Kundalini Global

Kundalini Global is a completely new form of Kundalini Yoga that works with the stress system, and neural plasticity, to foster emotional regulation and the ability to be, and stay, present. An antidote for the times, Kundalini Global is a non-dogmatic spiritual practise that is informed by up-to-date physiological, psychological, anatomical, and neuroscientific theory and research into the body and mind.

It was founded by Carolyn Cowan, a yoga teacher and teacher trainer with decades’ worth of experience who is also a therapist, specialising in trauma, anxiety, addiction, shame, pre-and-postnatal issues and more. Our 220-hour training is certified by Yoga Alliance. We offer further trainings, open to the general public, that also form part of an optional level two training for our certified teachers.

Carolyn began working on the Kundalini Global teacher training in 2018. The first training began, in London, at the start of 2020.  Since then, three trainings have taken place and 90 trainees have taken part. Over half of these trainees are now active teachers, out in the world sharing the practice. More teachers certify as the months pass.

Carolyn wanted to create change in how teachers view their role, a training that encouraged extremely well-informed, open-minded, and inclusive teachers with excellent boundaries, and a form of yoga that was kinder, more accessible, and much less alienating that some of what she (and very many others) had experienced elsewhere.

Kundalini Global classes offer a fast reset to the stress system in the opening moments. They invite you to come out of a transcendent relationship to the world and recognise that you can take responsibility for yourself.

We move more slowly than you may be used to, if you are familiar with other stlyes of Kundalini yoga. We tend not to use mantra (although individual teachers may) and most of our teachers begin classes with breathwork. We take long pauses between postures and regularly invite clients to notice, in these pauses, how they have made themselves feel.

A Kundalini Global teacher is a guide. A person that you gift with the possibility that they can allow your mat to become a magical space and that in that magical space you will meet yourself.

In coming to Kundalini Global classes, you will begin to familiarise yourself with the role that you play in how you experience your life. To be living, as most of us are, in a continual state of fear, anxiety, stress, overwhelm… it is a choice. The breathwork practices and postures that we take on during classes are all tools to turn to at any moment you are able to recognise that choice.

When you make the choice to regulate again and again, your brain begins to function differently, and your body responds accordingly. Everything begins to soften.

In a Kundalini Global class you are not a student, you’re a client. The teacher is not a peer, they are not a peer because they have learnt something… to regulate. (Hopefully!)

Our certified teachers are in a position to show you what they know, and to have the integrity for you to trust, to lie back on the mat and have, for yourself, the transformative experience.

We’re not gifting you Guru Ram Das, Shiva, or anybody else. It is your experience, for you.

Carolyn Cowan is the founder of Kundalini Global. She is a highly-experienced yoga teacher and teacher trainer with decades of experience.

Carolyn is also a therapist, specialising in trauma, addiction in all its forms, eating disorders and body dysmorphia. She also has over 20 years of teaching and mentoring experience in the pre-and-postnatal period, working with issues including birth trauma, diastases recti and tocophobia.

Carolyn trained as a yoga teacher, then as a pregnancy yoga teacher, doula and yoga therapist. After 10 years running pre-and-post-natal classes in yoga and working as a doula around Camberwell and Peckham, Carolyn began training as a psychotherapist gaining a London Diploma in Psychosexual Relationship Therapy, a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Couples Work, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Trauma Therapy.

Her flagship trainings include:

The Kundalini Global Level One Teacher Training
Mastering The Addictive Personality 
Altered States: The Breath 
The Shame Workshop 
Radically Inclusive Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training

As well as training teachers, and running workshops, Carolyn teaches three weekly classes, runs a private therapy practice online and in London, and is also an author, with her first book due to be published in 2023.

You can find out more about Carolyn:

On her website. 

On Wikipedia. 

Kundalini Global is open-minded and inclusive in its approach to posture, breath, music, mantra and, most importantly, to you. We work to be inclusive in all aspects of how we approach teaching yoga from what we say to how we dress to how we work with posture.

As teachers we are supervised, working on a commitment to be self-reflective and not self-obsessed and to notice where our binary thinking, stories, experiences and cults of thought trip us up and limit the inclusiveness of what we offer.

We may not get it perfect, but we strive for radical inclusivity…to include every body wholly and treat everyone with respect. This is an intention that sits at the roots* of what we teach, as one of the core reasons for why Kundalini Global was founded.

It was from the aim of making a kinder, more inclusive, form of Kundalini yoga that everything we share was able to grow.

* Radical etymology: late Middle English (in the senses ‘forming the root’ and ‘inherent’): from late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix, radic- ‘root’.

Read more here. 

