Kundalini Yoga [Paperback]

Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 1, 1998

Taught for thousands of years--and revealed to the West in recent decades by the master Yogi Bhajan--Kundalini Yoga is suprisingly simple to learn. And practiced regularly, it can strengthen the nervous system, balance the glandular system, and harness the energy of the mind and emotion as well as the body. While general yoga technique focuses on exercise postures and breathing, Kundalini takes yoga concepts a step further by integrating them into everyday life activities. This definitive guide, fully illustrated with photographs, is an accessible introduction to this ancient practice, with information on poses and positions, diet and lifestyle, breathing and stretching techniques, chanting and meditation exercises, and general guidelines that can help anyone--beginner or advanced--gain the greatest benefit from yogic practice.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Kundalini Yoga: A Simple Guide to the Yoga of Awareness is an introduction to living your life with more awareness and spirituality, as well as a guide to the principles of this form of yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, the author's teacher. Kundalini yoga includes habits and practices that "balance the glandular system, strengthen the nervous system, and enable us to harness the energy of the mind and the emotions," explains the author. She clearly explains many facets of this kundalini lifestyle: breathing (including breathing exercises), spirituality, food choices and preparation, chants and meditations, the chakras (energy centers in the body), self-healing, sleep, communication, and using yoga postures for health.

This is not an exercise book of yoga postures--although several are illustrated--but a guidebook toward a more spiritual path. "Spirituality cannot be taught. It has to be caught, you have to get it from someone who's got it." The book describes the path to a more spiritual life using kundalini yoga philosophy and practice. You don't have to move to a cave to adopt these practices--the author shows you how you can use them to balance even a busy, modern lifestyle. -- Joan Price

About the Author

Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa was the first woman to study with Yogi Bhajan in the United States. Bhajan is the leader of the Sikh religion in the West and the founder of 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), which has 300 Kundalini Yoga centers around the world. Shakti has been teaching Kundalini Yoga for nearly 30 years, and was ordained as a minister of the Sikh Dharma in 1974.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; Perigee ed edition (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399524207
• ISBN-13: 978-0399524202
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts > Sikhism

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Focus on the exercises... June 23, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

...and take some of the other advice with a grain of salt.

The woman who wrote this book was one of Yogi Bhajan's earliest students - I believe that she is in her sixties or seventies. I mention this because I would advise anyone to read this book the same way they take advice from an older person of a different generation...

I started reading the book in 1999, after I had done a little bit of Kundalini - and I will admit that I got turned off - by the advice to take cold showers, some of Yogi Bhjan's quotes about women etc., etc. Then I promptly quit doing yoga, bought a house (a fixer-upper) and got a stressful job. Almost exactly one year later I realized that I needed to calm my mind and my body because I was a wreck. I took a few Kundalini classes, but really needed something that I could practice at home. So I dug out this book - and went straight to the exercises. Flow of Eternal power presents the exercises in sets which you can make last from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. I bought a digital kitchen timer so that I could hold the poses for a the prescribed period of time and off I went. Well, THE KUNDALINI EXERCISES MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE AND I STARTED TO FEEL 100% BETTER.

So, my advice is take what is offered and use it to your benefit - leave out what you don't feel comfortable with (actually the cold showers can be pretty invigorating and the advice about caring for oneself is pretty cool too).

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, but pleased nonetheless April 12, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's hard buying books when you don't have the opportunity to flip through them first. Honestly, if I found this in the local bookstore I probably would not have chosen it. I was expecting something more academic or pragmatic and the style of this book is so laid back and free flowing. Despite myself, I've come to appreciate the format. It's joyful and light, with lots of illustrations and cartoon like drawings in the margins. It does give some good information specifically for women, which is why I wanted this book in the first place. Lots of books about yoga or Eastern philosophy forget that all that is good for men is not necesarily beneficial for women, and this book makes a point to make this clear. Also, a suprise: good foot massage diagrams and the yogi tea recipe. If one is looking specifically for info about Kundalini or yoga, this may not be the best book for left brained information. It is however, an enjoyable book that includes helpful information about all aspects of life, from waking in the morning to broaching the mystery of death.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great introduction! August 23, 2001

By R. Redmond

Format:Paperback

So many books on Kundalini Yoga are bogged down with confusing information and subject matter that it can discourage most students. This book is excellent for both beginning and advanced students. It contains a wealth of information put together in a loose, light-hearted, and easy to understand format. You get everything here: philosophy, exercises, breathing techniques, mantras, cooking recipes. Regarding several criticisms I've seen of this book - I'd have to say please remember that this teacher is one of Yogi Bhajan's first students, and she may occasionally speak from a different generation then we're used to. It's not necessary to agree with every last sentance of the book to benefit from it. I recommend this inspiring book to anyone intrested in improving their life and learning more about Kundalini Yoga!