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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.

Shiva , the greatest of the Hindu gods .

Shiva , a term meaning "the beneficent, the one who brings good luck". This name is not completely unknown to you and for good reason this god of India is one of the most famous. Husband of Parvati and father of Ganesh, he symbolizes both creation and destruction. He is also the king of dance, which is why he is represented in the form of Naṭarāja . However, in some representations, he appears with his Shakti (feminine pole), where he expresses masculine energy. Living on Mount Kailash, he is considered the god of yoga, inspiring several postures and the symbol of pure consciousness. This Hindu deity is the subject of many legends including one at the origin of the snake placed around his neck.

Shiva, a great deity of Hinduism

Shiva god , also named Civa or Siva, is the most revered god of Hindu mythology , especially in the religion of Shaivism (variant of Hinduism). However, his first name was Indra (king of the gods) at the time of Ancient India and Vedic legends. Living on Mount Kailash in the heart of the Himalayas, he is the deity of destruction for the creation of a new world (symbol of the cycles of life). He is also considered the king of dance and the god of yoga, protecting the earth from the goddess of the Ganges (the most famous river in India) called Ganga. Thus, this god in Hinduism calms the vigor of the waves by attenuating them in his hair.

Know that the god Shiva is part of the 3 divinities of the Trimurti just like Vishnu (energy of preservation) and Brahma (creative energy).

He is the father of the famous god Ganesh , symbolizing wisdom and prosperity. His wife is none other than the goddess Parvati (name meaning "woman of the mountain"), reincarnation of Sati and sister of Vishnu. Also called Shakti, she represents the supreme feminine principle. Shiva being the masculine principle. Nandi his faithful mount, representing a bull, is also the subject of a legend.

How is Shiva represented in Hinduism?

There are many representations of the god Shiva : an ascetic, a mendicant, a yogi, with Shakti (feminine power) creating a hermaphrodite creature ( Ardhanari ), a lingam or meditating. But, his best known form is Naṭarāja , the lord of the dance or cosmic dancer, who marks the destruction and creation of the world (rebirth), symbol of the eternal. In this case, this god of Hindu legend has 4 arms and is generally found in a circle of flames.

The incredible legends of the Hindu god Shiva

A fantastic legend accompanies the representation of the deity Shiva . Sati, daughter of Daksha (god of sacrifice in Hindu mythology ) had the desire to marry Shiva . However, her father was not of this opinion, but he ended up accepting the union. However, Daksha did not invite the god of destruction to the sacrifice ( Yagna ) in honor of Vishnu. It was then that Sati plunged into the sacrificial fire, hurt by the insults uttered by her father on her husband. Shiva wanted revenge. The Hindu god joined the place of the ritual, took the corpse of his beloved on his shoulders and then did a dance of death ( Tandava ). This god of India attacked the divinities present and cut off Daksha's head to throw it into the fire. He threatened to destroy the world. It was then that Vishnu (the one who preserves the universe) arrived to appease Shiva . The latter, not finding Daksha's head, replaced it with a goat's head. Thus, Sati's father recognized in him a great Hindu divinity and became his servant. Finally, the god Shiva meditated until his wife's reincarnation as Parvati.

Another legend tells that Shiva and Vishnu went to a forest to do battle with heretics. Angry, their opponents sent a tiger, a snake and a dwarf to retaliate. The Hindu god killed the tiger. That is why he is depicted sitting on the feline's skin. The deity Shiva tamed the snake and placed it around his neck. Finally, he put his foot on the dwarf and began a powerful dance. Then, the people recognized Shiva as their god.

The Meaning of Shiva in Yoga

Shiva is the god of yoga, which is why he is represented in the form of a yogi with universal knowledge. Some would say that the practice of yoga seeks the union between Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy). Moreover, 84,000 asanas come from his movements, including the dancer's posture, also called Shiva's posture ( Shivâsana or Shiva-âsana ).

The Hindu god in yoga is the origin of all mantras. You can invoke Shiva during your meditations while sitting quietly on your yoga mat or on a meditation cushion , thanks to a specific mantra: Om Namah Shivaya . This means "Worship of Shiva" or "to meditate in Lord Shiva".

• Om symbolizing the divine vibration of the universe,
• Namah or Namaha meaning respect, homage or adoration,
• Shivaya or Shiva showing absolute reality, pure Consciousness.

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A famous Hindu deity , Ganesh occupies an important place in yoga . Like his representation, this elephant-headed god is the symbol of wisdom and prosperity . He brings protection to those who invoke him in the beginning of all things. He is a great ally who brings good luck . Venerated in India, he is nonetheless known in the West. He is widely represented in the practice of Yoga , whether meditation or postures . Let's trace his history and symbolism in yoga.

