AUM OM

For thousands of years, Indian rishis, munis, and sages have been meditating on aum. In
samadhi, they felt very subtle Universal Vibrations—anahata nada—and they associated this
with aum. Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs all revere and recite aum. This is the only mantra
which can be called a Universal Mantra. It is made up of letters A, U, M, or O, M (A+U=O).
Islam reveres a form of aum called “amin.” Christians say “amen.” Jews use “shalom.”

The Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, Smrutis, Tantras, Yoga Darshana, Brahamanas, and the
Bhagavad Gita all point to the great strength that aum-pranava has, and all give special
techniques for meditation on aum. From Brahma Himself, to Manu the first man and lawgiver,
to many rishis throughout the ages—all have done japa of aum. Even Shri Rama and Shri
Krishna used to chant the gayatri and om mantras. Meditating on aum, Brahma reached
brahmatva (the essence of Brahma), Vishnu reached vishnutva (the essence of Vishnu), and
Shiva reached shivatva (the essence of Shiva).

When you look at aum, your brain waves calm down from beta levels to alpha level and
eventually further down to gamma and delta levels. When you hear aum, the same thing
happens. Chanting aum allows the mind to become blissful and quiet so that very few new
thoughts originate in your mind. Aum is the sound of kundalini shakti moving through the body,
the sound of the purification of the nervous system. Aum is the sound of Mother Nature in us. It
is the supreme mantra, an ultimate mantra. Nothing can replace this mantra; nothing is greater
than aum.

It is very easy to pronounce aum. Aum is very delicate, extremely sweet, and easily attainable.
Omkar is medicine for the soul. It gives us salvation (nirvana, moksha). It is also known as
pranava, omkar, or udgitha (‘worthy of singing in higher notes’).

‘A’ represents rigveda, water, earth, rajas, Brahma the Creator, and the past
‘U’ represents yajurveda, space, air, sattva, Vishnu the Preserver, and the present
‘M’ represents samaveda, fire, tamas, Mahesha the Destroyer, and the future

AUM-OM is Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha all in one. It is a single syllable mantra. It is made
up of akar, ukar, makar, ardhamatra, bindu (dot), nada (sound), kala (crescent), and shakti
(energy).

Many mantras start with aum, and many end with aum. In meditation, I have visualized many
types of aum. Aum which has all the religious symbols, as in the panchshila or unity aum. Aum
which has all numbers, many organs of the body, all mathematical symbols. In future issues of
our newsletter, I will share those with you.


Unity AUM

Two Techniques of AUM meditation

1. Lord Shiva’s 16th technique of meditation, as given in the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra
pranavadisamuccarat plutante sunyabhavanat
sunyaya paraya saktya sunyatam eti bhairavi (39)

“O Bhairavi, by perfect recitation of pranava or the sacred syllable
aum, and by contemplating over the void at the end of the
protracted phase of it, and by the most eminent energy of the void,
the yogi attains the void.”

There are three pranavas:

1) the vedic pranava, AUM
2) the saiva pranava, HUM
3) the sakta pranava, HRIM

Each should be chanted 7 or 11 times.


2. Trataka Meditation on AUM

Place an aum on the wall at eye level. Sit in cross-legged or padmasana (lotus pose) with the
head, neck, and trunk in a straight line. Look at aum for a few seconds without blinking the
eyes. Do not strain the eyes. When tired, gently close the eyes and visualize aum or the after
image of aum. Eventually, increase the duration of trataka to 1 minute, and then to a maximum
of 3 minutes.

References:
1. Book of AUM, Shantilal D. Parakh (unpublished manuscript, 1972).
2. www.shanti-yoga.ca
3. Vijnanabhairava Tantra, tr. Jaideva Singh, Motilal Banarsidass, 2003.
4. Omkar Siddhi, Dr. Chamanlal Gautam, 1979
5. Advanced Yoga Practices, Yogani, 2005.

source:
http://www.bahaistudies.net/asma/the_pranava_mantra.pdf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/reisgekki/3532711631/

Thanks for inviting me. I love your Yoga Center and consider it an honor to speak with your students.

Om Namah Vasudevaya!

I would like to discuss, in an easily understandable way, the concept of Primordial Sound, the Omkara. The chanting of the Omkara is not generally understood in the West. Many people chant it, some regularly, however the deeper significance of this great bija or "seed mantra" is not always appreciated.

