What is Kundalini Yoga?
Kundalini Yoga is known as the Yoga of Awareness. It is a powerful practice that combines physical postures with breath, mantra, sound and meditation to activate your energy centres and awaken your consciousness.
Kundalini comes from the Sanskrit word kundal, which translates as “coiled energy.” It is essentially a spiritual energy or lifeforce located at the base of the spine and is often conceptualised as a coiled up snake.
Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga, we awaken our lifeforce energy and move it up our spine, activating the seven chakras as it rises from the Root Chakra up to our Crown Chakra, and ultimately connects us to our higher self and the infinite universe.
What happens in a typical Kundalini class?
Tuning in with opening chants
Each class starts by chanting the Adi Mantra three times, followed by the Mangala Charran Mantra three times. If you are new to a class, just listen and let the words wash over you.
Adi Mantra
Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
Translation: I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, I bow to the divine teacher within.
Mangala Charran Mantra
Aad Guray Nameh, Jugaad Guray Nameh, Sat Guray Nameh, Siri Guroo Dayvay Nameh
Translation: 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.
Warm-up exercises
A short sequence of exercises to warm up your spine, paired with breathing techniques.
Kriya
At the core of a Kundalini Yoga class is the Kriya, which means action. Kriyas are a series of postures, breath and sound that work towards specific outcomes and there are literally thousands of different Kriyas covering all manner of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual conditions. Your teacher will choose the Kriya for the class and explain the intention behind it.
Meditation
Most classes end with a meditation, usually paired with a specific mudra (hand gesture), breath or mantra.
Savasana
Time to lay down on your back and let the energy you’ve activated in the class integrate throughout your whole body. Your teacher may also play the ancient gong instrument for even deeper relaxation.
Closing song and chant
The class will close with the Longtime Sunshine Song (in English) and chanting Sat Nam three times.
May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the true light within you
Guide your way home
Sat Nam
Translation: Truth is my identity
A few other things...
Eyes Closed
A Kundalini Yoga class takes you on a journey of self-discovery. Most of the practice is done with your eyes closed, which encourages you to go within and increase your self-awareness.
Mantra music
Beautiful mantra music is played throughout the class, with different tempos to help you get into a rhythm with the postures and breath work.
No teacher adjustments
To encourage you to go within during the class, your teacher will not physically adjust your postures or make any specific comments about your practice that may pull you out of your inner journey. This is your time to listen to your body and connect with your soul.