What Is Kundalini Yoga?
One out of six adults reportedly practices yoga (NPR). This ancient discipline fuses mental, emotional, and spiritual practices into something transcendent. However, not all forms of yoga are created equal, so enthusiasts often ask questions about different forms, such as Kundalini yoga.
Yoga promotes mindfulness in its purest form. Kundalini yoga, on the other hand, focuses more on Kundalini energy. Questions about Kundalini, such as the ability levels best suited for this type of yoga, also exist.
If you're considering yoga teacher training, take time to familiarize yourself with different yoga forms, including Kundalini yoga training. Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Kundalini Energy?
If you practice yoga, you've probably heard the phrase "Kundalini awakening." This energy is said to be at the base of the spine. Conventional wisdom suggests that Kundalini energy controls:
☀ Shakti, or power
☀ Life force, vitality
During a Kundalini awakening, it is thought that a person experiences an increased self-awareness. They may also experience any of the following heightened sensations:
☀ Psychic abilities
☀ A blissful feeling
☀ An overall sense of alignment
☀ Compassion and empathy
☀ Creativity
Yoga instructors can help with a Kundalini awakening, helping their students prepare with:
☀ Chanting
☀ Breath control
☀ Visualization techniques
Above all else, students should keep an open heart when practicing Kundalini yoga.
To understand this exciting type of yoga, it's essential to know where it comes from, primarily since it stems from the tantric yoga tradition. Dating back to the eighth century, this type of yoga has been perfected by countless leaders. In the twentieth century, however, an entrepreneur, Yogi Bhajan, brought this yoga practice to North America. (*Note: We do not condone Yogi Bhajan's behavior or view him as a guru. He has been accused of many transgressions.)
One of the basic principles of Kundalini yoga is spiritual growth. Instructors and those who practice this type of yoga achieve this by practicing their own holistic personal well-being. Kundalini is meant to be a conduit between the:
☀ Body
☀ Mind
☀ Spirit
The History of Kundalini Yoga
When people learn to use these three parts of themselves in united harmony, they can achieve the ecstasy commonly associated with a Kundalini awakening. It takes time and practice, which is why instructors have perfected Kundalini for centuries: to awaken a person's subconscious while keeping their overall awareness of the world around them.
Kundalini yoga is unique because its primary focus is spirituality and being completely present in the moment. From there, you can use practices called kriyas, mantras, and breathing exercises to complete a set of different postures.
This is what ultimately leads to a Kundalini awakening. Since Kundalini yoga is thousands of years old, you shouldn't expect to master it immediately. As with many things, it takes time and patience to learn this ancient form of yoga, especially since it combines tantric principles that aid in living life to the fullest.
For years, Kundalini was seen as a secretive yoga practice that teachers shared with students in coveted sessions. When this practice was brought to the West, Kundalini yoga became more structured and integrated to support beginners on the spiritual path.
A yoga trainer can comfortably work with beginners on Kundalini. Working with these skilled professionals is best for the students as these teachers provide the proper support and guidance while practicing Kundalini yoga. They also help students understand what they can expect from this type of yoga.
There are some prerequisites, however, as this can make learning Kundalini yoga easier.
Meditation is an integral part of Kundalini yoga. Ideally, you should be able to practice chakra-Kundalini meditation for an hour and a half daily. You should also incorporate the following yoga techniques into your daily routine:
☀ Asana ☀
☀ Pranayama ☀
☀ Kriya ☀
☀ Bhavana ☀
☀ Sankalpa ☀
☀ Bhakti ☀
These exercises practice alignment, purification, resolution, and affirmation, all necessary for a Kundalini awakening.
Is Kundalini Yoga for Beginners?
Yes, Yoga Farm Ithaca offers spiritual warrior online teacher training. This advanced 300-hour training program, which takes approximately seven months to complete, provides a flexible curriculum for all students to follow seamlessly. The problem is that Kundalini yoga and Ayurveda offer yoga instructors a more profound connection when teaching others.
This flexible online training program utilizes live Zoom classes that students can replay at their convenience to accommodate various schedules. Yoga Farm Ithaca offers office hours to answer students' questions about the course.
While this curriculum packs a punch, it's also flexible and designed to accommodate a variety of learning styles. Once complete, you'll have your yoga certification, all from the comfort of your home.
Yoga Farm Ithaca is a non-profit organization that strives to maintain a close-knit online community to help you achieve your goals as a yoga instructor. If you have questions during your Kundalini training, you'll have access to a supportive online community eager to answer them.
Are There Kundalini Yoga Instructor Programs?
How Does Kundalini Differ From Other Types of Yoga?
Kundalini yoga is one of the most spiritual forms of yoga. It's common for most forms of yoga to focus on breathwork, but Kundalini yoga is all about facilitating a spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
Students focus on:
☀ Singing
☀ Chanting
One of the best things about Kundalini yoga is that it works to balance a person's nervous system. From there, they should be better equipped to handle daily stressors thanks to this form of yoga's relaxation techniques.
Are You Ready to Start Your Journey Into Kundalini Yoga?
Kundalini yoga is a sought-after form of yoga, and teachers can now take online training courses to become well-versed in this ancient art form. This specific type of yoga requires practice and training to awaken a person's Kundalini energy.
Yoga Farm Ithaca offers Kundalini Chair Yoga, a 200-hour Kundalini Warrior certification program, and a 100-hour self-paced Kundalini Prenatal Yoga certification program. Our non-profit organization is trauma-informed, ensuring we offer a safe space to all. We're also devoted to inclusivity and diversity and promote the best healing practices possible through yoga.
Please reach out to our dedicated team today to learn more about our online academy and available teacher training programs as we empower novice and seasoned yoga instructors.
