Yoga Classes & Handmade Ceramic Sales
What is Kundalini Yoga?
Kundalini yoga (KY) combines slow/rapid breathing, postural alignment work, focused attention, and vocalization, to regulate the nervous system, improve brain function and regulate stress response.
The component of KY that sets it apart from other types, is its emphasis on contractions of the deep pelvic, core, diaphragm and throat muscles. These contractions stimulate and strengthen the main bodily nerves. The fastest way to get fit and mobile (physically and mentally) is to train the nervous system. Afterall, the nervous system controls all the muscles you would otherwise train at the gym! Think smarter, not harder.
Kundalini is the creative energy that lays dormant at the pelvis. The goal of KY is to raise the energy through the spine to manifest ‘enlightenment’. From a neuroscience perspective, it is understood not as the awakening of a literal “energy” at the base of the spine (as described in traditional yogic texts), but as a structured method of altering brain and nervous system function to increase resilience, presence and love for life, reducing physical and psychological dis-ease.
What abilities are required for Kundalini Yoga?
Kundalini Yoga is accessible to all – many aspects of this practice can be done from a hospital bed! The group classes advertised on this site are appropriate for average fitness capabilities. HOWEVER, if you have accessibility queries, please feel free to contact Jess via the ‘contact’ form, for a more personalised practice.
Origins Of Kundalini Yoga
KY is known as the ‘Yoga of Awareness’ and said to be the most potent form of Yoga. ‘Yoga’ (to yolk) is a state that means to be at one with reality. This ancient Indian Yogic Technology was popularised in the West by Yogi Bhajan in the late 20th century. KY was mostly developed and influenced by Sikhism, Shaktism and Tantra schools of Hinduism.
The goal of KY is to stimulate the creative energy (Shakti) that lies dormant in the pelvic region (muladhara), moving this force up the length of the spine, where the creative energy can revitalise other chakras (hormonal centres). The ultimate manifestation of a dedicated KY practice is enlightenment (a resilient and content human).
Scientifically Proven Benefits of Kundalini Yoga
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Reduced anxiety & depression
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Regulate mood - Alters stress hormone profiles
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Mild cognitive impairment improvement
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Stress reduction - Improves vagal tone and autonomic regulation
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Menopausal Hormonal Balance
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PTSD symptom reduction
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Modifies functional brain connectivity (less thought of self, more thought about your mission)
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Induces measurable neuroplastic changes with long-term practice (monkey brain make smarter)
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Pro-immune health and slow aging. Reduces inflammatory gene expression associated with chronic stress, reduced immune function and aging.
These findings are supported by converging evidence from contemplative neuroscience, psychoneuroimmunology, and autonomic physiology research (sited at the bottom of this page).
Benefits of Kundalini Yoga, in more depth…
Kundalini Yoga practices have been shown to reduce the activity in the brains Default Mode Network, associated with rumination and our perceived sense of self. These practices shift our default mode network toward positive sense of self, attentional control and reduces self-focused rumination.
Judson Brewer (2011, PNAS) showed decreased DMN activity in experienced meditators.
Breath-regulated practices reliably shift the body toward parasympathetic dominance, improving stress resilience and cardiovascular regulation.
Stephen Porges demonstrated that vagal pathways regulate emotional and physiological calm via brainstem–cardiac circuits.
Herbert Benson showed that breath-centered practices reduce metabolic rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones (Benson et al., 1974; 2000).
A 2017 review in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (Zaccaro et al.) found controlled breathing modulates brainstem respiratory centers that directly influence locus coeruleus activity (norepinephrine regulation).
Chronic stress increases inflammation and decreases immune function. This stress-reducing practice reduces inflammatory signalling and may positively influence immune health and cellular aging markers.
Elissa Epel and Elizabeth Blackburn showed meditation is associated with improved telomerase activity (Ornish et al., 2008; Epel et al., 2009).
A 2014 review in Psychoneuroendocrinology (Black & Slavich) found mindfulness practices reduce pro-inflammatory gene expression.
Meditation practices, especially Chanting, alters inhibitory and stress-related neurotransmitter systems in measurable ways. The vibrations created from chanting stimulate the vagas nerve, which initiates a cascade of neurobiological reactions such as increased GABA, dopamine and reduced cortisol over time.
Increased GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) levels after yoga sessions (Streeter et al., 2007, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)
Dopamine release during meditation (Kjaer et al., 2002, Cognitive Brain Research)
Meditation-based practices produce measurable structural and functional changes in emotion-regulation circuitry. It is scientifically proven that meditative exercises increase brain tissue density and reduces amygdala density, thus increasing stress tolerance.
Sara Lazar (Harvard, 2011, Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging) found increased cortical thickness in long-term meditators.
Britta Hölzel (2011, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience) showed reduced amygdala gray matter after 8 weeks of meditation.
Richard Davidson demonstrated altered prefrontal–amygdala connectivity in long-term practitioners (Davidson et al., 2003; 2008).
If you made it this far, thank you for coming to my ted talk….
