Kundalini yoga originated in North India, Nepal and Tibet.The word kundalini refers to a reservoir of untapped, dormant energy at the base of the spine. According to Kurt Keutzer of the University of California Berkeley, the goal of kundalini yoga is to awaken this energy and liberate the person “from the limited bounds of the self-centered and alienated ego.” Its practice is associated with internal and external manifestations. Without proper instruction, these might cause unwanted, even dangerous reactions in the body and mind of some kundalini practitioners.
Physical Effects
The experience of Kundalini awakening, as well as the changes and stages that lead to it, may be uncomfortable and harmful to the individual. On the Wayne University website, Donald J. DeGracia, Ph.D., warns that a person may experience sensations of shivers or tremors in the spine, spontaneous motor movements and alterations in breathing. The person may also spontaneously cry or laugh in a form unassociated with emotional reactions. They might undergo alterations in the judgment of body temperature and experience visual and audio hallucinations affecting how they perceive the physical environment.
Mental Imbalance
The practice of kundalini yoga can sometimes create great imbalances in the mind of participants. Berkeley’s Keutzer says that this is due incorrect application of the breath control techniques practiced in this form of yoga. Documented cases exist of full-blown psychotic episodes as a result of awakenings of kundalini. Other mental imbalance symptoms include extreme agitation and anxiety, as formerly suppressed material enters the conscious mind. Mental disturbance and discomfort can be lessened by practicing kundalini under the guidance of a qualified teachers.
Spiritual Manifestations
In addition to the mental and physical effects of kundalini, spiritual manifestations have also been reported by practitioners. DeGracia cites the recall of past lives, enhanced psychic powers, emptying of the mind, revelation of mysteries and mystical experiences as being part of kundalini awakening. As these spiritual effects can conflict with the faith of many western religions, a confusion or contradiction could result in the belief system of practitioners unprepared to deal with them. DeGracia also notes that the effects of kundalini are intense and comparable to the ingestion of the powerful hallucinogen, LSD.
