Kundalini Yoga: Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS KUNDALINI YOGA?

‘Kundalini‘ refers to the flow of consciousness and energy that exists within each of us.

Sometimes you hear the words ‘prana’ or ‘chi’ or ‘life force’. ‘Kundalini’ is the same idea.

Awakening this energy ignites the creative potential of the individual and supports one in living a healthy, vibrant and impactful life.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KUNDALINI YOGA AND MY YOGA?

That’s a great question.

First, I’ll say that I’m not sure what ‘your’ yoga is – but I can talk a little bit about Kundalini Yoga compared to the vinyasa/flow yoga classes that I teach.

Vinyasa yoga practices are great for a physical – sometimes even athletic – experience. Your heart rate will rise, and your muscles will work. You will stretch too. And if the breath is intentional, the mind will likely quiet. By the end of class, you will likely find some emotional release and feel more connected to yourself. It’s good stuff.

Kundalini Yoga is a technology used to address needs within the whole-body system – well beyond the scope of power vinyasa yoga. It’s a great practice for your nervous system, immune system, digestive system and endocrine system. Each class includes physical movement, breath work, meditation and sometimes chanting.  There is no Sun A – but you will use dynamic movement, unusual motor patterns, often with the arms – yikes, that can be tough! These movements are intended to move, disperse, realign and strengthen the flow of energy through the body. Your teacher may offer classes specific to your needs such as reducing anxiety, supporting immune functioning, healing from grief, etc. Kundalini Yoga is targeted and potent. They say that one Kundalini Class is equivalent to twelve years of hatha yoga practice. Just telling you what they say.

Personally, I have used Kundalini Yoga to heal migraines, to fight flus, to stimulate metabolic functioning, to balance hormones, to release grief, to re-pattern thoughts stemming from childhood, to reduce anxiety and anxiety induced behaviors, to clear blocks to creativity, to become happier and more optimistic in my life.

When I became physically unable to practice power vinyasa yoga, I used the yoga sets of Kundalini Yoga to strengthen my core, improve mobility in my back and to return mobility to my neck/shoulder area. My chiropractor and physical therapist are pleased with the way Kundalini Yoga practices have supported their work.

Of course, my Kundalini Yoga practice is a part of a bigger health and wellness lifestyle picture. But I’m committed to this practice because it is working for me.  I’m so confident and so convinced that I’m sharing my experience with you.

I hope you’ll join me for a class soon.

ISN’T KUNDALINI YOGA LIKE A SNAKE?

Well, yes and no.

The word ‘kundalini’ refers to the life-force energy that resides in our bodies – everyone has this energy. It is said to be dormant. Since forever ago, yoga practitioners have been working with their inner energy in an attempt to awaken this energy and rise it up the spine. This gives one an experience of enlightenment and bliss.

They say that the kundalini energy rises like a snake. (It’s not actually a snake.) They are using the snake as a metaphor for the spiraling action. Like DNA is shaped in a spiral. It’s the movement pattern as the energy in the body is released. Most of us have had experiences of kundalini rising on occasion.  

Because Kundalini Yoga stirs up the inner energies, you might feel a rising up of this energy and, if you’re very sensitive and attuned, you might feel that energy rising in a spiral. But no snake. Promise.

WHO’S THE GUY WITH THE BEARD?

That’s Yogi Bhajan.

Yogi Bhajan came to LA (via Toronto) in 1969. He saw that our Western culture needed something – something! So, he received permission to share the practices of Kundalini Yoga which had, up to that time, been kept secret.

There were people who opposed his teaching these practices to Westerners. But he committed his life to teaching this Kundalini Yoga lineage – over 8000 teachings are recorded. He dedicated himself to building a community of teachers often saying that he didn’t want disciples but teachers. It was important to Yoga Bhajan to provide people with this Kundalini Yoga technology as a means to managing the challenges of the 21st Century. He knew that Kundalini Yoga would support us.  He wanted us to have the necessary practices for living life strong and centered, happy and joyful, empowered and positive.

