Kundalini Yoga by YogiGems

"squeeze the anus and sex organs." wait, what?

Kundalini yoga is very different from the Vinyasa yoga many people in the West are used to. I usually become bored with a yoga routine after a short time, but this practice is one I keep coming back to. YogiGems in particular offers instruction in a very genuine and soulful way.

How It Works

The practice consisted of kriyas, specific sequences of postures, breaths, sounds, and focus points designed to produce a particular energetic or psychological effect. This often included subtle internal actions like squeezing the muscles of the anus and sex organs (Mulabandha, or the root lock) to channel energy upward through the spine, along with hand postures, or mudras, that direct and contain energy. You might find yourself chanting, shaking, sticking out your tongue, whistling, or flailing to the rhythm of a steady drum. Traditional movements like squats or hamstring stretches may also be woven in.

Experiment Notes

‣ Doing these kriyas felt like intentionally disrupting my usual movement and thought patterns, and modern neuroscience supports this effect. Studies in mice show that novelty can “reset” brain circuits through neuroplasticity, the process of forming new synapses and pathways while unused ones fade.

‣ In humans, particularly older adults, 12 weeks of Kundalini Yoga have been shown to increase hippocampal volume (a region vital for memory) helping practitioners avoid the brain shrinkage typically associated with aging. source⇲