In order to accomplish this, we will discuss the holy sound "Om" and how it's utterance may be applied to personal practice or sadhana. Having done this, we will discuss its applications to consciousness studies and spiritual realization with regards to the four levels of consciousness, that being vaishvanara, taijasa, prajnaandturiya.

Finally, it will be my intention to demonstrate how anyone can apply the Omkara to the quest for spiritual development in order to achieve self realization, enlightenment, or God consciousness according to individual dharma and marga.

The benefits of the Omkara are immense. Never again will you rely on someone else's vision of reality. Through mindful recitation of this ancient mantra anyone can tap into the Life Force of the universes and attain inner peace, joy and knowledge. In short, like Moses, Jesus, the Buddha, Guru Nanak, Lao Tsu and other realized souls, each of us has within us the ability to perceive the Truth and thus be the Master of our own lives.

Karma, Dharma and Marga may deal the hand, but you will know how to wisely play the cards!

When they hear talk of the sound vibration Om many people in the West think of nude hippies sitting in a circle, holding hands and chanting as they contemplate their navels. I'm happy to have been one of those hippies!

To be honest, when I first began to chant the Omkara it was just another trip, a novelty to be experienced. With practice however, I came to realize that there is much more to it. I experienced my consciousness raising and my awareness becoming more keen. Things I had always taken for granted began to demand a second look. As a result of this, I began asking questions about the mantra, how does it work? Why does it work? What makes this sound so different from all others? In my quest I read countless books, sat with many swamis and other holy people and gradually developed a real taste for its sweet nectar. The omkara isn't simply another sound. I came to understand that it the primal sound upon which all other are based.

As you will see, there is a clear science behind the mantra and as practice will demonstrate, its results are sweeter than sugar cane!

Om is the said to be the most ancient of all Indian mantras or sound vibrations. It is called the mula, or bija the seed mantra, in that all other mantras are based to some degree on it (such as Om Rama, Om Bhur Bhuvaha Svaha, Om Mani Padme Hum and so on.

According to that ocean of nectar the Sri Brahma-Samhita, Om is the sound manifestation of Lord Vishnu. By uttering it properly one enters into direct communion with God. The bliss of Turiya, which I will discuss shortly, is seen as the spiritual presence of Vishnu. For the non-theist, Om is the primordial emanation of nirguna brahman into saguna, which is to say, through It, the Unmanifested Totality becomes manifest. According to the Mandukyopanishad, which is a treatise on the Omkara, Om is the primal manifestation of nirguna brahman. All existence, both imminent and transcendent, is identical with the Om. In other words, the Unmanifest Reality is first conceived through the Omkara. When Om manifests, it takes on the physical forms of individualized matter. Technically, this existence is known as Prakriti.

Om is the foundation of matter.

Again, the bija or essence of Prakriti is Om. Since matter according to the Sanatana Dharma is only a dense form of the sound or sabda Om, through knowledge of the mantra one can vitalize matter and ultimately transcend it. Hence Om is the key to all power.

The Mandukyopanishad explains that there are four 'quarters' or aspects of an individual. These manifest through the four states of consciousness. These are listed as follows:

The Omkara

	Individual/Microcosmic	Universal/Macrocosmic
Waking State	Vaishvanara or Vishva =Physical condition ='A' of AUM	Virat =Cosmic manifestation
Dream State	Taijasa I=Mental condition ='U' of AUM	Hiranyagarbha =Universal Mind
Sleep State	Prajna =Intellectual condition ='M' of AUM	Ishvara =First Cause or God
Turiya	The transcendental state which permeates all others. Basis of self-consciousness.	Sum total of the lower three states and therefore both the fourth quarter and the whole =OM as a soundless, single syllable.

Unified consciousness is therefore conceived of as achintya bhedabheda (Inconceivable and simultaneous oneness and difference), while the supreme Godhead is achintya bhedabheda tattva, the very embodiment of inconceivable oneness with and difference from the created qualities. The nature of this inconceivableness is Om.

Our waking consciousness, the level of awareness in which we spend most of our time, is known as Vaishvanara. You will understand that the first state of consciousness corresponds to the physical condition and the 'A' in AUM, when it is composed of three distinct letters or sounds.

