{"id":96253,"date":"2025-05-12T14:05:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T13:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zine.modalova.com\/zine\/?p=96253"},"modified":"2025-05-12T14:05:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T13:05:23","slug":"tried-kundalini-yoga-reclaim-my-femininity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/tried-kundalini-yoga-reclaim-my-femininity\/","title":{"rendered":"I Tried: Kundalini Yoga to Reclaim My Femininity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In recent years, my femininity has been put to the test, between several significant life upheavals, the distance from my family abroad, and two very close pregnancies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I was taking care of my children who are now 2 and 3 years old (yes, like Rihanna<\/strong>, a baby each year\u2026 except that I\u2019m stopping at two!), I put many things on hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, all this to say that when we go through intense periods, it’s not only our physical and mental health that takes a hit, but also our relationship with femininity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why I turned to a yoga practice known for its benefits on feminine energy and reconnection to oneself: kundalini yoga<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a month-long practice, I\u2019m sharing my experience here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Origins of Kundalini Yoga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each type of yoga has its specifics, and kundalini<\/strong> is particularly associated with the power of femininity<\/strong>, the awakening of intuition, and a deep reconnection to oneself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popularized in the West in the 1960s by Yogi Bhajan<\/strong>, kundalini yoga has captivated many women (and a few men, of course!) in search of meaning, balance, and inner transformation. Practiced through dynamic sequences, powerful breathing (pranayama<\/em>), mantras, and meditations, it stands out for its energetic and spiritual approach, often more intense than that of traditional yogas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his book The Psychology of Kundalini Yoga<\/em> (2005), psychiatrist Carl Jung<\/strong>, one of the first to mention this practice in Europe, writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There are several schools of tantric yoga, but that of Kundalini is undoubtedly the most surprising. It consists of activating the most powerful forces of the human being, described as a serpent coiled around the spine, and aims to reconcile the often presumed contradictory principles of sexuality and spirituality, merging their energies within the human body.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9Magic Bowls\/unsplash<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Uniqueness of Kundalini Yoga: The Breath<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s true that breath is essential in all forms of yoga, kundalini<\/strong> makes it its true pillar<\/strong>. Each exercise relies on the breath, used as a lever to activate vital energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sessions often incorporate intense breathwork<\/strong>, sometimes close to hyperventilation. As a beginner, I followed the instructor while slowing down whenever I felt my head spinning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practicing self-hypnosis<\/strong>, I quickly recognized this light trance sensation<\/strong>, especially during the famous fire breath<\/strong>. This technique aims to short-circuit the mind<\/strong> and detoxify the body<\/strong> through rapid exhalations via the nose, accompanied by rhythmic contractions of the belly. Only the abdomen works \u2014 and it goes fast!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I won\u2019t lie: the first time, it made me a bit anxious<\/strong>, so I listened to my body and slowed my pace. My goal is to avoid any panic or discomfort<\/strong>, not to push beyond my limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are sensitive or prone to anxiety, take it slow<\/strong>, and never force an exercise that doesn\u2019t suit you. The aim here is to reconnect with oneself<\/strong>, not to push oneself at all costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Kundalini Yoga School (@kundaliniyogaschool)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Beware of Derivatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It must be said: kundalini yoga<\/strong>, powerful as it is, is not without its risks. In its early days, it was used to accompany drug withdrawals<\/strong>, particularly in the United States in the 70s. The goal? To replace a heroin high with a session of mantras and intense breathing. One quickly understands its reputation as a \u201cshock\u201d yoga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it\u2019s better to do yoga than to consume substances, but for sensitive or vulnerable personalities<\/strong>, this practice can be too intense. It\u2019s preferable to start it during a psychologically stable period.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its very spiritual<\/strong> dimension also attracts unscrupulous profiles. As in any field, there are pitfalls<\/strong>. If a class makes you uncomfortable, if the discourse seems strange or too insistent: listen to yourself, and change studios<\/strong>. The right environment is one where you feel free and safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits After a Month of Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t do it on purpose, but for my very first class, I showed up dressed all in white<\/strong>\u2026 not knowing that it was precisely the symbolic color of kundalini<\/strong>. The tone was set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some things made me a bit unsettled as a beginner<\/strong>, particularly the mantras<\/strong>, very present and charged with spirituality \u2014 a universe I\u2019m not very used to. But over the course of the sessions, something changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I who felt I had lost my connection with my body and femininity<\/strong>, this practice really helped me. I\u2019ve regained awareness in my movements<\/strong>, a form of gentle power, and I feel more feminine today<\/strong> than when I started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there a bit of placebo effect or mental aspect involved? Perhaps. But one thing is certain: this intense practice has done me good<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9JoseLuisSanchez Pereyra\/unsplash<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a9Conscious Design\/unsplash<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reclaiming Femininity After a Difficult Period<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After two (very) long maternity leaves, discovering kundalini yoga has been a true blessing<\/strong>. I started with my knowledge of mental health and a well-awakened critical mind, which allowed me to get the most out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an intense<\/strong> practice that demands presence, self-listening, and a healthy environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trying kundalini to reconnect with your body after a difficult period can truly be beneficial<\/strong> as long as you feel stable and ready to stop if it doesn\u2019t suit you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

featured image: \u00a9conscious\/unsplash <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In recent years, my femininity has been put to the test, between several significant life upheavals, the distance from my family abroad, and two very close pregnancies. While I was taking care of my children who are now 2 and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":96154,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"eltdf_count_post_views_meta":371,"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[818],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle-us"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96253\/revisions"}],"wpml-translations":[{"id":96251,"lang":"en","href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96251"},{"id":95927,"lang":"fr","href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95927"},{"id":96257,"lang":"de","href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96257"},{"id":96259,"lang":"it","href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96259"},{"id":96255,"lang":"es","href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96255"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.modalova.com\/zine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}