Kundalini comes from the Indian word, kundal, which means "lock of hair from the beloved." Uncoiling this hair is said to be the awakening of kundalini energy, a powerful force that occurs in every human. Yogi Bhajan brought kundalini yoga to the west in 1969, and trains thousands of teachers a year to awaken their own kundalini energy as well as their students.
Kundalini Research Institute
The process to become a certified kundalini teacher is strictly regulated by the Kundalini Research Institute. The institute offers courses all over the world, led by well known teachers. The courses must be completed in person and typically span over several weeks or months, usually meeting on weekends. After a course there is additional classroom time and home study required as well as a final exam. The cost per program varies from $1,000 to $3,000.
Level 1
Level one kundalini instructor certification will give you the necessary education to start teaching. The course is 250 hours and is affiliated with the Yoga Alliance in the United States. The course covers postures, kriyas, meditation, yogic philosophy, history of kundalini yoga, yogic anatomy, western anatomy, humanology, and yogic lifestyle. There is also a section covering your role as a kundalini yoga instructor.
Level 2
The level two kundalini certification develops your skills on a deeper and more spiritual level. It is more about a personal transformation, claiming to aid you in becoming a better teacher, according to 3ho.com. You must complete level one training before moving on to level two. The curriculum includes five separate modules, conscious communication, authentic relationships, lifestyles and lifecycles, mind and meditation, and vitality and stress.
Level 3 and Beyond
Level three certification combines an experiential 10-day program, plus an individualized community-building service project, according to yogibhajan.com. It requires peer review for final certification. There are also workshops available with specific focus to continue your education. "Living Joyously in the Authentic Self", "Women's Yoga Camp", and "Beyond Addiction", to name a few.
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