How is Kundalini Yoga Different

Kundalini Yoga is distinct from other forms of yoga because it focuses on awakening the kundalini energy, and channeling it through the body’s energy centers, or chakras. It combines breathwork, chanting, meditation, and dynamic movements to stimulate this energy flow. Unlike more physically focused yoga styles like Hatha or Ashtanga, Kundalini Yoga emphasizes spiritual awakening, self-awareness, and inner transformation. It incorporates kriyas—specific sequences of exercises and breathing techniques—along with mantras and mudras to create a holistic practice aimed at connecting the practitioner with their higher self and universal consciousness.

Kundalini is one of the more spiritual forms of yoga.

It uses mainly dynamic postures, as well as some static postures. It places a greater emphasis on breathing techniques, and on meditation with the use of mantras than many other types of yoga.

What to expect in a Kundalini Yoga class

In Kundalini Yoga there is a distinct beginning, middle and end to each practice. While the basic structure of classes remains the same, there is a great variety in the content depending on the kriya chosen. A kundalini yoga class include pranayama (breathing), asanas (postures), mantras (sound), mundras (hand positions), mental focus and deep relaxation.

Typical structure of a Kundalini Yoga class

Tune in

Begin by chanting the Adi Mantra, Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, three times to set the intention.

Pranayama

Pranayama is a key practice in yoga that involves the regulation of breath.

Kriya

It's known for balancing the energy in the body and calming the mind.

Meditation

Engage in meditation, often accompanied by mantra chanting.

Relaxation

Relax deeply with soothing music or gong vibrations.

Tune Out

Conclude the session with the Long Time Sun song blessing.

Power of the legacy of Kundalini Yoga

An important aspect of the power of the legacy of Kundalini Yoga that we as teachers can convey to our students, is that each kriya is whole unto itself, a perfect jewel that acts to create a flow. They are perfectly designed sets meant to produce predictable and subtle impacts on the total Self. This is the mastery of the Master. Yogi Bhajan emphasized the importance of keeping the teaching as given, with the exception of reducing the timing of postures. Yogi Bhajan also specified that Kundalini Yoga teachers are not to mix Kundalini Yoga kriyas with any other kind of yoga.

Benefits of Kundalini Yoga

Postures (asanas)

• Increase the flexibility of the spine.

• Stimulate the chakras (the vortex of energy), which affect your physical and spiritual well-being

• Activate the glands to improve your immune system, nervous system and circulation.

Breathing techniques (pranayamas)

• Relax the mind and body

• Channel emotions to help you confront difficult situations in your life

• Balance your ‘prana’ (vital energy) and your ‘apana’ (eliminatory energy), and balance the two sides of the body.

Meditation

• Clears the sub-conscious and eliminates anxiety about the future, helping you to feel internal peace

• Gives you the mental and emotional clarity to fix difficult situations in your life

• The repetition of Sanskrit and Gurumukhi mantras energises specific parts of the brain and restores the pattern of sounds at the heart of every cell, encouraging the cells to work harmoniously together.