Now I would be grossly remiss if I didn’t mention the recent claims made against Yoga Bhajan and his teachings of Kundalini Yoga. Perhaps you’ve heard the claims: abuse of money, sex and power. These are certainly horrible - and disappointing - accusations. The entire Kundalini Yoga has been shaken by the reports. And I’m neither informed enough nor wise enough to tell the truth from the false. However, I am leaning on three teachings to support me in making peace with what I’m hearing:

First, I am reminded that there are multiple truths available within any situation. Master teachers have defined spiritual maturity as the ability to hold two seemingly conflicting facts in your hand at the same time. So I am considering the idea that a human (wo)man might demonstrate BOTH dishonorable behavior AND an ability to teach practices for personal development. And I am considering that BOTH the victim and the perpetrator have a rightness or a purpose in their roles in any situation. Now, Yoga Bhajan died in 2014. And, I don’t know what he could possibility say to defend himself against these very serious claims but he does not have that opportunity. But I am simply considering that there might be many stories and many truths. All of the truths should be welcome in the conversation. Holding this idea supports me in remaining clear and avoiding the trauma/drama that might otherwise distract me from my own work.

Second, I appreciate the changing of our cultural norms over time as a part of the collective spiritual development on the planet. We, as human people, have the ability to observe and analyze our behaviors in a way that we were not capable of in the past. As a society, we have grown to appreciate how power can be used to abuse others. And that is not to excuse the past, but to place context and to open the heart for forgiveness. I believe that healing is necessary for all of us - both the victim and the perpetrator. When we villian-ize someone who has offended or abused us, we are acting out our pain. That is arguably a necessary step towards healing but one would hope to continue to grow in forgiveness until the pain is processed and love can reside. Please know that I do not intend to minimize the pain and the wrong-ness of what may have happened. In fact, #metoo. However, I have worked for many years on various issues and I’ve learned that forgiveness is a process that supports ME in becoming my best self.

Thirdly, I would say that these are the times of speaking ones truth. And these are the times of claiming ones power. And these are the times for self-responsibility. During my Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training at RA MA Institute, my teachers emphasized these tasks and offered practices to support me in working towards self-expression, self-empowerment, and self-responsibility. They used the teachings of Yoga Bhajan to do so even as he was falling from his pedestal.

I’m very sad that there is a stain on the fabric of Kundalini Yoga. However, when we claim responsibility and power and truth for ourselves, we are doing the work of these Aquarian times. The guru is found within us. We no longer need to give our power to the other but do the inner work and claim it for ourselves. And perhaps that is the blessing within the lesson.

That’s my truth. Take what speaks to you + leave the rest.  

I HEARD KUNDALINI YOGA IS A CULT…

Well, I don’t know.

I can’t answer for everyone. Maybe some communities of Kundalini Yoga operate that way. And when you read the current rhetoric about Yoga Bhajan’s community in the 1970-90’s, you might make that association. Who knows? Kundalini Yoga may have been very much a cult in those circumstances.

But that’s not been my experience.

This is the message my teachers offered me: These are practices that can help you find sovereignty. We want you to feel happy and free. We want you to claim your personal power and make choices that honor your truth. No one is asking for your allegiance or membership. It’s you with you. We’re here to support that. You come here freely and you leave freely.

I think of all of the different ways people participate in group activities: football fans, book clubs, motorcycle groups, reading clubs, etc. These are all groups of people who share an interest in something. The people may wear certain things and might eat certain foods and shout different phrases and even paint their faces. And they do that because they are excited about something. It’s fun to share that with others who enjoy the same thing.

Kundalini Yoga is a technology that offers certain practices. You don’t have to do them. If you do them, you’ll likely find somethings changing or happening for you. If you like that, keep it up. If you don’t, stop. Go do something else.

Not a cult. Just a community.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR WHITE?

Nope!

 Wearing white when practicing Kundalini Yoga is traditional but not required. White is traditional because the color white reflects the most light allowing one to feel and appear very radiant and bright. Your teacher will wear white as she/he is holding the energy and space as a leader and facilitator. But you will find that the people practicing will be dressed all kinds of colors.

Just wear something comfortable for movement. It doesn’t have to be white nor does it have to be black Lycra leggings with a sports bra and tank top. The Kundalini Yoga technology works no matter what you wear.

The head covering? Oh, yeah.

Teachers and practitioners will cover their heads to support the energy in rising up through the crown of the head. During intense practices – I did say Kundalini Yoga is potent - one might feel dizzy or even get a headache. A head cover can help reduce those symptoms. But you will likely not have to worry about that right away.

WHY WOULD I TRY KUNDALINI YOGA – DOES IT LOOK LIKE I DON’T GET ENOUGH SEX?

Ummm. That’s a little confusing to me.

Maybe there is a misunderstanding. Kundalini Yoga is not really about the sex.

