Pranayama is composed of two Sanskrit words: prana meaning life force, and ayama meaning to restrain or control the prana, implying a set of breathing techniques where the breath is intentionally altered in order to produce specific results. It is a yogic discipline with origins in ancient India.


The breath is intimately connected to our heart rate as well as our mind. If you can regulate your breath, your heart rate and mind will follow. Integrating these practices into our daily routines can help to dramatically improve the state of our physical, mental and emotional health.

A kriya is set of postures (asanas) which are each designed for a specific purpose e.g. for cleansing the liver, strengthening your nervous system or to balance the mind, to name a few. There are thousands of different kriyas, each with its own particular focus and unique structure. The sets work on all levels of our being.

Relaxation is an important part of the yoga class. When we relax without movement after a kriya, our sympathetic nervous system (the fight/flight one) hands the reigns over to the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest one). This allows us to relax in a deep way giving the body a time for it to heal and restore itself. These days many people tend to be stuck in the fight/flight state, struggling to sufficiently relax, leading to a large number of disease and burn out.

An integral part of Kundalini Yoga, meditation utilises practical tools (breath, mantra, mudra and focus) which carefully and precisely support and guide the mind and body. There are as many meditations as there are kriyas, each tailored to a specific purpose such as reducing stress, working on addictions or increasing vitality. Many people find it easier to sit in stillness after physical exercise and this is why meditations often follow after the kriya.

Kundalini (meaning “coiled female serpent”) refers to the energy that lays dormant at the base of the spine. Through the practice of yoga, this energy is raised and travels up the sushumna (the main energy channel running along the spine) helping to release blocks, inspire creativity and create an overall sense of well being. The raising of kundalini can be achieved in various ways, such as through rhythm, movement, breath, dance, fasting, kriya yoga or entheogens.

The Kundalini Yoga practice connect us to the compassionate lineage of Sikh Gurus known as the golden chain.