Kundalini Yoga Certification Yogic Philosophy & Lifestyle 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Kundalini Yoga, the concept of 'Dharma' is best understood as:
- A form of physical yoga posture sequence
- One's righteous path and duty aligned with one's soul purpose (Correct answer)
- The financial contributions made to a yoga studio
- A breathing technique used in advanced kriyas
Correct answer: One's righteous path and duty aligned with one's soul purpose
Dharma in yogic philosophy refers to one's sacred duty and righteous path that is in alignment with universal law and one's soul's highest purpose.
Question 2: What does the Kundalini Yoga teaching about the 'Neutral Mind' (3rd Mind) emphasize?
- Avoiding all emotional responses to life situations
- The meditative capacity to witness and balance positive and negative inputs (Correct answer)
- Suppressing negative thoughts through willpower
- Choosing a middle path between two yoga traditions
Correct answer: The meditative capacity to witness and balance positive and negative inputs
The Neutral Mind is the third of the three functional minds in Kundalini Yoga and serves as the meditative, witness consciousness that evaluates input from the Negative and Positive Minds.
Question 3: Which principle explains why Kundalini Yoga teachers are encouraged to maintain a regular personal practice (sadhana)?
- To demonstrate superiority over students
- To continuously refine their own nervous system and teach from direct experience (Correct answer)
- To qualify for advanced teacher certifications only
- To memorize more kriyas for class planning
Correct answer: To continuously refine their own nervous system and teach from direct experience
Teachers maintain sadhana to refine their radiance and nervous system, teaching from lived experience rather than intellectual knowledge alone.
Question 4: In yogic philosophy, 'Sankalpa' refers to:
- A type of cleansing diet prescribed in Ayurveda
- A heartfelt intention or vow that aligns will with the soul's purpose (Correct answer)
- The science of body locks in Kundalini Yoga
- A ritual performed at the end of each yoga class
Correct answer: A heartfelt intention or vow that aligns will with the soul's purpose
Sankalpa is a sacred resolve or intention formed in the heart-mind that directs consciousness and spiritual effort toward a specific outcome aligned with dharma.
Question 5: What does the yogic concept of 'Vairagya' teach about the spiritual path?
- The importance of intense physical effort in yoga practice
- Non-attachment and dispassion toward outcomes as a means of liberation (Correct answer)
- The practice of devotional singing as primary worship
- Achieving perfect posture in all asanas
Correct answer: Non-attachment and dispassion toward outcomes as a means of liberation
Vairagya (dispassion or non-attachment) is paired with Abhyasa (practice) in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as the twin pillars for stilling the mind and achieving liberation.
Question 6: According to Kundalini Yoga, what is the function of the 'Pranic Body' (8th body)?
- It stores karma from past lives
- It circulates life force energy, giving fearlessness and vitality (Correct answer)
- It governs intellectual understanding of scripture
- It determines the quality of one's sleep
Correct answer: It circulates life force energy, giving fearlessness and vitality
The Pranic Body (8th of 10 bodies) channels prana throughout the physical and subtle bodies, and a strong Pranic Body manifests as fearlessness, courage, and vital health.
Question 7: The Kundalini Yoga lifestyle principle of 'Sat Nam' as a greeting conveys which philosophical understanding?
- Good morning in Gurmukhi language
- Recognition of the true identity (Truth is my name/identity) within oneself and the other (Correct answer)
- A blessing given only by certified teachers
- A request for protection during practice
Correct answer: Recognition of the true identity (Truth is my name/identity) within oneself and the other
Sat Nam means 'Truth is my identity' and using it as a greeting acknowledges the divine truth within both the speaker and the recipient.
Kundalini Yoga Certification Yogic Philosophy & Lifestyle 3
In Kundalini Yoga, the concept of 'Dharma' is best understood as: