Iyengar & Sahaja yoga

hejog39 · 25th December 2009, 05:17 AM

Hello, I am starting an Iyengar yoga course next year. Have recently been talking with someone about Sahaja yoga. Sahaja yoga sounds more spiritually powerful regarding activating the kundalini. Looking at Iyengar yoga it seems to be more to do with postures. I realise there will be a spiritual effect with Iyengar, but is it the right form of yoga for someone - me - who wants to develop spiritually or is it geared more towards relaxing the physical body. I know it'll all be a holistic effect, but just wanted some advice as to whether I'm looking at the right kind of yoga for my wants and needs?

sunanda · 25th December 2009, 11:13 AM

Hi Hejog

Have a look at this which will tell you about Sahaja Yoga. This is not yoga as we know it - it doesn't involve postures or stretches. Or even breathing exercises. It basically involves becoming a devotee of Sri Mataji Nirmala Devi, an Indian 'saint' who claims to be able to cure cancer. She also says that gay men deserve to get Aids because of their sexual orientation. (I have heard her say this.) If you want to become involved with Sahaja Yoga you will have to go to their meetings. Personally, having at one stage been involved with them, I wouldn't go back. They claim to be able to raise kundalini but they tell you nothing of the preparation needed for this to be a safe procedure.
Iyengar yoga is more to do with the physical body but it is very powerful and can clear emotional and spiritual blockages. If you were to combine Iyengar with meditation you'd be heading in the right direction. IMHO. My advice is to take it all slowly...One step at a time. But, also from a personal point of view, I'd steer clear of Sahaja yoga.
HTH

hejog39 · 25th December 2009, 05:08 PM

Hi thanks for your advice, think I will leave the Sahaja for now or at least find out more about it.

hejog39 · 26th December 2009, 11:08 AM

Hi, read what you advised on Wikipedia. It says you can raise your kundalini via something on the internet?? Do you think this is safe? I found something with "Sahaja tv" on it. The person I actually spoke to about this type of yoga sees someone on a one to one basis.

sunanda · 26th December 2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hejog39

Hi, read what you advised on Wikipedia. It says you can raise your kundalini via something on the internet?? Do you think this is safe? I found something with "Sahaja tv" on it. The person I actually spoke to about this type of yoga sees someone on a one to one basis.

I don't think it's safe to try to raise kundalini under any circumstances. Any group which purports to do so via the internet is highly unprincipled, IMHO. Kundalini is not something to be messed about with as though it's a party trick. It's a very potent force and can indeed be dangerous. Best to forget about trying to raise kundalini. If She wants to awaken, if it's right for you, then it will happen gradually. My advice remains forget about kundalini and concentrate on one of the standard yoga practices ie hatha, Iyengar or ashtanga. All else will fall into place at the right time. Meanwhile, do you meditate? Are you drawn to knowledge or to devotion? Does any particular teacher call to you? Have you read much on this and other related subjects? Do you want to run before you can walk? You really have to do a lot of homework if you're going to walk this path.

hejog39 · 30th December 2009, 08:32 PM

Hi, I really don't think of it as a party trick. The reason I mentioned about the internet in previous email was because I actually thought it sounded dodgy and didn't give it much credibility. Was just interested to see if others thought the same.

In answer to your questions - I probably could be accused of trying to run before I can walk sometimes, re developing spiritually. But I do keep myself grounded.

I do meditate on a daily basis, about 20 minutes and this is set to increase with a new course being undertaken with my reiki teacher next year. I am going to go ahead with the Iyengar yoga and not pursue the Sahaja.

I haven't read loads on the subject.

I am drawn definitely more to devotion, but also want to gain knowledge.

Thanks again for your advice

truth_seeker · 31st January 2010, 03:20 PM

Hi hejog39, Sahaja Yoga experience is very true and genuine. It is completely safe and free of charge. It does not have any binding of any sort. Anyone is completely free to try it or leave it anytime. I have myself tried it and have been greatly benefited by it on the spiritual, mental and physical level. My stress level has gone down tremendously and I am much more enlightened and peaceful now. It has given me so much of inner strength to deal with the challenges in life. I am always so joyous and relaxed now.

Please do not have any apprehensions about the Kundalini Yoga. The Sahaja Yoga (Sahaja means simple and spontaneous, Yoga means union with God) technique is very simple and safe. I have seen people of any age (from a child to old) and from all walks of life, learning it and practicing it so easily. Sahaja Yoga is being practiced in more than 80 countries. It is very scientific too, many doctors have published research papers on Sahaja Yoga.

I would suggest that you try it once. You may take it as an experiment. If you need more details about this yoga, its official website is www.sahajayoga.org