by Kalee Brown, Collective Evolution
As we come into Spring, a time that represents rebirth and growth after a period of darkness, this is the perfect time to talk about Kundalini energy! Spring relates to transformation and rebirth in nature, so what better time to focus on your personal energy and overall wellness?
As you let go of anything that no longer serves you and welcome more light into your life, you’re likely releasing energy and blockages on your chakras. An excellent way to do this is actually through Kundalini yoga, a branch that focuses on awareness, consciousness, and chakras. However, what exactly is Kundalini energy and how do you awaken it?
If you’re unfamiliar with the chakra system, please read this article first.
What Is Kundalini Energy?
Kundalini energy is an ancient concept derived from Hindu texts and ancient yogic scripts. Kundalini is a Sanskrit term that translates to “coiled one,” which is why the symbol for Kundalini energy incorporates a serpent coiled around the spine approximately three and a half times. Kundalini is often illustrated using two serpents intertwined around one another as they twist upwards, ascending the spine in a circular motion, representing the awakening and balancing of each chakra.
Here’s a standard illustration of the Kundalini symbol:
Interestingly enough, the intertwined shape that the serpents form together resembles the design of the double helix DNA. It is said that our DNA contains ancient, universal information, as if it’s a living library for us to access through consciousness. Yogic texts explain that Kundalini energy is present when a fetus begins to form in the mother’s womb, and that it coils at the base of the spine at birth. Kundalini energy can stay coiled at the base of the spine until death, at which point it returns to Source, or it can be awakened.
Kundalini energy can begin to unravel, starting from the base of the spine and working its way up to the crown of the head, as a result of spiritual practices and/or life events affecting your chakras and personal growth. This process can be extremely slow or can occur suddenly and all at once, almost as if it was an explosion of energy.
According to yogis, the two nerve currents that move up the spine represented by serpents are a combination of masculine and feminine energy. Ida is the left channel, or the serpent pictured on the left, representing white, feminine, cold, and the Moon. Pingala is the right channel, which is red, masculine, hot, and is associated with the Sun.
In the middle, there’s the Sushumna, or the central channel, which the Kundalini moves through and upwards, from the root chakra or the Muladhara chakra, all the way up to the crown chakra or the Sahasrara chakra. The energy runs from the base of the spine, from what Yogis refer to as Mother Shakti all the way up to the spine to Lord Shiva, the crown. Once the Kundalini energy reaches the brain, or the upper chakras, the Yogi soul is said to be free, the divine masculine and feminine energies merged and enlightenment is achieved or experienced.
If the Kundalini awakens suddenly, there can be numerous physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms including nausea, sweating, and increased energy. This makes sense given that an over-active, under-active, or blocked chakra can manifest into physical and emotional symptoms, just as your physical and emotional health affects your chakras as well, it’s all interconnected!
It is said that the initial awakening process of the Kundalini can feel very strange in the gut, or in the region of the solar plexus chakra, as if you’re riding a roller coaster and you just experienced a sudden drop. It can also feel as strongly as an orgasm!
The process can be much slower if there are any serious blockages on your chakras. Energy needs to be able to flow freely when the Kundalini travels up the spine, so any blockages could prevent this energy from moving upwards.
An awakened Kundalini can be a beautiful thing, as it can help individuals experience higher consciousness, access their psychic abilities, improve manifestation, open their hearts, raise their vibration, and increase their overall levels of compassion and creativity.
Like anything else in this world, a Kundalini awakening cannot be forced. It can only be achieved if it’s truly desired at a soul level; however, there are actions you can take to help you awaken your Kundalini energy!
How To Awaken Your Kundalini Energy
Like many other elements of the spiritual journey, Kundalini energy can sometimes be awakened through the breath, yoga, or simply through awareness. You could try meditating and using a standard breathing technique, inhaling from the base of the spine or abdomen and then envisioning the energy flowing to the crown of the head, and then exhaling in the opposite direction.
You can also practice Kundalini yoga, an ancient stream of yoga that involves a combination of yoga poses and meditation. Kundalini yoga is very focused on awareness in general and activating all of the chakras.
As the Kundalini Research Institute explains, “The primary objective [of Kundalini] is to awaken the full potential of human awareness in each individual; that is, recognize our awareness, refine that awareness, and expand that awareness to our unlimited Self. Clear any inner duality, create the power to deeply listen, cultivate inner stillness, and prosper and deliver excellence in all that we do.”
I also believe that through learning and studying spirituality, this knowledge can activate your Kundalini and help your soul remember this ancient knowledge. It is said that our DNA literally contains knowledge, and through awareness and expanding our consciousness, this can help us access this ancient information stored within us!
Sources:
http://www.tantra-kundalini.com/nadis.htm
*I have been studying yoga for a while, so much of the information included in this article is my own personal knowledge and understanding of the universe. Much love!
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2017/04/18/what-is-kundalini-energy-how-can-you-awaken-it/
