Spirit Guide is a series that breaks down spiritual practices, wellness trends and more. There's a lot out there - what is right for you? This week, it's every LA-resident's and Insta star's new favorite yoga style - Kundalini!
What It Is:
Kundalini is a spiritual practice brought to the west in the 1970s by Yogi Bhajan - it's basis is Shaktism and Tantra forms of Hinduism with a little 70's new age thrown in for fun. The primary way to practice is through a yoga that is heavily based in breath work, mantra and mudras (hand placements), but still retains a lot of the same poses from the yoga classes you've probably tried before. It is practiced to not only work out and increase flexibility, but to balance the hormones, endocrine system and to ultimately raise your consciousness. A lot of people report having visions and feeling energy move within the body - the word Kundalini itself refers to the concept off primal energy that is located at the base of the spine. This practice is about moving energy and raising that vibration!
Why It Might be Right For You:
You're someone who wants a more spiritual way of working out or practicing yoga. Kundalini is rooted in some very old spiritual practices, featuring moves from the kriyas of the yoga sutras. It's not for anyone afraid of chanting mantra, practicing breath work and meditation (often all at once)! But also, most people are scared of all those things at first. It's perfect for someone who's mind tends to wander during yoga. You'll be too busy breathing in a certain way and repeating a mantra while doing familiar poses like 'cat cow' and pigeon for your mind to wander - plus, you may even have a spiritual vision (you'll at least stop stressing for an hour).
You’re In? Great! Here’s Your Rookie Toolkit:
The Uniform:
We'll start with the most unusual aspect of Kundalini to newbies. You may see teachers and longtime students wearing all white. You may also see them wearing headscarves, turbans or beanies also in - you guessed it - white. There is a lot of energy-moving breathwork involved in Kundalini which can leave a Rookie with a pounding headache if someone isn't used to it or doesn't follow directions perfectly. The head covering is said to protect your head and hold in it's energy providing a grounding effect - which can be helpful when you're doing intense breathwork. Kundalini founder Yogi Bhajan encouraged wearing white because it encourages balance, lightness and openness and color is well-known for its ability to affect our mood, perspective and subconscious. Think of wearing all white as the opposite of a citygoer's all-black protective armor.
Spirit Stars:
The aforementioned Guru Jagat runs the highly popular Ra Ma Institute which has locations in Los Angeles, New York and Mallorca, Spain. She's an amazingly modern and practical face to a spiritual practice that gets the 'it's for old men with a beards only' rap. Not one on of the coasts - or in Spain? Ra Ma TV makes classes available for everybody and even livestreams some of her retreats and workshops which can be purchased for a fee.
The Elevate the Globe girls are the beachy, sunny Cali-girls you've always wanted to be like and show you how to get that laid back vibe through committing to the practice of Kundalini - but they also keep it real and show that it takes practice and work. They both really walk the walk in the midst of busy lives and are always on their Instastories sharing their quick, easy to fit in morning practices, meditations on the go and early-morning Sadhanas (often with Britt's little girl in tow).
Another notable Kundalini leader is Tej Khaur Khalsa, owner of the Nine Treasures studio in LA. She's been seen with celebrities like Russell Brand and was a longtime student of the late Yogi Bhajan.
Guru Jagat
Elevate the Globe
The Ra Ma Institute
The Kundalini Yogi Diet:
Quick fun fact: The Yogi Tea brand is named after the tea Yogi Bhajan would serve at his workshops - each box has a nugget of Kundalini breathwork or yoga inspiration on the side!
Kundalini doesn't involve a specific diet per se, but many practitioners and leaders are proponents of Ayurvedic practices and eating according to your dosha. More on that later, but there are three doshas or physical constitutions: Kapha, Pitta and Vata.
The new hot beverage trend (because that is definitely a thing) is Golden Milk, often found on menus as Turmeric Lattes. Made with turmeric, the drink often is made with almond milk, coconut oil, black pepper and cinnamon - it's easy to make on the stove and is a great way to start the morning, especially if you're trying to cut down on coffee (I melt in a teaspoon of Ayurveda-friendly Ghee butter).
