What Is Kundalini Yoga? | Men's Kundalini Yoga in North Leeds

My name is Mark Franklin. I am a Level 1 Certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor based in Adel, North Leeds, and I have been practising Kundalini Yoga since 2014. I trained at the Kundalini University with Guru Singh and Brett Larkin, qualifying in July 2022, and have trained extensively at the 3HO Kundalini Yoga Men's Camp in Vancouver, Canada, and in Nosara, Costa Rica with Tommy Rosen and Kia Miller.

This page explains what Kundalini Yoga is, how it works, and why I believe it is one of the most powerful practices available — particularly for men.

What Is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini Yoga is one of the oldest and most comprehensive forms of yoga in existence. Unlike many modern yoga styles that focus primarily on physical fitness or flexibility, Kundalini Yoga is a complete mind-body-spirit practice — combining physical postures (asanas), sets of movements (kryas), breathwork (pranayama), meditation, mantra chanting, and sound therapy into a single, integrated practice.

The word Kundalini refers to the energy believed to lie dormant at the base of the spine. Through dedicated practice, this energy is awakened and distributed throughout the body — clearing blockages, heightening awareness, and supporting physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual growth.

Kundalini Yoga was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. My own teacher, Guru Singh, is a third generation Master Yogi from the West Coast of North America who worked alongside Yogi Bhajan from 1969. Paramahansa Yogananda was Guru Singh's first teacher. I feel genuinely fortunate to have found such a humble and extraordinary teacher — and I never imagined, when I first came across Guru Singh in the woods during that Vancouver camp, that I would one day be teaching yoga myself.

Kundalini Yoga and the Nervous System

One of the most immediate and measurable effects of Kundalini Yoga is on the nervous system. Modern Western science has increasingly confirmed what Eastern traditions have known for thousands of years — that breathwork, movement, and meditation produce measurable, positive changes in brain states, nervous system function, and overall health.

In Kundalini Yoga, we work directly with the autonomic nervous system — helping to shift the body from a state of sympathetic activation (fight-or-flight) toward parasympathetic balance (rest and digest). This is achieved through:

Conscious breathing (pranayama) — specific breathing techniques that directly regulate the nervous system
Kryas — coordinated sets of movement and breath that release tension and stimulate energy flow
Mantra and chanting — the vibrations produced by the voice stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting calm and connection
Meditation — quieting the mind and cultivating present-moment awareness
Sound therapy — resonant frequencies produced by instruments deepen meditative states and support nervous system regulation

For men dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, physical tension, or emotional disconnection, this combination is particularly powerful.

Breath of Fire — A Foundational Kundalini Technique

One of the most distinctive and powerful breathing techniques in Kundalini Yoga is Breath of Fire. It is a rapid, rhythmic breathing done through the nose — the exhale is active and pumping, driven by the navel point, and the inhale is passive.

Here is what Breath of Fire does for the body and mind:

Physiologically — the rapid pumping action massages the digestive organs and stimulates the vagus nerve. It increases oxygen exchange in the blood, creating a feeling of energy and heightened alertness.

For the nervous system — over time it helps shift the body from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state toward greater balance, though the practice itself is activating in the short term.

Core and diaphragm strength — by actively engaging the navel point and diaphragm repeatedly, Breath of Fire functions almost like a workout for those muscles.

Detoxification — the increased respiratory rate supports lymphatic circulation and helps move carbon dioxide from the body.

Energetically — in Kundalini tradition, Breath of Fire is used to build prana (life force energy), clear energetic blocks, and awaken the Kundalini energy at the base of the spine.

A few important notes: Breath of Fire is contraindicated during pregnancy, menstruation (heavy flow), and for people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, or vertigo. If you are new to it, starting with just 30 seconds is wise — it can cause lightheadedness in beginners.

The Principles of Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is rooted in the understanding that breath, body, and mind are interconnected — and that working with one influences all three.

Breath (pranayama) — by working consciously with the breath, we can directly influence the nervous system and bring about states of relaxation, energy, or focused awareness. Different pranayama techniques produce different effects — some calming, some energising, some deeply meditative.

Body (asanas and kryas) — physical postures and coordinated sets of movement strengthen and stretch the body, release stored tension, and stimulate the flow of energy through the body's meridians and chakras.

Mind (meditation and mantra) — through meditation and mantra chanting, we quiet the habitual chatter of the mind and cultivate a deeper quality of awareness. Regular practice rewires the brain over time, reducing anxiety and promoting clarity, resilience, and inner calm.

Sound therapy — the resonant frequencies produced by the voice, instruments, and gong deepen meditative states and support the regulation of the nervous system at a physiological level. My background in music, acoustics, and sound production — including a Post Graduate Diploma in Acoustics from Leeds Beckett University — informs the sound therapy element of every session I teach.

The Benefits of Kundalini Yoga for Men

Research confirms that regular yoga practice can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression — improving sleep quality, enhancing focus and concentration, and increasing feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence.

For men specifically, the benefits include:

Reduced chronic stress and anxiety
Improved sleep quality and energy levels
Greater emotional regulation — the ability to respond rather than react
Reduced physical tension — particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back
Improved breathing capacity and cardiovascular efficiency
Increased mental clarity and focus
A stronger connection between body and mind
A sense of community and shared experience with other men on a similar journey

Stress, Mental Health, and Why Yoga Helps

Stress has become one of the defining experiences of modern life — particularly for men, who are statistically less likely to seek help for mental health difficulties and more likely to use unhealthy coping mechanisms when under pressure.

Chronic stress affects not just mental wellbeing but physical health too — contributing to a weakened immune system, elevated blood pressure, disrupted sleep, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Finding healthy, sustainable ways to manage stress is not optional; it is one of the most important things a man can do for his long-term health.

Kundalini Yoga addresses stress at every level — physiological, psychological, and emotional — making it one of the most comprehensive tools available for men who want to feel better, think more clearly, and live more fully.

Kundalini Yoga in North Leeds — Saturday Morning Sessions for Men

I deliver men's Kundalini Yoga classes on Saturday mornings at The Old Stables, Ashling House, Back Church Ln, Adel, Leeds LS16 8DW — a peaceful, private space in North Leeds, easy to reach from across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Sessions run as a 7-week course, Saturday mornings 8am–9am. No prior experience is needed — my classes are designed specifically for beginners and all levels of fitness.

7-week course — £139
Places limited to 12 per group

Book your place here or get in touch if you have any questions first.

What Is Kundalini Yoga? | Men's Kundalini Yoga in North Leeds

​