HATHA, HOT, ASTANGA… You’ve heard of and maybe tried these popular classes. But there’s an ancient form of yoga that’s becoming increasingly popular, because its benefits go further than stretching and flexing limbs. Many people searching for a form of exercise, stress relief and all-round boost to their wellbeing are discovering the calming influence of the regular practice of kundalini yoga.
But what makes it different? ‘It’s a very complete form of yoga,’ says London-based kundalini teacher Natalie Fishwick (shown opposite). ‘Many Western types of yoga focus on the postures or poses (also known as asanas) and the physical side of the practice. But kundalini combines asanas, mantras and sound vibration, mudras (hand gestures), meditation and breathwork. Every posture becomes more powerful when the other elements are involved.’