Vv Magazine’s Lauren O’Brien tells us about her experience with Kundalini Yoga!
Have you ever heard of Kundalini yoga? I tried it for the first time after my favourite spiritual guru Gabrielle Bernstein wrote about it on her blog. She promoted it as a way to eliminate stress and anxiety, but most importantly as a way to get in touch with your inner Zen. Well, I could definitely use some Zen in my life so why not?
I scoured the Internet looking for yoga studios that offered Kundalini and finally found the Lotus Yoga Centre on Harbord Street. The studio is home to 15 diehard instructors with classes and workshops ranging from simple meditation to unique programs such as “Rise and Shine Kundalini“, “Bringing Your Dreams to Life”, and “Conquering Addiction”. Each class is promoted at a beginner’s level, with the objective of making all feel welcome and comfortable. Situated right next door to the University of Toronto, I figured it must be a hotspot.
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It wasn’t. In fact, I was one of three people taking the class. My first mistake was the gigantic plastic water bottle I took to stay hydrated. I must have missed the yogic memo that drinking out of glass mason jars was the new trend. I was a fish out of water, but determined to complete the class. I lay my mat out and twisted my legs like a pretzel, copying the yogis beside me. Because sound is considered to be transformative, the class began with a ten-minute song. I couldn’t seem to catch on, which was probably for the best because nobody wants to listen to me sing for any amount of time, let alone ten whole minutes.
What I discovered is that kundalini yoga is a serious workout. Working your way through fast-paced, intricate moves while chanting, singing, deep breathing, and balancing is not an easy feat. On the verge of hyperventilating, I silently prayed that the singing would turn into a drum circle where we would all sit down and braid each other’s hair.
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I have to admit, when my 90 minutes was up I felt accomplished. My body was relaxed and my mind was quiet. I was feeling so serene that I didn’t even mind riding the TTC northbound during rush hour. That alone has inspired me to attempt another kundalini sweat session. If you are an inquisitive yogi looking to try something new (or if you’re like me and need a reason to pry yourself off of the couch on a Saturday) then make sure to check out the class schedule at the Lotus Yoga Centre. If you’re a student on a budget, you can get an unlimited monthly pass for only $130.00, which is significantly less than many other yoga studios within Toronto. Now get out there, and find that inner Zen! Namaste.
What are your thoughts on Kundalini Yoga? Would you give it a go? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
