Yoga (meaning “Union” in Sanskrit) is an ancient practice that serves as a powerful tool for making our human experience conscious. Gifted thousands of years ago by the Rishis—seers with highly advanced consciousness—these teachings are part of the foundation of the Vedic wisdom, which is believed to have originated from the Source, God, or Universal Consciousness. Yoga was imparted as a path of self-realization for humans, offering a way for seekers to gradually find the answers within themselves over many lifetimes.

While in the West, yoga is often recognized primarily for its physical aspect, in truth, asanas (the physical practice) represent one of the 8 limbs of the comprehensive system outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Although yoga originates in India, its teachings are universal, not tied to any specific religion but rather to spiritual principles that apply to all of humanity.

Yoga is typically understood through four main paths: Karma Yoga (the path of selfless action), Raja Yoga (the path of meditation and self-discipline), Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge), and Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion). The eight-limb system described by Patanjali is part of Raja Yoga, also known as the royal path, which seeks to unify the body, mind, and spirit. Kundalini Yoga is a practice that falls within the Raja Yoga tradition.

Kundalini Yoga is as ancient as the rest of the yogic wisdom, first mentioned in written form in the Upanishads between 800 BCE and 200 BCE. Like many other aspects of Raja Yoga, it was traditionally practiced in secrecy, passed down from Guru to disciple for centuries. It wasn’t until the late 1960s, when the Sikh Kundalini Yoga master Harbhajan Singh Khalsa (later known as Yogi Bhajan) came to the U.S., that these teachings began to spread widely. Yogi Bhajan is believed to have had the dharma of bringing this wisdom to the world in preparation for the transition into the Age of Aquarius, which, according to some teachings, began in 2012.

While Yogi Bhajan’s legacy is highly controversial, there is no doubt that Kundalini Yoga has proven its transformative power over the years. Its effectiveness and ability to create profound change are undeniable.

The ancient techniques of Kundalini Yoga, with its unique combination of breathwork, movement, mantra, and meditation, help to quiet an overstimulated nervous system, improve overall well-being, and create a sense of peace, calm, and ease. At the same time, it enables individuals to tap into a deeper reservoir of energy within themselves. Kundalini Yoga is an experiential practice, allowing each practitioner to have their own personal experience and understanding of what it means to them. It is also known as “glandular yoga” because, by working with the Kundalini energy flowing through the central channel (Shushumna), it passes through the chakras, each of which is associated with the body’s glands. This process regulates hormonal balance and impacts the nervous system.

I was blessed to study not only with the original students of Yogi Bhajan but also with other teachers and masters of Kundalini Yoga (who may use different names for the practice but work with the same Kundalini energy). These teachers received the keys to this practice from their Gurus in India, who had no connection to Yogi Bhajan, thus adding further credibility to this profound technology of unlocking human potential.

My teacher says, “There is no teacher if there is no Guru behind them.” Yoga is a teaching that has been passed down through an uninterrupted lineage from Guru to disciple for millennia. While yoga is for everyone, not everyone is ready for yoga. It takes years of practice and study for the teacher to truly be born.

I’m fortunate to have two Gurus in my life: my Kriya Yoga Guru, Shri Shailendra Sharma, and my Kundalini Yoga Master and Jyotish (Vedic astrology) teacher, Satya Dharma Acharya (also known as Alex Shamanov). After more than seven years of daily sadhana, and with two daily practices given to me by these Gurus, I am able to live and share yogic teachings as an embodied experience.

While formal training is important to become a yoga teacher, my personal experience has shown me that it’s the regular, consistent practice (sadhana) that gradually prepares a student to become a teacher. After completing two yoga teacher trainings and practicing for 15 years, I only felt ready to teach a few years ago. Even now, I continue to see myself first and foremost as a student of yoga.