Kundalini Yoga

 All-time-favourites of teachers and students

Yogi Bhajan, The Aquarian Teacher

KRI International Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, Level One Textbook, KRI 2003, 585 pages, in two volumes

This profound and extensive manual provides you with a little bit more than only the basics about the art and science of teaching Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. It seems to cover all areas of interest within theory, philosophy, and practice of this ancient technique.

Among others, it contains chapters about Yogi Bhajan himself, the golden chain, and the Guru, about mantra and shabad, pranayama, asanas, mudras, bhandas, relaxation, mind & meditation, sadhana, western as well as yogic anatomy, nadis, vayus, chakras, the ten bodies, tattwas, gunas, dharma, the fife stages of the spiritual path, humanology, yogic lifestyle, and yogic diet.

You learn about the role and responsibility of the teacher, the code of ethics, the oath, and the identity of the teacher, how to prepare and teach your class, how to relate to your students, how to promote, how to inspire, how to deal with special challenges.

You find a detailed description of all standard postures and a practical extra exercise book with nearly 30 kriyas and more than 60 meditations divided in to two sections, with and without mantra. It took 10 years for the editors to create this monumental work of reference. But keep in mind: Theoretical knowledge doesn’t serve much you if you lack deep experience.

Yogi Bhajan, The Master’s Touch

On Being a Sacred Teacher for the New Age, KRI 1997, 340 pages.

This has been the foundation of the Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Level One in the United States. It is a very inspiring collection of lectures of Yogi Bhajan dating from summer 1996 in Espanola, USA, and from spring 1997 in Assisi, Italy. These were the very first Teacher Training Certification Courses. Some lecture titles:

• What is happiness?
• The Art of Communication
• The Golden Rules of a Teacher
• See Things as God Sees Them
• The Teacher and the Student
• Emotional Compensation
• The Golden Chain of Teachers
• Trouble Comes into Your Life When You Ask For It
• Love Through Service
• The Power of the Mind
• Drop Your Limitations
• Give God a Chance, and many more
• Nearly every chapter includes a meditation or kriya

Harijot Kaur, Kriya Compilations

Owner’s Manual for the Human Body, KRI,
Self Knowledge, KRI 1995, 50 pages,
Physical Wisdom, KRI 1997, 50 pages,
Self Experience, KRI,
Reaching Me in Me, KRI 2002, 70 pages,
Infinity and Me, KRI 2004, 70 pages.

Harijot Kaur compiled and illustrated all these fantastic exercise books which cover three decades of the teachings of Yogi Bhajan. Each one contains between 20 to 30 kriyas and 10 to 20 meditations, an introduction into the fundamentals of the practice of Kundalini Yoga, and numerous quotations of Yogi Bhajan.

Guru Rattan Kaur, Transitions to a Heart-Centered World

Yoga Technology Press 1988, 194 pages.

Extensive and exhaustive work on how to build up the navel and open up the heart centre to be prepared for the Aquarian age. Contains about 55 kriyas and even more meditations on not only navel and heart but also on immune system, negativity and tension, and electromagnetic field. Furthermore, you find elaborated articles, reviews, and interviews about the transition from Piscean to Aquarian age, about chakras, prosperity, visualization, self-healing, immune system stimulants, and, of course, about the art and science of Kundalini Yoga and its effects and benefits. Contains an index of several mantras with their effects and a profound bibliography.

Guru Dharam Singh, Kundalini – The Essence of Yoga

Gaia 2002, 144 pages.

The first part of this book introduces you to the 10 bodies, the 7 chakras, and the science of Tantric Numerology as taught by Yogi Bhajan. You learn how to calculate your numbers from your date-of-birth and what they indicate. The second part of the book provides you with the means to apply Kundalini Yoga to your major tasks in life mirrored in your numerology chart. Two kriyas for each of the 7 chakras and one meditation for every yogic body show you how to practically work on yourself to master your challenges and become happy, healthy, and holy. Additionally, you find short chapters on breathing, mantras, mudras, asanas, and bandhas.

Sadhana Guidelines

KRI 1996, 115 pages.

This is one of the first standard issues about Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. It contains chapters about the technology of Yoga and Kundalini Yoga in general, about basic breathing techniques, sitting postures, mudras, mantras, bhandas, prana, and chakras. Furthermore, it has a profound chapter about the science of sadhana with recipes against sleeping problems, different sadhana models as they developed through time, and a list with answers of Yogi Bhajan himself. Last but not least, you find a nice variety of about 50 kriyas, pranayamas, and meditations. If you have this one, there is no excuse anymore not to get up in the amrit vela and take a cold shower.

