A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga Kurunta

Life is stressful as it is so it’s always nice to have hobbies outside school and work that help you de-stress.

Catching a break from time to time is essential for our mental and emotional growth. Now, there are a lot of hobbies and passion projects that you might pursue and these could be different for everyone.

While others enjoy reading, watching movies, cooking, and writing in their free time, some would find solace in more active pastimes such as going to the gym, running, or doing yoga.

There are a lot of ways to enjoy yoga nowadays. Over the past few years, we have been introduced to more varied ways how we can get into the practice. If you want to do it the traditional way, there should be several yoga studios around your town that can help you with this. If you’re looking for more challenges and something out of your comfort zone then aerial yoga swings might just do the trick.

Now, if you want something very niche, Yoga Kurunta might be the best option for you. In this article, we’ll talk about yoga kurunta– its history and things you need to know before getting into the practice!

 

What Is Yoga Kurunta?

The integration of ropes and hammocks in yoga is not a new thing. Since ancient times, many practitioners of yoga have already introduced tools such as ropes as part of their discipline, and these practices that got popularized in modern society much faster than others.

One of the practices that are slowly making its way into contemporary times would be Yoga Kurunta or also called Wall Rope Yoga. The name itself, Kurunta, came from a Sanskrit word meaning “a wooden doll or puppet which can be controlled by the use of strings attached to its limbs and head”.

BKS Iyengar first developed this by revisiting various paintings from ancient times. These paintings would have people suspended in mid-air using ropes. He looked through how these yogis utilized certain props like this and he incorporated them into his practices. He was able to arrive at a conclusion that the ropes actually help students in moving their bodies in a different way.

This type of yoga utilizes ropes attached to the walls in the practice. The idea is to have more dynamic flows as this can access a broader range of motion. Yoga Kurunta is a good option for people who want to focus on their alignment and back issues.

It is an Iyengar-Based yoga style which is a form of yoga that pays more attention to your body’s structural alignment. Its goal is to get deeper in one pose and achieve stability and balance between your mental and physical state.

Some people gravitate towards practices such as Yoga Kurunta as a way to recover from their injuries since it provides support for parts of your body that you want to strengthen. Since it moves at a steady pace, it allows you to adjust your body into the pose better.

 

Yoga Kurunta vs. Aerial Yoga

Although both practices utilize the use of either aerial hammocks, yoga swings and/or ropes, it would be impossible to interchange them as they have stark differences. One major difference would be with how the actual tools are placed.

For Aerial Yoga, aerial yoga swings are usually suspended from above – either from the ceiling or an aerial yoga stand. On the other hand, with Yoga Kurunta, the ropes are placed on the wall. So instead of being in the middle of the room, you’re usually situated along the wall. This allows you to use the wall as support for your poses.

Aside from this, Yoga Kurunta mainly uses ropes while Aerial Yoga uses a variety of tools mentioned such as yoga swings, aerial hammocks, and silks. BKS Iyengar really started with ropes to assist with his Asanas. Yoga hammocks were just introduced in more recent years with the advent of aerial yoga, however it is becoming increasingly popular to use aerial hammocks instead of the ropes for kurunta practice.

There are also supplementary aids that are more common to traditional yoga and kurunta practice. Tools such as yoga blocks and cushions are also used, as these act as support for your poses. Though these are also being used in aerial yoga, its not quite as common an addition as with the more traditional practice.

 

Benefits of Yoga Kurunta

 Just like most yoga practices, there are several benefits that you can get from practicing Yoga Kurunta.

• Yoga Kurunta helps you get deeper in the position. As mentioned, the ropes will act as additional support that will aid you in performing your poses better. You’ll be able to stretch yourself more and execute poses freely as compared to your traditional yoga practice. If you have poses that you’re having trouble executing in traditional yoga, you might be able to perform them properly in Kurunta.
• Yoga Kurunta allows you to be more aware of your body. Yoga Kurunta is no different from other yoga disciplines. Mind and body awareness are also one of the best things that you can get from this. Since it operates at a steadier pace, you’ll have more time to reconnect with your mental and physical state. Because of the support that you get from the ropes, any fear of falling down and toppling over is greatly lessened. This then encourages you to focus more on your current state and listen to what your body truly feels.
• Yoga Kurunta helps you be more in control of your movements. Awareness and control go hand in hand. Once you have gained a greater awareness of your current state, you will be able to control your actions more effectively. Your body will be more in tune with your mind and they will operate at the same level. Once there is balance, you’ll find yourself less stressed and anxious, even when you’re not in session. This way of thinking can be exhibited even in your daily life.

