HEJAZI, REZAHejazi, Reza

CH 9 KRIYA IN KUNDALINI YOGA 100-112

CH 10 RELAXATION

CH 11 MIND & MEDITATION

CH 23 ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES IN CLASS SETTING

CH 7 SOUND & MANTRA pp.65-82 Postures and Form & Alignment 27 & 28

1. What is a kriya in Kundalini Yoga and what is kriya shakti? What is the main objective of a kriya?

Kriya means action to manufacture an objective to come to actuality like a desired thought to bloom in the human consciousness. Kriya Shakti is the power of soul to manifest itself into each realm of experience. Main objective is to Master of a particular, predictable and stable state – a facet of the your awareness.

2. What is “Shuniya” and when in your life does this experience occur?

Means zero! This is a state of stillness. When we use pranayam and bandha to create it.

3. What is a Pranayam?

Control of life force (Prana)

4. What is Tratakam meditation and what is one main effect?

It is a gazing meditation in order to focus pranic energy and increase the ability to concentrate.

5. What is meditation? Mention 3 benefits of meditation

Meditation is the art of breaking habits, to purify the mind and to develop neutral mind. In order to turn emotions to devotions rather than commotions. The actual

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HEJAZI, REZAmeaning is, where and when we are non-judgmentally, witnessing our state of awareness with neutral mind and try to stay present within our body, mind and spirit.

6. Why is it important to develop a neutral mind?

Neutral mind is the ultimate “ win –win mentality . you look into the whole play of life with compassion. This would evaluate the input of your negative and positive minds and gives you an guidance within 9 seconds. This will help you to access your soul.

7. Mention three ways in which yoga helps the nervous system,

1. Working on chakras through stimulation of the kundalini energy and balances of the glands,

2. Effect on breath control and pineal glands 3. Effect on pituitary gland and hypothalamus

8. Two specific points within the body for concentration during meditation,

a. Crown chakra b. Tip of the nose c. Third eye d. Moon center

9. Two reasons for covering your head when you teach (and/or in general)

a. Wearing a head covering enables you to command your sixth center, the Ajna Chakra.

b. Covering the head provides a sense of containment and focus while practicing yoga or while doing work that requires clarity of thought. It literally helps "keep your head together." Covering the head creates a focus of the functional circuit of the hemispheres of the brain, and tunes the neurological system.

10. What is White Tantric Yoga and what are the benefits?

White Tantric Yoga is an ancient group meditative practice that works on clearing out the deepest corridors of the subconscious mind.

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HEJAZI, REZA It will connect the subtle body of Yogi bhajan to subtle body of the participants. It cuts through the blocks that are stuck in the subconscious mind. 11. Why is it important for a Yoga Teacher to give Gurudakshina?

Giving Gurudakshina is an expression of gratitude for the privilege we share of being teachers of Kundalini Yoga.

12. Why should all students pay for Kundalini Yoga classes ,

There should be an exchange between student and teacher even by donation. Empty handed we come and empty handed we go!

13. Describe the basic structure of a Kundalini Yoga class

Typical Kundalini classes consist of: introduction and Tune in with Adi Mantra: “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo“ Warm-ups. Kriya(s), Relaxation and meditation. And finally finishing with the class with a prayer and blessing (called the Long Time Sun and then repeat Sat Nam (Truth is my identity) 1-3 times.)

14. Two things you may do in order to prepare to teach a Kundalini Yoga class and two things a teacher can do to prepare the environment for a Kundalini yoga class,

• prepare to teach

▪ taking a bath

▪ wearing dignified white

• prepare the environment

i. quite and well aired room

ii. ample space per student

15. Can you teach Kundalini Yoga even if you are not perfect? Explain why.

Yes . Yogi Bhajan said “Just teach what you know, and teach people to relax.” He humbly acknowledged that God was the Doer of everything. He said, “I’m the mailman, not the mail; the water pipe, not the water.”

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HEJAZI, REZA16. What are the effects of the four locks?

Fastest way to elevation and happiness. Helps the energy of the moon center at the chin. Prevent undue changes to the blood pressure. It is easier to concentrate on internal sensations and perceptions. Stimulate and balances the thyroid and parathyroid. Stimulate the cleansing, positive effect on the excessive preoccupation with fantasy. And slowing all degenerative aging process. When all applied body is in a perfect healing state.

In your own words briefly describe how to do

a. mulbandh,- Contract rectum, sex organ, and then navel point toward the spine. The contraction should be smooth , rapid and flowing. This could be done when breath is in or out .

b. uddiyana bandh,- be in a standing position. Bend forward with hands on the knee. Lift the chest slightly and apply the lock. Only apply when you are fully exhaled. Apply neck lock and Pull the entire abdominal region particularly naval point upward and in. keep it or 10 to 60 seconds. Relax the abdomen and gradually inhale. Do not release the neck lock.

c. jalandhar bandh, - Sit in the meditative posture. Head and chin parallel to the ground and gently push the chin posteriorly toward the neck.

d. mahabandh – with the breath is out, simultaneously we apply three locks.