Yogi Bhajan, Yoga for Youth and Joy

3HO Transcripts 1983, 64 pages.

From the introduction: This manual is the result of a six-week Kundalini Yoga course taught by Yogi Bhajan at Khalsa Woman’s Training Camp in Espanola, New Mexico, in the summer of 1983. Though originally taught to woman, these exercises are intended for men as well. This manual gives a practical, step-by-step approach on how to develop a youthful body, an alert mind, and a vibrant projection. The exercises will leave you feeling healthy and energetic, with renewed enthusiasm for life. It contains approximately 25 kriyas, an introducing chapter on tuning in, mudras, sitting, breathing, and focussing, and two very interesting lectures on the science of ishnaan and Guru Gobind Singh’s prayer Jaap Sahib.

Yogi Bhajan, Inner workout manual

KRI, 64 pages.

From the introduction: This manual was designed to meet the needs of both the beginning student and the experienced teacher of Kundalini Yoga.You find 13 fine kriyas with comments of Yogi Bhajan including the famous Complete Workout for the Elementary Being (Is there one kriya that will work you thoroughly in all the major systems of the body? Yes! This kriya balances you totally. If you don’t want to learn hundreds of sets, just do this set every day for 62 minutes. It will stimulate the glandular system, invigorate the inner organs, strengthen the immune system, balance the minerals in the body, and increase your stamina.) What more do you want? Furthermore, you find descriptions of the basic postures, and some words on breathing, tattwas, mantras, and chakras.

Satya Singh, Das Kundalini Yoga Handbuch

Heyne 1990, 286 pages, paperback.

This book exists at least in German, French, and Spanish. It is a profound workout on the technology of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan focussing on healing specific body systems. It contains a kriya for each of the following areas: spine, nervous system, lungs, heart and circulation, sexual energy, digestion, liver and gall bladder, spleen and pancreas, kidneys and urine bladder, and glandular system. You find interesting explanations of the effects in terms of meridians and test muscles of the Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Shakta Kaur, Kundalini Yoga, Unlock Your Inner Potential Through Life-Changing Exercise

Dorling Kindersley 2001, 224 pages.

This is a nice comprehensive book about the whole science, practice, and lifestyle of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. On 224 pages you find a complete introduction including origin and myth of Kundalini Yoga, breathing, visualization, asanas, mudras, mantras, bandhas, chakras, tuning in, warming up, and a detailed description of some basic postures. 26 kriyas and 22 meditations are given with detailed explanations and photographies for every posture. Unlike most books, here you find further chapters on how to bring Kundalini Yoga from the practice mat into your everyday life with informations about how to get up in the morning, how to stay relaxed throughout the day, and how to sleep in peace. Additionally, the book contains some Venus kriyas (exercises for couples) and a big chapter on healing foods with ancient recipes.

Yogi Bhajan & Gurucharan Singh, The Mind

Its Projections and Multiple Facets, KRI 1998, 206 pages.

From the backside of the book:Yogi Bhajan provides us with an owner’s manual for the human mind and spirit to lead us consciously and confidently into the next century. Scholars can use this book as a unique source for meditations. Therapists and healers can use it to increase their personal sensitivity and make their practice more effective. Teachers and students can use this book to understand the dynamic relationship between a student and a spiritual teacher. The book contains chapters like

• Win the Game of Life
• Balance the Elements
• Eliminate Mental Intrigues
• Select Your Path
• Life Consciously Conscious
• Master the 81 Facets

The maybe most precious part of this book is the comprehensive Meditation Guide with 33 meditations with detailed descriptions and explanations.

Osho, The True Name

Discourses on Japji Saheb of Guru Nanak Dev, New Age International Limited, New Delhi, 2003, in two volumes.

Even those of our beloved sangat around the teachings brought by Yogi Bhajan, who usually do not value Osho’s discourses too much, have to admit that this is by far the deepest and wisest, the most illuminating and inspiring commentary on the essence of Shabad Guru. Gyani Zail Singh (former president of India):Osho’s commentary is considered to be the best of all, even in the Sikh community.

Resources to order the above listed books:

www.satnam.de (Sat Nam Versand, Germany)
www.kundalini.fr (French Kundalini Yoga Federation, France)
www.a-healing.com (Ancient Healing Ways, USA)
www.spiritvoyage.com (Spirit Voyage Music, USA)