Frequently Asked Questions
What is kundalini yoga?
Kundalini yoga is known as the yoga of awareness. It is a comprehensive and effective school of yoga focused on harnessing the divine feminine energy within. Often practiced as kriya, incorporating breath-work (pranayama), exercises (asana), meditation (raja yoga), mantra and deep relaxation (shavasana) with the goal of awakening the kundalini. The practice of kundalini yoga is best set on developing and nurturing our subtler sides, emphasizing the development of the nervous system and mind.
Kundalini yoga aims to empower us to experience stillness and live with an attitude of gratitude. Building inner strength and self-awareness to its maximum, so we can reach our highest potential.
For many who may have practiced yoga, they find that kundalini yoga is unique in its capacity to include so many of the diverse elements of the ancient teachings of yoga. Due to this breadth it is intended as a contemplative and self-reflective practice.
As our society becomes increasingly more dependent on technology, our world becomes more intimately connected and influenced by its numerous cultures. The pace of change is on the rise and the stress on our body’s nervous system is increasing. Yoga is one of the most effective tools to help us cope with the pressure of these changes. It is the mind that interprets our outer and inner worlds and it is the mind that we can and, frankly, must train to guide us through the flow of change.
How do I prepare for a kundalini yoga class?
It is said all you need to have to attend a Kundalini Yoga class is the will to transform. All are welcome! No experience necessary!
Since we are now also having classes using Zoom, we suggest you set yourself in as private a space as possible, making sure that children and pets won’t distract you or others in the class.
We invite all to participate to the best of their ability. We can always provide appropriate modifications.
We suggest not eating a heavy meal before class. If you want to eat something beforehand, eat a piece of fruit or something light.
There is no particular "dress code" for a class. Comfortable loose fitting clothing works best. (Often you may notice long time students wear white clothes but it is not required)
We welcome you if you are pregnant or menstruating. Though we recommend keeping to gentler practices to no over-exert yourself.
Please note that it is not appropriate to attend our classes while intoxicated, we want you to have an authentic experience of self and substances impact that experience. There are other places and spaces for such activities.
Remember: Exalted not Exhausted!
We welcome you to attend classes and other events. If you are a beginning student, go at a pace that suits your flexibility and endurance. As you feel more comfortable with the exercises you will find the more you relax the more natural class becomes. There is no pressure in Kundalini Yoga to push the body too far; there should be no pain or fear of judgement. We say “Keep up and you will be kept up!” Approach class with an attitude of gratitude and the benefits happen.
A typical kundalini yoga class is as follows:
1. Tune-In, intention setting exercise
2. Pranayama, breathing exercise
3. Kriya, physical exercises
4. Savasana, sometimes accompanied by the gong
5. Meditation, mental exercise
6. Closing affirmation, gratitude exercise
What is kundalini?
The word “kundalini” means “kundal” - coiled, ”ini” - feminine, and in yogic philosophy refers to the divine feminine energy, shakti, that lays at the base of the spine. Usually dormant, this awareness in a person is an innate source of self, our own spiritual energy that has the power to clear the duality which makes us feel apart from ourselves and others.
Modern psychology has brought us the understanding that self-actualization necessitates security. Therefore in order to access this well of deep creative power we must create secure attachments to ourselves and the world around us.
We like to say that even without a yoga practice, once in a while a little kundalini “seeps" into our awareness and we have everyday experiences of joy, calmness, peace of mind, oneness and bliss. Practice just enables more of that energy into our awareness!
What’s kundalini yoga’s relationship to other forms of yoga?
Kundalini yoga developed out of the Yoga Upanishads, ancient teachings that describe a path the higher consciousness with an emphasis on breath work, sound and mantra, mudra and rhythmic movement, as well as postures familiar to asthanga and hatha yoga practitioners. Known to work specifically on the nervous and endocrine systems for example, it introduces and incorporates subtle teachings of energy/Prana, such as the Bandhs, Nadis, Gunas, Chakras and Tattvas.
This means that some classes may be largely seated and others much more rigorous on the body. This range often makes kundalini yoga more accessible to beginners or people with limited mobility.
