» Eyes Wide Shut: Kundalini Yoga
Zara Baker closes her eyes and opens her mind to Kundalini yoga practice at Yogahaven
Kundalini yoga is ‘the yoga of awareness’. Having never experienced this form of yoga practice before, I head for Yogahaven in Kendal Street – a warm and welcoming environment where you are greeted by calming incense – to meet Kundalini yoga teacher Jo Linney before taking part in a class.
I want to hear Jo’s own reasons for practising yoga, and how it has impacted on her life. I also want to know more about this ‘yoga of awareness’ and what is in store for the 75 minute class. For Jo, Kundalini yoga is about the transformational quality of the practise, moving the life-energy through dynamic exersises, breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation to experiencing your true self. In her words, “it lets me be more me,” – both in the way she sees things and her inner experiences.
Jo also explains that Kundalini yoga is practised with the eyes closed, which allows you to focus on, and contain, the flow of energy through both movements and breath. I had anticipated myself earnestly trying to copy Jo’s moves while mentally trying to think calm thoughts. Having my eyes closed put a new spin on exercise. For once, I can really focus on the movement and how each stretch and breath is making me feel. I find I can control my breathing – in and out through the nose – the whole time.
Jo guides us through a warm-up, showing us breathing exercises and stretches we are to repeat with our eyes closed. A set of exercises – kriya – follows. These vary between classes. We hold a pose for 30 seconds and then transfer to the other side of the body. This is then repeated, alternating sides, the movements becoming quicker, our minds focusing on the flow of both movement and breath.
A deep relaxation section follows in which we are gently coaxed into letting go, clearing our minds, being aware of our breath – and then nothing at all. I find switching off extremely hard to do, but this is the closest I’ve come in a long time to simply relaxing. It’s a technique Jo encourages us to try at home, and something we should all find the time to do, no matter how busy our lifestyle. A meditation closes the class, using sounds and vibrations, which encourages us to be more aware of our inner self.
Yogahaven offers classes to suit all levels and abilities in many different types of yoga, all taking place in one of their two studios in Kendal House. But being in touch with my whole self through Kundalini yoga – as Jo had rightly put it at the start – made me more self aware and able to be more, well, me.
Yogahaven, Kendal House, Donkey Mews, Brunswick Street East, Hove,
BN3 1AW, 01273 329642, www.yogahaven.co.uk
The Foundations Of Kundalini Yoga Workshop
Experience the different aspects of the Kundalini yoga practice and how
it can impact our lives. This workshop is a great introduction to Kundalini yoga. Yoga teacher Jo Linney will guide you through a fun combination of dynamic exercises, breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation. The workshop takes place at Yogahaven on Saturday 20 March, from 2–4pm, and costs £15.
For more info or to book a place call Jo on 07906 948472, email jo.linney@yahoo.co.uk or contact Yogahaven on 01273 329642.
