What is Kundalini Yoga?
(coiled like a serpent)
Awakens the kundalini energy believed to lie coiled at the base of the spine. This energy uncoils and rises up the spine moving through the chakras for greater awareness. The class structure includes an opening chant, followed by a spinal warmup. The majority of the class is the kriya, which combines postures and breathing techniques, then ending with a meditation and chant.
Kriyas
A series of postures, breath, and sounds that works toward a specific purpose (i.e. for the lungs, brain, heart, etc).
Pranayama
(Breath)
Various breath practices to regulate breath.
In Sanskrit, prana means life energy and yama control. Studies support its many benefits such as decreasing stress, increasing mindfulness, and better sleep.
Mantra
A repeated word or phrase mainly chanted. In Sanskrit "man" means mind and "tra" means transport. Mantra, then, is an instrument of the mind, a powerful sound vibration to help one move deeply into meditation.
Mudra
Symbolic hand posture used during yoga and meditation as a way to channel the prana or life force energy.