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Shakti , feminine creative principle personified in the form of the Hindu goddesses Parvati, Kali, Durga and Saraswati.

The word Shakti means "power", "strength" and "force". Indeed, Shakti is a powerful feminine creative energy present in each of us, even men. This concept is personified by the mother goddess Devi, herself represented by Parvati (wife of Shiva), Durga, Saraswati and Kali. These divinities in Hinduism form the feminine pole (energy), Shiva being the masculine pole (divine consciousness). The union of the 2 extremities leads to enlightenment, according to the principle of tantrism. In Kundalini Yoga, the Hindu goddess symbolizes the serpent located at the root chakra. It is then that the rise of Kundalini signifies the awakening of Shakti . Shakti yoga aims to feel this energy.

Who is Shakti in Hinduism?

In the Hindu religion, Shakti represents the feminine divine power or feminine creative energy. She is also the "Divine Mother". From a more physical point of view, this deity of India translates fertility, motherhood as well as creativity. You also find this energy in every man, but not expressed.

The divine creative power is represented by Devi, a major Hindu goddess . She can take the form of Parvati (goddess of devotion and harmony), Kali (goddess of destruction), Saraswati (goddess of arts and wisdom) or Durga (goddess of courage and strength).

Shakti is worshipped by the Shaktas ( śākta ) in the religion of Shaktism (a branch of Hinduism) which is part of Tantrism . This deity of Hindu mythology is often shown as the wife of Shiva (Parvati) thus expressing the feminine side of the god, himself expressing the masculine side. Tantrism suggests the union of the two poles: Shakti (energy) and Shiva (divine Consciousness). This concept is embodied by Ardhanarishvara . Moreover, the goddess of India has a close link with the Kundalini, that is to say that she is personified as the serpent present in each of us at the level of the root chakra . The rise of the Kundalini requires union with Shiva located at the level of the crown chakra to achieve pure consciousness, zenitude and supreme energy.

The symbol of Shakti in yoga

Awakening Shakti Through Yoga

Awakening Shakti is one of the many goals of yoga practice, that is, awakening the serpent present at the base of the sacrum in order to raise the Kundalini energy along the spine to the top of the head. This is an important point in the art of yoga, taught by Kundalini Yoga , in order to evolve consciousness and achieve enlightenment. Don't panic if you don't feel your Shakti (inner energy) immediately! It requires practice! However, you can also find your Shakti with Pranayama (breathing exercises), chanting mantras or meditation.

Discover Shakti yoga: Adi Vajra Shakti yoga

You can awaken your kundalini Shakti and worship your femininity during an Adi Vajra Shakti yoga session. This type of practice combines dynamic and static asanas, breathing (Pranayama), meditation times, guided relaxation and spontaneous movements. It is also a way to facilitate the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle and menopause.

Adi Shakti Mantra, the chant to invoke creative energy

“ Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wahe Guru ” is a Kundalini Yoga mantra, honoring Shakti and translating to “The creator and his creation are one. This is our true identity. The ecstasy of this wisdom is great, beyond words.” It was one of the first mantras transmitted by Yogi Bajhan in the United States. Its 8 syllables group the 7 chakras as well as the aura. Quietly installed on your yoga mat or meditation cushion , recite the Shakti mantra to connect to the feminine creative power and awaken the Kundalini energy.

Discover what Kundalini energy is thanks to the book Merveilleuse kundalini by Régine Degremont.

You have probably already heard someone talk about chakras? But, do you really know what they are? Some will say that they do not exist while others will swear by them. These are found inside each person, circulating energy for the proper functioning of the body. In this article, you will discover what is the chakra , but also why it is very important and finally how yoga can be very useful in this area.

How do chakras work ?

You may not know this, but there are 7 chakras: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown. These are the basis of traditional Indian or Ayurvedic medicine . They form your invisible energy centers inside your fleshy envelope.

Thus, they absorb the prana energy or life force, entering your body through your breathing. The chakras can be materialized as a column of light starting at the base of your spine and ending at the top of your head. The energy centers located lower down form your instinctual side while those located higher up form the mental side. Each chakra is connected to organs, sounds, an element, a color as well as functions of consciousness.

Kundalini energy, also called spiritual force, flows through each energy center, from the bottom to the top, where it regroups by rotating clockwise. This is what happens when the chakras are harmonized.

Why harmonize your chakras ?

Spiritual force must be able to pass through your chakras without surplus or deficiency and in a balanced manner. However, emotions, stress, poor lifestyle, unresolved psychological wounds or discomfort can disrupt your energy centers. Thus, the chakras close which prevents the energy from circulating well, leading to illnesses. Either they slow down their speed of movement or shrink, reflecting inactivity of the corresponding organ, or they enlarge or amplify their pace, leading to emotional and physical complications.

In order to overcome these inconveniences, it is necessary to open the chakras . However, rebalancing your energy centers should not exempt you from consulting a health professional. To harmonize your chakras yourself, it can be useful to practice yoga regularly.

How to balance your chakras with kundalini yoga exercises ?

Yoga postures, also called asanas, help balance and open the chakras because they circulate energy throughout the body. Kundalini yoga, which appeared in the West in 1969, suggests postures, chanting, meditations and breathing for each energy center. It is a technique that combines yoga and spiritual practice. Thus, it allows the kundalini energy to circulate through the body from the root chakra (base of the spine) to the crown chakra (top of the head) through the five other energy centers. When the life force circulates to the seventh chakra, the path is complete and enlightenment is possible.