Men's Kundalini Yoga Leeds — What to Expect at Your First Class

If you have been thinking about trying Kundalini Yoga in Leeds but aren't quite sure what to expect, this post is for you. Whether you have never done yoga before, tried a different style and wondered if Kundalini might suit you better, or simply want to know what Saturday morning actually looks like before you commit — here's exactly what happens.

Before You Arrive

The sessions take place at The Old Stables, Ashling House, Back Church Ln, Adel, Leeds LS16 8DW — a quiet, private space in North Leeds, easy to reach from across Leeds and West Yorkshire. There is parking nearby.

Wear comfortable, loose clothing you can move freely in. Bring a yoga mat if you have one — cork mats are available to purchase via the shop if you need one — and a bottle of water. That's it. Nothing else is required.

Arrive a few minutes before 8am if it's your first session. There's no need to prepare or read anything in advance. Come as you are.

The First Thing That Happens — Tuning In

Every Kundalini Yoga session begins the same way — with a tuning in mantra. We chant Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo three times together. This is not religious in any way that will feel unfamiliar — it is simply a way of centring the group, settling the nervous system, and marking the beginning of the practice.

If you have never chanted before, that's completely fine. You can listen the first time. Most men who were uncertain about the mantra aspect before their first class tell me afterwards that it was one of the things they valued most.

The Warm Up

After tuning in, we move into a gentle warm up — simple movements to prepare the body and breath for the krya ahead. This is accessible for all fitness levels and all ages. You do not need to be flexible, strong, or fit to participate. The warm up is exactly what it says — warming up, nothing more.

The Krya

The core of each session is a krya — a set of specific Kundalini Yoga exercises targeting a particular area of the body or aspect of consciousness. Each week's krya is different. One week might focus on the nervous system. Another on the liver and detoxification. Another on core strength and energy. Another on opening the heart centre.

Kryas combine physical postures, specific breath patterns, and sometimes mantra or mudra (hand positions). Some movements are held for longer than you might expect — this is deliberate. The sustained hold is where much of the work happens, both physically and mentally.

Every krya is adapted to the individual. If something doesn't work for your body — an injury, a physical limitation, anything — we modify it. There is no pressure to perform.

Breathwork — Pranayama

Breathwork runs through the whole session but there is usually a dedicated pranayama section — specific breathing techniques used to regulate the nervous system, build energy, or shift mental state.

The most well-known Kundalini breathing technique is Breath of Fire — a rapid, rhythmic breath through the nose, driven by the navel point. It sounds unusual before you try it. Within a few attempts most men find it immediately powerful — a noticeable shift in energy and alertness within 30 to 60 seconds.

Other breathing techniques we use include long deep breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and segmented breath — each producing different physiological effects.

Meditation

After the krya and breathwork, we move into meditation. This might be silent, guided, or mantra-based depending on the session. It typically lasts between 3 and 11 minutes.

If you have tried meditation before and found it difficult — a busy mind, restlessness, frustration — Kundalini meditation is different from mindfulness-style sitting. The physical and breathwork elements of the session preceding it mean the nervous system is already more regulated by the time we reach meditation. Most men find it significantly more accessible than they expected.

Sound Therapy

Sound runs through every session — in the mantra, in the chanting, and in the instruments used to accompany and deepen the practice. My background in music, acoustics, and sound production informs this element of every class.

The resonant frequencies produced by voice and instruments stimulate the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic nervous system — supporting the shift from stress and activation toward calm and presence that the session as a whole is designed to create.

The Gong Sound Bath — Final Session Only

The final session of every 7-week course ends with a full Kundalini Gong Sound Bath — an immersive experience using crystal bowls and gong that produces deep resonant frequencies promoting profound relaxation and nervous system regulation.

You lie down, close your eyes, and let the sound do the work. It typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes. Many men describe it as one of the most powerful experiences of their lives. It is genuinely worth the seven weeks just for this.

Closing — Tuning Out

We close every session the same way we opened it — with a mantra. Sat Nam — truth is my identity. A simple, one-breath close that marks the end of the practice and the return to the day.

What Men Say After Their First Class

The most common things I hear after a first session:

"I didn't expect it to be that physical.""I can't believe how calm I feel.""I was worried about the chanting — but it was actually the best bit.""My mind was quieter than it's been in years.""When's the next one?"

Who Is This For?

My Saturday morning sessions are for men — and those who identify as male — of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels. Complete beginners are not just welcome, they are the majority. You do not need any prior yoga experience. You do not need to be fit, flexible, or spiritual.

You just need to show up.

Practical Information

Location: The Old Stables, Ashling House, Back Church Ln, Adel, Leeds LS16 8DWDay and time: Saturday mornings, 8am-9amFormat: 7-week courses, consecutive SaturdaysGroup size: Maximum 12 menPrice: £139 for the full 7-week courseNext intake: Saturday 5th September 2026

Book your place here or email mark@kundaliniyogaleeds.com with any questions.

Sat Nam.

Mark Franklin — Level 1 Certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor, North Leeds