What is Kundalini? Awakening the energy within through Yoga, breath & awareness

I am often asked — “Guru Singh, what is Kundalini?” The question stirs a gentle smile because Kundalini is not merely a “what,” but an infinite essence — a silent, sacred force that awakens when the soul is ready. The sages called it “The Taming of the Dragon” — learning to ride this immense kundalini energy with wisdom.

Kundalini awakening is not something that happens outside of you. It is the moment your inner universe begins to spiral into conscious awareness. It starts within the body, but it echoes through all of life.

This power is physical, and it is primal. It lies coiled — three and a half times — at the base of your spine, nestled in the sympathetic and parasympathetic pelvic plexus. The word Kundalini in Sanskrit means “coiled line.” But it is more than a shape — it is your life’s story folded within you, waiting to be read.

The kundalini awakening process is not about adding anything to yourself — it is about unfolding what’s already there.

The ancient roots of Kundalini awakening

The wisdom of kundalini awakening stretches back thousands of years. It was first described in the sacred Upanishads, and its practices blossomed in the 9th century with Kundalini Yoga. This spiritual technology matured further in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which spoke of kundalini energy as the key to transcending the material world.

In these teachings, Kundalini Shakti — the feminine power of creation — is revered as the Divine Mother. She is the force behind all transformation. She is not dormant because she is weak — she is dormant because she is waiting for you to be ready.

When Guru Nanak shared the science of Shabd Guru, he deepened the pathway to kundalini awakening through sound and mantra. He knew that this sacred resonance could awaken the kundalini energy in a way that was both profound and safe — as a householder’s path.

How Kundalini energy moves in the body

Your body is not merely a physical vessel — it is a temple of kundalini energy. When you engage with kundalini yoga — through movement, sound, mudras, and breath — you send a message to Kundalini Shakti. You say: “I am ready.”

As this kundalini energy begins to rise through the central channel (Sushumna), it ignites the chakras like candles. With each ignition, a new perception, a new awakening, a new consciousness becomes available to you.

Every breath you take during kundalini yoga is a conversation with Kundalini Shakti. Every mantra you chant, every posture you hold, is a signal — calling the Divine energy up through the body.

The Science and soul of Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is more than a practice — it is a path. It is a precise spiritual science that awakens kundalini energy while grounding it through discipline and devotion.

Through kriyas (yogic sequences), pranayama (breath control), mantra (sacred sound), and meditation, this yoga system orchestrates an inner symphony — a sacred tuning of your nervous system, mind, and soul.

Regular kundalini yoga practice builds resilience, clarity, compassion, and self-awareness. But it is not always easy. The path of kundalini awakening often challenges you, reflecting the duality of life itself. Yet within that challenge, you become more alive.

Recognizing the signs of a Kundalini awakening

When Kundalini Shakti begins to rise, she speaks in sensations:

  • A surge of heat up the spine
  • Vivid dreams or visions
  • Emotional release or blissful stillness
  • Spontaneous movement or deep meditation
  • Heightened intuition and inner clarity

These signs of kundalini awakening are not always dramatic — sometimes they are subtle whispers. But whether quiet or loud, they are always sacred.

How to navigate the journey with grace

Kundalini awakening is not a solo act. It is a sacred relationship. To walk this path safely and joyfully:

  • Engage in kundalini yoga with humility
  • Keep a daily practice of meditation and grounding
  • Use sound, mantra, and prayer to stabilize energy
  • Seek the support of experienced teachers and community
  • Journal each shift, each symptom, each awakening

This journey is not about bypassing life — it is about embracing it more fully.

Kundalini Shakti: The divine mother within

Kundalini Shakti is the creative power of the cosmos within your own spine. She is the sacred feminine, the one who knows how to transform pain into wisdom, and stillness into power.

She is the river that flows from body to spirit — carrying you toward your infinite Self.

To welcome Kundalini Shakti is to return to truth. To recognize the beauty in your own unfolding. To awaken with reverence, not urgency. With compassion, not comparison.

Her message is always clear: You are already whole.

Sat Nam,

Guru Singh & Guruperkarma Kaur
Founders of KundaliniUniversity.com
& The13Moons.studio

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Written by
A life rooted in spirit and service Guru Singh is a luminous presence in the world of spirituality—a third-generation yogi, master spiritual teacher, author, accomplished musician, and visual artist whose work seamlessly bridges the ancient and the contemporary. Electric, vital, and profoundly
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Grayson4793
Grayson4793
20 days ago

I always thought Kundalini was just about the “serpent energy,” but this article really opened my eyes to its deeper spiritual significance.

Ivan279
Ivan279
19 days ago

The explanation of Kundalini as a dormant force waiting to be awakened resonates with me. It feels like a call to explore my own inner potential.

Owen1493
Owen1493
18 days ago

I appreciate how the article emphasizes that Kundalini awakening isn’t just a physical experience but a profound spiritual journey.

Tara2534
Tara2534
18 days ago

The connection between Kundalini energy and the chakras is fascinating. It makes me want to learn more about how they interact and influence each other.

Jordan3947
Jordan3947
18 days ago

I love how the article describes Kundalini as the “coiled line” at the base of the spine. It’s a poetic way to understand this powerful energy.

Rose2262
Rose2262
18 days ago

The mention of Kundalini in ancient texts like the Upanishads adds a layer of depth to its significance in spiritual practices.

Eva2034
Eva2034
18 days ago

It’s enlightening to learn that Kundalini awakening is not about adding something new but unfolding what’s already within us.

Max328
Max328
17 days ago

The idea of Kundalini as the Divine Mother, or Shakti, is beautiful. It frames the awakening process as a nurturing and transformative experience.

Hugh2863
Hugh2863
17 days ago

I appreciate the emphasis on the readiness of the practitioner. It reminds me that spiritual growth is a personal journey that unfolds in its own time.

Gracie2564
Gracie2564
17 days ago

The article’s explanation of how Kundalini energy moves through the body and ignites the chakras is both informative and inspiring.

Adrian2411
Adrian2411
16 days ago

I never realized how interconnected breath, movement, and sound are in awakening Kundalini energy. This holistic approach makes so much sense.

Julian2414
Julian2414
16 days ago

The concept of Kundalini awakening as a conversation with the Divine energy through each breath and mantra is profound.

Bobby4930
Bobby4930
15 days ago

I love how the article presents Kundalini Yoga as a precise spiritual science. It makes the practice feel both grounded and sacred.

Desirae3333
Desirae3333
15 days ago

The mention of kriyas, pranayama, and mantra in the context of Kundalini Yoga shows how each element contributes to the awakening process.

Gwen4332
Gwen4332
15 days ago

It’s inspiring to think of regular Kundalini Yoga practice as a way to build resilience, clarity, compassion, and self-awareness.

Jill4764
Jill4764
15 days ago

The article’s reminder that the path of Kundalini awakening often challenges you is both comforting and motivating.

Roy2675
Roy2675
15 days ago

I appreciate the holistic approach to Kundalini awakening, integrating mind, body, and spirit. It makes the practice feel more accessible and meaningful.

Alec3595
Alec3595
13 days ago

The idea that Kundalini awakening is not just about personal transformation but also about connecting with the greater universe is inspiring.

Amy2584
Amy2584
13 days ago

I love how the article presents Kundalini awakening as a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. It makes me excited to explore this path.

Kaylee143
Kaylee143
10 days ago

The emphasis on the readiness of the practitioner in the article reminds me that spiritual growth is a personal journey that unfolds in its own time.

Clifton1535
Clifton1535
10 days ago