Kundalini Yoga: the sacred science of awakening

“Here is the greatest of altars, the living, conscious human body, and to worship at this altar is far higher than the worship of any dead symbols.” —Swami Vivekananda

Yoga in the West is often reduced to a form of exercise, a physical practice aimed at flexibility and fitness. But to the ancients, yoga was something far greater—an intimate connection between body and spirit.

It was not about strength or endurance but about transcending the material world to unite with Brahman, the divine consciousness within.

Of all the yogic traditions that have emerged over the past 5,000 years, Kundalini Yoga was considered the most sacred—a powerful science of energy designed to awaken the highest states of awareness.

The origins of Kundalini Yoga

The exact roots of Kundalini Yoga are unknown, but its first recorded mention appears in the Upanishads (c. 1000–500 B.C.), a collection of ancient Vedic scriptures.

Long before it became a physical discipline, Kundalini was a mystical science, a philosophy of energy designed to unlock the full potential of human consciousness.

For thousands of years, Kundalini knowledge was passed down in secrecy from master to chosen disciple. It was considered an advanced spiritual practice, reserved for those who had undergone years of initiation.

The idea of teaching Kundalini to the general public was unheard of—until one man changed everything.

Yogi Bhajan: the rebel who shared Kundalini with the West

In 1968, a holy Sikh visionary named Yogi Bhajan took a one-way flight from Punjab, India, to Toronto, Canada, carrying with him a bold mission: to bring Kundalini Yoga to the modern world.

During a visit to California in the late 1960s, Yogi Bhajan saw firsthand the Western youth’s hunger for expanded consciousness. He observed two things:

1. They were searching for spiritual awakening.
2. They were seeking it through drugs and misguided mysticism.

Traditionally, Kundalini was taught only to a select few. But Yogi Bhajan believed that this ancient science belonged to everyone. During a deep meditation, he had a vision—a new spirituality that combined ancient wisdom with modern practicality. From that moment on, his life’s mission was clear.

“It is everyone’s birthright to be healthy, happy, and holy, and the practice of Kundalini Yoga is the way to claim that birthright.” —Yogi Bhajan

Instead of returning to India, Yogi Bhajan stayed in Los Angeles, where he founded the 3HO Foundation (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) and the Kundalini Research Institute. He made Kundalini accessible to the public, teaching thousands how to harness their own divine energy.

But his influence extended far beyond yoga. Yogi Bhajan authored multiple books, established International Peace Prayer Day, and worked with global leaders to integrate mindfulness into world affairs. His impact was so profound that, after his passing, the U.S. Congress honored him with a bipartisan resolution recognizing his contributions to humanity.

The Yoga of awareness

To understand Kundalini Yoga, we must return to its earliest scriptures—the Upanishads. These sacred texts, written between 1000 and 500 B.C., form the foundation of Eastern spirituality, shaping traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and, of course, Kundalini Yoga itself.

As the “Yoga of Awareness,” Kundalini is designed to awaken your Higher Self. It teaches that each of us is an energy center—a microcosm of Brahman, the divine creative force.

By practicing the ancient techniques of Kundalini Yoga, we can:

✅ Transcend the Ego and experience unity with the Universe.
✅ Activate our innate spiritual energy through breathwork, movement, and meditation.
✅ Reconnect with our true nature, realizing that we are individual expressions of a shared divine consciousness.

“Kundalini Yoga is the science to unite the finite with Infinity.” —Yogi Bhajan

In other words, we are not separate from the divine—we ARE the divine. The journey of Kundalini is about stripping away the illusion of separation and awakening to our highest potential.

Not bad for a little stretching, right?

Awaken your inner light

Kundalini Yoga is more than just a practice—it’s a path to self-discovery. By tapping into our own divine energy, we gain the power to transform our lives, uplift others, and contribute to a more conscious world.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate.” —Carl Jung

Sat Nam.

Also Read: what is kundalini yoga?