The legend of Ganesh

There are several versions explaining the birth of Ganesh and especially regarding his elephant head. He is the worthy son of Shiva and Parvati. According to legends, he is sometimes considered a pure creation of Parvati (wife of Shiva). However, in some Puranas, it was Shiva who created Ganesh at the request of the Gods to protect them from their enemies.

The most famous legend tells that Parvati conceived Ganesh in the absence of Shiva who had gone to meditate in the Himalayas. Ganesh was created by Parvati using dust, ointments, oil and water from the Ganges so that she would feel less alone in the absence of her husband. She made Ganesh her guardian, to ensure her protection. When Shiva returned, he found Ganesh blocking his path, guarding Parvati's door as she was taking a bath. Shiva, furious at being denied access to his home, cut off Ganesh's head. Dying of grief, Parvati demanded that her husband give her back her life. Shiva, who had not recognized their son and anxious to make up for his clumsiness, promised to replace Ganesh's head with that of the first living being he would find. In his quest, the God Shiva met a baby elephant, he adorned Ganesh's body with its head to bring him back to life. After this, Shiva recognized Ganesh as his own son and appointed him as the chief of all his servants.

Symbolism and meaning in yoga

The story of Ganesh represents the dual birth process that every individual is brought to pass through. First, there is the birth of the body on Earth, then comes the birth of the spirit through the awakening of consciousness. This is what Yoga teaches us: the harmony of body and mind.

Ganesh is represented by the first chakra at the base of the spine. Hence its importance in the practice of Kundalini yoga , he is the Master of Kundalini and the subtle channels. This practice is the energetic harmonization of the body and mind, it allows the release of the vital energy that lies dormant in each of us. This work is based on the 7 chakras, it will be facilitated and more effective by using the appropriate yoga equipment .

The Hindu God Ganesh also finds his full significance in other forms of yoga, as he is the one who brings protection in the beginning of all undertakings or in preparing for a journey. He is the one who removes obstacles or sets them up if he deems them necessary.

Invoking Ganesh: Mantra-Yoga

Meditation is one of the keys to awakening the mind, it can be done comfortably on a yoga mat or in the great outdoors. It allows the mind to rise and become aware of what surrounds it. Mantra is a song that helps to meditate. It is used to bring vibrations through sound into the astral body. These vibrations help to harmonize our energy centers and especially our chakras .

This is why reciting a mantra acts on concentration and helps to manage stress. It is good to invoke the mantras of Ganesh in yoga, because it defends values ​​of perseverance, it teaches us how to overcome the obstacles encountered on the path of our life. The mantras of Ganesh protect from evil and bring success. The Om Gam Ganapataye Namah is a very good example:

• Om = The sound of the universe
• Gam = This is the sound of Ganesh's power. It represents his "seed syllable" or bija mantra
• Ganapataye = This is another name given to Ganesh which means: the breaker of obstacles
• Namaha = I bow

Ganesh is a benevolent god to take as an example, he invites introspection and discernment when we encounter difficulties. He teaches us that we must learn from our failures in order to progress. If, like Ganesh, you want to overcome obstacles, yoga is the discipline that will help you find this balance. To fully enjoy your sessions, equip yourself with a good yoga mat as well as comfortable equipment specially designed for the practice of this discipline.

The Upanishads , more than texts, they form the absolute Truth revealed by sages.

The term Upanishad means "sitting on the ground at the feet of the Master". The sacred Upanishad texts originate from India. They constitute the theoretical knowledge of the Veda (sacred texts of Vedism) and teach the ultimate Truth (called Brahman) and the solutions to access it in order to free oneself from inner suffering. Brought by sages centuries ago, they are interpreted by masters to disciples. At the beginning of the 19th century, it is thanks to the Upanishad mantras that Westerners discovered the Hindu religion. Some Upanishads even serve as a basis for the practice of yoga.

Where do the Upanishadic mantras come from?

The first major upanishad mantras were written between 800 and 500 BC. They were composed by the Rishis (wise seers) wishing to find the Truth. Then, these masters went to the forests and the banks of the Ganges (in India) to meditate and uncover the secrets of human psychology and spirituality. Not having given their identity, some upanishads are sometimes anonymous.

Later, they were taught by the masters to their disciples from generation to generation. However, the word of Truth was not given to everyone, because one had to have a mind ready to hear it and really want to acquire this knowledge.

The Upanishadic texts, sacred Hindu texts

The ancient upanishad texts (major upanishads) are linked to the Veda transcribing the Truth (the Brahman). They were written in Sanskrit in a style all their own between logic, paradox, poem, esotericism and mysticism. You find the Vedic upanishads , those which are revealed and linked to the Sruti and the Vedanta in Hinduism. But also, the non-Vedic upanishads which are the transcription of the memory of men and linked to the Smriti.

