Name: Ardas Gurmukh
Address: GB
Rating: 5

Question 1

What do I need to bring with me to a class?

Accepted Answer

The only two essentials are yourself and your intention. In terms of equipment, kundalini is practiced on either a yoga mat or sheepskin. You may want to use a cushion or block to sit on to support straight spine alignment, and some students enjoy having a blanket for the long relaxation. Details of equipment available at each of the venues I teach at can be found on the ‘Classes’ page. Please do bring a bottle of water with you.

Question 2

What will a class involve?

Accepted Answer

Classes start with chanting the adi mantra to tune in, this opens the space and helps us fully arrive. A kriya (specific set of exercises) will then be taught - each one has powerful technology built into it and usually has a specific focus. As a student you will not be told how long each part of the kriya lasts, that’s part of the beauty of kundalini yoga. Students then go into a long relaxation to energetically integrate all that work following which there will be a meditation to further anchor the energy. We close the class and space with three long Sat Nams (meaning truth is my identity).

Question 3

What do I wear to do kundalini yoga?

Accepted Answer

Whatever you’re comfortable in that allows your body to move freely. Some students choose to wear white and head coverings but neither is mandatory. Most students wear the same workout clothes you’d see in other yoga classes or at the gym.

Please avoid wearing essential oils or other products with strong fragrances. Whilst they may be uplifting for your energy, they could be distracting for others.

Question 4

What will I get from Kundalini yoga?

Accepted Answer

How long is a piece of string? Everyone’s journey with kundalini will be unique. The technology works on removing energetic blockages but the exact impact it has depends on so many factors that it’s impossible to predict what shape it will take for you. That said, I have seen hundreds of cases where kundalini has been a transformative experience for people - it touches the soul. Ultimately the only way to know is to try it, so come to a class!

Question 5

I have never done yoga, how hard is kundalini and is it the right one to start with?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can do kundalini - even complete yoga rookies. I always check whether there are beginners at the outset of classes to cover off the basics so do feel relaxed about giving it a go.

Kundalini is not a posture-perfect yoga; the focus is on ensuring you do the best you can, for that reason we don’t split classes into ‘ability’ levels. The majority of the postures and movements are everyday ones which most people should be able to do, what can be challenging is the duration they need to be held for. Any challenges felt are just a sign that energy isn’t flowing freely so everyone’s experience will be unique because everyone’s energy make-up is different. The good news is that continued practice will help shift those blocks.

Question 6

Why is there always a meditation?

Accepted Answer

Kundalini yoga and meditation go hand-in-hand, only doing one or the other significantly limits the benefit you receive. The yoga releases karmic blocks so that energy can flow freely. Meditation helps direct the flow of that energy so that it can best serve your highest potential. Both are powerful tools but their full effect can only be realised when done together.

Question 7

There’s something specific in my life I want to work on/achieve, can kundalini yoga help?

Accepted Answer

Definitely. Each individual kriya and meditation works on our energy in a unique way and most are targeted to produce a specific outcome - this can range from strengthening the heart centre, to improving sleep, to removing negativity, to manifesting our desires, to improving our sex life - the list is practically endless.

So if you feel you have a particular block in your life, there’s a goal you’re working towards, or you just want to further strengthen something that’s already great then kundalini can support that.

If you feel blocked, but can’t quite pinpoint what’s behind it then looking at your tantric numerology may help bring it into focus.

Of course, you can just come to class without a specific intention and just enjoy the yoga!

Question 8

Does it matter that I don’t know the mantras?

Accepted Answer

No one knows the mantras when they start kundalini so you’re in good company! Most mantras are straightforward and simple so you’ll pick them up as you go along. Part of the power of mantra is in the vibration it creates - there are 84 meridian points on the roof of the mouth which are stimulated through the specific movement of the tongue when chanting mantras, this is physical and happens automatically whether you know the meaning of the mantra or not so you’re not ‘missing out’ by not knowing a mantra (although knowing the meaning will deepen its effectiveness).

Question 9

How often should I do kundalini yoga?

