Kundalini yoga is a type of yoga that differs from what you may be used to in your yogic practice. New poses and breathing exercises help to awaken the kundalini or serpent in your body for better energy. Kundalini yoga should always be practiced with a qualified and experienced instructor. If it's your first time going to a kundalini yoga class, prepare by wearing comfortable, natural clothing that allows your electromagnetic fields to flow and be nurtured throughout the practice.
Tops
While other yoga classes you've attended may have tank tops and sports bras as the general dress code, kundalini yoga requires greater thought into what you wear. If you must wear a sports bra or top, ensure that it is made of pure cotton in order to nurture your electromagnetic field, according to the book, "The Kundalini Yoga Experience." Instead of wearing skin-tight clothing, look for breathable, light-colored and loose tops, but not too loose to impede your movement.
Bottoms
Instead of wearing the usual spandex leggings or yoga pants you may wear to a hatha or ashtanga yoga class, try more breathable, natural fabrics that allow you to move. If you're in doubt of what to wear, call ahead to the studio and ask what most other students wear or what the instructor prefers that you wear. This will help give you a better idea of how to be the most comfortable during kundalini yoga.
Footwear and More
Kundalini is always practiced barefoot, so prepare accordingly. While you may be able to wear socks with other types of yoga, kundalini teachings require bare feet in order to create balance and awareness in your body. You may also bring a sheepskin rug, a towel or a blanket made of natural fibers in place of a typical sticky yoga mat.
Accessories
You may notice that some classmates and the instructor wear turbans. While turbans aren't necessary for kundalini yoga, they're encouraged to help you focus your energy in your cranial bones. Some kundalini yoga poses will also involve headstands, making a turban helpful to protect your head from a hard studio floor. You'll need to remove all other accessories before class. Leave jewelry and eyeglasses outside of the studio so you can practice your yoga without distraction and in deepest comfort.
References
- Sohan Jalaiai: Kundalini Yoga Classes
- "The Kundalini Yoga Experience: Bringing Body, Mind, and Spirit Together": Dharam Singh Khalsa, et al.; 2002
- Kundalini Yoga East: Frequently Asked Questions
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