In Devanagari (the written form of Sanskrit), Om is a single letter consisting of three distinct parts, A, U and M. This is reminiscent of the threefold divine nature of the Trimurti, of Brahma, Visnu and Siva and so one. Each of these three vibrations correspond to a particular state of consciousness. When these three are united in Turiya, they become the single letter or sound vibration Om.

As consciousness passes through the lower states of awareness it remains in saguna, the manifest universe of duality. When consciousness transcends these states however, it merges with the universal consciousness of Turiya in nirguna, in the state Unity. This is the transcendental state which permeates all other conditions. This is the basis of self-consciousness. It is the sum total of the lower three states and is therefore both the fourth quarter and the Whole simultaneously, (as in netti-netti or en-Soph for the Jews). It is that state where the Buddha says yin and yang become one in Tao. In the state of Turiya one is freed from all material limitations and becomes one with nirguna brahman or absorbed in absolute Oneness.

There is much debate about the nature of this state of consciousness. For instance does one maintain individual existence/awareness as Sri Ramanuja and Sri Caitanya suggests or is one so utterly merged with the Cosmic Wholeness that no individualization is possible, as Sri Shankara and the Mayavadi contend. I will not go into this here, except to submit that for one who is so absorbed in this state of absolute bliss, known as Sat-chit-ananda, or eternity, knowledge and bliss, the question is surely moot.

There are many methods of meditation which utilize the Omkara. I would now like to offer one of them for your consideration.

Before I do however, I would like to mention something about the tradition from which the mantra comes down to us. The Bharata or Indian seers used the term "Sanatana Dharma" to describe their over all belief system. The name 'Hinduism' is a late product of Muslim origin. By referring to the teachings as the Sanatana Dharma or Universal Truth, the sages confirmed that the sacred mantras are not the possession of any nation, people or religion. They are for all the world, no, for the universes! As one practices the mantra therefore one should feel free to customize it in personal ways. For instance in India the Omkara is often joined to Sacred Names. When it is, it is known as nam-japa or recitation of the Holy Names. This is done by adding the mantra as a prefix or suffix, such as in "Om Namah Shivaya," "Om Namah Vasudevaya" etc. The mantra can be utilized to fit individual needs and practice. In the same way Christians could chant "Om Y'shua Y'shua Om" and so forth with no fear of causing offense. As is said, "Truth is One, the sages merely call it by different names." The method I offer now, therefore, is merely an example.

Sit in a comfortable way with your back basically straight and free from obstructions. Use a chair, a cushion, whatever works for you.

Now take a moment to look back up at the illustration. Don't worry about the Sanskrit terminology, simply get a feel for how the sound Om rolls off you tongue and through your mind.

As you begin take a comfortably deep breath, shake your arms and legs so as to allow yourself to relax completely. Your eyes may be open or closed. Don't force either extreme. Again, be comfortable. Don't concern yourself with established forms right now.

Now, gently focus your gaze on the tip of your nose (don't go cross-eyed!), just let your attention gently rest there. Don't force anything.

Now, softly, gently, begin to repeat the mantra, AUM... Ah Uu Mm... Ah Uu Mm... Just allow the sound flow through you, upwards from your inwards parts, rising, let it gently arise and escape through you mouth. Your throat can feel it it flowing through, it is warm, soothing.

As you allow the mantra to flow from within, you begin to experience a peace, a sense of balance. Be aware of your surroundings, your Vaishvanara state of mind. In time you enter into the state of Virat on your way to universal harmony with the totality of being. Take your time.

As you continue to chant, the mantra flows serenely, effortlessly through you.

Allow your consciousness to float freely, harmoniously with the Omkara. As you experience your body becoming enlivened by the sacred flow, all pain and discomfort washes away, all dis-ease departs and you know with an inward certainty that all is well. Even now you realize yourself existing in a state of balance and inward harmony.

As the Omkara continues to flow through you, the sacred sound naturally, of it own accord, transforms into a more unified sound, as "Om" rather than "AUM". As it does you slip quietly, calmly into the state of Taijasa where you flow with transcendent awareness.

As the various mental images begin to subside and your consciousness is quieted, your meditation becomes automatic. Outer and inner sounds fade calmly away. You lose all sense of having a material body. You realize yourself to be a spirit entity enraptured in the sacred tone. That sense of peace is Ishvara, the presence of God. As you continue to drift on this sea of bliss nothing remains except the mantra, which now chants itself without conscious effort or thought. Om simply is.

