Kundalini Yoga & Meditation at Moving Galaxy
Date: Tuesdays , Jan 6, 13, 20, & 27
Time: 6-7:30pm, +Optional Tea-Time
Location: Moving Galaxy, 2408 N Farwell Ave
Join Elizabeth Bogart every Tuesday at Moving Galaxy for a 90-minute Kundalini Yoga and Meditation class. Each class includes breathwork, kriya (series of movement), juicy relaxation (approx 11-minute savasana), and meditation that includes mantra (singing/chanting) and mudra. We’ll begin each class connecting to the studio’s theme of month.
Suggested Props: 1-2 blankets and a bolster.
JANUARY’S THEME: Props
“I like to think of my yoga props as my friends coming to hang out on my mat with me, offering support when I need it. On the mat, if we need to lift the floor up a little closer, if we need to move our bodies into a challenging pose while maintaining good alignment or if we need a little help connecting with our breath, we can look to our props for support.” - Heather Acomb
PROPS AS SUPPORT: How we use props in Kundalini Yoga?
You’re always welcome to use props in any way to support your physical comfort. There are many kundalini kriyas that include long periods of sitting, so finding the props you like best to maintain a comfortable seat is important. In Kundalini Yoga, we also use props (blankets, bolsters, shawls/headcovers, etc) to support us energetically.
For example, many practitioners place a blanket (or sheepskin) on top of their mats before they take a seat. This acts like a little energetic insulation as you practice. Blankets are also used in deep relaxation (Savasana) for warmth, comfort, and to insulate the body to enhance deep rest (pro tip: make sure to tuck yourself in and use the blanket to cover your toes too). Lastly, Kundalini Yogis often wear head coverings or shawls during meditation to enhance focus, third eye activation, and to contain their energy. Many kundalini meditations will generate heat in the body. A head covering acts like a roof on a house, letting your energy stay contained and circulate throughout the body instead of escaping out of the top of your head. This month, Elizabeth will bring shawls in case folks want to experience what it feels like meditating with a head covering. (You can also just wear your winter hat.)
In alignment with this month’s theme, we’ll explore the idea of “support” and spotlight aspects within each kriya and meditation that are most supportive, that hold us up.
MORE ABOUT THE PRACTICE
Kundalini Yoga, known as the "Yoga of Experience,” is a unique combination of movement (called a kriya), breathing techniques (pranayama), mantra (chanting), and meditation with mudra (hand postures). Each kriya works like a recipe and has a specific effect on the body - physically and energetically. The system of pressure and release supports the nervous system to reset, regulate, and balance the glandular system. Elizabeth has been teaching/practicing this style of yoga for over 15 years and affectionately describes this practice as "putting yourself in the washing machine" in a good way. Ideal for folks recovering from burnout, processing grief, deepening their intuition, or simply wanting to feel more expansive, capable, & alive! It's best understood by experiencing it, so come try it.