What Does 'KunDALINI' mEAN?

It can be most directly translated as “curl/lock of hair of the beloved.” 

This expression, in my understanding, refers to the awareness and greater consciousness gained (via hair- a ultra-sensory organ in the yogic perspective) from our beloved- the guru, that which takes us from darkness to light. 
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‘Kunda’ also refers to the neat, centralized packet that comprises the majority of internal organs. With that being said (as I paraphrase again), Kundalini yoga has a central, spinal focus. Much of the dynamic practice is built around spinal awareness, and the gentle process of communing with all that our structures  can teach us. There are many exercises within Kundalini yoga that isolate and activate our relationship to the spine in a variety of orientations and postures.

​How is Kundalini yoga (as taught by Yogi Bhajan) different from Hatha or other yogas?

In some ways, there is no difference. Same intentions. Same avenues. Same body and mind and human spirit. But Kundalini gets creative with application and arrangement. In its historic context, it was guarded, practiced solely by royalty. But as the society around it evolved, so did how people treated and used the practice. Kundalini then became the yoga of the common household, designed to support daily life and the endeavors of all humanness. It had to be compact, efficient, and dynamic- as the needs of common people change as the seasons do. This practice became diverse and deep, as many eventually practiced in community. Dr. Yogi Bhajan brought the somewhat colloquial practice from India to Canada in 1969. He added certain aspects to support the human in a new era and people from a varied culture from which yoga incubated within. Thus, Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan was born.

​What can you expect from a typical Kundalini yoga class?

• In general, Kundalini yoga classes begin with prompts to find a suitable seated posture, to close the eyes if comfortable, and then to draw the mental focus to the breath if possible. 
• From there, teachers usually guide the recitation of a mantra, Adi mantra- designed to call upon the creative potential of the megaverse and our own inner guidance. This process is usually referred as "tuning-in."
  •  Recited thrice (3x) in Sanskrit, one per breath, this mantra primes the mind, body, spirit for practice; it delineates life before and life within practice. 
    • Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo - loosely translated as “I call upon the creative potential of the megaverse, I call upon the subtle inner guidance, inner teacher.”
• Once tuned-in, teachers usually say a few words about there intentions for the class and then begin practice by leading a few warm-up exercises. They usually include exercises that flex/ stretch the spine, back, legs, shoulders., arms. 
• Kundalini yoga sets, called kriyas, then take students to many desires destinations and outcomes. There are hundreds of options with a multitude of focuses/ intentions.  
  • Sets Titles include: Kriya to Create Muscular Balance, Kriya for Disease Resistance, Kriya for the Instinctual Self, Pituitary Gland Series and many more :-) 
    • You get the idea of how dynamic it can be.
• Some classes might also include meditations after these practices or after some relaxation.
• Practice often end with savasana (corpse's pose), sometimes called "final relaxation."
  • In some cases, this section is accompanied by the teacher playing a gong. It is a wonderous and sometimes jarring but regenerative experience.
• The class itself ends with a closing song, meant to attune practitioners' to their best self- gratitude to all.
  • the "Long Time Sunshine" song is sung at the end of most Kundalini classes.
    • May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide your way on.
      • Swung twice, once to bless ourselves, and once to bless the greater world/ megaverse around us.

What are the most striking benefits of Kundalini yoga?

In my experience of practicing yoga, Kundalini offers some noteworthy benefits that are just outright fun.

1. ​Awareness
   1. Kundalini yoga is especially efficient at cultivating and bolstering awareness, in a number of ways. 
2. Spinal flexibility and beyond
   1. Kundalini yoga fosters greater range and flexibility originating from the spine onwards. There are also exercises that adjust back issues, muscle tightness in the glutes and legs, and so on.
3. Dynamic practice meets a variety of needs
   1. Kundalini yoga is a developed, diverse technology that offers many avenues to address many issues/ aliments/ or just personal goals. As your needs change over time, or with age, your Kundalini yoga practice can change with you.
4. Challenge
   1. Kundalini yoga sometimes applies multiple techniques at once, and really satisfy the modern multi-tasking brain-thirst.
      1. A meditation might as one to hold a particular hand position, which moving in a certain posture in a repetitious way, while reciting a mantra in time with a recording.  

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Thus Spake Maek