As a woman of a certain age, I never thought I'd fall in love again...but then came Kundalini yoga. I’d been married for more than thirty years, my kids had left the nest for college and beyond, and I was happily ensconced in my Vinyasa and Iyengar yoga practices. And then…out of the blue two years ago…I stumbled upon a Kundalini yoga class. Needless to say, it turned my world upside down (or rather, right-side up!). Suddenly, my whole existence seemed to take on a golden glow. Well, you know how it is when you’re falling in love!
In keeping with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d jot down the top eleven (of course!) reasons why I fell in love (and keep falling in love) with Kundalini yoga. Here they are:
1) The Music.
At my first Kundalini yoga class I was blown away by the focus on music and the sound current. I’d heard of Snatam Kaur, of course, and already loved her beautiful version of Long Time Sun. But I had no idea the song ended every Kundalini Yoga class. And I was totally unprepared for the virtual rainbow of kirtan artists I would encounter. The music, for me, was the real clincher in this love affair. I’d never heard anything like it.
2) Mantra.
I’d done a little bit of chanting in yoga classes before—the opening chant of an Anusara class, or an Om here and there. I’d even chanted Ra Ma Da Sa a few times. But never before had I chanted for 11 minutes. Or 31 minutes. Or longer! I was amazed and enthralled by the practice; how it opened my heart, how it cleared my mind. I was hooked and my love grew stronger.
3) Like-Minded People.
I guess I’d never really “got” this phrase before Kundalini yoga. I thought like-minded people meant folks who shared the same politics or liked the color purple. But in Kundalini class I realized it meant much more than that; it was a lifestyle, and an uplifting outlook on life.
4) Hugs & Open Heart Chakras.
It wasn’t only the minds, but the hearts that grabbed me. Most of the people I met through Kundalini yoga had open, compassionate hearts. I felt my own heart opening the more I practiced. At our KY classes, we often greet each other with hugs—real hugs. I had never met so many loving people in one place in my life (and, this is not meant as a dig, but I’ve been to plenty of church services!).
5) Kitcheri.
What was this mung bean stuff? I was suspicious at my first encounter with kitcheri, but I soon fell madly in love with this healthy dish. I’d been flirting with turning vegetarian before I started Kundalini yoga, but once I began the practice I was sold. If I could eat kitcheri almost every day I’d die a happy woman (I confess to not having turned vegan, and still loving pizza, however).
Not long into the practice my teacher let me borrow his copy of The Mind by Yogi Bhajan. I was impressed to say the least. I ordered more books, and more books, and pretty soon my library was overflowing with books by Kundalini yogis. I am still reading, and since I am a total bookworm, I was completely blissed out when I discovered the vast Kundalini library.
7) Incredible Teachers.
To be honest, I have been blessed by many incredible yoga teachers, not all of them KY. BUT…the Kundalini yoga teachers I’ve encountered have a special quality. They’re not just interested in how you’re doing a pose--they’re interested in what’s going on inside you. I fell in love with this compassionate style of teaching, which truly honors the student’s spiritual needs.
When my teacher first told me about the Ambrosial Hours, cold showers, and chanting for two hours before sunrise I was horrified. But then I tried it! Yes, again, I fell in love. What could be more beautiful, more peaceful, more magical than rising at 3 or 4 am to recite japji and chant the Aquarian mantras? Sadhana has been one of the most spiritually stunning of all my KY experiences.
9) Wearing White After Labor Day.
Something I never thought I’d do. Permission to wear white all year long? Not having to dress in black and look “cool?” Enjoying the auric glow that comes with white is a true pleasure.
10) Never Having To Do A Handstand (or say, “I’m sorry,” I can’t do one!)
To tell you the truth, I actually like doing handstands. But I love the freedom of knowing that they will not be turning up in my KY classes. I love knowing that this yoga is not about showing off or mastering advanced asanas (which is not to say that plenty of the kriyas aren’t physically quite challenging for me).
11) Last for this list, but I could easily go on and on…is Inner Peace.
When I began my yoga journey nearly eight years ago I prayed every day for Inner Peace. My life had been filled with many blessings, but having faced breast cancer, having seen my beloved children leave the nest, having watched my parents die, all had made me so sad, so disappointed. Yoga gave me back hope, but Kundalini yoga in particular offered me the pathway to the Inner Peace I’d been seeking. What’s not to love about that?
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Sat nam, Kathryn! It’s so good to know you’ve fallen in love with Kundalini Yoga! I also have! The first class of KY was a turning point in my life.
But I have to admit: although every single day I do my morning sadhana, I don’t wake up at 3 or 4… I wake up at 5h30 a.m. But it isn’t bad at all, is it? haha! May the long time sun shine upon you! 
Sat Nam Karam! Thanks for posting. I’m glad you are in love with KY, too! Sadhana is a beautiful practice in the Ambrosial Hours but sometimes the sun is quite high by the time I do mine, too!
Sat Nam!! I loved ready your article. I am also ‘of a certain age’ and have fallen in love with KY. It’s a long and wonderful story but just like you in was the MUSIC that really touched my heart. I came to feel that the music and the yoga are so over lapping that I am now currently taking kundalini yoga teacher training. Hah!! The music, chanting, and love allow me to be more willing to do the physical challenges despite SEVERAL back, neck, etc. issues!!! thanks for sharing some of your story!! <3
Sat Nam, Amy! Thanks for your comments. How wonderful that you will be doing the teacher training! I know that your life will be enriched by this experience. I wish you the best!