A Brief Introduction to Kundalini Yoga

Whether you’re a beginner yogi or you’ve been practicing yoga for a long time, the terminology used in yoga and the various spiritual practices surrounding it can be difficult to keep up with. You may find the term, “kundalini yoga” promoted in the description of many yoga retreats in Costa Rica and beyond. But what is kundalini yoga, and what sets it apart from other yogic traditions?

You’re not the first to wonder, and you likely won’t be the last. In fact, the answer is a bit more complicated than you might think, and, depending on context, the term’s exact meaning can vary. Furthermore, some discussions from both active practitioners and outsiders looking in have labeled kundalini yoga as dangerous, but the truth behind this claim and the reasoning behind it can be difficult to decipher. Fortunately, we’re here to cut through the confusion and offer the key information you need to understand this term.

The Meaning of Kundalini

Kundalini yoga is not a phrase that exists in a vacuum. Just as the word yoga can stand alone to represent a broad tradition, the Sanskrit word kundalini also has its own independent meaning. The term is often more directly translated to mean “circular” or “coiled,” but it has taken on its own meaning relative to the same spiritual tradition which serves as the origin of yoga.

More specifically, the earliest documented use of the term comes from the Upanishads which are themselves a part of the Vedas, sacred Hindu texts which provide critical foundations for all branches of yoga. To put it incredibly simply, kundalini can be thought of as a sort of latent energy within a person, representing consciousness, but also innate potential for that consciousness to expand, opening a path to growth, transformation, and spiritual bliss.

Kundalini can be thought of as a coiled serpent, sitting at the base of the spine, which is the lowest of the seven chakras, muladhara. Through mindful practice, such as by aligning your chakras, small amounts of kundalini energy can be released, allowing a person to feel more aligned with themselves, their environment, and the divine. Sometimes, the ‘serpent’ that is kundalini energy may rapidly uncoil and begin moving up the spine toward sahastrara, the crown chakra—this activation is known as a “kundalini awakening.”

What Is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini yoga broadly refers to a longstanding tradition of yogic practice intended to stimulate kundalini energy, with a broad spectrum of different practices under this singular umbrella. Depending on the context, the term could also be used to refer to a specific school of yogic practice founded by Yogi Bhajan.

To put it simply, when talking about kundalini yoga, people might be referring to one of two things: a broad set of yogic traditions, or a much more specific practice. Let’s take a look at each interpretation.

Kundalini Yoga

For most of history, kundalini yoga wasn’t really a single practice, but an ancient tradition, developing from the same core concepts and evolving in various directions over millennia. The primary goal of basically any form of kundalini yoga is to stimulate kundalini energy within the body, allowing for growth and clarity. This is done through a variety of practices, including:

• Postures. Also commonly known as yoga poses, these are specific ways in which one may position the body to ground, awaken, and/or attune with natural energy.
• Meditation. A quieting not only of your own voice and surroundings but of the mind, allowing for more focused reflection, calming the body, and often offering true holistic restfulness.
• Breathwork. Specific breathing and postural techniques designed to stimulate the flow of energy in the body.
• Mantras. The chanting of specific sacred sounds, with the intention of attuning the body and mind with a specific frequency.
• Mudras. Specific positioning of the hands and fingers, pressing certain fingers together gently to activate the body’s energy in a desired way.

Kundalini Yoga As Taught By Yogi Bhajan

In modern usage, the exact phrase “kundalini yoga” often refers to a specific branch or system of yoga from the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, who is widely credited for introducing kundalini to the United States through his own unique system of spiritual practice in the late 1960s.

This practice, called Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan (KYatbYB), integrated a variety of concepts from different yogic practices, as well as Sikh elements. By introducing a form of kundalini yoga with a clear structure, Yogi Bhajan helped to popularize both Sikhism and kundalini yoga in the West, which played no small part in contributing to the rise of spiritual practice, especially yoga, in the United States.

Allegations of Abuse in KYatbYB

It should be noted that KYatbYB has become controversial in recent years, especially with accusations of manipulation and abuse surrounding Yogi Bhajan and his organizational structure, leading to an investigation in 2020. Though some have maintained active affiliations with Yogi Bhajan and his distinct legacy, many have taken steps to distance themselves from his name and actions, as well as the hierarchical structure that raised concerns of cult-like tactics.

Regardless of one’s experience with KYatbYB, these issues should be taken seriously—as in any spiritual circle, it is important to listen to your own instincts and be on guard against manipulative or harmful practices. That said, the upheaval surrounding KYatbYB should not be allowed to tarnish the name of Kundalini Yoga, itself a practice which long predates Yogi Bhajan and which many still benefit from today.

Why Is Kundalini Yoga Dangerous?

The truth is, kundalini yoga is no more inherently dangerous than other forms of yoga. We’ll get a little more into why this is the case in a minute, but first we need to understand where the conversation of safety in kundalini yoga comes from.