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  Yoga Kurunta is great for alleviating back pain. This wall rope yoga is also ideal for people who are constantly having neck and back pains. The poses are done in a way that allows your body to stretch thus releasing any tension and strains that might be present in your body. This can be extremely beneficial for those who are sitting in front of the computer all day as it allows your spine to stretch and relax.

• Yoga Kurunta can be an entry point for inversion poses. If you’re just getting started on doing more complex yoga poses such as inversion, Yoga Kurunta can be a great avenue to practice this. Since you’re fully supported with the rope, the wall, and also additional tools such as yoga blocks, you’ll be able to start with your head and handstands without risking yourself much.
• Yoga Kurunta improves flexibility. Yoga Kurunta also develops your flexibility. This practice encourages you to utilize and activate the muscles that you don’t usually use in your traditional exercises.

 

Things to Know Before Starting Yoga Kurunta

If you’re planning to start with Yoga Kurunta it would be better if you enroll in a class first so that you’ll be very well guided by professional yogis, especially if you’re a total beginner in the practice. This is to help you navigate through the practice better. Aside from the professional guidance, you’d feel a sense of community since you’ll also be with people who are into this yoga experience.

Additionally, studios that offer wall rope yoga classes would already have their set up intact so you won’t need to worry about buying the proper materials or choosing the right equipment for your at-home setup. On top of that, you are assured that these classes would provide you with top-grade equipment that has gone through quality checks and reviews.

Before committing to anything, you should consider doing in-depth research and going over the critical things that need to be considered. Though beginners are more than welcome to try Yoga Kurunta, it is best to consult your doctor to check if you have any existing conditions that would affect your practice later on.

In the end, what matters most is you have a safe experience so you can enjoy and get fully involved in it!

 

Setting Up Your Yoga Kurunta Practice at Home

Though enrolling in a class would save you from additional stress, building your at-home setup will also have long-term benefits.

One major advantage of this is convenience. If you already have your set up at home, you are free to get into your routines during your free time. You won’t have to worry about overbooking yourself or squeezing it in on your rest days as you can already access it in your home.

This will also push you to work out and get moving as everything is set for you. You won’t even have to think about the travel from your home to the studio. You can just plan your routine and get started.

However, there are several things that you need to prepare beforehand:

• Consider your space. This is probably one of the most important things to consider before building your setup. It is important that you have ample space for you to be able to move freely without hurting or injuring yourself. This would also mean that you have a strong wall that would be able to support the rope or yoga hammock installation and sturdy enough for your practice. If you’re living in an apartment, better check with your landlord if you’ll be allowed to drill certain fixtures into the wall. Other than the wall, you may also set up your ropes into a strong door. There are over-the-door attachments available in the market. This is also a good option for a more temporary setup because you can easily attach/detach it as you wish.
• Ensure the quality of the material. Aside from the space, you also need to exert effort in finding the best brand in the market. There are a lot of articles and blogs that can help you through this process. You’d want to invest in something that will last you for a long time. Go over the reviews and do the necessary comparison. It would help if you also ask for suggestions from those who are already in the practice so they can give you an honest opinion about their experiences. Our aerial hammocks are an ideal option for the practice and are used around the world.
• Talk to a professional. Along with research, real-life experiences from professionals will also be of help to your journey. You don’t want to go through this blindly as it could lead to serious problems if handled carelessly. What you can do is enroll in beginner Yoga Kurunta classes first before fully committing to your home setup. In this way, you would have an idea of how the classes and routines work so you’ll be able to incorporate them into your practice much easier. Do not hesitate to ask for advice and opinions since this will determine if Yoga Kurunta is the right practice for you.

 

Final Thoughts

It is always fun to challenge yourself and try new things. Yoga Kurunta or Wall Rope Yoga is a good place to start if you want to immerse yourself in a different type of yoga. There are several benefits that come with practicing this. It can also be a stepping stone for you before fully committing to a full Aerial Yoga Practice.

Whether you just want to relieve back pain, you’re looking for a brand new challenge, or just want to make use of your free time, Yoga Kurunta might be the best option for you. Be sure that you’ve done your research and prepared your body and mind for this.

Just think about the learning experiences and the fun you’ll have. They always say that the first step is always the scariest. So, take the leap and enroll in your first Yoga Kurunta class now!