Kundalini Shakti is the coiled-up, dormant, cosmic power that underlies all organic as well as inorganic matter. Kundalini Shakti is the primordial energy that lies at the basal Muladhara Chakra in a dormant, potential state.
Kundalini Yoga is that Yoga which treats Kundalini Shakti, the seven Chakras, the centres of spiritual energy, the arousing of the sleeping Kundalini Shakti and its union with Lord Siva in Sahasrara Chakra at the crown of the head.
The seven Chakras are pierced by the passing of Kundalini Shakti as it rises to the Sahasrara Chakra.
THE CHAKRAS
The Chakras are centres of spiritual energy. The chakras are located in the astral body, but they have corresponding centres in the physical body also.
The chakras can hardly be seen by the naked eyes. Only a clairvoyant can see with their astral eyes. Each chakra corresponds to certain plexuses in the physical body.
There are six important Chakras, starting at the base and rising vertically. They are:
Muladhara (containing 4 petals) at the base of the spine
Svadhishthana (6 petals) at the genital organs
Manipura (10 petals) at navel
Anahata (12 petals) at the heart
Visudha (16 petals) at the throat and
Ajna (2 petals) at the space between the two eyebrows.
Sahasrara (1000 petals) at the top of the head.
KUNDALINI
Kundalini is the serpent power or sleeping Shakti, that has 3 coils with face downwards, in the Muladhara Chakra, at the base of the spine. No Samadhi is possible without its being awakened. The practice of Kumbhaka in Pranayama produces heat and thereby Kundalini is awakened and passes upwards along the Sushumna Nadi. The Yogic practitioner experiences various visions. Then the Kundalini passes along the Six Chakras and eventually is united with Lord Siva, seated on the Sahasrara, the thousand petalled lotus, at the crown of the head. Nirvikalpa Samadhi ensues now and the Yogi receives liberation and all the divine Aishvaryas.
The Yogi practices control of breath with concentration of mind. The awakened Kundalini that is taken up to Manipura Chakra may drop down again to Muladhara. It has to be raised again with effort. The Yogi should become perfectly desire-less and should be full of Vairagya before they attempt to awaken Kundalini. Kundalini is like a thread and is resplendent. When it is awakened it hisses like a serpent and enters the hole of Sushumna. When it travels from Chakra to Chakra, layer after layer of the mind becomes open and the Yogi acquires various Siddhis – psychic powers.
Kundalini is awakened through Pranayama, Asanas and Mudras by Hatha Yogins. Kundalini is awakened through concentration by Raja Yogins. Kundalini is awakened through devotion and perfect self surrender by Bhaktas or devotees. Kundalini is awakened through analytical will, by the Jnanis. Kundalini is awakened by Japa of Mantra and by the grace of the Guru.
Have firm faith in the Yogic Shastras. Become courageous, devotional, humble, generous, merciful, pure and dispassionate. Then you can easily awaken Kundalini and attain success in Samadhi.