Basics Column

Beginners Expert Q&A

Practice

Sanskrit Glossary

Today's Daily Tip

Surround Sound

Drop in on a yoga class anywhere in America, and chances are good that you'll hear a melody wafting from a ... (continued)

Multimedia

Video Channel:
From the Magazine

Behind the Scenes at a Yoga Journal Photoshoot

See the work and dedication of our editorial and art teams as we create the images to illustrate Chaturanga.

Watch Video

Spotlight on Kundalini Yoga

An uplifting blend of spiritual and physical practices, this yoga style incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and the chanting of mantras, such as Sat nam ("I am truth"). The goal is to build physical vitality and increase consciousness.

BASIC PRINCIPLES: Using sound, breath, and posture, Kundalini Yoga aims to develop spiritual awareness by freeing the serpent power (kundalini) that is coiled in the base of the spine and drawing it upward through the seven chakras.

WHO FOUNDED IT: Kundalini Yoga has its roots in the Tantric Yoga tradition, which dates back to the eighth century. In 1969, Sikh leader Yogi Bhajan (born in 1929) brought the practice to North America.

WHERE TO DO IT: Kundalini's spiritual center is the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy) Foundation in Espanola, New Mexico; the foundation oversees 300 centers worldwide.

SIDE BUSINESS: The Yogi Tea Company (www.yogitea.com) sells a complete line of medicinal and healing teas.

TEACHERS TO KNOW: Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Shanti Kaur Khalsa, Shakta Kaur Khalsa.

See All Practice Articles »

Recent Basics Articles

Subscribe to Yoga Journal Magazine

Reader Comments

Eleusis D	Yogi Bhajan was here in Austin in 1974 (I was part of a group that invited him), and he was a hoot! Much funnier, less formal than I would have imagined - though he seemed rather stern compared to the other two Swamis we brought in that year. Might have been all that hot pepper! Anyway, don't get bogged down in the personalities. A guru's a guru, but samadhi's a joke! (Apologies to R. Kipling). Life to Smoochie! Leu http://www.tantraforbobos.com
Anonymous	I am amazed to read of a desire to censor anything with a particular Yogi's name on it. Simply because someone wrote something negative or someone had a negative experience does not make the teachings themselves negative. Or for that matter, they do not make the Teacher negative. Experience for yourself. We are each responsible for our own resistance and fear. Sada Bahar Kaur
Anonymous	I am losing my wife and child to 3HO.

See All Comments » Add a Comment »

Subscribe and
Get 2 Free Issues
+ 2 Free Gifts!

Give a Gift »
Customer Service »

Get 2 FREE Trial Issues and 2 FREE Gifts!

Your subscription includes
2 FREE GIFTS:

Yoga for Neck & Shoulders

A digital guide to 11 postures that relieve neck, back and shoulder tension.

Yoga Remedies for Everyday Ailments

A digital guide to 8 postures that relieve common health problems such as stress, backache, wrist strain, and insomnia.

Yes! Please send me 2 FREE trial issues
of Yoga Journal and my 2 FREE GIFTS

Full Name:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Email (req):
If I like it and decide to continue, I'll pay just $16.95, and receive a full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 62% savings off the newsstand price!

Offer valid in US only.
Canadian subscriptions | International subscriptions

Pay Now and Get 2
Bonus Issues

Pay now and get
TWO EXTRA ISSUES FREE!
That's 10 issues for the
same low price!
Click Here to PAY NOW!