What is Kundalini Yoga and its benefits?

Kundalini Yoga is a technology, a set of techniques that affect consciousness. Kundalini evokes increased awareness and energy, it’s a set of tools that you can use in life, to elevate yourself and others. It’s practical too, especially for those who sit down a lot in their day as you move your body and breathe deeply rather than shallow and constricted.

Babies do all 108 Yoga postures in the womb, it’s incredibly natural.

Kundalini Yoga is like a tune-up for your body, the way you would attend to and service a car.

It creates a better understanding of your true self, brings balance and is there to be experienced.

Why are you wearing all white, and what’s with the turban?

Wearing white clothes expands one’s aura by at least one foot. Your aura is the field of energy around your entire body. Ever experienced just knowing someone has great energy or good vibes? It’s because of their radiance, aura. Wearing white also makes you aware of how and what you do with your body, you become super conscious of your whites staying white.

A turban is a symbol of royalty, a crown. In covering your head you harness the inflow of energy to the tenth gate or crown chakra at the top of the head. In Kundalini Yoga this is to clear thoughts from the mind and focus during yoga and meditation. Covering the temples prevents any movement of the bones of the skull, though tiny, the impact determines our level of calmness or anxiety. Said another way, you feel steady, focused and calm.

It’s not compulsory to cover your head in class, people do so in interesting creative ways. Every turban is unique to the person.

Why is there a sheepskin on top of the yoga mat?

A sheepskin aids in retaining your magnetic field, it’s insulating, a natural warm way to be grounded in practice. Kundalini Yoga involves sitting in meditation and sheepskins give comfort from the soft natural fibers.

Who is this man you mention Yogi Bhajan?

Yogi Bhajan brought Kundalini Yoga from India to the West in 1968. Kundalini used to be a science available to only a rare few but Yogi Bhajan broke down barriers and inspired thousands of people to keep up and live in their excellence.

Yogi Bhajan is very much alive in his teachings, his purpose was to create teachers, not students, to use Yoga techniques to live in a happy, healthy life connected to something higher than ourselves.

What should I wear?

Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, that allows you to freely move. This may be leggings, joggers or harem pants with a T-Shirt. Just be mindful that they won’t get in the way or need adjusting often. Bare feet is most practical as you have better stability on the mat and you can firmly balance. We have 27,000 nerve endings on our feet to use and enjoy.

What do I bring to class?

For classes taught at The Space East mats are provided, please bring a blanket for relaxation and a cushion if it helps you sitting.

The second location in E7 mats, sheepskins, blankets, and cushions are provided.

For both classes please bring a water bottle for refreshment after class.

Can I eat before class?

Please don’t eat a full meal 3-4 hours before yoga class, if possible eat before or after class, it can’t be helped then eat light. You don’t want to feel full, hungry or dizzy in class.

Why do we tune in and out?

We tune in before every Kundalini Yoga class with the mantra – Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo. This is to open up a channel of learning, to connect to the wisdom within us and externally in our environment.

Mantra: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
Translation: The active creative aspect of the Universe I call upon, the divine wisdom I call upon.

This is followed by a protection mantra to help guide us through our practice and remove fear and doubts:
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 throughout the ages, I bow to the True Wisdom, I bow to the great, unseen Wisdom.

We close a class with a short song and mantra to seel the energy created in class and bring it into our day or week ahead. We finish with a cheerful song called The Longtime Sun and the mantra Sat Nam. Sat meaning true and Nam meaning identity or connection.

Is Kundalini Yoga a religion?

Kundalini is a science of the mind, not a religion. It was taught originally by Yogi Bhajan, a Sikh however he never encouraged anyone to follow that pursuit, though some have and that is there destiny. Kundalini is a science and energy. Yoga means to yoke or union, to experience awareness and union in the here and now.

Is Kundalini Yoga dangerous?

Kundalini Yoga is dangerous for anyone: trapped in their belief system, who doesn’t want to wake up, look in the mirror or increase their own awareness.

A teacher and self-learning is advised to gain maximum benefit from its teachings, as with any style of Yoga.

Do you do private sessions, teach at events or organisations?

From September 2019 I teach an hour of power morning class, a classic one hour and a half class and a morning meditation class. I am open to anyone who would like to hire my services for an event, organisation or individual session, please contact me tarankm29 at gmail dot com and we can work something out.