Kundalini yoga is meant to awaken the untapped resources of energy in your body. Kundalini teaches that there is a serpent coiled in everyone's body, and awakening that serpent for enlightenment and energy is achieved through the poses and asanas of kundalini yoga. Kundalini is an advanced school of yoga. If you've registered for a kundalini yoga class, you'll notice that the instructor and students wear clothes that are slightly different from more mainstream types of yoga.
Fit
You may be encouraged to wear form-fitting clothes in your Bikram or hatha yoga class, but kundalini yoga requires more flow for positive energy. Most instructors and students come to class wearing flowing clothes that don't sit too tightly on the body. The looser clothes are meant to nurture the electromagnetic field, according to the book "The Kundalini Yoga Experience: Bringing Body, Mind, and Spirit Together."
Fabrics
Coming to class in synthetic athletic wear is considered a faux pas in a kundalini yoga class. When practicing kundalini, it's best to wear clothing that is made from natural fabrics, such as cotton or bamboo. These allow the energy to flow from your body, unfettered by synthetic materials. Kundalini instructors often wear white to class; students are invited to wear the same. Avoid any sort of clothes that restrict your movement, because kundalini yoga poses are often different from the ones you may be used to and often inverted.
Headwear
Turbans are popular among those who practice kundalini yoga, but they aren't necessary. Much of kundalini yoga poses are done on an inverted position on the head, so wearing a turban is less about energy and enlightenment and more about comfort while in a headstand position. Because kundalini yoga students often practice on the head, add a softer pad to your traditional yoga mat, so long as it's made from natural fibers such as sheepskin.
Considerations
When in doubt concerning the dress code for a kundalini yoga class, call ahead and ask what most students are invited to wear. You'll find that the dress code of kundalini yoga is less about rules and more about function and energy for the best possible experience. Come to your first class in basic gear and you'll soon learn, based upon your instructor's preferences, what accessories you'll need.
References
- Sohan Jalaiai: Kundalini Yoga Classes
- "The Kundalini Yoga Experience: Bringing Body, Mind, and Spirit Together ": Dharam Singh Khalsa, Darryl O'Keeffe; 2002
- Kundalini Yoga East: Frequently Asked Questions; 2008
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