Accepted Answer

That’s completely up to you. Without doubt everyone would benefit from a daily practice, and specific effects can be reached through doing the same kriya continuously for fixed periods of time (40, 90, 120 and 1000 days), but your relationship with kundalini will be an intimate one and you’ll find your own cycle with it. So if you just do a class every so often that’s cool.

Question 10

What are Venus kriyas?

Accepted Answer

Venus kriyas are kundalini exercises done with a partner. The name derives from the planet, which is a symbol of love and essentially these kriyas help us connect with that frequency. Venus kriyas can be a great tool for couples to do together to strengthen their bond but can also be practised by friends and strangers either of the opposite or same sex. They are powerful so you won’t often see them taught in open classes.

Venus kriyas are similar but not the same as White Tantric Yoga. Whilst also done in pairs, White Tantric Yoga is a unique type of workshop which must follow a specific format and be led by the Mahan Tantric. It is a wonderfully powerful full day of group meditation.

Question 11

What is breath of fire?

Accepted Answer

Breath of fire is a breathing technique used frequently in kundalini and is unique to this type of yoga. It is a rapid (2-3 breaths per second) and rhythmic breath in and out (usually) through the nose. On each exhale the naval point is drawn in and up resulting in a constant pumping motion. The key is to focus on the exhale which should be powerful and audible, the inhale will happen naturally.

Breath of fire’s benefits are vast including purification of the blood, release of toxins, strengthening of the lungs, breaking addictive impulses and stimulation of energetic fire.

At the outset, to get the hang of the technique beginners can do breath of fire more slowly and also place their hand on their naval to ensure they’re pulling it in at the right time.

Question 12

Why do some people wear white and cover their head when practising kundalini yoga?

Accepted Answer

The teaching is that white clothes reflect what is outside and so can keep personal energy fields clear by reflecting external energies away. White clothing is also believed to enhance and strengthen the aura. Covering the head focusses the energy at the third eye. Both of these are entirely optional and it is quite common for students to wear neither.

Question 13

Can I practise kundalini yoga if I’m pregnant?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! The first and most important thing is to listen to your own body which will guide you as to what is right or wrong for you. Broadly, ‘normal’ kundalini can be practiced until the 120th day of pregnancy, after that there are a number of modifications to both physical postures and breath that are recommended for expectant mothers. Feel free to get in touch to discuss in more detail but at minimum I will guide you through the alternatives in class.

Question 14

Is kundalini yoga appropriate for children?

Accepted Answer

Kundalini is a wonderful and fun tool for children that supports emotional and physical wellbeing. Yogi Bhajan gave us specific guidelines and kriyas for young people. The core principles are the same as classes designed for adults but they are modified to make them appropriate for children with a bigger focus on joy and play - exactly what a child’s experience of life should be.

I don’t accept students younger than 16 years old to join my public group classes - this is because we’re working with the energy differently to what is most appropriate for younger yogis.

However, I do sometimes teach one-off children’s workshops/classes so check those pages on my website for any upcoming sessions. If you’d like some guidance on how to start incorporating kundalini yoga into your child’s world feel free to contact me.

Question 15

I sometimes get emotional when I’m doing kundalini, is that normal?

Accepted Answer

This is more common that you might think - more importantly it’s nothing to worry about. This yoga works on clearing energetic blocks, helping any emotions that have become stuck start flowing again so looked at that way, feeling emotional during class or afterwards is very understandable. The key is to just let whatever comes up for you happen without judgement. Reversely, many people don’t feel emotional - that’s also okay, it just means the kundalini is working in a different way for you.

Question 16

I love kundalini and want to deepen my understanding of it, where’s the best place to start?

Accepted Answer

My personal advice is that experiential learning will be much more valuable and transformational than absorbing content from books. If you’re not already doing a daily practice - start, pick a kriya and commit to do it for a certain period of time, then observe yourself in the process. There are a host of kundalini workshops across the country offering more in-depth access to the teachings than normally available in group classes. Also although badged as ‘teacher training’ by most kundalini schools, many people complete Level 1 to enhance their own personal connection to kundalini with no intention of teaching at the end so that may be an option.

Ardas Gurmukh

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