According to Yogi Bhajan who is credited for bringing Kundalini to the West in the 1960’s:
"Kundalini Yoga consists of active and passive asana-based kriyas, pranayama, and meditations which target the whole body system (nervous system, glands, mental faculties, chakras) to develop awareness, consciousness and spiritual strength".
Traditionally, known as the “yoga of awareness,” Kundalini Yoga is also known as Laya yoga. Kundalini is a Sanskrit word that translates to mean, “coiled snake.” In this ancient philosophy, it is believed we each have a fountain of energy symbolized by a coiled female serpent at the base of our spine. Through various yogic techniques including asana, pranayama, meditation and chanting of mantras, this energy can be freed. Kundalini Yoga is a healing practice that aims to awaken our Higher Self and turn potential energy into kinetic energy.
In Eastern religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, this energy is considered divine and to awaken it is to awaken one’s Higher Self, or the divine that exists within each individual.
Often misunderstood because of the ties to ancient religions, and the powerful impact of intense breathing practices and rhythmic movements to create dramatic energy shifts,
Kundalini Yoga was a secret practice and only shared between teacher and student in private.
Yogi Bhajan worked to change all that by bringing the teachings to the West as a tool to apply to modern life. Today, Guru Jagat has become a modern face for Kundalini yoga, with the desire to bring this often misunderstood practice to the public and not just the elite few. Kundalini seeks to detox, refresh and reboot not just your physical and emotional body, but also the glandular system, muscular and nervous systems as well.
We’ve got some great Kundalini classes. Check out one or all!
1. Guru Jagat / Kundalini Yoga for Everybody: Kriya for Elevation (FREE CLASS)
In this FREE classic Kundalini Yoga set you will experience- Kriya for Elevation- you will receive a vitalizing physical workout and energizing and refreshing breath work that will leave you feeling easy, elevated, calm, and clear.
2. Tana Pittman / Kundalini: Strengthen Your Aura
Kundalini Yoga is a unique and traditional style of yoga that combines posture, movement, breath, mantra, and meditation to help elevate the spirit.
In this Kundalini class we practice deep and dynamic postures, meditation, and sound therapy (gong) to expand the Aura, which projects your true angelic personality. The Aura is the energy field around you. When the Aura is strong it protects you, keeps you healthy, and allows you to glow with inner beauty.
Tana begins with warming postures and then plays the gong during a healing Savasana. Gong Baths are a form of sound therapy and can be very therapeutic, restorative, and relaxing. After Savasana, Tana guides you through a short meditation for prosperity.
To receive the ongoing benefits of this class and create positive shifts in your life, try a 40 day practice.
3. Tana Pittman / Kundalini Yoga: Wake Up, Be Strong, Full of Light
This is known as the "Wake Up Series," as taught by Yogi Bhajan. This set of postures is meant to be practiced daily before you start your day, to set your navel, your center of inner and outer strength. You will learn Breath of Fire, which nourishes your power center and provides abundant energy for your day. The class will conclude with a beautiful short meditation on the light within and around you. You can practice this anytime of day to create energy and a sense of well being.
4. Teal Marie Chimblo Fyrberg / Liberate and Activate Yoga
This 1 hour audio class combines deep energetic breath work and movements inspired by Kripalu and Kundalini yoga with traditional yoga asanas (postures) designed to liberate and activate your body, mind and spirit. Fear, worry, sadness and rage are acknowledged and allowed to flow and transform into courage, self-confidence, joy and contentment.
This class is a complete practice which ends with a restorative sivasana (relaxation/integration) and contains a gentle background music track designed to take you to deeper levels of consciousness.