Kundalini Gong Bath at Yoga Underground
There are times in our lives where meditation is needed in order to cleanse our mind, body and soul. It is during some of the most stressful times of our lives that we need this most. For some of us, silent meditation works, for others guided meditation works. As there are many different types of meditation techniques out there, finding the one that works for you is key. Approaching the end of the semester and graduation, I found that my own stress levels were rising and the need to release them was critical.
I often times listen to sound meditations while studying and have found them to help me focus more, but I was not familiar with classes that you could attend that used sound. My mother is a member at a yoga studio and they were advertising a “Kundalini Gong Sound Bath Meditation” class on March 23, 2018. She wanted to attend, but didn’t want to go by herself. As I was desperate for anything to help me relieve my stress, I volunteered to attend with her. Not knowing anything about what to expect or what Kundalini meditation was, I attended with blind eyes.
We were told that we could bring pillows and/or blankets with us. Knowing that this was going to be done in a hot yoga room, I opted to only bring a pillow with me and wore comfy clothing. As we entered the studio, I noticed that other students had blankets laid out on the floor and many pillows. I was a little nervous as I felt like I hadn’t prepared for this well. I also felt like I had not dressed appropriately, as many of the others were dressed in yoga clothing. As my mother could tell I was nervous, she asked the instructor if I needed a mat or blanket and what we were wearing was appropriate. The instructor offered an extra blanket she had to me and told me not to worry and I was dressed just fine. We sat in our places awaiting the start, my anticipation still at bay.
The instructor began by asking how many of the students had attended this type of meditation before. Very few students raised their hands, at which time my nervousness calmed down a little bit. I realized that there were probably many others feeling the same anticipation that I was. The instructor then proceeded to explain what Kundalini Gong Meditation was. She explained that it is believed by those who practice this type of meditation that the use of Sound Bowls and a Gong help release tension and blocks that may be harnessed in our mental, physical and nervous systems of the body. She explained that we would use breathing techniques, chants, and finally end with listening to the sound bowls and gong. She further explained that some sounds may be uncomfortable or we may not like. These sounds would be triggering negative energies in our body as we release them. She also stated that it is very common to become emotional during this type of meditation and to just let our body release that emotion. After hearing all of this, I began to wonder if this was actually going to help me.
As we started the meditation, I could still feel my stress and anticipation. But, I tried to keep an open mind to the process. After doing some breathing exercised and chants, we were told to lay down and make ourselves comfortable to start the Sound Bath. I picked the most comfortable position I could and closed my eyes. Sounds began to envelope the room as I focused on the guided meditation being said. Soon the words faded away and all I could hear was the sounds of the bowls. The sounds became feelings and I felt as if I was the only person in the room. The sounds also felt as if they were right next to my ear. At times I felt emotions run through me, where other times I felt physical changes in my body. I realized that my stress was diminishing and my anticipation was gone. A feeling of relaxation and happiness soon enveloped me.
As the class began to conclude, I laid there reflecting on this experience. I was shocked at how I felt, but also very curious as to what had just happened. I had many questions for the instructor and found an eagerness to want to keep practicing this form of meditation. As soon as the class was finished, I raced to the front to speak with the instructor. I asked her about the feelings I had and immediately wanted to know where and when her next class was. I knew this was something that I needed and wanted in my life.
During my drive home I reflected on this experience. I started thinking of how this experience was much like many of my other experiences. Thinking of how we often encounter new cultures and traditions with hesitation and anticipation. I began to think of the person I was four years ago and how my schooling has helped change me in so many ways. I began to think of how my culture competence has grown with each class and activity that I have taken part of. I began to realize that all of these experiences have prepared me to be more diverse in my actions and thinking. Years ago I would have never been open to attending a meditation class such as this one. However, as my schooling challenged me to try new things and experience new cultures, I have grown. In being more diverse and open to new cultural experience, I not only have grown within myself, but I have made new friends as well. Many of these experiences have encouraged me to experience in the place of their original origin. As I travel frequently, I am excited to be able to experience these things and hope to share them with my fellow colleagues and friends.
As I believe there are many ways in which you can relieve stress, I do not think there is one perfect way. Many cultures have their own beliefs and ways in which they believe you can reduce and relieve stress. In the culture that I grew up in, stress relief came from exercising. As I have stepped out of my own comfort zone and sought to explore other cultures, I have learned that there are many other cultural ways in which we can benefit. I am looking forward to caring on with Kundalini Gong Meditation and hope that I can share this amazing experience and cultural activity with others.
