How to Learn Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga combines yoga postures, chanting, breathing techniques and meditation in a single practice to raise your creative potential and awareness, otherwise known as your Kundalini energy. Kundalini Yoga is also called the Yoga of Awareness and the practice was passed down secretly from master to student during ancient Indian times. Yogi Bhajan, a renowned Kundalini Master, introduced Kundalini Yoga to the West in the 1960's, when he began teaching it in the United States. While Kundalini Yoga requires dedication and focus, you can learn more about it with these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Books on Kundalini Yoga, including "Kundalini Awakening: A Gentle Guide to Chakra Activation and Spiritual Growth" by John Selby
• Budget for Kundalini Yoga classes, about $20 per class
• Yoga Mat
• White, loose-fitting clothes, ideally made of cotton or linen

How to Learn Kundalini Yoga

1. Research the history of Kundalini Yoga to help you understand what it is before you try it. Familiarize yourself with basic yoga terms like mantra, which is a sacred prayer or incantation usually chanted repeatedly in Sanskrit, to focus your awareness, and asana, which means yoga pose or posture. Also read books such as "Kundalini Awakening: A Gentle Guide to Chakra Activation and Spiritual Growth" by John Selby to help you realize Kundalini Yoga's real-life applications.

2. Find an IKYA-certified teacher. The International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (IKYA) offers an online directory of certified Kundalini Yoga teachers throughout the United States. Find contact information and descriptions of each instructor's class offerings at kundaliniyoga.com.

3. Buy a yoga mat. You can rent a mat at a yoga studio, but having your own allows you to practice Kundalini Yoga in any quiet space, once you are familiar with the process. You can purchase a yoga mat at any department store such as Target or Wal-mart.

4. Go barefoot. Kundalini Yoga is traditionally practiced barefoot to maximize energy flow. The feet have more than 70,000 nerve endings and are the major exchange area for energy between you, the earth and the sun.

5. Invest in white, loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing. Yogi Bhajan recommends wearing white for Kundalini Yoga because it is a pure color that will help you to absorb the pure energy that other colors may deflect. Loose-fitting clothes also enable you to sit comfortably in meditation and breathe more freely, both of which are important aspects of Kundalini Yoga.

6. Make a commitment to your practice. Purchase a pack of Kundalini Yoga classes at your local yoga studio to inspire daily practice. Classes are usually 60 to 90 minutes long. If you don't have a school near you, schedule at least 30 minutes every day for online tutorials like Anmol Mehta's Free Online Guided Meditation and Kundalini Yoga Class, which you can download at anmolmehta.com and follow at your own pace.

Tips & Warnings

• While you can learn Kundalini Yoga at home with the help of instructional websites or DVDs, practicing in a class taught by a professional instructor will help ensure you are doing the poses correctly and minimize the chance of injury. Practice on an empty stomach. Avoid eating two to three hours before practicing Kundalini Yoga so that your blood and energy can flow freely. When your stomach is full, your energy remains in your digestive tract, restricting your movements and breathing.
• Kundalini Yoga stimulates the body's natural cleansing process, so new practitioners may experience headaches. Drink a lot of water to aid in the cleansing process, but if the headache persists, consult a physician. Don't be alarmed if your instructor or Kundalini Yoga classmates are wearing turbans. Some practitioners believe that wearing a turban helps raise your Kundalini energy or creative potential. However, it's not a requirement for the Kundalini Yoga practice.

References

• 3HO Foundation
• History of Kundalini Yoga
• Kundalini FAQ by Yogi Bhajan, PhD

Resources

• Anmol Mehta's Free Online Guided Meditation and Kundalini Yoga Class

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