Kundalini Energy

The purpose of yoga is to line up your subtle energy channels and awaken the Kundalini or Spiritual Energy that lives coiled up at the base of your spine. We do this with breath, movement, intent and meditation.

These energy channels are known as Chakras. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates to our English word "wheel". You can envision these Chakras as spinning wheels strategically placed along your spine. Interestingly, they are located on each of your endocrine glands. There are seven main chakras and hundreds of others.

The root chakra is located at the base of your spine. The color is red. This is where your day to day activities live. It is linked to your adrenal glands. This is where your karma lives. When this chakra is open you feel connected to earth. You make good choices to nourish your body.

The sacral chakra is located just below your belly button. The color is orange. It is linked to the gonads and reproductive system. This is where your creativity and sexual energy lives. When this chakra is open you feel spontaneaous and joyful.

The solar chakra is located just above your belly button. The color is yellow. It is linked to your pancreas. This is where your willpower lives. This is where we plant the seeds of our intentions and desires. When this chakra is open you feel powerful and able to manifest anything you want.

The heart chakra is located on your heart. The color is green. It is linked to your thymus. This is where you give and receive love. In yoga, if your heart chakra opens, all the other chakras will open. The heart chakra is where your spiritual energy connects to your earthly energy. When this chakra is open you understand universal love. You give and receive freely.

The throat chakra is located at your throat. The color is sky blue. It is linked to your thyroid gland. This is where your truth lives. The voice that strongly guides you to make good choices for yourself lives there. When this chakra is open, you are able to tell truth from nontruth. You speak your truth with kindness.

The Third Eye is located just between and above your eyes. The color is indigo. It is linked to your Pituitary Gland. This is where your intuition lives. This chakra gives you a sense of knowingness and connection with your soul. When this chakra is open you have a sense of yourself as an enormous expansive creature that is connected to all things.

Finally, the Crown Chakra is located just above the crown of your head. The color is white or gold. It is linked to your Pineal Gland. This is your direct connection to spirit. When this chakra is open you feel the presense of spirit within and without you in every moment of every day.

The Kundalini energy is represented as a snake coiled up three and one half times in your root chakra. It can awaken gently over time with yoga or it can awaken suddenly on its own. A sudden awakening frequently manifests as severe back pain, but other symptoms may appear as well. When this energy awakens, you begin your spiritual journey back to your true self.

As you practice yoga, envision this rainbow of energy flowing up and down your spine. Imagine that it is connecting and releasing at the same time. Imagine that it is healing you on all levels.