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Meditation

A Kundalini Breath Meditation

A special breath-based meditation from the Kundalini tradition, using a distinctive breathing pattern to quiet the mind. A deeper practice to explore once the earlier guided sessions feel familiar.

By RohiniUpdated 23 July 2026
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Step by step

  1. 1

    Sit in Sukhasana

    Take a comfortable cross-legged seat (Sukhasana) with the spine tall and easy, and settle for a moment with the natural breath.

  2. 2

    Learn the breath pattern

    This Kundalini-tradition practice uses a specific breathing pattern to guide the mind inward. Follow the pattern gently as Rohini leads it, keeping the breath smooth rather than forced.

  3. 3

    Let the mind settle

    As the breath pattern continues, allow the attention to soften and turn inward, letting a quiet, spacious feeling arise on its own.

  4. 4

    Rest

    Return to a normal, easy breath and rest in stillness for a few moments before opening the eyes.

Benefits

  • A distinctive breath-led meditation
  • Draws on the Kundalini tradition
  • Guides the mind inward and settles it
  • A next step after the guided-meditation basics

About this practice

In the final episode of her meditation series, Rohini shares a special practice from the Kundalini tradition, built around a distinctive breathing pattern she describes as powerful for quieting the mind. Seated in Sukhasana with a tall spine, you follow the breath pattern gently and let the attention turn inward. Because it's a more active breath practice, keep it easy and stop if you feel light-headed.

Follow the full guided practice in the video above, once the earlier episodes feel comfortable.

Related practices

Video transcriptIn this session, Rohini guides you through a Kundalini pranayama of double inhales and exhales followed by silent, still meditation.

Namaste, welcome back friends, this is the last episode of our meditation and it is one of the most special ones. So I'm going to be teaching you a very special pranayama. This is from the Kundalini tradition of yoga and the breath work is phenomenally powerful. It will automatically take your mind to a transcendental level. It means you will just allow yourself to feel like you're floating even though you're physically sitting in this body.

So for this, the seat is always Sukhasana, this cross-legged position, spine is very nice and straight, and the breath work is made up of two inhales through the nose and two exhales through the mouth. Breath must sound like, got it? Like you're breathing something really beautiful and you're exhaling out, like you're blowing out a candle flame. It's as simple as that.

Today we're just going to do that breath. You don't worry about counting. Just hear my voice, hear my breathing. Keep pace with me, and when I say bring it to a stop, bring it to a stop and then observe the quality of meditation. So we're ready, sit comfortably, hands on the knees, spine is straight. Just hear my voice and breathe with me. You know the technique now. So eyes come to a close, let's begin.

Last one. Just allow the breath to come to a standstill. Allow the spine to be straight in your body, almost like a painting. Unmoving. As you sit still for a few seconds, you feel that energy moving inside your body. Witness it. Notice the quality of this energy, if it's light or heavy. And is it moving up or down? Just continue to sit still and notice how easy an effort it is to sit still. All that the pranayama did was silence the mind.

Be even more still if possible. Allow yourself to go deeper inside your body. It should almost feel like you're asleep inside, but the body is present. Now visualize the energy move up your spine, towards the brain, like two palms of fingers. Sit even more still.

Take your last few seconds here. Just going deeper and deeper into the stillness that is inside us. Good. Stay here for the last couple of counts.

Very, very, very slowly, draw the energy back to your fingers. Your toes. Your body. Slowly start by rubbing your palms together. Gently at first and just a bit more. Slowly placing it over the eyes. Opening the eyes. And gently coming back to life. Well done, guys.

So this pranayama is from the Kundalini tradition. And in the traditional school of yoga, Asana is taught, then pranayama. The reason being, only when the mind is ready with the physical body, it's ready to transcend and use the breath. And once you're comfortable with using the breath in powerful ways, you're automatically quiet in the mind and you're naturally ready for meditation. Those are your steps.

So follow this step when it becomes an effortless practice. It'll not be as difficult as we sometimes think it to be. Good luck. Leave any feedback in the comments. Thank you.

Frequently asked questions

Is a breath-based meditation good for beginners?
Breath is a natural anchor for the mind, so breath-led meditation suits beginners well. This one uses a specific pattern, so learn it gently, keep the breath unforced, and build up slowly.
What if I feel light-headed?
Stop the pattern and return to normal, easy breathing until it passes. Strong breath practices should never be forced, and anyone with a relevant health condition should learn them only under qualified guidance.

Keep exploring

References

  • Kundalini and Hatha traditions on breath-based meditation · Classical textTraditional context for breath-led meditative practice.

Common questions

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