1. Kundalini and Chakras
Part 1: Kundalini, Nadis
Subhash Mittal
Integral Yoga Studio
www.integralyogastudio.com
919-926-9717 subhashmittal@gmail.com

2. Overview
• What is Kundalini?
• Kundalini and Yoga
• Chakras
• Nadi system
• Methods of Awakening Kundalini
• Koshas and Chakras
• Chakra/element cleansing practice
• Summing Up
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 2

3. What is Kundalini?
• From ‘kundal’ (coiled)
• Shakti, after creating the 36 elements (tattvas), finally
rests dormant at the lowest element, earth (muladhara
chakra)
• Resides at base of spinal column
• Coiled 3.5 times like a sanke
• Three coils = 3 gunas (rajas, sattva, tamas) or three
states (waking, dreaming, deep sleep); half coil = state
of transcendence
• Tantric origins – Shiva (Purusha/Consciousness) and
Shakti (Prakriti/Energy)
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 3

4. Kundalini and Yoga
• Kundalini has origins in the Tantric philosophy
• No mention of kundalini in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
• Hatha Yoga integrates kundalini with other yoga
disciplines
• Hatha = ‘ha’ (moon/ida) + ‘tha’ (sun/pingala)
• Hatha yoga: balance the two streams of energy
so shakti can flow in sushumna
• In Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Kundalini forms a
major part of yoga
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 4

5. Chakras
• In Sanskrit, chakra translates as quot;wheel.”
• Center of activity that receives, assimilates,
and expresses life force energy (prana)
• Spinning sphere of bioenergetic activity
emanating from the major nerve centers
• seven main chakras aligned in an ascending
column from the base of the spine to the top
of the head
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 5

6. Chakras (cont.)
• Muladhara (Root)
• Svadhisthana (Sacral)
• Manipura (Navel)
• Anahata (Heart)
• Vishuddhi (Throat)
• Ajna (Third Eye)
• Sahasrara (Thousand
Petaled Lotus)
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 6

7. Chakras and Glands
Sahasrara
Pituitary Ajna
Pineal
Thyroid
Vishuddha
Parathyroid
Thymus
Anahata
Manipura Pancreas
Adrenals
Svadhishthana
Ovaries
Muladhara
Testes
10/10/2008 7
Kundalini and Nadis

8. The ‘Nadi’ System
• Channels for the flow of subtle energy
• 72,000 nadis; 3 most important:
Sushumna, Ida, Pingala
• Ida: moon/mental energy/female/left
nostril/right hemisphere of brain
• Pingala: sun/vital energy/male/right
nostril/left hemisphere of brain
• Sushumna: spiritual
awakening/central channel along the
spinal column
• Nadis start at Mooladhara, crossing
over chakras, terminating at Ajna
chakra
• Connected with ‘Svara Yoga’ (yoga of
breath)
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 8

9. ‘Granthis’ (Psychic Knots)
• Brahma Granthi –Muladhara/Tamas:
attachment to physical pleasure thru the
senses, material objects and selfishness;
negativity, ignorance
• Vishnu Granthi –Anahata/Rajas: bondage of
emotional attachment; passion, assertiveness
• Rudra Granthi – Ajna/Sattva: attachment to
siddhis, ego
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 9

10. Kundalini Awakening
• Methods of awakening: birth, mantra, austerities
(tapah), herbs, purification of body and mind, samadhi,
pranayama, kriya yoga, mudras and bandhas, tantric
initiation, shaktipat, self-surrender
• When awakened, travels up through Sushumna nadi,
crossing the six chakras on way, merging finally with
Shiva, supreme consciousness at Sahasrara chakra
• Awakening results in greater sensitivity, control of
senses, slower aging, a greater sense of calm,
increased intuitive wisdom, and a more palpable
experience of spirituality
• Important to be aware of risks and precautions –
proper guidance is needed
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 10

11. Koshas and Chakras
• Annamaya (physical sheath formed by food) –
Muladhara (earth), Svadhishthana (water),
Manipura (fire)
• Pranamaya (universal life force- circulating
vital air) – Anahata (air), Vishuddhi (ether )
• Manomaya (cognitive) - Ajna
• Vijnanamaya (discriminative/intuitive) – Ajna
• Anandamaya – Sahasrara
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 11

12. Koshas
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 12

13. Chakra/Element Cleansing
• A simple routine that will guide you through
the various chakras, purifying the chakras and
the associated elements in the process
• Prepare you for a deeper meditative
experience
• Follow along with the audio recording
10/10/2008 Kundalini and Nadis 13