Yogi Bhajan pointed to me and said to the class he was teaching at Claremont College, "See, Shakti's doing it; if she can do it, anybody can do it!"

That was in 1969. I still consider myself one of the least physically coordinated people on the planet, and yet, here I am, twenty-seven years later, not only doing Kundalini Yoga, but teaching it, and writing a book about it, because I sincerely believe, if I can do it, anybody can do it!

The physical exercise part of Kundalini Yoga is just one aspect of this Yoga of Awareness. Among the many outrageous quotes from Yogi Bhajan is, "If flexibility of the body is the only yoga, then clowns in the circus are the best yogis." Important as the physical body is, and as desirable as flexibility is, there is much more to be gained from yoga, there is your entire happiness and success in life.

When you buy a new automobile, a toaster, or a VCR (almost anything with moving parts) the manufacturer provides a book of instructions. The owner's manual recommends procedures to get maximum efficiency. It lists checkpoints and times for periodic maintenance. It tells you what to look for if it's not working properly and it suggests how to avoid future problems.

So where are the instructions for your care and maintenance? When you were born you didn't come neatly packaged with a tag tied around your big toe, labeled "Care and Feeding." Though a human being is surely one of the most complicated mechanisms ever created, still an instruction manual isn't provided with each newborn baby. Perhaps the Manufacturer assumed that mothers would study directly with the experts to learn how to care for the new arrival. And who are these "experts"? Not the psychologists and pediatricians, not well-meaning friends and neighbors, mothers and grandmothers (though the latter probably have learned a lot through trial and error).

The trained experts, the people who developed the finest methods to care for, maintain, and get maximum mileage out of this human mechanism (not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually), were the yogis.

Detailed information on the care and feeding, maintenance and preservation of a human being was revealed to the yogis thousands of years ago. They have been custodians of this technology ever since. They are the expert mechanics, scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers for the intricate human machine in all its aspects: body, mind, and soul.

The Science of Kundalini Yoga

For thousands of years this yogic knowledge was carefully handed down by oral tradition from Master to disciple. The Master spoke, the student memorized and practiced. Eventually a portion of this vast body of knowledge leading to enlightenment, or self-mastery, was written down. Some of these sacred teachings can be found in ancient Vedic texts1.

There's a yogic art and science to all aspects of human life. There's a yogic way to get up in the morning; there's a yogic way to go to sleep at night. A way to eat, and a way to breathe! Virtually every aspect of human existence has an enlightened, efficient, and effective way to do it. This legacy of technical and spiritual knowledge that Yogi Bhajan studied and mastered in India is the gift he brought to the West.

The Yogi's Gift

Kundalini Yoga was always kept very secret. It was never taught publicly until 1969, when Yogi Bhajan challenged the ages-old tradition of secrecy.

He spent many years in India learning, mastering and perfecting the habits and practices of Kundalini Yoga. It sometimes took months of waiting patiently and being tested in many ways before a Teacher would reveal anything at all to him. Yet he has offered to share these ancient secrets with us, openly and honestly. His motive? Compassion. He wants us to stop suffering. He sees the reality of our inner beauty, power, and potential and he wants us to discover it for ourselves!

Yogi Bhajan started teaching Kundalini Yoga in easy-to-digest yogic "tidbits." I want to share these teachings with you that same way. I want to make it as simple and easy as I can for you to apply them in your daily life so you can feel better, look better and be a happier person.

It is the Birthright of every Human Being to be Healthy, Happy and Holy

Of all the technology and wisdom that Yogi Bhajan could have taught from his vast storehouse of mastery, he chose to teach Kundalini Yoga because it is so effective, comprehensive, and "do-able."

This is a yoga for householders, for people who have to cope with the daily challenges and stresses of holding jobs, raising families, managing businesses. It gives results in the shortest possible time. It does not require you to leave your home, become an ascetic or sit in a cave. Kundalini Yoga is for everyone who wants the skills to cope successfully with the challenges of living in this day and age.2 (And you don't have to be a pretzel. For the physical exercises, if you can breathe, and just lean in the right direction, you'll be benefitted. I told you, if I can do it, anybody can do it.).

What does Kundalini Yoga do?

The practice of Kundalini Yoga balances the glandular system, strengthens the nervous system and enables us to harness the energy of the mind and the emotions, so we can be in control of ourselves, rather than being controlled by our thoughts and feelings.