There are 108 Upanishads in the Muktika canon, of which 10 are major and 98 are minor (2 are designated as major: Shvetashvatara Upanishad and Kaushitaki Upanishad). The major Upanishads are sacred, part of the Sruti and form the conclusion of the Vedas:

• Aitareya Upanishad
• Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
• Isha Upanishad
• Taittiriya Upanishad
• Katha Upanishad
• Chandogya Upanishad
• Kena Upanishad
• Mundaka Upanishad
• Mandukya Upanishad
• Prashna Upanishad

In the Muktika Upanishad , the major and minor Upanishads can be listed as follows:

• 12 Mukhya Upaniṣad or major Upaniṣad,
• 23 Sâmânyavedânta Upaniṣad in which Truth is called Brahman,
• 17 Samnâysa Upaniṣad which speak of the state of the renouncer (Samnyâsin),
• 14 Shaiva Upaniṣad where the supreme deity called Rudra (Shiva) is mentioned,
• 8 Shâkta Upaniṣad where the supreme divinity cited is Shakti,
• 14 Vaishnava Upaniṣad in which the supreme deity is called Vishnu,
• 20 Yoga Upaniṣad which say that Yoga is the path to attain knowledge.

The Upanishads are distinguished from the Vedic tradition (Vedism). The latter shows that the rapprochement with Brahman and individual benefits come from external sacrifice. On the contrary, the Upanishad texts encourage the discovery of the divine in oneself, far from a satisfaction of personal aspirations.

Before reading these sacred texts, it is necessary to do spiritual work in order to understand their profound meaning. Indeed, the Brahman (absolute Truth) is not shown directly. The masters therefore interpret the mantras of the upanishads . This is the art of commentary, still relevant in India.

Upanishad of Yoga: A relationship between Upanishads and Yoga

Among the traditional texts of yoga, you find the Upanishads of Yoga (or Yoga Upanishad ). They are composed of 20 upanishads in the Muktika canon and which show how to attain knowledge through yoga. This discipline is then a path of introspection leading to Brahman and therefore to liberation from inner suffering. But, practice alone is not enough. For this, you must broaden your knowledge by reading sacred Hindu texts.

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Here are some tips for beginners because all yogis were once beginners.

I have gathered these tips by slowly and daily evolving in my practice and from my various readings. They come from my own experience as a beginner. I wanted to share them with you. Never forget that at the center of yoga, there is first of all you.

Yoga will help you build harmony between your body, mind and spirituality to bring you more calm, joy, happiness and strength.

• If you are a beginner, start your practice slowly.

• Be humble with yourself, find your balance. It doesn't matter if you don't hold a position for long, or if you don't succeed.

  It is by advancing gently in your practice that you will achieve this. There is no hurry, the movement is slow, the breathing is long, and the relaxation is deep.

• When you go to class, the yoga session will often start with a short meditation. First, sit comfortably. For a better seat, don't hesitate to use a cork block or a folded blanket that you can slip under your buttocks.

• Close your eyes for your concentration and focus your attention on your inner body. This will allow you to see how your body feels in the present moment.

• Place your hands in prayer in front of the heart in “ATMANJALI MUDRA”. Leave some space between your palms. This “mudra” harmonizes the two hemispheres (right and left) of your brain.

• Next comes the recitation of a MANTRA (MAN means spirit, TRA means instrument). The most popular is OM (pronounced; a-au-m). The repetition of this vibratory sound connects your thought with your mind.

• In Yoga the positions are called "ASANAS", these positions are synchronized with the breath. Observe your body and repeat the position as often as it is good for you, do not forget to do the same on the other side for your balance.

• Be comfortable, yoga is a joyful practice. Remember that you are your own teacher. Listen carefully to your body. You are not here to hurt yourself.

• Practice on a good non-slip yoga mat , suitable for your practice. There are packs suitable for beginners .

• And above all BREATHE, when you practice. Your teacher will guide you in your breathing.

• In yoga breath control is called PRANAYAMA (PRANA means universal energy and YAMA means control). It is a good way to reduce stress.

• You will see that some positions require you to fix a point to increase your concentration and stabilize your position. This point is called DRISTI.

• Last tip, you have to focus on your alignment and a straight back. Don't hesitate to use straps and yoga bricks in your practice. This is how you will progress the best.

• Finally, your teacher is there to help you in your practice and if you want to practice at home, there is a very good application from Apple called Gotta Joga , it is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the names of the different positions.

Good practice.

Namaste

Patricia Nagelmackers

Photo credit: @P.Ubertti