Dear Friends,
Today's interview is with Donna Davidge who talks about her DailyOM course, 5 Week Kundalini Yoga for Chakras. Donna has been teaching Kundalini Yoga for decades and is very passionate about the unique way that Kundalini combines movement, breath, sound, and meditation to bring a full and enriching healing experience. Practicing Kundalini as a way to open your chakra system is life changing, so let's hear more about it from Donna.
- Receive a new lesson every week for 5 weeks (total of 5 lessons).
- Have lifetime access to the course for reference whenever you want.
- Select the amount you can afford, and get the same course as everyone.
- If you are not 100% satisfied, you may request a refund.
DailyOM: How is Kundalini Yoga different from other forms of yoga?
Donna Davidge: Kundalini is a very inner focused form of yoga, with eyes closed most of the time. We also focus on both breath and a seed mantra during practice. The movements are often very different from other forms of yoga I have practiced and taught, with nontraditional poses that move energy a certain way. We also use chanting and meditation extensively, as well as specific "sets" to work on a variety of things, like the body systems and the chakras. The practice originated in India, where practitioners were initiated by a guru into the powerful practice of raising the life force energy stored at the base of the spine. The symbol of Kundalini is the serpent seen in the medical symbol, known for its healing and energy awakening powers.
I think it is really important to understand that Kundalini is ultimately about more inner awareness on any and all levels, and it is also very experiential, so each person will have their own response based on their unique makeup.
The practice that is presented in this course was brought to the United States in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan, who presented the material in thousands of "sets," which are specific sequences done for specific amounts of time. The order of the exercises works in a certain way and the time lengths should not be extended. The times, however, can be shortened. Often the times can be very long, such as holding one's arms up for eleven minutes. This gives the student the opportunity to go beyond the physical, an important aspect of this type of yoga.
DailyOM: What are the benefits of practicing Kundalini?
DD: For me, the benefits are, first and foremost, emotional healing. On my personal journey, it was a gradual change in behaviors and mindset that helped me move from being unconscious to conscious, towards habits and behaviors of thinking, acting, and being that were constructive rather than destructive. People often do not want to change, but when they realize how much more alive, alert, and connected to others and the planet they become through this practice, things start to shift. Some people utilize Kundalini for its breath work, such as actors. Others definitely use it as a spiritual practice and healing tool. It is often called the yoga of awareness, as all change and growth start with awareness. Having eyes closed contains the energy for enhanced awareness, directing the energy in ways that affect the subtle body and an overall feeling that is different from other forms of yoga.
An important aspect is its focus on chakras. For example, there are sets specifically for the navel, the belly center, which controls so much of who we are and how we are physically, mentally, and emotionally in the world. The sets for the heart chakra are some of my favorites. I recently heard that the energy of the heart is much stronger than the energy of the brain. While we have sets for the brain as well, the chakras are especially important in any yoga, but definitely emphasized in Kundalini Yoga.
DailyOM: Can this type of yoga help us deal with stressful situations in life?
DD: I think one of the most important tools for stress reduction in Kundalini Yoga is the use of breath. As one learns to breathe properly or "yogically," this breath puts us more easily into the present moment, as well as expressing our emotions instead of repressing them, and learning how to do this in a healthy fashion. These breaths also strengthen the nervous system, which definitely helps us handle stress. The mantras are also extremely helpful.
Throughout this course the student learns about the breath, which is important for opening all the pathways along the spine. Interestingly, when you breathe correctly you access the creative hip/groin second chakra and open the creative throat chakra. Most people breathe shallowly, cutting off their energy flow along the spine and especially the connection to their emotions, which originate in the second chakra, which is so much more than just sexual energy. Many students report emotions arising during practice; it is important to let that happen, as many people need to improve their connection to their emotions, for better health, communication, and release. I say, let the emotions flow! Laugh, cry, moan, sigh! Hopefully this course will give you the tools to handle stress in a multitude of ways, from learning how to open your breath to opening your mind, body, and emotions as well.
DailyOM: Tell us how you laid out this course.
DD: I wanted this course to educate students on the chakras, the energy centers along the spine, so they might have a better understanding of how this can apply to long held beliefs or current issues or situations in their life. This kind of yoga is a very experiential practice. I chose Yogi Bhajan sets in a logical sequence that would work progressively up the spine, each focused on a chakra with a powerful breathing meditation to conclude. The exercises are geared in each lesson to the specific part of the body where the energy lies. I intentionally chose sets to make the student aware of their own energy in various parts of the body.
For example, when you become aware of a chakra you can then address issues that may need attention or healing there. If in an abusive relationship, one might develop issues in the second chakra, like urinary tract infections or kidney issues. One might develop digestive issues if they are feeling fearful, insecure, or lack self-confidence. The first three chakras are very much about how we handle fear, whether we go with the flow of life, digesting and eliminating food and thoughts in a healthy manner, or getting literally stuck in old patterns energetically out of fear. The heart is the gateway to the higher centers, where we express our highest energies in a way that is pure and truthful. This comes from the intuition we access at the sixth chakra, above the throat.
DailyOM: In one of the lessons, you talk about our aura. What is it and why is it important?
DD: The aura is the energy field around all living things. One might call it the electromagnetic field. When it is strong, we feel empowered, healthy in body and mind, and have a feeling of protection. It can be depleted by toxic emotions, unhealthy people and environments, and also by taking in foods or substances that deplete us instead of increasing or contributing to the Prana, or life force energy, of our being. Almost everything we do in this course, helps the aura be strong. At any given time, our life force energy can shift. If we do not take care of ourselves, this energy is easily depleted. The sets in this course, with the emphasis on breath, all help strengthen the nerves, cleanse the internal organs, and oxygenate the system to keep our minds clear and our bodies strong. When this is the case, our aura is our protective shield, and practicing Kundalini Yoga is a great way to keep our aura strong. In this course the goal is to aspire to be radiant and help others do the same.
Thanks, Donna. If you are curious about Kundalini Yoga and the chakra system, this course is a great way to begin a practice of energy awakening and emotional healing that utilizes an ancient yet dynamic practice. With an uplifting blend of physical and spiritual exercises for the body, the goal of this course is to increase your vitality, health, and awareness. Until next time.
Be well,
DailyOM
