In Shaivism, one of the major sectors in yogic schools of thought, there is divine feminine energy that takes the form of the goddess, Shakti. Shakti represents the dynamic energy that harnesses the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the universe. It is the maternal energy that provides abundance and sustenance offering nourishment, comfort, and security. When in unison with Shakti’s counterpart Shiva, the two manifest Source consciousness. The left side is the Divine Mother, or Pārvatī, the “feminine” energy. The right side represents Shiva, the “masculine” consciousness.
Shakti Healing
Shakti resides in the Mūlādhāra or “Root” Chakra. This chakra forms the basis and the starting point for our spiritual development. It rests in our lower chakra waiting to bring the unconscious to light. The karma of our past lives rest in the root chakra. Shakti can clear this trauma. Buried traumas or experiences that were deeply ingrained into our consciousness come to the surface so they can finally be healed and released. When we tap into this divine energy, we are given the opportunity to resolve tensions and remove blockages while awakening the dormant powers within us.
Kundalini Practices
The Shakti energy within us can take on the form of prana, which is life force or kundalini energy that flows through our nadis, or subtle energy channels. This coiled energy awakens at the base of the spine. When this happens, Shakti energy is activated and moves through the central channel or the sushumna nadi alongside the seven chakras. This awakening becomes the catalyst for our deep healing and transformation. There are several ways to awaken Shakti energy like Kundalini Yoga, Tantra, and mudras though we recommend the Kundalini Activation Process which utilizes both Shakti and Shiva balancing energies to cultivate a safe, highly effective, and natural awakening process.
The Kundalini Activation Process (KAP) is a transmission of life force energy. This process was founded by Venant Wong, who discovered he could activate a person’s Kundalini through touch by working with the energy systems and meridian points. Certified KAP facilitators transmit non-dual awareness known as Shiva consciousness. Kundalini energy or Shakti enters through the crown chakra and flows down toward the root chakra. When Shiva and Shakti unite in the Sahasrāra or crown Chakra, the observer and the object of observation become one creating an innate intelligence that offers healing and knowledge on all levels.
Meditation & Breathwork
Another way to connect with Shiva energies is through meditation. Meditation can produce a deep sense of stillness and focus allowing you to connect deeper to your intuition and body. There are wide varieties of meditation techniques including the most common being guided meditations, mantras, transcendental meditation, and mindfulness. However, practicing root-chakra-specific meditations can be done through simple mudras that are intended to be used in connection with Shiva. This subtle connection can open the door for this energy to deliver messages that may help in the healing of suppressed or deeply rooted emotions.
Similar to meditation, you can practice breathwork or “Pranayama” anywhere. Kundalini Yoga uses breathing techniques like “the breath of fire” in concert with yoga poses or mudras to embody and awaken Shakti and Shiva energies. Implementing this practice into your daily routine not only enhances your mind-body connection but may also induce an altered state of consciousness similar to that of Holotropic Breathwork which can produce profound insights, personal growth, and understanding.
Yoni Steaming
Yoni is a Sanskrit word used to describe the vulva, vagina and female reproductive organs. It also refers to primordial feminine energy or Shakti. This energy is especially important for women. It houses our creativity, power, sensual awareness, and receptivity that links us to our ancestors, divine feminine wisdom, and intuition. Vaginal Steaming is also known as Bajo has been practiced for thousands of years in Africa, Asia, and Central America and its use even dates back to ancient Mayan midwifery. It is the process of using an herbal tea concoction to steam the womb. When heated in water, the herbs release their volatile oils, and the steam carries them to the body.
Yoni steaming holds a wide variety of benefits. Women hold their traumas, fears, and childhood tensions in the psoas (SO-az) muscle. One of the largest muscles in the body, it runs through the pelvis to the upper part of the femur. The steaming process allows the psoas muscle to relax. This relaxation offers an intentional moment of release of trauma. This release is why yoni steaming is often a sacred ritualistic practice creating a safe space to heal.
Dance & Movement
Ecstatic dance and movement can restore our dormant energies as well. There have even been movement practices like Shakti Dance that focus on the awakening of this energy using breathing techniques, asanas, and other yoga modalities. Often called “trance dance” this free-flowing, rhythmic dance surrenders to the present. This allows the dancer to connect with parts of the body that may have been previously blocked. Similarly, other forms of movement like traditional tantric yoga, use asanas to activate Shiva and Shakti energies with the intention of internal connection, reflection, physical flexibility, strength, and self-knowledge and empowerment. These physically related Shakti practices create a chance for the body to heal itself.
Other Spiritual Practices
Additional ways to connect with this divine feminine energy are through creative expression and prayer. First using intention while painting, drawing, singing, writing, and other forms of expression may usher buried emotions to the surface. Prayer creates a direct dialogue with this innate intelligence. Then this opens up the conversation to produce newfound insights or answer long-held questions. No matter how we decide to connect, Shakti energy is available to all and wants to offer direction and care. When we decide to actively participate in its awakening process, the energy provides exactly what we need to let go and release what is no longer serving us.