So why is kundalini yoga dangerous in the eyes of so many? If you’ve seen much discussion of kundalini yoga in spiritual circles, you may have seen the claim that it can be dangerous to activate kundalini energy within the body. This idea may seem a little confusing, since kundalini is thought of as natural, latent energy which is already within the body.

In fact, what people are typically referring to is what is known as a kundalini awakening, that sudden activation which we mentioned earlier. Because they involve a substantial amount of kundalini energy moving through the body at once, these experiences can be intense. Most agree that a kundalini awakening leaves a person significantly changed. For some, the sensation may feel pleasant, even euphoric. For others, however, it is not so comfortable.

Kundalini Awakening: The Potential Dangers

A kundalini awakening can be a gateway to transformation, but in the process, it can cause feelings of anxiety, insomnia, shaking, and other forms of physical and emotional distress. The experience of having kundalini energy suddenly move through the body can be intense, and indeed can lead to dangerous side effects. Especially for those with existing trauma, the experience could potentially even be a retriggering one.

There are also concerns that in the pursuit of fulfilled potential, a person may find themselves disconnecting from people and environments that may have served as important emotional anchors. Activating the kundalini energy within oneself, particularly without proper support, preparation, and guidance, could lead one away from feeling the safety and support of their lifestyle and community.

So Is Kundalini Yoga Really Dangerous?

No. While there are valid concerns about the safety of kundalini awakenings, this does not translate to the claim that kundalini yoga is inherently dangerous.

The primary reason for this is that for most kundalini yoga practitioners, the goal of regular practice is to stimulate kundalini energy in small, safe amounts. The goal is not to force a full-scale kundalini awakening—in fact, common belief holds that there is no way to do so.

Remember, kundalini is not an external energy which one takes in through kundalini yoga, but a latent energy already within the body. This means that kundalini yoga in and of itself is not necessarily more or less likely than any other spiritual practice to lead to a sudden kundalini awakening.

If anything, proper kundalini yoga practice may help to guard against a catastrophic kundalini awakening, by allowing one to grow accustomed to the flow of kundalini energy in a stable, controlled, and supported setting. However, it is still always a good idea to let your instructor or facilitator know about any concerns you may have, especially if you have a history involving trauma or mental health struggles. They can help provide the proper guardrails for your journey with kundalini yoga, so you can proceed with the support you need.

Putting Safe Practice First

In any spiritual practice, it is important to be proactive about protecting your mind, body, and soul. You may occasionally be led to uncomfortable places, and this can lead to growth, but it is also important to know your limits and guard your peace.

If you are new to kundalini yoga and not sure how to get started, there are plenty of entry points—but with the level of variance that exists, especially in the wake of controversy surrounding the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, it can be difficult to know what to expect. Whether you’re watching an online course, signing up with a local yoga studio, or attending a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, don’t be afraid to reach out to the teacher or organizer with your questions, so you can make sure the experience is right for you.

Sources:

• Davis-Flynn, Jennifer, and Nora Isaacs. “What Exactly Is a Kundalini Awakening?” Yoga Journal, 20 Apr. 2025, www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/types-of-yoga/kundalini/kundalini-awakening/.
• Deanda, Brittany, and Tara Schulenberg. “A Beginner’s Guide to Kundalini Yoga.” Yoga Journal, 9 Jan. 2025, www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/types-of-yoga/kundalini/a-beginners-guide-to-kundalini-yoga/.
• “Kundalini Yoga after Yogi Bhajan - What the Practice Looks like Now.” Yoga Farm Ithaca, https://yogafarm.us/kundalini-yoga-after-yogi-bhajan. Accessed 29 May 2026.
• “Kundalini Yoga vs. Kundalini Awakening? | Kundalini Explained.” YouTube, uploaded by Abby O'Keefe, 2 Sept. 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9DQsBiXomc.
• Larkin, Brett. “How to Practice Kundalini Yoga That’s Not from Yogi Bhajan.” Brett Larkin Yoga, 16 Jan. 2025, www.brettlarkin.com/how-topractice-kundalini-yoga-thats-not-from-yogi-bhajan/.
• “The Upanishads of Hinduism Provide the Historical Origins of Kundalini Yoga.” Yoga Alliance International, 21 Aug. 2024, https://yogaallianceinternationalregistry.com/articles/the-upanishads-of-hinduism-provide-the-historical-origins-of-kundalini-yoga.
• Widmann, Theresa Lyn. “Why I Stopped Teaching Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan.” Medium, 2 Dec. 2020, https://theresalynwidmann.medium.com/why-i-stopped-teaching-kundalini-yoga-as-taught-by-yogi-bhajan-56069653c146.
• Woodford, Chad J. “What Is Kundalini?” Medium, 25 Apr. 2020, https://medium.com/atha-yog%C4%81nu%C5%9B%C4%81sanam/what-is-kundalini-5d6411738da1.