In time, as you return to waking consciousness do so gently, easily. The four states must not be forced. Flow gently from one state of consciousness to the next, knowing that the warmth you feel is the arms of the eternal Beloved.

~From a class taught by Jagannatha Prakasa in Nov. 1988

source: http://allfaith.com/Religions/Hinduism/omkara.html

Awakening Of Kundalini

Time flies by, ages pass away and names of even the so called great men are wiped off from the pages of history. Yet some defy even the Power of Time and continue to shine through eternity. These are the names of the enlightened ones who dedicated their lives to search for the truth, for the Divine. Their sole aim in life was to attain totality and this they could achieve through awakening of the Kundalini.

The human body is the most excellent boon conferred by the Almighty and the person who comprehends his own body completely, realises the subtle mysteries of the entire universe. All universal faculties are concentrated as the force of life inside a human body which the scriptures term as the vital power (Pran Shakti). The condensed form of the same vital forces is known as 'Kundalini Shakti' which is the rock bottom of all the energies and power of action inherent in a human being. As this divine power remains dormant just like the coil of a snake, it has been designated as 'Kundalini Shakti' or the 'serpent Power'. For the purpose of Self-Realisation, a man through his 'Sushumna' (spine) tries to uplift this Kundalini Shakti in an upward tract and crossing all the Chakras (subtle spinal centres) tries to unite it with 'Sahastrar'.

When the aspirant emerges successful in his endeavour, he gets divine vision and visualising his real form though his divine eye, he feels overwhelmed with ecstasy and thus liberates himself from the corporeal bondages of life and death.

What is the Kundalini? Why is it so significant in life?

At the base of the spinal cord every human being has a powerful, yet dormant source of energy. This source is known as the Muladhar Chakra from which three subtle channels known as Naadis rise up through the spine and reach thew brain. The middle Naadi is known as Sushumna while on its either sides are the Ida and Pingla. At five other centres of highly concentrated energy, called Chakras, along the spinal column, these three Naadis come together and then again divide into three channels as they rise further.

Thus including the Muladhar there are various Chakras in which very powerful energy lies dormant and once they are activated a human gains amazing divine powers like Telepathy, Hypnotism, Clairvoyance. In fact complete success in life in any and every sphere can come only through the activation of all the Chakras and it is with this aim that true Yogis remain engaged in Sadhanas.

But this process can be very intricate and difficult unless one is helped by an enlightened Master who has his own Kundalini fully activated, who is aware of all the processes of activation and who can activate the Kundalini of others.

Benefits of Kundalini Activation:

Inside the vertebral column, there are seven lotuses located on the Brahma Nadi. These are known as Chakra (spinal centres). Each lotus possesses different number of petals and also a distinct colour.

Amazing powers devolve on a human on activation of the Kundalini and each Chakra is related to the following attainments.

1. Muladhar Chakra

This Chakra is situated in the basal region of the vertebral column at the mid spot between anus and penis. In meditation, this Chakra is visualised as a red lotus possessing four petals. This is the resting place of the Kundalini Shakti, which lies here as a snake having three and half coil. This Chakra is the symbol of Earth element.

Activation of this results in riddance from tensions, true happiness, beauty, perfect health and physical strength, magnetic persona.

2. Swadhishtthan Chakra

This Chakra is located in the vertebral column just opposite to the penial region. In meditation, this Chakra is visualised as a vermilion coloured lotus having six petals. This semilunar Chakra is the symbol of Water element.

Activation of this results in freedom from stomach ailments, increase in sex power, and cure of sexual debility, increase in courage and fearlessness and magnetism.

3. Manipur Chakra

Inside the vertebral column, this Chakra is situated just opposite to the naval region. This ten petalled lotus is of blue colour. The Yantra of this Chakra is triangular in shape and it represents the fire element.

Activation of this results in perfect digestion, riddance from ailments like kidney stones, diabetes, liver problems etc. Success in amazing Sadhanas like flying in the air, walking on water, telepathic contact with animals and plants, perfection in Prannayam and the highest achievement is success in Meditation.

4. Anahat Chakra

The relative position of this Chakra inside the vertebral column is just opposite to the cardiac region (heart). This red coloured lotus possesses twelve petals and it represents the Air element. Activation of this Chakra illuminates the entire body and the entire vertebral column starts vibrating.

