All yoga comes from the same ancient roots, to connect this worldly existence we all experience to the something more that is our life force energy, spirit, soul. For many years I did yoga, ashtanga, pre & post natal and I loved it. I loved being in my body, finding calm and somehow thoughts would come to the surface that I hadn't quite had time to register.
Then one day, I attended a Kundalini Yoga workshop and my mind was blown, my heart expanded and I felt joy, wept tears and felt a release unlike any other. I knew this was a path I needed to follow to see what other goodness it held for me. It is the closest thing to magic that I have encountered. Now, I know that different people are looking for different things so I, in no way, am trying to convince anyone to do this yoga unless they feel called to it. It can be intense, soul searching and bring about transformation and deep learning.
First of all, you close your eyes for most of the class which immediately creates a powerful internal experience (not to mention not having to worry about what anyone else is doing and if you're doing it 'right'). Then the combination of breathing practices and movements clear out the cobwebs and the ruts that our bodies and brains get into. And the vibration of sound (both from the music and from chanting) resonates through our bodies, uplifting and grounding our experience.
For me, Kundalini yoga is a true union of body, mind and soul. It connects our selves to our body with movement and deep listening, calms the mind, giving it tasks to do but also lets it rest and allows emotions, memories, traumas and joys to arise so that they may be seen and released. And maybe most of all we take the uplift, the expansion and the joy and bring it right back into this nitty, gritty worldly body so that this integration can make a real difference in our daily lives.