Most Westerners probably aren’t aware of the various different types of yoga and meditation practices.

The language can be weird to us and hard to pronounce. The concepts are unfamiliar to those who weren’t born and raised in an environment that supports yoga and meditation. And honestly, the second most people see the word “enlightenment” or “spirituality,” they’re running for the door.

Because they’re not in it for the feels. They’re in it for the exercise. For their health.

But the truth is, meditation opens doors. Doors of peace, self-awareness, empathy, compassion, gratitude, stress reduction. It opens doors of better physical, mental, and emotional health.

Kundalini yoga (aka Kundalini meditation) is one of those practices that will really create a path for your mind, body, and soul to heal and thrive.

It’s also considered one of the most powerful meditation practices in existence. And since the concept of kundalini energy has been around for over 1,000 years, it might be something we should all give a try at least once!

If you’re interested, check out my Kundalini Yoga class on myYogaTeacher!

What is Kundalini meditation?

The theory behind Kundalini meditation is that your life energy resides in your root chakra at the base of your spine. As a matter of fact, in Sanskrit, the word Kundalini means “coiled.” As your tailbone and spine create a sort of coil at the base.

The purpose of Kundalini meditation is to clear your energy centers – or chakras – from the root chakra up through the crown chakra. This release of energy is said to promote internal balance, awakening, and enlightenment.

Kundalini meditation consists of:

• Mudras (hand movements)
• Deep breathing
• Mantras (in the form of phrases or chanting)
• Physical movements

As your Kundalini energy rises up through your energy centers, your chakras are balanced and contribute to your spiritual wellness.

Kundalini meditation and yoga go hand in hand. The movement and the meditation work together to create cleansed chakras and internal cleansing.

Benefits of Kundalini Yoga

While other forms of yoga focus on movement and syncing your breath to your movement, Kundalini yoga combines chanting, singing, movement, and breathing in a specific order. A repetitive pattern that is more precise than other forms of yoga.

Kundalini is also a more spiritual practice with benefits such as:

• Relief from stress and anxiety
• Improved cognitive function and mental clarity
• Better self-esteem and improved body positivity
• More empathy
• Increased energy
• Internal peace

According to research, Kundalini Yoga has even been shown to help treat eating disorders!

With regular practice, it has been said that Kundalini yoga leads to spiritual enlightenment, which is less about religion and faith and more about becoming fully self-aware.

According to Deepak Chopra, enlightenment means you have a simultaneous connection to your inner self and everything around you. An ability to maintain separation and connection at the same time like an ocean wave.

It’s definitely something we can all aspire to!

How Kundalini yoga is different from other types of yoga

Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa, and Anusara yogas are all focused on movement with breath and alignment of the body.

Kundalini yoga is different in the sense that the purpose or desired outcome is much more spiritually based. But there are lots of other ways Kundalini differs.

1. In Kundalini yoga, “Om” is replaced with “Ong, Namo, Guru, Dev, Namo.” This mantra means “I call on the divine teacher within.”
2. Kundalini yoga uses the Breath of Fire, which is an energizing, rapid, rhythmic breathing practice sometimes used with movement and sometimes not.
3. The mantras used in Kundalini yoga are in the Gurmukhi language and not drawn on Sanskrit mantras like traditional yoga is.
4. Instead of static or smooth movements that are common in other forms of yoga, Kundalini yoga uses dynamic, vigorous postures.
5. As mentioned above, Kundalini yoga doesn’t focus on alignment but more on internal energy – gland secretions, Kundalini energy, and circulation.

There is more I could mention, but these are the primary differences between Kundalini yoga and other forms you’ve probably heard of and practiced. It’s just much more of an experience with cultural music, chanting, singing, breathing. It’s invigorating and you can start to have a spiritual awakening after just one session!

We’d love to have you join us in my Kundalini Yoga class on myYogaTeacher! Grab your 2-week free trial here and check out this class and many more!