By: Lydia Lazzara

Hello! I recently realized that I’ve been avoiding sharing outright the type of yoga I teach. Today, that all changes. I want to talk about the type of yoga that I teach, since it is pretty unique in the Western yoga world – and certainly different from the Hatha-style yoga that Bobbi teaches. 

I teach #kundaliniyoga. Kundalini is Sanskrit (an ancient language from India, kind of like Latin is from the Roman Empire) for “coiled snake.” This metaphor is used to refer to the ancient (and multicultural) belief that we have this certain type of life force energy that lies dormant at the base of our spine, coiled like a snake. 

When this energy is awakened, it is called a #kundaliniawakening. It is an “awakening” on the road to enlightenment – a typically Buddhist concept that many {many} other religions, spiritual communities, and cultures believe in. 

Kundalini yoga is meant to awaken that energy that lies dormant at the base of our spine and move it up and out of our crown chakra. And THEN…move it back down into our bodies. Kundalini yoga, the way I teach it, is all about moving the energy in our bodies that can stagnate into our sit bones with our sedentary lifestyles. Now, whether you believe in the particular “kundalini energy” or just think of it as plain ol’ energy, this can produce pretty amazing results. 

What the ancient gurus (teachers) and yogis didn’t know is the science behind what they were doing. They understood on a spiritual (energetic) level that the poses, breathwork, mudras (hand positions), and mantras (chanting/singing) impacted their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. They didn’t necessarily understand HOW, though. 

Kundalini yoga is a unique combination of asanas (poses), pranayama (breathwork), mudras (hand positions), and mantras (chanting/singing) that all work together to increase your resilience to stress, regulate your nervous and endocrine systems, increase your lung capacity, strengthen your immune system, release stored emotions, and more. Whether you believe in the spirituality or quantum physics of the energetic body or not, Kundalini yoga can offer tangible, physical benefits to those who practice it regularly. 

Those who’ve come to my classes almost unanimously agree that at the end of the class they are “deeply relaxed yet energized.” They wonder at how two seemingly opposite states of being can co-exist so harmoniously within their bodies. 

Now, how are my Kundalini classes different from many that you’ll see when you search Kundalini yoga on the internet? I’m so glad you asked! I teach an intuitive and trauma-informed version of Kundalini yoga. I will never require you to wear all white or a covering on your head (something many die-hard Kundalini yogis swear by); and I will also not bash you if you do! I will ALWAYS encourage you to listen to your own body, do what feels right for you, and if I am cueing, or chanting, something that makes you uncomfortable, to do or chant something else. 

Here’s an example of a great way to substitute a very common Kundalini mantra that has been backed by science to improve short-term memory: The mantra is Sa Ta Na Ma, which translates to “Beginning, Life, Death, Rebirth.” If you are uncomfortable chanting words in Sanskrit, or these words don’t connect with you, another option is to simply chant “Hal-le-lu-jah,” which is originally Hebrew and means “Praise the Lord.” 

No matter what your personal belief system is, you can practice Kundalini yoga with me. I will never push a particular spiritual or religious viewpoint on you. My classes will simply ask you, if you are comfortable, to listen to your body, become more aware of your body and energy, and tune into the present moment–the NOW. And, you are also welcome to ignore these cues and mentally scroll through your daily calendar or shopping list, too, if you prefer. 

I hope you decide to join me for some Kundalini yoga classes after learning more about what it is and how it can positively impact your life. 

Click HERE to see our current class schedule – I offer both in-studio and online Kundalini yoga classes