Another purpose of this book is to dispel the mystery, the myths and misunderstanding, that exist about Kundalini Yoga. It is a precious gem of sacred knowledge and power. I am going to show you some of its many brilliant facets. It can make your life shine. It is like a magic jewel that I can give to you and still keep for myself. In fact, sharing it makes it brighter for me!

The Goal

Kundalini Yoga is designed to give you "hands on" experience of your highest consciousness. It teaches a method by which you can achieve the sacred purpose of your life. This can be described in many ways, such as:

• Experience your inner light of consciousness.

• Experience your own highest consciousness

• Discover your real Identity

The practices enable you to merge with or "yoke" with the universal Self. This merging of individual consciousness with universal consciousness creates a “divine union” called "YOGA."

The practice that leads to this state of self-mastery is also called "yoga." So the road and the destination have the same name, "yoga." There are many different kinds, or schools of yoga3. See "Many Paths, One Goal." Those who practice yoga are called "yogis" and those who master yoga are also called "yogis."

The technology of Kundalini Yoga applies its science to our bodies and minds, and is aimed at spirit which has no boundaries, no discrimination. Therefore it is for everyone. It is universal and nondenominational.

Is Yoga a Religion?

Kundalini Yoga is not a religion. Kundalini Yoga is a Sacred Science. It is sacred because it deals with the GOD4 in you. It is scientific because it provides a technology, a method by which anyone who practices it can experience that divine identity within. The way you choose to worship that God is your religion.

Yes, Kundalini Yoga does requires FAITH (not belief), just as a course in chemistry requires the faith of the student to do the laboratory experiments so he can prove the validity of the formulas for himself.

Long Term Gain / Short Term Gain

As you work toward achieving the goal of "Yoga" or liberation, you become more capable, more confident and more efficient in whatever you're doing in your external life. Simultaneously, you become progressively more aware of yourself on all levels. It's a win/win situation!

Secrets of Power

To fully appreciate the value of this great gift Yogi Bhajan has brought us, we need to understand why, for thousands of years, the Yogis kept it secret. They preserved and carefully guarded the knowledge of the inner and outer workings of a human being, very cautiously revealing the technology, selectively passing it down verbally from Master to chosen disciple. They were selective because knowledge gives power, and power can corrupt. Traditionally, disciples had to spend many years proving their trustworthiness and ethical purity to receive the sacred science of Kundalini Yoga. Only after the student demonstrated humility, self-discipline, and obedience would the Teacher reveal the secret Kriyas.

Yet Yogi Bhajan has taken it upon himself5to share his knowledge openly with everyone. He has done this in order to prepare humanity for the major changes that the planet is going through. The world we knew even ten years ago has totally changed - geographically, socially, economically, morally. We have already crossed from the Piscean Age into the Age of Aquarius6. As he has said, "What used to work, won't work anymore!" It's a new Age already, and this ancient technology of Kundalini Yoga can give us the awareness and the strength to make our transition smoother.

The Power of Prana

Kundalini Yoga deals specifically with the most powerful thing in the universe, the basic life energy, prana. Prana is the sub-atomic energy, the life force. It was known to yogis for thousands of years, long before the scientists split the atom. It is prana that you receive with every breath. It's mighty powerful stuff! Kundalini Yoga is the path of discovery of the source of the prana in us and teaches us how to use it.

Why practice Kundalini Yoga?

People decide to practice Kundalini Yoga for many reasons. Possibly your chiropractor suggested it. Or your psychologist, physician, or next-door neighbor recommended it to help you relax, cope with stress, and find peace of mind. Or, perhaps you're simply curious. It doesn't matter what your reason, you are welcome! But be warned: If you genuinely practice it, you will find yourself and your life changing. If you don't want to change, if you're totally content with yourself and your life as it is now, then don't go any further. But if you want to explore the possibilities of your highest potential, then keep reading.

Kundalini Yoga is much more than just a system of physical exercises. It is a dynamic, powerful tool for expanding awareness. Approach it with respect, with reverence, and with openness.

The purpose of this book is to get you to try it for yourself, so you can have your own experience of the benefits it has to offer.

Let the words on these pages help you take the next step on your personal journey of self-discovery. You are, indeed, a unique and wonderful being with a very special destiny. Let Kundalini Yoga, the Yoga of Awareness, help you achieve your personal best!