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Kundalini Curriculum Assignment #1 Addiction OVERCOMING ADDICTION THROUGH BALANCING THE CHAKRAS Kundalini yoga is a perfect technology to help one recover from and overcome addiction. There are many ways the technology can be applied - through specific exercises to rebalance the glandular system, rebuild and strengthen the nervous system, repattern the limbic system and neural pathways, clear the energetic pathways or nadis in the body, develop the frontal cortex, and many more - because Kundalini yoga is dynamic and it impacts all body systems and !functions as well as provides a path to connect the body, mind and spirit.! One of the best applications of Kundalini yoga for someone who is struggling with addiction is by systematically applying techniques to the Chakras, starting with the First Chakra. Chakras are energy centers in the body where prana or life force accumulates. In Kundalini yoga there are seven distinct chakras, each one associated with different characteristics and functions. When a chakra is out of balance, prana is blocked, and certain shadow qualities emerge. When we work to balance the chakras, our energy moves freely, our body functions properly, and our highest qualities and caliber emerge. !We are maximized for optimal living.! “Chakras affect our perceptions, feelings, and choices. They affect the flow and types of thoughts we have, and the energies we can gather to act upon them and manifest our thoughts. In all of our behavior, they affect the relationship between the conscious and the subconscious. Opening and balancing the chakras opens the senses, and integrates them into a responsive network that can relate to the larger source field of energy from which we come and to which we return.” !- The Aquarian Teacher, KRI, page 184. ! This set specifically ties the imbalances we face when overcoming addiction relative to each chakra, and provides a Kriya and Meditation selected specifically to balance the chakra in order to help you recover from and free yourself from !addiction, and maximize your potential.! MULADHARA. FIRST CHAKRA, ROOT. Concept. It’s been said that all addiction starts in the root chakra. Without a balanced first chakra, we tend to feel ungrounded, unsafe, insecure. So we seek things outside of ourselves to feel grounded, nurtured, safe, secure. We look to externalities to fill up the hole that is left from the imbalanced root. By strengthening our root chakra, we connect to our center, we feel more grounded, we feel secure and comforted and stable and we don’t need to reach outside of ourselves to achieve this. This series is a great series to !practice to strengthen the root.! !Element. Earth! !Security & Survival! !Foundations. Survival. Security. Habit. ! !Location. The end of the spine between the anus and the sex organs. ! Organs. Theme, Elimination. Areas, Bones, feet, legs, rectum, perineum, large intestine, base of the spine, adrenal glands and !immune system.! !Proper Functioning. Grounded, centered, secure, loyal, stable, healthy elimination.! Malfunction. Fear, insecurity. Life feels like a burden. Feeling of not really belonging on Earth or in one’s culture or family. Weak !constitution, elimination problems, reduced physical and mental resistance, sexual perversions.! The root chakra is located between the anus and genitals (perineum) and is symbolized by 4 petals. The color red and sometimes brown is associated with this chakra. The root chakra forms the foundation for the raising of Kundalini energy or life force. The root chakra governs the processes of elimination, birth, survival and independence. It is the gateway to human connection to earth. You can balance this chakra with the sacred vowel UH (as in cup) and focus your attention on the chakra at the same time.! The first chakra is called Muladhara which means root or foundation. In this particular chakra we can begin to transcend the basis of physical nature. Connecting to the earth element here, this energetic center is responsible for everything that manifests in the physical world. It is involved with material and primal survival, our health, bodies and habits. In Kundalini Yoga, the specific body parts that are related to the first chakra are the bones, feet, legs, rectum, perineum, large intestine, base of the spine, adrenal glands and immune system. The theme here is elimination, steadiness, health and stability. Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga we can build a strong !connection with this energetic center and use it to help us live fully in our bodies and on this earth.! ! Warm-up.! !Spinal Twist.! !Sufi Grind.! !Cat Cow.! !Frog Pose.! !!! Kriya.! ! Foundation for Infinity! ! Meditation! ! Meditation for a Stable Self! SVADISTHANA. SECOND CHAKRA. SEX. Concept. One of the main causes of our need to turn to addictive substances is that we don’t properly express our creativity. Creation turned inward literally leads to destruction, an implosion of sorts. It is devastating. In the Gnostic Gospels of Thomas, Jesus said “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.” When our Second Chakra is in balance, we are able to tap in to our creative force and are able to bring forth what is in us, to express what must come out. A balanced second chakra also allows us to develop patience and boundaries and develop responsible, healthy attitudes towards sex and positive relationships. All of these things are critical to helping one live a life where there is not need to escape (expressing the creativity, establishing and protecting our boundaries) and aids in the process of overcoming addiction (patience), and further sustains us once we have come through addiction (in developing nurturing positive relationships). This !set is wonderful for balancing the second chakra.! !Element. Water.! !Creativity.! !To Feel. To desire. To create.! !Location. The Sexual Organs.! !Organs. Sexual organs, reproductive glands, kidneys, bladder.! !Proper Functioning. Positive, relaxed attitude to sexual functions, patience; creativity; responsible relationships.! !Malfunction. Rigid emotions, frigidity, guilt, no boundaries, irresponsible relationships. Problems with reproductive organs or kidneys.! Warm-up.! !Spinal Twist.! !Sufi Grind.! !Cat Cow.! !Frog Pose.! !! Kriya.! ! Releasing Premenstrual Tension & Balancing Sexual Energy! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Meditation.! ! Ganpati Meditation! This meditation is said to redeem all negativity of the past and present, smooth out your day-to-day problems and create a !positive tomorrow. It will change your luck and allow prosperity to flow. ! !Posture. Sit in Easy Pose, with a light neck lock.! !Eyes. The eyes are 1/10th open. Concentrate at the Third Eye Point.! !Mudra. Place the wrists over the knees, hands in Gyan Mudra, with the arms and elbows straight.! !Mantra. Saa-Taa-Naa-Maa- Raa-Maa-Daa-Saa- Saa-Say-So-Hung! Part I. Chant the mantra on a single breath, as you press the fingertips of each hand sequentially (thumb to fore finger, thumb !to middle finger, thumb to ring finger, thumb to little finger) with each syllable. Use a monotone voice. Continue for 11 minutes.! Part II. Inhale deeply and hold the breath. Move the body in a slow twist and stretch motion. Move each muscle of the body. !Move the head, torso, arms, back, belly and hands. Then exhale powerfully. Repeat this 5 times.! Part III. Immediately sit straight. Look at the Lotus Point, the tip of the nose. Become totally calm, absolutely still. Meditate for 3 !minutes.! To End. Inhale and hold the breath for 30 seconds as you physically move and rotate your body as if it is going through spasms. Every muscle must be stretched, squeezed and turned around, from the muscles in your face, head and neck, down to your toes. Exhale. Repeat this 3 more times. Then inhale, sit calmly and concentrate on the tip of your nose for 20 seconds. ! Exhale, and relax.! ! ! MANIPURA. THIRD CHAKRA. NAVEL. Concept. The most important chakra to balance in order to recover from and overcome addiction is the Third Chakra, or our Navel Center. This is where our sense of self and personal power, our WILL is developed. Often times when we suffer from addiction we have lost our sense of personal power, and given it over to sources outside of ourselves - chemicals, behaviors, compulsions. When we develop our third chakra we begin regain this sense of inner power and come to rely on our own strength. This is also where our sense of personal identity lives, which we also lose when deep in addiction - we forget who we are. In many cases, we didn’t understand who we were to begin with. When we develop our third chakra, we begin to regain the understanding of Who We Are. Self-confidence returns through building this chakra, as does our self-esteem, and also of significance, our commitment. If there is any energetic center that we should focus on rebuilding when recovering from addiction, it is this one. By stimulating and balancing the third chakra, we burn through that which is no longer serving us, begin to connect back to who we are, develop a deeper sense of self-confidence, come into !our TRUE power, and develop our WILL.! !Element. Fire.! !Action and Balance.! !The Will of The Spiritual Warrior.! !Location. Navel point, solar plexus.! !Organs. Navel point, solar plexus, liver, gall bladder, spleen, digestive organs, pancreas, adrenals.! Proper Functioning. The center of personal power and commitment. Self-esteem, identity, judgment. This is where the strength for !inner balance, inspiration and good health is developed.! Malfunction. Anger, greed, shame, despair, obstacles everywhere. Not enough strength and spontaneity. Conforming in order to be !recognized. Refuting ones own wishes and emotions. Problems with digestion, the liver, the gallbladder, and the pancreas.! Warm-up.! !Spinal Twist.! !Sufi Grind.! !Spinal Flex.! ! Cat Cow.! Kriya.! ! Nabhi Kriya! ! Meditation.! ! Caliber for Constant Self Authority! ! ! ANAHATA.
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