Yogi Bhajan - Owner’s Manual for the Human Body - Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan

For Beginners

If you are a beginning student of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, practicing for less than six months, or if you have been practicing without the aid of a KRI certified teacher, please read this introduction before you begin to practice from this instruction manual.

Sadhana Guidelines

This manual has been prepared as a supplement and extension to Kundalini Yoga Sadhana Guidelines, 2nd Edition, in which Yogi Bhajan explains yoga, meditation, and the energy that is Kundalini. Also important for beginners are the descriptions of the basics of Kundalini Yoga: asanas (postures), mudras (hand positions), bandhas (energy locks), and mantras (sound currents) written by Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Director of Training for the Kundalini Research Institute's Aquarian Trainer Academy.

The Teacher

Kundalini Yoga is a spiritual discipline which cannot be practiced without a teacher. However it is not necessary for the teacher to be physically present when you practice. To establish a creative link with the Master of Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Bhajan, you should be sure to tune in to his energy flow using the Adi Mantra, Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo.

Tuning In

Every Kundalini Yoga session begins with chanting the Adi Mantra: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo. By chanting it in its proper form and consciousness, the student becomes open to the higher Self, the source of all guidance, and accesses the protective link between himself or herself and the divine teacher.

How to Recite the Adi Mantra

Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with the spine straight. Place the palms of the hands together as if in prayer, with the fingers pointing straight up, and then press the joints of the thumbs into the center of the chest, at the sternum. Inhale deeply. Focus your concentration at the root of the nose between the eyebrows, your Brow Point. As you exhale, chant the entire mantra in one breath. If your breath is not capable of this, take a quick sip of air through the mouth after Ong Namo and then chant the rest of the mantra, extending the sound as long as possible. The sound Dev is chanted a minor third higher than the other sounds of the mantra.

As you chant, vibrate the cranium with the sound to create a mild pressure at the Brow Point or third eye. Chant this mantra at least three times before beginning your Kundalini Yoga practice. See www.kriteachings.org to hear a sample of the Director of Training leading the Adi Mantra.

Pronunciation

The O sound in Ong is long, as in go and of short duration. The ng sound is long and produces a definite vibration on the roof of the mouth and cranium. The first part of Namo, is short and rhymes with hum. The ?, as in go is held longer. The first syllable of Guru is pronounced as in the word, good. The second syllable rhymes with true. The first syllable is short and the second one long. The word, Dev, rhymes with gave.

Definition

Ong is the infinite creative energy experienced in manifestation and activity. It is a variation of the cosmic syllable Om which denotes God in an absolute or unmanifested state. God as Creator is called Ong.

Namo has the same root as the Sanskrit word Namaste which means reverent greetings.

Namaste is a common greeting in India accompanied by the palms pressed together at the chest or forehead. It implies bowing down. Together Ong Namo means I call on the infinite creative consciousness, and opens you to the universal consciousness that guides all action.

Guru is the embodiment of the wisdom that one is seeking. The Guru is the giver of the technology. Dev means higher, subtle, or divine. It refers to the transparent or spiritual realms.

Namo, in closing the mantra, reaffirms the humble reverence of the student. Taken together, Guru Dev Namo means I call on the divine wisdom, whereby you bow before your higher Self to guide you in using the knowledge and energy given by the cosmic Self.

Mental Focus

The following pages contain many wonderful techniques. To fully appreciate and receive the benefits of each one you will need mental focus. Unless you are directed to do otherwise, focus your concentration on the Brow Point, which is located between the eyebrows just above the root of the nose. With your eyes closed, mentally locate this point by turning your eyes gently upwards and inwards. Remain aware of your breath, your body posture, your movements, and any mantra you may be using, even as you center your awareness at the Brow Point or third eye.