Kundalini Global is a radical rethinking of many other forms of Kundalini yoga.

And there are many forms of Kundalini yoga. You may be aware of the Kundalini shaking taught by Osho or, go to Rishikesh, and you will find hundreds of different schools. There is an ancient form of Kundalini Yoga which the now denigrated Yogi Bhajan took and attached to a form of neo-Sikhism.

Kundalini Global is a new way. Teachers are free to dress how they want to, use what music works for them, and make the practises unique to them.

Kundalini Global trainings empower teachers to work with clients rather than creating a Guru lineage or dominance. They also empower teachers in working with real bodies and the huge variation therein, to ensure that classes are accessible, kind and powerful for every single person who joins us.

Teachers are also taught about and encouraged to deepen their understanding of as many spiritual and religious belief systems as possible, to continually test and broaden our awareness in our striving to be radically inclusive.

That is not to say that, by not aligning ourselves with any one belief system, our practice is approached in an entirely pragmatic way. We each bring different lenses to our teaching but understand and hold the sacred aspect of our practice too.

For us, what we do, what we show up for, what we are in service to offer as yoga teachers, goes very far beyond the poses. We believe that everyone can have a very profound and deep experience of their relationship to the Divine, in whatever form they believe it to take, by finding immanence within themselves.

We bow, with love, respect, and gratitude, to the Divine, at the opening and closing of every class. This is the container within which the entirety of what we offer in our classes is held.

To read more on Kundalini Global in relation to religion and religious thought, you may find this post interesting:

Kundalini Global and Religious Thought

We have this question high up in our FAQS because it is important.

Kundalini Global is absolutely not a form of yoga therapy. 

Within the discussion of the boundaries of the role of a yoga teacher, and at many other points during our training, trainees are made aware that our founder, Carolyn Cowan, a trauma therapist and specialist with 20 years experience, does not believe that yoga can heal trauma. Further, that Kundalini Global does not support any claims from its teachers that it can. 

Any Kundalini Global teacher who makes claims about the power of yoga therapy, or yoga healing trauma, is doing so against the ethos of what we stand for: to be well informed teachers with good boundaries who know, with certainty, the edges of our role. 

This is not to say that yoga cannot be helpful as a tool in trauma recovery but this is, most often, unnecessary to name. 

In many ways, trauma informed has become a meaningless, and problematic, label in the realms of the health and wellness industry.  

It has never been a phrase that Kundalini Global has adopted. 

There is no consensus on a universal definition of what trauma informed means in yoga and no governing body that holds properly accountable those who make claims that a yoga practice or teacher is so. 

Kundalini Global trainees do explore who comes to yoga, why and how to serve those clients with a strong skillset and integrity.

The concept of trauma comes into the room on our training. In discussion around how to make classes feel safe, kind, accessible etc. we have in-depth discussion on both: 

– how to help all clients begin to feel safer in classes, to get the most benefit of the practice and 

– how to deal with boundary violations in relation to the likelihood of those who come to yoga having big stories that they’re keen to share and get help with 

It is extremely important to us that our teachers do not step outside the appropriate edges of what they are trained to do: to teach yoga. 

Of course, if a teacher happens to be a trained psychotherapist or health professional, they may use some of their learning from Kundalini Global as a adjunct to their existing professional qualifications. This has nothing to do with Kundalini Global. 

Whilst the oft-cited guiding principles of safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment (which come into the UK government’s working definition of what a trauma informed practice is) do closely correlate with awareness that underpins our approach, if we are not making claims that yoga can heal trauma, we do not need to use terms such as trauma informed as a means to attract those actively looking to work with their trauma through yoga.

In short, is Kundalini Global trauma informed? By many definitions, yes. However, we are acutely aware of the issues inherent with using such labels in relation to the role of yoga teachers. Our perception of the inappropriateness of trauma-related claims about what yoga can do, means it is a label that we consciously choose not to use. 

Kundalini Global is a form of yoga that works with an awareness of the stress system. It educates teachers on understanding how to work with the physical and psychological impact of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm by understanding how yoga helps. Through this lens, yoga is a tool in recovery from any form of suffering, but it is never a cure.

We train teachers to have a huge amount of respect fo their clients, because they have a huge amount of respect for themselves.

In this process, and in relation to how our teachers become expert on the stress system, Kundalini Global classes are kind and aware of the 21st century human and their likely states of being.

From Carolyn:

“No Kundalini Global teacher, unless actively certified and accredited as a trauma therapist, has any right to claim they work with trauma. As a certified and accredited trauma therapist I fundamentally do not believe that yoga heals trauma. What it does do is to help you get more comfortable with yourself.” 