Why do many practitioners wear white?
We encourage people in practice to wear loose clothing of natural fibers like linen, cotton, and wool and to wear colors that aren’t jarring or attention grabbing.
Part of conscious living is recognizing the harmful impact that synthetic fibers (a.k.a microplastics) have on us and our environment, choosing clothing made from plants and animals is kinder to the planet and in accordance with natural cycles. The craze of “athleisure” wear is antithetical to core principles of yogic philosophy as it capitalizes on vanity and consumerism which are superficial limitations. In class, it doesn’t matter what brand you’re wearing or how “good” you look, period.
Continuing that thought, we believe that clothing worn during yoga practice should reflect how we want to feel during practice, comfortable and unrestricted. This means wearing clothing that is not distracting or disruptive to our practice (not too tight or too itchy or whatever). This is why we recommend finding loose fitting clothing that allows unrestricted movement while allowing our skin to breathe.
On the topic of disruptive, we often invite people to wear white as its not harsh on the eyes in the same way bright colors are. But if colors are your jam, neutrals and earthy tones (blues, greens, browns) are great ways to have your cake and eat it too. We want people to be focusing on their individual experience, not someone’s neon orange leggings across the room.
We encourage people to dress according to what their personal practice calls for and will not turn anyone away nor judge them for their decisions on how to dress.
Where did yoga come from?
The technology of consciousness and mindful living that has developed into the teachings and practice of yoga is a compendium of knowledge studied and compiled over thousands of years. It originated out of the Vedas, more specifically the Upanishads which are pivotal early philosophical teachings out of ancient India. Yoga was devised as a fundamentally spiritual practice, for the purpose of deepening one’s connection to higher powers. We like to leave “higher powers” up to the interpretation of the practitioner.
Is yoga a religion?
Yoga comes from the ancient vedic writings which Hinduism draws its origins from as well. The teachings of yoga are intended to facilitate our union with the divine and we like to leave the “divine” open to the interpretation of the practitioner. Most faith traditions arose from the expanded consciousness of a person who attempted to share their awakening. Over the years we’ve seen yoga practitioners gain deeper understanding of their personal faith traditions. As any spiritual practice has roots in various traditions, many of the mantras we use in our classes are from the Sikh tradition and reflect the philosophical contributions of Sikhi on life and consciousness, that is we are all one.
What’s this about a “kundalini awakening”?
Kundalini yoga creates a safe and balanced environment for transformation and personal growth.
The system of yogic anatomy identifies 72,000 energy channels, called nadis in the body. The primary three are the ida, pingala and sushumna, intertwining along the spinal column.
It is believed that through consistent practice the ida and pingala merge, the sushumna is cleared and the kundalini may rise from the base of the spine, where it normally lays dormant allowing our natural, everyday energy of consciousness and awareness to be fully realized.
This process can occur through sincere efforts in yoga or other spiritual practice. It also looks different for everyone though many people report a sensation of euphoria and enlightenment. Others will describe the experience as overwhelming or confusing, due to the new energy experience and information that are not used to or more importantly trained to understand. The way to prepare for such an experience is to have a rich and steady practice to ground and secure the sense of self, that develops the inner infrastructure to hold the energy.
Will practicing yoga conflict with my current spiritual beliefs?
Anyone can practice yoga without limiting, abandoning or changing their faith tradition. Many of our students and teachers have spiritual beliefs that are completely unaffiliated with the ancient Eastern faith traditions from which yoga originates. In fact for most people the practices of yoga enhance their own beliefs.
I’m worried that yoga isn’t accessible but I want to participate, what should I do?
We believe that any sincere effort placed into practice will aid the whole self. The physical, mental and spiritual are all intimately connected. It is not just about being able to hold a complicated physical posture. If that were the only requirement “Cirque du Soleil” would be the school for enlightened beings.
People with physical or cognitive limitations can experience benefits from Kundalini yoga through practices completely accessible to all. We happily offer adjustments to much of what we do and welcome all.
If you would like more information please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask, we do have answers for you!