Diary of A Newfound Neophile, Volume 1

My First Kundalini High

By: Erica Mestyanek, Editor of Dallas Yoga Magazine and Co-Founder of Cosmic Yogi Movement

The definition of Neophile is “someone who loves and embraces new things and experiences, regardless of whether they are any good.” I haven’t always been a spontaneous person who loved trying new adventures. Five years ago, I would rather have made up an excuse than to fill my calendar with activities and events full of unknowns and surprises. Isn’t it funny how we can grow and change in a seemingly short period of time?  In November, I had the opportunity to try not one, but two types of yoga I had not experienced before; Kundalini and Buti Yoga. Here is my experience with Kundalini Yoga.

Chances are, you’ve heard of Kundalini by now. Yogi Bhajan introduced Kundalini to the United States in 1968, although sacred writings show the science of Kundalini energy dating back to 1,000BC. According to the Kundalini Research Institute, “The primary objective of Kundalini is to awaken the full potential of human awareness in each individual; that is, recognize our awareness and expand that awareness to our unlimited self. Clear any inner duality, create the power to deeply listen, cultivate inner stillness, and prosper and deliver excellence in all that we do.”

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Kari Rollins and we had a great conversation about Kundalini Yoga, so I did not walk into my first class completely blind. Sun Yoga Center offers donation-based classes every Sunday with the 4^th Sunday of every month being Kundalini. Adriane Wolf teaches this class. She also teaches classes out of her home. After a very busy past 5 months and a series of life changing events, I decided I was ready to experience Kundalini for myself and my friend Andie was the one I wanted to share this experience with. The class was full, and the energy walking in was incredible. Adriene had a glow that told me this was exactly where I was supposed to be at the moment. She assessed the class to determine how many new comers there were and to my surprise, it was close to half the class! She then gracefully explained breath of fire and what it looked and felt like.

Before I knew it, we were chanting and practicing kriyas. Much to my amazement, Kundalini involves a lot of arm movement. I guess I was closer to getting those “Michelle Obama arms” than I thought! During the practice, there was beautiful music playing. Sometimes, I felt tears fall down my face and at one point; I thought I was going to start giggling uncontrollably. For someone who struggles with meditation, I found it effortless to clear my mind during my practice. Adriane told us to simply observe the thoughts as they came into our minds, but not to connect them. I was aware as many seemingly random ideas came and went through my mind. I’ll be honest, there were many times I struggled with breath of fire and there were a few times where I wanted to lay down for Savasana way before it was time, but Adriane had a way of encouraging you to not give up. “Take a moment if you need to, but find yourself and begin again,” she would say. Before I knew it, it was time for Savasana. During my meditation, I found myself in the desert in a teepee with a Shaman; something I have secretly been fantasizing about for the past few months. I saw my nephew (who has passed) and he was so peaceful. I also had an energizing moment where I felt I was finally able to cut a cord with someone and a relationship that was no longer serving me.

When the class was over, I was “high.”  I was happy, I was peaceful and I felt like I left a part of me at the studio that day. A part, which admittingly, I should have left behind long before. And just like that, I am hooked. I crave Kundalini practice. I took another class this past weekend with Debbie Simon from Blue Anjou and Kenny Kolter with a Gong Meditation which was a completely new experience for me!

My verdict? Give Kundalini Yoga a shot. What do you have to lose? (Except a side of yourself, that is no longer serving you.) To learn more about the classes at Sun Yoga Center, visit www.sunyogacenter.com. To reach Adriane directly, contact [email protected].

Stay tuned for Volume 2; my Buti Yoga experience.

Erica is the Editor of Dallas Yoga Magazine, Co-Founder of Cosmic Yogi Movement, a Holistic Health Coach and Expert on Essential Oils. To connect with Erica, you can email erica@..