Kundalini Splendor

Yesterday I attended a women's circle which focused on movement, music and a sense of the sacred to arouse and circulate pleasurable energies through the body.  I was especially interested in the leader's opening remarks, when she pointed out that our work (arousing the sweet energies within) was a positive force for the planet, and that what we did each day in similar practice was for the benefit of all sentient beings.  I have long felt this, but have never heard anyone verbalize it.

The actual activities of the day were simple.  First, relaxation, then movement (one by one) before the group who then became "witnesses" to our "performance."  (This exercise is similar to "Authentic Movement," an established modality which employs the same approach.)  Then a shared repast, with a final segment devoted to individual movement but this time done together on the dance floor.

Some of the students were themselves trained dancers, and their moves before us were truly graceful and indeed exciting.  Watching someone do "free dance moves" when you know that each turning or twirl is echoed by a specific bodily response within is a much more interesting experience than watching some forms of "interpretive" dance which have no inner analogue.

I myself felt that what we are doing (arousing and experiencing the inner energies) was a form of Kundalini practice.  When I asked the leader if she also viewed them as the same, she said she would not say that they were, nor would she say they were not.  Instead of using the term "Kundalini" she simply described the inner sweetness as "pleasure."  Here again, I am brought back to the question: If the energies are felt as a diffused bliss throughout the body, is this true Kundalini?  I do not know the final answer, but I vote yes on this question.

As I had expected, I felt little energetic response during the workshop.  My own energies are very "shy" and "seek cover" in a public setting.  Yet, this morning, in the safety of home, they responded in a delightful way, and I was grateful.

We constantly learn more and experience more as we follow our own energetic practice. On workshop assistant, who is herself a teacher in this same tradition, said that at times she had even felt the bliss in her teeth.  This was the first time I had heard of such a reaction, and once again it proves that once the energies awaken, they do not slumber until each and every part of the body has been stimulated and renewed.

(The picture above is of Paravati, one of the wives of Shiva.   "Parvati (Devanagri: पार्वती, IAST: Pārvatī) also known as Gauri, is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess."  (from Google)
In some depictions she is trampling the body of Shiva.  It is said by some that Shiva himself can only manifest his power through Paravati (when she is active).