I've been on the path of healing for the last several years, and one of the things that has accelerated the process and helped build my life condition is Kundalini yoga. The daily practice of breath work, meditating and movement can actually rewire neural pathways in the brain.
There's a science behind all the poses, mantras and krias in Kundalini yoga. This form of yoga was introduced to the United States by Yogi Bhajan in the 1969, when he created the 3HO foundation (Healthy, Holy, Happy Organization). The basic tenets of eating healthy and organically, wearing white, giving service to the community and getting connected to a higher consciousness made this movement very popular among the free thinkers of the time. Wearing white is said to multiply your aura, and eating healthy helps the connection to The Source move fluidly. Many of the exercises have been designed to activate the pituitary and thyroid glands, thus helping with anti-aging forces.
The Kundalini is untapped energy (prana) at the base of the spine that can be drawn up through the body, awakening each of the seven chakras. Full enlightenment occurs when this energy reaches the crown chakra at the tope of the head. The head is usually covered to keep that energy intact, and to protect the crown.
I first began practicing when I was pregnant with my daughters. The last two years, though, I've tried to maintain a more consistent routine. With this commitment I've noticed a stronger connection to my intuition, more peace and a much higher capacity for dealing with everyday issues that in the past would have bothered me. I also have reached moments of total bliss. The breathing, mantras, and teachings seem to be exactly what we need in this hectic and sometimes toxic modern age.
Shiva Rose is an actress, writer, activist, and blogger for her website The Local Rose. She has a bachelor’s in world arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and currently lives near the Santa Monica mountains with her two daughters. Her nontoxic, natural beauty line combines Kundalini elements with fresh-harvested ingredients. She's also the author of Whole Beauty: Daily Rituals and Natural Recipes for Lifelong Beauty and Wellness, which includes her favorite Kundalini practices as well as daily rituals.