Before I found Kundalini Yoga, I thought meditation was the way to feel calm. I’d sit still, try to quiet my mind, and somehow leave feeling more anxious than when I started. Sound familiar?

For many trauma survivors and highly sensitive women, meditation isn’t always the best entry point. Stillness can feel unsafe. What we need first is a bridge—and that bridge is the breath.

In Kundalini Yoga, breathwork (pranayama) is at the center of everything. It’s simple, but powerful. The breath gives us direct access to the nervous system. Just a few minutes of intentional breathing can shift us from panic to presence.

There’s science behind this. Certain breathing techniques stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering cortisol and calming an overactive brain. Kundalini Yoga includes many of these practices, most of which can be done anywhere, anytime.

In my own experience, breathwork became a lifeline. It helped me through moments of overwhelm—before a difficult conversation, during sleepless nights, or even in the grocery store when I felt anxiety rising. I didn’t need silence. I needed something to hold on to.

The best part? Breathwork is accessible. No tools, no equipment, no background in yoga required. All you need is a little awareness and a willingness to try.

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