Kundalini Yoga
Kuṇḍalinī Yoga
A yoga practised in sets called kriyas, combining breathwork, movement, mantra and meditation.
History
The idea of kundalini appears in medieval tantric and haṭha texts. The widely known contemporary form was spread in the US by Yogi Bhajan from 1969.
Philosophy
Based on the symbolic idea of awakening an energy (kundalini) said to rest at the base of the spine.
Physical character
Includes repetitive movement and vigorous breathing; take care if you have respiratory or blood-pressure concerns.
This page offers general information and is not medical advice. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant, consult a doctor or a qualified teacher before practising.
Related practices
- 013 Technique
Kapalabhati
Kapālabhāti
A breathing technique of short, forceful exhalations driven by the abdomen, letting the inhalation happen naturally.
India · one of the haṭha cleansing practices (ṣaṭkarma)
- 016 Technique
Bandha
Bandha
Techniques of energetic locks, engaging areas such as the pelvic floor (mūla), abdomen (uḍḍiyāna) and throat (jālandhara).
India · classical haṭha texts
- 022 Philosophy
Bhakti Yoga (the Yoga of Devotion)
Bhakti Yoga
A path of deepening connection with something greater through love and devotion.
Bhagavad Gītā; medieval Indian bhakti movements