3 stretches to connect with your spirit

Among all type of yoga, I love Kundalini yoga most because it combines physical movement, breathwork and spiritual practice with mantras and meditation. “Kundalini” is a primal energy that located at the base of our spines since we are born. By activating this, we might be able to feel all energy is flowing and circulating through our cells, tissues and muscles throughout the entire body. This is also a state of connecting the cosmic energy which sometimes being named in different forms as universe, holy spirit, higher power, higher self, god, Shakti etc.

Yoga is a process of working in

I always believe yoga is more than a work-out, it is a process of working-in. By activating particular physical part of our body with specific posture and breath, we are opening up different chakras and stretching our ability to connect with our higher self.

I am not a certified kundalini practitioner but I start my morning practice with these 3 stretches. They strengthen my core, open up my chest and relax my spine, most importantly, they help me to transcend into the stage of consciousness much easier.

Spiritual stretch 1: Breath of Fire

Posture: sitting in cross legs position with back straight, arms up 90 degrees, pull thumbs towards each other and naval up away from the floor

Breathing technique: breathe in through the nose, exhale and pump the air out fully from the belly

Physical benefit: Strengthen the core muscle, expand lung capacity, release toxins from blood vessels and stress from nervous system

Spiritual benefit: Strengthen our ability to commit, stay strong and be persistence on facing our disturbing emotions

Durations: start from 1-3 minutes, slowly develop to the full version of 11 minutes

Follow this tutorial from Brett Larkin to start practicing:

Spiritual stretch 2: Spinal Twist

Posture: sitting in cross legs position with back straight, hands on shoulder, fingers in front, thumbs at back, elbows up 90 degrees, turn side to side

Breathing technique: inhale to your left, exhale to your right

Physical benefit: open up our chest, relax our shoulder and cleanse internal organs of our body

Spiritual benefit: open up our heart, awaken our ability to feel and cultivate love and kindness

Durations: start from 1-3 minutes, slowly develop to the full version of 11 minutes

Follow this tutorial from Kelly Wood to start practicing:

Spiritual stretch 3: Sufi Grind

Posture: sitting in cross legs position with back straight, keep top of head in the centre, rotate clockwise in a full circle and feel each part of the spine moving, and rotate in the opposite direction

Breathing technique: inhale deeply in front of the circle, exhale deeply at the back of the circle, breathe towards the belly fully

Physical benefit: relax our spine, facilitate fluids to run through our body to every organ, ease all physical tension and pain especially pelvic area

Spiritual benefit: allow the chi/ prana moves inside us, grow our inner strength and ability to go through pain without forcing, cultivate the capability to let joy flows

Durations: start from 1-3 minutes, slowly develop to the full version of 11 minutes

Follow this tutorial from Helen Kaselov to start practicing:

No matter which type of exercise you choose, it is possible to benefit from it in a deeper level by combing breath and mindfulness techniques. Start small and start now to explore this working-in process to exercise for a holistic living.

Share with me your progress anytime, I’m always here supporting you.

Xx