Me and Kundalini Yoga: Awakening Inner Energy
I've been wanting to share my experience with Kundalini yoga to a wider audience than just those that attend my classes. If you're like me, you've probably tried different yoga styles with various teachers and wondered what makes Kundalini unique. I began practicing this style of yoga, within the Radiant Body Yoga system, in 2019 and it has been transformational. I'm excited to share why I've fallen in love with this practice.
When I first heard about Kundalini yoga, I was intrigued by this idea of "awakening energy" that supposedly lies dormant at the base of our spine. It sounded a bit mystical, to be honest. But after diving into the practice, I began to feel this energy. Kundalini is rooted in ancient Tantric wisdom and is all about tapping into our dormant or untapped potential.
While we do traditional asana (poses) in Kundalini, we also do some different things which makes Kundalini feel like a very distinct experience. It is a holistic practice that combines movement, breathwork, sound, and meditation in ways that make me feel energized yet calm, and the effects last long after the class is over.
Kriya: The Heart of the Practice
The first time my teacher mentioned "kriya," I did not understand what she was talking about. Now I know that they're the heart and soul of Kundalini practice.
Kriyas are basically sequences of exercises that are designed to create specific effects on your body, mind and energy. They're like perfectly crafted recipes – a little bit of movement here, some breath work there, add in mantras and hand positions, and boom! You've got a powerful practice that works on multiple levels.
What I love is how these kriyas are designed to target not just the physical body but also emotional and mental aspects of ourselves. After my kundalini practice, I often feel like I've cleared out mental cobwebs, feel new reservoirs of energy and have increased clarity.
My Favorite Techniques
Breath of Fire
One of the most common practices in kundalini involves breathing rapidly through your nose while pumping the belly - kind of like panting. It felt awkward when I was first trying it, but wow – after a few minutes, I felt this surge of energy and clarity. Now it's my go-to when I need a quick energy boost any time of the day. This breath is done on its own, or while holding other poses.
Mudras (Hand Positions)
Gyan Mudra (touching index finger to thumb)is one mudra that is commonly used during meditation, and often at other times within a Kundalini practice. It sounds simple, but there's something about this position that helps me focus and feel more centered. My mind wanders less, and I can actually stay present. We often use other mudras within a class.
Energy Locks (Bandhas)
The Mula Bandha (Root Lock) is another of the most commonly used techniques. Basically, it is squeezing and lifting the pelvic floor muscles while pulling the lower belly in. It felt awkward at first, but now I notice how it grounds me instantly when I'm feeling scattered. It helps to raise that latent energy up into the higher energy centers in the body. Other locks are also used at times, Uddiyana Bandha (drawing the abdominal muscles and diaphragm upwards) and Jalandhara Bandha (drawing the chin in, engaging throat and neck muscles).
Mantra Chanting
Mantra, using your voice and sound currents to facilitate meditative states, is truly powerful and another staple of Kundalini practice. I was self-conscious about chanting at first. Sitting in a room saying "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo" felt strange. But there's something about these vibrations that shifts my energy completely. "Sat Nam" (Truth is my identity) has become my daily reminder to stay true to myself.
How It's Changed Me
Like many of us, I have experienced living with a level of stress and anxiety that I'd just accepted as "normal life." What I've come to realize is that much of that distress came from:
Years of trying to fit into what others expected of me
Old emotional stuff I hadn't processed
Defense mechanisms I'd built to protect myself
The amazing thing about regular Kundalini practice is how it gently breaks down these barriers. I'm more aware of my patterns now, and I catch myself when I'm slipping into old habits. There's this sense of coming home to myself, my true nature, that I hadn't experienced before. I have made very positive changes in my life and in my relationships because of my regular Sadhana (daily practice).
Finding My Way: Radiant Body Yoga
If you're curious but intimidated by full-on Kundalini (which can look pretty intense!), you might like Radiant Body Yoga like I did. It blends elements of more familiar yoga styles with Kundalini techniques. For me, it was the perfect gateway that let me ease into the more energetic aspects without feeling overwhelmed. I began by practicing regularly with my teacher, Kia Miller, who founded Radiant Body Yoga. Then I began to take her teacher training courses just to deepen my own practice. After 4 years, I now have my 500 hour teacher certification in this style of yoga and have been teaching it to others since 2023.
My Advice for Getting Started
Yoga isn't about reaching some perfect end goal – it's about the journey. Here's what's helped me in my yoga journey:
Be patient with yourself (I still can't do some of the kriyas for the full recommended time, and that's okay!)
Practice self-love instead of criticism when things get challenging
Let go of expectations about what should happen
Trust in the lineage of teachings that reaches back for thousands of years
Consistency is key!
The most amazing transformations I've experienced weren't the ones I was looking for. They showed up in unexpected ways – like feeling more intuitive about decisions, being less reactive with my family, and having more creative energy for projects I care about.
Whether you're new to yoga or looking to deepen your existing practice, I encourage you to give Kundalini and Radiant Body Yoga a try. It might just surprise you with gifts you didn't even know you were looking for. Check out the schedule on my website for live classes or workshops and join me in person. I also offer access to videos of classes. Subscribe to my newsletter for updates and access information.
Sat Nam, friends… may you discover the authentic truth within you.
This post is the first in a series exploring yoga and mindfulness practices. Subscribe to receive notifications about upcoming articles on specific techniques and applications for everyday life, as well as announcements of classes and events with Michelle Greenfield.