Activation of this results in peace of mind, boundless divine joy, total freedom from tensions, power to look into future, power of hypnosis, entering into Samadhi (divine trance), riddance from problems related to heart, increase in soft emotions like love, affection and kindness.

5. Vishuddha Chakra

Inside the vertebral column this Chakra is located opposite the throat region. This lotus of smoky colour possesses sixteen petals and it represents the sky element.

Activation of this results in riddance from all ailments related to throat, thyroid etc., increase in knowledge, gain of power of eloquence, deeper Samadhi, perfection in the art of Hypnotism, gain of power to die when one wills, total material success like comforts, wealth, fame etc.

6. Aagya Chakra

In Brahma Nadi (enclosed by vertebral column) this Chakra is located just opposite the mid spot between the two eyebrows. This white lotus has only two petals.

Also called the Third Eye its activation brings wondrous powers like clairvoyance, telepathy, power of giving curses or blessings, instant fulfillment of anything one wishes, and gain of knowledge related to all subjects and sciences, power to control thoughts of others and interfere even in nature.

7. Sahastrar Chakra

Beyond these six Chakras at the upper termination of the spinal cord, is the thousand petalled lotus; the abode of Lord Shiva (supreme being). When the Kundalini Shakti unites itself with the supreme being, the aspirant gets engrossed in deep meditation during which he perceives infinite bliss.

This is a subtle centre in the brain. On activation of Sahastraar a very fine, elixir-like secretion is produced from it which permeates the whole body thus making the human forever free of all ailments.

Sahastrar Chakra is also termed as Dasham Dwar of Brahmarandhara. In my view, this Chakra is situated two inches deep inside both the temporal region and three inches deep from the midspot between the eyebrows that is in the middle portion of cerebral hemispheres. From the throat, it is located three inches above the palate and inside the brain it is located in a small hole above the 'Maha Vivar' foramen of cerebrum.

Awakening of Sahastrar renders the aspirant liberated from corporeal bondages and attachments. He is endowed with all kinds of divine attainments including 'Ashta Siddhi' and 'Nava Nidhi'. He becomes an omniscient Yogi. Being emancipated from the cycles of birth and death, he certainly achieves the final beatitude.

One is fully enlightened and can then envision any event going on anywhere in the universe with out entering into Samadhi. All natural elements come under one’s control.

The practice of awakening Kundalini Shakti must be done only under the guidance of a competent Guru. Sometimes when the aspirant practices such exercises only after going through some books, he endangers his own life and there are chances of his becoming insane.

Really, fortunate is the person who attains his divine Guru. That person is fortunate who strives for awakening of the Kundalini Shakti and only that person is called God-illumined who after activating his Kundalini Shakti, gets the totality of life.

Different ways of activation:

There are several means to this goal - through Mantra, through Diksha ( or transfer of Divine energy from Guru to disciple), Kriya Yog, Prannayam, Ras Vigyan (use of consecrated and Samskarised mercury) and even Ayurvedic herbs and potions.

Yet the best way is of Mantra Sadhana for it is the most safe and can be tried by anyone. When Kundalini is activated there is a tremendous gush of energy which can cause great harm if not properly channelised through the body. But the Mantra Sadhana process is a slow and steady method totally free of such risk. Moreover this is done under the guidance of an accomplished Guru who can fully control the Kundalini. In this Mantra process the six Chakras are activated one at a time and there are seven stages of this Sadhana.

Whatever the mode of activation a Guru is a must for during the process as the divine powers in the body come to life they attack the Sadhak’s weaknesses like greed, jealousy, infatuation, anger, false ego and other negative traits. Sometimes the struggle between these positive (Kundalini) and negative energies can be so intense that a person may lose balance of mind or his evil traits may appear so magnified to him that he may take to wrong ways in life.

But if there is a Guru guiding each step of the process the negative energies can never come out on the top in this struggle. That is why the Guru also suggests Guru Mantra Sadhana for the power of Guru is so strong that it can annihilate all evil traits of the Sadhak.

It is also important to note that there are different Mantras for the activation of six Chakras. One may accomplish Sadhana pertaining to a Chakra and still not experience anything. Remember it is not a miracle we are working. It is a slow and steady process and sometimes it is after some months that suddenly one becomes aware of the activation of the concerned Chakra.

