Yogi Bhajan believed that people have within them the means to achieve their inherent birthright to be healthy, happy and whole. In 1969, recognizing that the cultural turbulence in the United States would bring stress to its people, he brought Kundalini Yoga to the West as a system to help them find balance.

Known as “the yoga of awareness,” Kundalini Yoga teaches a “sacred science of awakening to the Self.” It engages the physical body through sets of yoga postures, collectively known as a kriyas, and emphasizes breathing as a way to facilitate deeper, more intense movement into each physical pose, respecting limitations of individual bodies. Focus is maintained on each inhale and exhale and on spinal flexibility.

In addition, that attention of the mind and physical senses is captured by consciously focusing on the breath, holding mudras (specific positioning of the fingers and hands) and reciting mantras (short groups of words, sung or chanted). Deep relaxation and meditation help students achieve an elevated state of mental clarity and better physical health.

Kundalini Yoga can be done by just about everybody, regardless of age or skill level. While it helps with physical fitness, Kundalini Yoga can also aid in overall health. Practitioners report experiencing greater muscle strength and improved functioning of all bodily systems, along with emotional balance, creativity, a heightened sense of spirituality and enhanced awareness and intuition—often after just one class.

It has been said that Kundalini Yoga meets the student where he is and takes him where he wants to go. Individuals don’t need to be in perfect physical shape to begin the practice—they just need to begin where they are.

Angela Sheaffer is an IKYTA certified instructor of Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, a Level 1-3 Radiant Child Yoga instructor and an IKYTA certified Conscious Pregnancy instructor. She is the founder of The Kundalini Yoga Space, in New Cumberland. For more information, visit TheKundaliniYogaSpace.com.