You may have seen that, for our 2023 training, for the first time, we are offering a hybrid format for two of the five modules that make up the 220 hours. Module one, in May 2023, is available both in-person and online. As is module four, in September. The other three modules (in June, July and October) are entirely online, live on Zoom.

If you cannot make it for modules one and four in-person, every measure will be taken to ensure you do not feel that you have missed out. If you cannot travel, you can take part, live, in all 220 hours of the training via Zoom.

If you can travel, or are based in London, you can join Carolyn in Battersea for the first module in May, and the fourth in September, as she hosts these two modules in a hybrid format.

Measures will be put in place to ensure that anyone joining the online offer of these two modules are included, fully, throughout.

Carolyn has considered the times, the reflections of those who have been in touch about the training, and the desire to extend our aim of inclusivity to our global community.

A large percentage of our existing teachers are international, and many would never have been able to access the training had it been held entirely in London. We feel it is important to continue this way, but also know that, as we move forward, many yearn for, enjoy, and thrive from, an in-person experience.

Much planning has gone into our new format, and we are confident it will deliver. We always leave space for some imperfection, but our intention is to make it a great experience!

As a community, Kundalini Global aims to include everybody. Our support network for graduate teachers will always include both online and in-person offers. These lean more toward online, simply because our teachers are all over the world.

The practice sessions between modules will be online and, for those who cannot make it to London for in-person modules, future offers of in-person workshops, to hone teaching skills and socialise with other Kundalini Global teachers, are offered annually.

Maximum size is 30. This number works well, allowing for the necessary intimacy in the group work and for diversity in each cohort.

During any periods where Carolyn is not teaching, she is still overseeing the days and is always available to contact with anything that comes up for trainees.

If you are choosing to travel to the two, in-person, weekends in London, the costs of getting to Battersea, and your accommodation, are not included in the training. Breakfast and snacks are included for the in-person days, but lunch is not. The studio is close to Clapham Junction and lots of cafes and shops are a short walk away.

Close to the start of the training, you will be provided with a reading list. This reading list is added to throughout the training and purchasing books from the list is optional. Most of this list are inexpensive books that are easy to find copies of second-hand. There is also the possibility of trainees sharing books amongst themselves.

Beyond this, there are no further costs. The cost of the exam and certification is included in the training.

The two, in-person, weekends for our level one teacher training, take place at a studio in Battersea, London.

The closest tube/train station to the venue is Clapham Junction, which is roughy a 10 minute walk away.

Full details on location will be provided to trainees closer to the time.

There are some budget hotels very close to Clapham Junction. On previous trainings, participants have organised accommodation as a group, amongst themselves, in local Air BnBs. This is a possibility for future trainees who will come together for module one, to organise themselves for the next in-person module.

You will find links to many of our certified teachers on this website’s calendar under Find a Class.

On completing the training, you will be able to list yourself on this website, and on that schedule, too. This is offered to our graduates for free and those who take advantage report that many find their classes via these channels.

Before the training begins you will be sent a list of recommended props which can be useful for adjusting posture, including some blocks, a bolster and a strap.

Beyond this, all that you will need is a device with Zoom installed and the things you would expect from any training, such as a notebook and pen.

On each module we begin at 7am. On two of the four days we finish at 5pm. On the other two days we have an additional two hours of supervision.

Every day includes around an hour for breakfast, a mid-morning and mid-afternoon tea break, and a generous lunchtime.

Supervision can sounds like a bossy or intimidating word, we know. Carolyn uses the word supervision because it is how she is trained.

It is an empowering place, to be supervised.

Supervision offers an opportunity for participants to bring, into a safe space, what is coming up for them as they train to teach.

It is a multi-faceted experience of support, overview, learning, teaching and a space to explore problems, issues and negative experiences.

It also allows for a deep experience of intimacy.

Beyond the training, we offer group supervision to all graduates. This is often online so that international teachers are able to join regularly, but we have also offered supervision in person, including on a camping retreat, and may well do so again.

For those who want to have one-to-one supervision, there are, post-training, and subject to availability, opportunities to book sessions with Carolyn.

You can read more about supervision, and why we feel it is important, here.

Some are daunted by long days on Zoom. Don’t be. You will be extremely surprised at how well it works. Carolyn has a huge amount of experience in running trainings online.

It is not our intention that the days are punishing in any way.

We have generous breaks for breakfast and for lunch, as well as a shorter break mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Because every day contains a mixture of practical elements, lecture, groupwork and opportunities for questions, the days really do tend to fly by.

The feedback has always been positive in this aspect.

It is important to note, and for us to state, that whilst our training is (at least partly) online, it is not a pre-recorded training, and very unlike any such training you may have come across. 