I often times listen to sound meditations while studying and have found them to help me focus more, but I was not familiar with classes that you could attend that used sound. My mother is a member at a yoga studio and they were advertising a “Kundalini Gong Sound Bath Meditation” class on March 23, 2018. She wanted to attend, but didn’t want to go by herself. As I was desperate for anything to help me relieve my stress, I volunteered to attend with her. Not knowing anything about what to expect or what Kundalini meditation was, I attended with blind eyes.
We were told that we could bring pillows and/or blankets with us. Knowing that this was going to be done in a hot yoga room, I opted to only bring a pillow with me and wore comfy clothing. As we entered the studio, I noticed that other students had blankets laid out on the floor and many pillows. I was a little nervous as I felt like I hadn’t prepared for this well. I also felt like I had not dressed appropriately, as many of the others were dressed in yoga clothing. As my mother could tell I was nervous, she asked the instructor if I needed a mat or blanket and what we were wearing was appropriate. The instructor offered an extra blanket she had to me and told me not to worry and I was dressed just fine. We sat in our places awaiting the start, my anticipation still at bay.
The instructor began by asking how many of the students had attended this type of meditation before. Very few students raised their hands, at which time my nervousness calmed down a little bit. I realized that there were probably many others feeling the same anticipation that I was. The instructor then proceeded to explain what Kundalini Gong Meditation was. She explained that it is believed by those who practice this type of meditation that the use of Sound Bowls and a Gong help release tension and blocks that may be harnessed in our mental, physical and nervous systems of the body. She explained that we would use breathing techniques, chants, and finally end with listening to the sound bowls and gong. She further explained that some sounds may be uncomfortable or we may not like. These sounds would be triggering negative energies in our body as we release them. She also stated that it is very common to become emotional during this type of meditation and to just let our body release that emotion. After hearing all of this, I began to wonder if this was actually going to help me.
As we started the meditation, I could still feel my stress and anticipation. But, I tried to keep an open mind to the process. After doing some breathing exercised and chants, we were told to lay down and make ourselves comfortable to start the Sound Bath. I picked the most comfortable position I could and closed my eyes. Sounds began to envelope the room as I focused on the guided meditation being said. Soon the words faded away and all I could hear was the sounds of the bowls. The sounds became feelings and I felt as if I was the only person in the room. The sounds also felt as if they were right next to my ear. At times I felt emotions run through me, where other times I felt physical changes in my body. I realized that my stress was diminishing and my anticipation was gone. A feeling of relaxation and happiness soon enveloped me.
As the class began to conclude, I laid there reflecting on this experience. I was shocked at how I felt, but also very curious as to what had just happened. I had many questions for the instructor and found an eagerness to want to keep practicing this form of meditation. As soon as the class was finished, I raced to the front to speak with the instructor. I asked her about the feelings I had and immediately wanted to know where and when her next class was. I knew this was something that I needed and wanted in my life.
During my drive home I reflected on this experience. I started thinking of how this experience was much like many of my other experiences. Thinking of how we often encounter new cultures and traditions with hesitation and anticipation. I began to think of the person I was four years ago and how my schooling has helped change me in so many ways. I began to think of how my culture competence has grown with each class and activity that I have taken part of. I began to realize that all of these experiences have prepared me to be more diverse in my actions and thinking. Years ago I would have never been open to attending a meditation class such as this one. However, as my schooling challenged me to try new things and experience new cultures, I have grown. In being more diverse and open to new cultural experience, I not only have grown within myself, but I have made new friends as well. Many of these experiences have encouraged me to experience in the place of their original origin. As I travel frequently, I am excited to be able to experience these things and hope to share them with my fellow colleagues and friends.
As I believe there are many ways in which you can relieve stress, I do not think there is one perfect way. Many cultures have their own beliefs and ways in which they believe you can reduce and relieve stress. In the culture that I grew up in, stress relief came from exercising. As I have stepped out of my own comfort zone and sought to explore other cultures, I have learned that there are many other cultural ways in which we can benefit. I am looking forward to caring on with Kundalini Gong Meditation and hope that I can share this amazing experience and cultural activity with others.
