With the stressors of modern life, people in the early 21st century seem to be in search of alternative ways to cope with nervous tension. As a global environment encourages the sharing of cultural customs, Eastern philosophies and practices have found a place in Western societies, especially as a means for dealing with stress. Americans are embracing practices such as kundalini and tai chi for relaxation. Defining these can help you embrace such philosophies.
Kundalini
Based on Tantra philosophy, kundalini references Shakti, the feminine energy that makes up half of the universe opposite the masculine half of Shiva. According to the ancient philosophy, consciousness and the universe are intertwined, with the universe being a manifestation of pure consciousness, according to the Tantra-Kundalini.com website. It is through the practice of Kundalini yoga that cosmic energy is awakened in an individual and rises in the chakras, or psychic centers, in the body. The word kundalini translates to the word snake in English and represents the untapped energy potential coiled up like a spring at the base of the spine in all humans, according to professor Kurt Keutzer at University of California Berkeley. All creative and dynamic energy comes from kundalini.
Tai Chi
Tai chi means supreme polarity, and it references the dependency and opposition of yin and yang in the universe. Like Tantra and other Eastern philosophies, the polarity of yin and yang demonstrates the dualistic nature of the universe, and all in existence can be described as yin and yang, or masculine and feminine, according to the Tai Chi Central website. Tai chi philosophy emphasizes opposition in harmony and encourages the desire for mental and physical balance, avoidance of extremes, and harmonious living. Tai chi also is a form of martial arts, and its practice fosters the circulation, strength and balance of chi, or energy flow, within and throughout the body, according to physics professor Jing Gao of Kean University.
Consciousness and Spirituality
Although kundalini is a form of yoga and tai chi a form of martial arts, both practices encourage body-mind-spirit connectivity and balance. A holistic balance is derived from the natural resources of energy within the body that are connected to the polarity of the universe. All forms of yoga are rooted in ancient Tibetan beliefs and teachings, and kundalini is associated with prana, or a holistic awakening, usually achieved through breathing and meditation. Chi is an ancient Chinese concept that can be compared to the Indian concept of prana, according to Keutzer. Both philosophies encourage a state of enlightenment found through consciousness, connectivity and balance.
Physical Connection
Through the practices of kundalini yoga and the martial art of tai chi, participants can experience a desired level of consciousness and associated physical benefits, according to Keutzer. The concept of prana in both practices is related to breathing meditation and its effects on the body. It's through breathing and movement that energy stores are triggered within the body. Kundalini and tai chi may be different terminologies for the same experiences, says Keutzer. With tai chi practice, individuals may experience energy that originates in the spine and disperses throughout the body, which can then trigger a variety of experiences resulting in sensitivity and vitality. Kundalini yoga practice can bring about a similar experience in that energy rises up from the base of the spine and then overwhelms ordinary consciousness, adds Keutzer.
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