In truth after Sadhana the activation takes place when the Sadhak feels most purified and free of his negative traits. One should hence continue with Sadhana of other Chakras even if no immediate results seem forthcoming.

Sometimes two or three Chakras have been seen to be activated all of a sudden at one go.

How can Kundalini be activated ?

The first step is taking Guru Diksha and later praying to the Guru for Kundalini Jagran Diksha ( Diksha for activation of the Kundalini). After this the Guru suggests certain Mantra Sadhanas through which the Kundalini can be fully activated.

The six Sadhanas can be completed within a period of six months. It is not a rule that one can try the Sadhana of the next Chakra only after the first one has been activated. One can complete all the Sadhanas one after the other without waiting for results. Most of the times the Chakras get activated several days after the completion of Sadhana , sometimes even two or three Chakras at one go.

For details of Sadhanas and Kundalini Jagran Diksha contact our Jodhpur Gurudham or Delhi Gurudham. The details are available on our website here.

Preparation for Activation

Remember, one should never attempt such activation himself since such practices if performed without being guided by a Guru create various problems. Once it so happened that a disciple of mine gained some preliminary knowledge of this activation from me and then on returning back to his home, he started trying to activate his Kundalini Shakti. But his Kundalini deviated from the right course as a sequel to which, he started vomiting blood. In a state of terrible fear, he rushed to me and with a great difficulty, through Yogic Sadhana, I stopped the vomiting of the blood. Then he came to know that during his attempt, his Kundalini Shakti left the proper direction which resulted in vomiting of the blood. By this incident it is clear that the Guru keeps on watching the right course of Kundalini Shakti ascending in the body of a disciple and therefore without a Guru, one should never attempt such practices.

Now I am revealing some fundamental practices for activation of Kundalini shakti which every aspirant should put to application-
1. First of all the aspirant should purify his body with the aid of Neti, Dhyoti and Vasti.
2. After that, the aspirant should practice eight kinds of Pranayam (Yogic exercises). He may also practice some other Yogic exercises besides Pranayam.
3. Now the aspirant should learn from his Guru the essential mudras such as Mahamudra, Mahavedha, Mahabandh, Viparitakarani, Taran, Paridhan, Yuktichalan and Shaktichalani.
4. The aspirant, having perfected all Yogic exercises should concentrate his psyche on 'Chakra' according to the method of 'Raj Yog'.

Daily Routine -
1. Get up at five in the morning.
2. Practice both kinds of Bhrastika Pranayam (fast breathing) five to twenty five times.
3. Practice both kinds of Shaktichalini Mudra five to ten times.
4. Practice Taran Mudra with four to hundred & one Pranayam.
5. Practice Praridhan Yukti Chalan Mudra.
6. At last perform mental exercises of activating 'Chakra'.

The morning time should be devoted to all such exercises. In case you are not able to have ample time in the morning, you should exercise the following practices daily in the evening-
1. Mahamudra - Five to twenty five times on each leg.
2. Mahabandha - Five to twenty five times on each leg.
3. Mahavedh - Both kinds of Mahavedh five to ten times.
4. Viparitkarani Mudra - Five to ten times.
5. The rest part of the time should be utilised for practice of activating 'Chakra'.

The aspirant who practices regularly all the above mentioned exercises derives early success. At an initial stage he may experience increased perspiration from his skin but gradually this perspiration will diminish and then he will perceive a lightening sensation in his entire body. After that he is likely to experience the movement of 'Pran Shakti' (life force) in the manner of crawling of an ant. Then he will experience the upliftment of Kundalini Shakti and also the activation of Muladhar Chakra.

When such a stage arrives, the aspirant while remaining in the company of Guru should practice regularly because when the serpent power, crossing 'Muladhar Chakra' ascends upwards, it may change its proper tract as a sequel to which some strange complaints associated with the blood circulation may supervene. But there is no possibility of occurrence of such dangerous situations provided one is acting as per the directive of his Sadguru.

At an advanced stage, when this life current enters the Sushumna, the aspirant may suffer from a gripping sensation around his waist, chest or neck but in a situation like this, he need not worry at all since this temporary bondage gets opened after few days' exercises.

http://www.siddhashram.org/kundalini.shtml