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A Brief Overview of Yoga Styles Part Three: Kundalini Yoga

© Jennifer M. Witkowski

Previously in our study of different hatha yoga styles, we have looked at Kripalu yoga and Ashtanga yoga. Now we are going to take a look at Kundalini yoga.

Kundalini yoga was developed by Yogi Bhajan. It focuses on developing overall health and happiness. In fact, a large organization of Kundalini yoga practitioners is called the Healthy Happy Holy Organization (to visit their website, click here ).

In Kundalini yoga, the postures are performed in certain series, called "kriya." Kriya are designed to help the practitioner reach a sense of inner peace and quiet. After the kriya are performed, the class is lead into meditation, which should be made easier because of the exercises they have just performed.

Although Kundalini yoga (as will any series of exercises) works the cardiovascular system as in Ashtanga yoga, this is not it's main focus. Rather, in Kundalini yoga, strengthening the nervous system and the glands is foremost. It focuses on the chakras, which are the 7 energy centers of the body, to give a heightened sense of awareness. In addition to using postures and breathing techniques to meet this end, Kundalini yoga also incorporates the use of mantras, or specific sounds.

Because the focus in Kundalini yoga is increased awareness and a mental cleansing through physical exercise, it is ideal for any level of practitioner. So if you wish to cleanse your mind through working your body, Kundalini yoga is for you!