About Kundalini Yoga

"Kundalini Yoga is the supreme technology to awaken your awareness and take you into your original Self.  It is a natural unfolding of your own nature."  Yogi Bhajan

What is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini Yoga was brought to the United States by Yogi Bhajan, the master of Kundalini Yoga, in 1969.  It has been called the yoga of awareness. This is a very simple way of stating a very profound experience of fine tuning all the aspects of being human from the practice this yoga. It will affect the physical body, the mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. This change happens quickly.

I clearly remember my very first Kundalini Yoga class with Sat Kartar Kaur in Cambridge, MA. It was September 1999. Not only was she an amazing teacher, but to me, that class felt like coming home. The goal of all yoga is to unite oneself with the Infinite Consciousness so that we can live to our highest potential as human beings. An honest and diligent practice of Kundalini Yoga will get you there fast. On the other hand, just a bit of this yoga in your life on a regular basis can bring huge benefits. Kundalini Yoga can't really be described -- it has to be experienced. There are many components, such as postures, breath work, meditation, chanting, mudras (hand positions) and even singing. But there is something about its ability to mend, strengthen and direct each of us physically, mentally, and spiritually, according to our own needs that makes it truly remarkable. It's kind of like grouting tile. It fills in all the holes and nooks and crannies and makes us whole and strong.

What Can I Expect?

If you begin a practice of kundalini yoga, you may feel a difference in your physical body. You may notice you have more endurance, your breathing has become stronger, more efficient and deeper, you suddenly have a deeper capacity for listening and begin to really hear people as if for the first time. Minor ailments such as fatigue or headaches may begin to decrease, you may notice that certain foods or beverages such as coffee and alcohol no longer have the same appeal or necessity that they once did. Your nerves may strengthen and suddenly you have more tolerance for an annoying family member or more patience for your child. The wonderful thing about these changes is they will be unique to you, they will happen subtly and gradually, and they will require no conscious will power on your part – they will just happen and one day you'll notice that you've changed.

By practicing this yoga, you may experience mental and emotional changes. Through breathwork and meditation, you may find that you bring your mind a little bit under your control. You may find that during an intense meeting at work, you find yourself staying calm, focused and present rather than allowing your mind to take off on a 100 different “freak out” tangents. You may begin to feel emotionally more stable and begin to act more rather than react to events and situations in your life. You may begin to develop a sense of well-being and feel more connected to others generating the gifts of compassion, generosity and forgiveness. You may begin to love yourself more. You may sleep better at night.

This yoga may also effect your spiritual life – whether you come from a faith-based practice or are a non-believer, it may effect your desire to be a conscious human living on the planet. It may help you connect with your higher sense of self, your infinite self. It may bring an awareness and help you to nurture your own authentic self, your grace, your nobility.  It may motivate you to be of service to others, to work for the greater good. It may make you more aware of your presence, your thoughts, your words, and the effects they have on all of us.

Emmy with Sat Kartar Kaur, her first Kundalini Yoga Teacher, in Millis, MA  2015

It is your birth right to be happy, healthy, and holy.  Kundalini Yoga will help you get there.