Historically, Kundalini Yoga is from the Tantric practices as opposed to the Classic practices. So if we go waaaaay back in history, the Classic practices were taught to the wealthy and prominent. They were heavy with rules and renunciations. What to do and what not to do, eat, say – in order to know God. You know, the God that is out there and you are trying to find him. From this lineage we get the traditions that priests should not marry and sex is sinful.

Compare this to the Tantric practices which were of the working-class people. These teachings were all about what to do and not to do and how to live in order to find God. The tantric practices included devotional practices of singing and dancing and loving the one you love. These are the teachings that emphasize that all of life is God – that God is expressing him/herself through all of the nature and through all of us. So, it’s possible for a sexual union to be a Divine experience.

And Kundalini Yoga – as is all Hatha Yoga including your power vinyasa class – is from the Tantric lineage.  

I can’t make any comments about your sex life but thanks for the question. And I hope you try a class.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO DO IN A KUNDALINI YOGA CLASS?

Here’s the basic idea:

We will tune in by chanting two mantras. In its most basic understanding, tuning in allows you to gather yourself and become present for your practice. In its more sophisticated understanding, tuning in allows you and your teacher to connect to the energetic stream that contains the lineage of Kundalini Yoga so that your practices can have quality and impact. Your teacher will have a card or paper with the mantras so you can follow along. They are pretty short. You will probably learn them quickly.

We will do a breathing exercise. Breath of Fire is used quite often in Kundalini Yoga. That is breathing through the nose with a short inhale and a short exhale - it’s rhythmic.  It allows the diaphragm to move, opens the lungs, frees the ribs/shoulders and wakes up the brain. You can start slow and build a little faster - and take a break if you need to - but definitely have a steady rhythm.

There will be a yoga set. These are the physical movements. Often with breath. Sometimes with mantra. The yoga set will address all ten bodies: your soul body, negative mind, positive mind, neutral mind, physical body, arc line, auric field, pranic body, subtle and radiant bodies. In addition to your muscular-skeletal system you will work with your endocrine, digestive, immune and nervous systems.

There will be a meditation.  Sometimes there is a specific posture, hand gesture, or mantra with the meditation. The meditation will complement the work you have done. It is a part of the whole experience.

You will be offered a savasana. If possible, this will include a gong bath. The gong allows your energetic fields to be cleared and allows your mind to release subconscious material are realign to more helpful mental patterns.

And we end with the Long Time Sun song. This, too, is on your mantra card. But it’s in English and you’ll be feeling pretty sweet by the end of class. You can easily sing along. But you don’t have to. Just be you.

Most classes are 75 minutes long.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THOSE CHANTS:

Sure!

The first mantra is called the Adi Mantra. Adi means ‘first’ so it makes sense that this one comes first.

ONG NAMO ~ GURU DEV NAMO

I bow to the subtle divine wisdom. I bow to the divine teacher within.

We chant this mantra three times. And then we take a breath and sustain the inhale. Please direct your inner energy upwards. And exhale when cued.

The second mantra is called the Mangala Charan Mantra. This is a mantra of protection.

AAD GURAY NAMEH ~ JUGAAD GURAY NAMEH ~ SAT GURAY NAMEH ~ SIRI GUROO DAYVAY NAMEH

I bow to the primal wisdom. I bow to the wisdom through the ages. I bow to the true wisdom. I bow to the great unseen wisdom.

We chant this mantra three times. And then we take a breath and sustain the inhale. Please direct your inner energy upwards. And exhale when cued.

Honestly, the tuning in can be a little off-putting for new students. If you are not used to chanting practices, it can feel odd. But it is over pretty quickly and the rest of the practice is approachable. And it’s likely that with experience, you will feel the opening mantras as a lovely welcome song.

We have mantra cards in the studio.

WHAT IS THAT OTHER THING YOU SAY?

Sat Nam!

Yeah – Sat Nam is used as a greeting and a blessing. Like Aloha or Shalom.

Sat means ‘True’ and Nam means ‘Name’. So very simply Sat Nam means ‘True Name’. But you might have experiences that expand or broadening your understanding as you grow in your practice. You might find that it expresses a desire or commitment to seeking the truth and honoring the truth. You might feel the capital T is a reminder of the greater truths – the Universal Truths.

When I say “Sat Nam” to you, I offer it as a respectful gesture to always see the truth of who you really are beyond your human body and personality.

You’ll have to see how you experience that.

Sat Nam!