the kundalini techniques given in this book, you should have practised other systems of yoga, especially hatha and raja yoga, for at least a few years. In particular, you should be proficient in the following techniques: pawanmuktasana (anti-rheumatic and anti-gastric), shakti bandha asanas, surya namaskara, major asanas such as sarvangasana, dhanurasana, shalabhasana, bhujangasana, matsyasana, paschimottanasana and ardha matsjendrasana, as well as the shatkarmas and the basic practices of pranayama, such as nadi shodhana. All of these techniques are fully described in the Bihar School of Yoga publication Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. However, to master these techniques you will need to have the regular guidance of a qualified yoga teacher.

Time

The best time of day to do your sadhana (practice) is early in the morning, within the two hours before dawn. This is known as brahmamuhurta in Sanskrit, ’the time divine’. At this time spiritual energy is high and there are likely to be fewer disturbances, both external and internal, than at any other period of the day. However, if you are unable to practise during brahmamuhurta, choose some other time when the stomach is not loaded.

Place of practice

Try to practise in the same place every day. This will gradually build up a positive atmosphere which will be helpful for your sadhana. Your place of practice should be clean, peaceful and well ventilated. It should be dry and neither too hot nor too cold. Do not practise on the bare floor; place a blanket or mat beneath you. If necessary, wrap a blanket or sheet around you. Try to avoid the use of fans, unless absolutely necessary.

Clothing

Clothing will depend on the prevailing climate, but it should be as light, loose and comfortable as possible.

Regularity

Try to practise daily at a fixed time, without fail, following the step-by-step program that we have given in this book. On certain days, the mind may give justification for not practising, or it may be upset, disturbed or restless. Providing there is no illness, you should endeavor to do your practice as normal.

Preliminary practices

Before starting the kundalini yoga practices, try to empty the bowels and take a cold shower. If you live in a cold climate, then at least wash the face with cold water. This is essential in order to remove sleepiness.

It is a good idea to do a few asanas before commencing the kundalini practices. If time does not permit, then at least do 5 to 10 rounds of surya namaskara, starting slowly and then accelerating the pace. This should be followed by a short rest period in shavasana until the breathing rate returns to normal.

Awareness

If the mind flits here and there like a wild monkey, do not worry. Let thoughts and emotions arise without suppression. Watch them with the attitude of a witness and continue your practice. Gradually the mind will become one-pointed. Whatever happens, your practice should continue. This attitude of witnessing the mind without interfering, can be defined as awareness.