शक्ति चालन

Śakti Cālana

The awakening of energy

Sources: Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.104-130 · Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 3.49-60

Meaning

Śakti (शक्ति) means “power”, “energy” or, more specifically, the feminine cosmic energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine as kuṇḍalinī. Cālana (चालन) means “to stir”, “to move” or “to awaken”.

Śakti Cālana is “the awakening of energy” or “the stirring of Śakti” —a set of techniques specifically designed to awaken kuṇḍalinī śakti from her sleep in mūlādhāra chakra.

Context

This mudrā represents the central goal of classical Haṭha Yoga: awakening the dormant energy and making it ascend through suṣumṇā nāḍī to sahasrāra chakra, producing the union of Śakti with Śiva.

The HYP dedicates the final section of chapter 3 to this theme, indicating that everything before —āsana, prāṇāyāma, bandhas and the other mudrās— are preparation for this awakening.

Technique

Classical description

The texts describe several complementary techniques:

1. Physical preparation

  • Constant practice of Aśvinī Mudrā (anal sphincter contractions)
  • Nauli (abdominal rotation) to stir prāṇa in the abdomen
  • The three bandhas to seal the energy

2. Specific prāṇāyāma

  1. Sit in siddhāsana or vajrāsana with heel pressing the perineum
  2. Practice vigorous bhastrikā prāṇāyāma (bellows breath)
  3. Fill completely with air
  4. Apply kumbhaka with the three bandhas
  5. Repeatedly contract the perineum during retention
  6. Visualize energy ascending through suṣumṇā
  7. Exhale and repeat

3. Cloth technique (according to texts)

The HYP describes an additional technique involving inserting a cloth through nose and mouth to cleanse the channels. This is a form of dhautī (cleansing) and prepares the body for intense prāṇāyāma practices.

Accessible modern version

  1. Sit in a stable posture with spine erect
  2. Practice some rounds of gentle bhastrikā
  3. Inhale completely
  4. Apply mūla bandha with intention to awaken
  5. Visualize light or fire at the base of the spine
  6. With each breath, imagine energy ascending
  7. Maintain attention on suṣumṇā

Effects

Physical level

  • Intensely activates metabolism
  • Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system
  • Generates inner heat (tapas)
  • Deeply oxygenates the tissues
  • Stimulates the endocrine glands

Energetic level

  • Awakens kuṇḍalinī from its latent state
  • Forces prāṇa to enter suṣumṇā
  • Pierces the granthis (energetic knots)
  • Activates all chakras sequentially
  • May produce experiences of consciousness expansion

The awakening of Kuṇḍalinī

The texts describe kuṇḍalinī as a sleeping serpent, coiled three and a half times around the liṅga in mūlādhāra. Its mouth covers the entrance to suṣumṇā, blocking the ascent of prāṇa.

Śakti Cālana “stirs” this serpent until it awakens. Then it uncoils its body, opens its mouth and begins ascending through suṣumṇā, traversing each chakra until reaching sahasrāra, where it unites with Śiva (pure consciousness).

In the classical texts

“Kuṇḍalinī is asleep, covering with its mouth the entrance to Suṣumṇā. When it awakens by the grace of the guru and through practice, it ascends through Suṣumṇā.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.105

“One should awaken that sleeping Kuṇḍalinī by means of continuous stirring. The yogi free from disease awakens it through practice.” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.106

“Seated in Siddhāsana, take the two knees firmly with the hands and strike the Kanda (bulb) with the heel. This is Śakti Cālana.” — Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 3.49

“Practice Bhastrikā Prāṇāyāma; then Kuṇḍalinī will soon awaken. When Kuṇḍalinī has awakened, it rises.” — Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 3.50

“When Kuṇḍalinī awakens, the entire group of lotuses and knots is pierced. Then Prāṇa travels the royal path (Suṣumṇā).” — Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 3.2

Important warnings

Śakti Cālana and the awakening of kuṇḍalinī are topics requiring extreme prudence:

Prerequisites:

  • Complete purification of body and mind
  • Mastery of āsana, prāṇāyāma and the bandhas
  • Guidance from a qualified master
  • Sattvic lifestyle (diet, conduct, environment)
  • Emotional and psychological stability

Risks of premature practice:

  • Energetic imbalances
  • Intense emotional disturbances
  • Disturbing psychological experiences
  • Physical symptoms (excessive heat, pain, spasms)

The awakening of kuṇḍalinī is not a goal to be actively pursued but a result that occurs naturally when the practitioner is ready. Tradition emphasizes that purification and gradual practice are more important than intensive techniques.

Precautions

  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Heart problems
  • Severe hypertension
  • Pregnancy
  • Emotional instability

This is an advanced practice that should not be approached without years of preparation and, ideally, direct guidance from an experienced master. The effects of kuṇḍalinī awakening can be transformative but also potentially destabilizing if the practitioner is not ready.