Kundalini
To understand how Kundalini works you first have to understand that you have a snake in your spine. The Sanskrit word kundal
means “circular.” And it can be a noun for a coiled snake. The feminine
kundali means a ring, bracelet, or coil of rope. This concept was
adopted as kundalini into Hatha yoga in the 15th century and, by the
16th century, was used in the Yoga Upanishads.
So the term Kundalini means “a spiritual energy or life
force located at the base of the spine,” which is usually conceptualized
as a coiled-up serpent.
The practice of Kundalini Yoga
is supposed to arouse the sleeping Kundalini Shakti from its coiled
base through the six chakras that reside along the spine, and through
the seventh chakra, or crown. Chakras are wheels, or hubs of energy,
along which energy or prana, travels like a superhighway to distribute
energy throughout the body.
Like a snake being charmed out of a basket by a bansuri,
Kundalini weaves and coils, waking up energy and clearing stagnancy
along the way. Without the fangs.
These days Kundalini yoga is a synthesis of many traditions, and the
kriyas and meditations in Kundalini Yoga are designed to raise complete
body awareness to prepare the body, nervous system, and mind to handle
the energy of Kundalini Rising.
Many of the physical postures are designed to activate the navel,
spine, and focal points of pressurization on meridians (energy points).
Through breath work (pranayama) and the application of yogic locks of
energy (bandhas), the release, direction, and control of the flow of
Kundalini energy is achieved.