What Is Kundalini Energy?

Kundalini teaches that everyone has a "serpent" coiled at the base of the spine that is a source of energy and enlightenment. In order to release and harness that energy, kundalini yoga is practiced to effectively uncoil that serpent. First-time kundalini yoga practitioners may wish to investigate the philosophy to help prepare for the poses and mudras practiced in class.

The Serpent

The idea that everyone harbors a coiled serpent power at the base of the spine is combined with the seven chakras to make kundalini a highly spiritual yoga practice. When awakened through kundalini, the serpent rises to meet the crown of the head. The asanas, breathing exercises and mudras are meant to align those chakras while uncoiling the serpent to provide a harnessed burst of energy. The practice is mean to supply the student with enlightenment and energy and is considered to be one of the most powerful types of yoga.

Signs and Symptoms

Kundalini can cause violent and sometimes unexpected reactions when used to awaken the serpent energy in your body; this is why it's important to only practice kundalini with a qualified and experienced instructor. Some of the side effects of kundalini can range from blissful visions, euphoria and mantra recitation to paranoia, trembling and growling. The reactions are often described as spontaneous and uncontrollable, like spontaneously performing various poses and chants.

History

The history of kundalini is fairly vague. Associated with various types of eighth-century tantric yoga, the earliest kundalini practiced in North America was in 1969, by Sikh leader Yogi Bhajan. Now kundalini is offered in various yoga studios. You're more likely to find a kundalini yoga teacher in advanced practices, since kundalini is a more advanced school of yoga. If you're thinking about trying kundalini, it's best that you have a firm foundation in hatha yoga.

Asanas and Mudras

Kundalini relies on breathing exercises; asanas, or poses; and mudras, or hand gestures, to help awaken the serpent power in the body and guide it through the seven chakras. You'll find that kundalini asanas are difficult and often performed on the head to allow the upward draw of the serpent. Mudras are used in conjunction with breathing to awaken and harness the energy. In order to facilitate that circulation of energy, kundalini students are asked to wear natural, flowing clothing in light colors, rather than the tight garments common in other schools of yoga.