Our training is hugely interpersonal, intimate, and benefits from the relationship that forms in the group and between Carolyn and trainees. It is our preference, for this reason, that cameras are on.

Obviously, it is not a requirement that every person has their camera on for every moment of the day, and sometimes privacy is needed. However, on the training the ask is that you are not passively watching it unfold but that you are engaged and actively participating. Having your camera on is helpful for this and Carolyn will often ask that cameras are on if you are present.

If you need to take a break or miss a segment of a day, the ask is that you catch up from recordings.

Yes, peer groups will be in place in which you have the opportunity to practice teaching. Whilst we cannot make attendance of these sessions compulsory, we strongly encourage you to take part. Those who do tend to become more confident in their online teaching skills and find the final assessment, in this regard, much easier.

Carolyn has 20 years+ experience of teaching pre and postnatal courses, and you can do the training whilst pregnant, although because the practise of Kundalini Global is not suitable for pregnancy, being pregnant on the training may limit your experience of the practical aspects of what we do.

It is crucial that you make it known that you are pregnant.

The training does not train you to teach for pregnancy nor for the postnatal period, although we do touch on postnatal issues to be aware of as a teacher.

Pregnancy and postnatal yoga form part of an optional level two, in the form of the Kundalini Global Radically Inclusive Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training.

In order to certify you must attend a minimum of 85% of the training live.

As well as the four days of each module, you will require the time involved in researching and writing a 2-2500 word essay between each module.

To get the most from the experience it is also advisable that you make a commitment to engaging with the reading list and the manual and to take part in practice groups with your peers to teach each other between modules. The level of engagement here is down to you.

It is important that during the training you make time to practise teaching and to take on any aspects of the posture and breath practises we work with that you find particularly challenging.

Many others have successfully taken on this training whilst juggling challenging careers, young children and a huge variety of other commitments. Only you can know if the level of commitment involved can work for you…

The manual for the Kundalini Global teacher training contains a huge amount of knowledge, drawing on decades of experience in Carolyn’s fields of expertise. It was written entirely from scratch and you will not find this information elsewhere.

If you cannot make the first module in person, close the start of the training the manual will be posted to you, no matter where you are in the world. If you can make it live, you will receive your manual in Battersea during the first weekend.

The manual totals 300+ pages. You will receive the main manual alongside a separate book containing yoga series, breath practises and meditations which is spiral bound and practical to carry with you as you teach.

On certification, graduates receive a further practical manual with a second set of yoga series and breath practices as a gift.

On the trainings we have offered so far, a huge number of trainees were already qualified yoga teachers and the feedback from those teachers has been resolutely positive in terms of what they have taken from the experience both personally and professionally.

We do not offer a bridge programme. The reason for this is that every hour of our training is unique to Kundalini Global and is of equal importance to the process that we walk through as a group.

Kundalini Global is an entirely new way. If you would like to teach Kundalini Global, the only way to do so is to complete the full, 220-hour training.

You will find terms and conditions for the training here.

https://www.kundalini.global/terms-and-conditions/

We recommend all potential trainees read them before signing up. If you have questions on doing so you can send us an email.

Certification is reliant on:

– attending a minimum of 85% of the training live

– teaching a 20-30 minute class on the final module of the training to the required level (if this does not happen for any reason, there are opportunities to complete the teaching part after the training ends).

– completing five, 2000-2500 word research papers/essays.

– the completion of the Kundalini Global exam.

One of your essays will be on the roots of yoga.

For the other four, you have free reign to research a topic of your choice from each module in more depth.

This is one of the ways that individual trainees are encouraged to find and foster their own specialisms and make their teaching unique.

All essays must be completed before your exam will be marked.

Whilst you do no have to complete your five essays by the end of the training, we encourage that trainees keep up with them over the course because it can be daunting for those who finish the training with four essays and the exam left to complete.

Support will be in place for anyone who would like guidance or mentoring in writing essays and completing the exam.

It is not expected that you write in a highly academic style with perfect referencing or to any specific level. The purpose of the essays and research is to build confidence and integrity in our trainees.

You will not be getting them sent back with grades and corrections… it’s a very kind process with no aspect, whatsoever, of comparison to others. Write about what you love and what lights you up.

After the final module of the training, all trainees will be given the exam. The exam is open book, has no time limit, and aims to consolidate what you have learned during the training.

It is not a quick and easy exam. It requires some consideration and effort. Every person who completes it feels a huge sense of pride and achievement.

Many of our graduates are happy to help others with the process of completing the exam. When someone graduates, they are celebrated by the entire community. It is a wonderful thing.