Kundalini Yoga and Learning Disorders

The information on this page is excerpts from: An Introduction to Kundalini Yoga Meditation II
by David S. Shannahoff-Khalsa

Source (read the full article): August Ayureveda

This section is on Kundalini Yoga techniques for working with learning disorders such as Add, ADHD, and Dyslexia.

While there are other meditations for attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this technique for dyslexia is likely to help correct all learning disorders.

However, caution is required when using it for younger people with ADHD because this technique is powerful and can be overstimulating if practiced too long in the beginning.

There are three Kundalini Yoga techniques done first - before any exercise or meditation. However, if the person has ADHD, the third technique "Shoulder shrugs for vitality" should not be used because it can overstimulate people.

"Tuning in" to used to induce a meditative state of mind and is always used before the practice of any Kundalini Yoga meditation or exercise.

• Sit in a chair or on the floor in easy pose,
  
• if in chair, feet must be flat on the floor.
• Put the hands together at the chest,
  
• in a prayer pose with the palms pressed together and the sides
• of the thumb touching the sternum,
  
• with the fingers pointing up; the fingers are together.
  
• The eyes are closed and focused at the "third eye"
  
• (right between the eyebrowes and slightly above).

The mantra is chanted out loud in a 11/2 breath cycle.

• Inhale first through the nose
  
• chant Ong Namo with equal emphasis on the Ong and the Namo.
  
• Then immediately follow with a half-breath inhalation through the mouth
  
• and chant Guru Dev Namo.

Tools for Students and Teachers for pronounciation

Meditation Technique for Dyslexia

Sit in easy pose. Eyes are open and focused on the tip of the nose.
The arms are in front of the body and extended slightly to the sides
with the palms ups and the hands are at approximately the solar plexus level.

The fingertips touch the thumb tip in the following order.

• First touch the little finger tip (Mercury finger) to the thumb tip and mentally chant sa,
  
• then touch the index finger tip (Jupiter finger) to the thumb tip and mentally chant ta,
  
• then touch the ring finger tip (Sun finger) to the thumb tip and mentally chant na,
  
• then again touch the Jupiter finger tip to the thumb tip and mentally chant ma,
  
• then touch the middle finger tip (Saturn finger) to the thumb tip and mentally chant wha,
  
• then again touch the Mercury finger tip to the thumb tip and mentally chant hay,
  
• then open the hands completely (no fingers touch) and mentally chant guru.
  
• The tongue tip is constantly touching the upper palate in the top center where it is hard and smooth during the entire exercise, the tongue does not move.
  
• The breath has a six part broken-breath inhale
  
• and one-part exhale, all through the nose only.
  
• The six parts of the broken-breath of the inhale correspond to the 6 mental sounds of sa, ta, na, ma, wha, and hay,
  
• and the exhale corresponds to the mental sound guru.
  
• You mentally hear these sounds with each corresponding segment of the breath.

The time for this extremely powerful technique can be anywhere between 11 minutes and 31 minutes as a maximum time. It is fine to start with less than 11 minutes and most people may have to do this in the beginning. Slowly build the time up to 31 minutes.

• Eventually, try to complete 40 days at 31 minutes sitting
  
• End the meditation by closing the eyes, inhaling deeply,
  
• and stretching the hands up in the air above the head
  
• and shake the arms and hands and fingers vigorously for about 30-60 seconds.
  
• Exhale and relax.

Comments

The learning curve for this technique is relatively longer but worth the effort. This technique is stimulating and powerful. The yogic definition of dyslexia is the inability to process information or sensory feedback. Thus, humans are all " dyslexic" and what this technique can do for the average person is make the whole brain function at a much higher level of efficiency. This efficiency will only increase with practice. This technique can help organize all of the major and minor brain functions. A patient may not have understood how " dyslexic" he or she is until that patient learns to do this technique for some weeks and months.