17. Two benefits of deep relaxation.

a. Distributing the prana that has been generated during the exercises

b. Memorizing the relaxation sensation

18. Simply define both mudras and bhandas as we refer to those in Kundalini Yoga

Mudras is a position of the hands that locks or seals and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain. Bhandas are body locks. 19. For each of the following mudras: Identify its name. b. Provide one of its

benefits.

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a-bear grip (stimulate the heart and intensify the concentration, b-prayer pose (prana mudra)( for centering ourselves) c-venus lock for men-channelizes the sexual energy and promotes glandular balance d-buddhi mudra- mental power of the communication e-Gyan mudra- it stimulate the knowledge

Note; From left to right

20. In order to enhance the power of mantra you should (choose the one correct answer)

a. Know its exact meaning

X Have rhythm, projection and correct pronunciation

b. Sing it like a choir with many different harmonies

c. Repeat it until you memorize it

21. Please give one essential effect of chanting the mantras listed below:

a. Sat Nam effect: vibrating our existence and balnces five elements.

b. Har Haray Hari Wahe Guru Effect: Freedom from in blocks in life

c. Mul Mantra (Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Karta Purkh Nirbhao Nirvair Akal Moorat Ajooni Saibhang Guruprasad Jap Ad Such Jugad Such Haibhee Such Nanak Hosee Bhee Such) Effect: it will awaken our intuition, intelligence and instinct

d. d.Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Se So Hung effect: It brings balance

e. Healthy am I, Happy am I, Holy am I Effect: Positive affirmation

f. Chattr Chakkr Varti (Last four lines of Jap Sahib) Effect: Removes fear, anxiety, depression and brings victory

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HEJAZI, REZAg. Sa Ta Na Ma Effect: Increases intuition

h. Ad Guray Name Effect: removes the clouds of doubts and open us to guidance and protection

22. Define

a. Naad Namodam rasaa: is the science of sound in which the infinite could be experienced – it is trikuti mantra. It blends all three gunas and neutralizes all the ida ad pingla into the central channel of sushmana.

23. Nam Jaapa Begin to use the mantra Sat Nam (or a different mantra) internally through the day with each breath to break up persistent thought patterns and your attachment to your finite identity (personality, career, relationships) and redirect you towards the true infinite Self (God within).

24. Be sure you are able to succinctly explain how the science of naad works (p.67) What is Naad Yoga and how is this different from Laya Yoga?

Naad Yoga is the yoga of Sound which is a continual process of going inward and outward through listening and expressing. Laya means “Dissolve” which is dissolution of self and merging with the superme consciousness are achieved.

25. Define mantra and what are its potential effects? The creative projection of the of the mind through sound. The potential effects are alters the patterns of the mind and chemistry of the brain, elevates consciousness through their meaning and rhymical repetition.

26. How are Shakti and Bhakti present in mantras? Give an example of a mantra for each. In order to vibrate perfectly requires a combination of shakti and Bhakti. Shakti is a power of precision and discipline in the repetition. Bahakti is the experience of devotion and surrender.

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HEJAZI, REZAExamples: Adi Shakti Adi Shakti Adi Shakti, Namo Namo is bhakti and Har Har Har Har Gobinday,… is shakti.

27. What is a bij mantra? What is an ashtang mantra? What is a trikuti mantra? Sat Nam is a bij mantra, a seed sound. Within the seed is all the knowledge of the fully grown tree. Ashtang mantra: Has eight parts like Ra, Ma , Da, Sa… What is a trikuti mantra? Mantras that balances the energy of generating and organizing.

28. What is anahat and how do we create it? Unstruck melody! It generates when the inner sound is produces from the navel center using the tip of the tongue. This is sweet nectar of ecstasy.

29. Define japa and simran (also see p.134 for YB description) Jappa is to repeat. And Simran is remembrance of Oneness through the sound current.

30. Discuss how the meridian points of the mouth are used in chanting and the effect of stimulating them on the hypothalamus, the body and consciousness. The breath rhythm and quality and properly used sound or shabad is interpreted like a code in the hypothalamus. Each stroke of breath and stimulation of the 84 points by the tongue is a beat of the baton that releases waves of neuro chemical messages to activate the pituitary gland which command all other glands.

Draw a picture of the mouth and its meridian points to illustrate this:

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HEJAZI, REZA

Figure 1-Meridians and upper palate1

https://www.spiritrisingyoga.org/kundalini-info/kundalini-yoga-mantras1

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