kundalini
noun
kun·da·li·ni
ˌku̇n-də-ˈlē-nē 
ˌkən-
variants
often Kundalini
: the yogic life force that is held to lie coiled at the base of the spine until it is aroused and sent to the head to trigger enlightenment
Did you know?
Kundalinī is the feminine form of the Sanskrit adjective meaning "circular" or "coiled." In yoga, the word applies to the life force that lies like a coiled serpent at the base of the spine and that can be sent along the spine to the head through prescribed postures and exercises. On the way, the kundalini passes through six chakras, or points of physical or spiritual energy in the human body. At the seventh chakra, the yogi is said to experience enlightenment.
Examples of kundalini in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That proved true for many spiritual influencers and platforms: A Venice kundalini yoga teacher who has worked with pop star Alicia Keys interviewed a conspiracy theorist for an hour on YouTube.
—
Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2021
With 45-foot walls plus bouldering and yoga (acro, kundalini, and ashtanga are just a few of the special options), there’s always a buzz here.
—Sunset Magazine, 26 Feb. 2020
While ashtanga has a reputation for being physically demanding, kundalini is considered to be a style of yoga that’s more spiritually focused.
—Hannah Chenoweth, SELF, 5 May 2019
Born to an American mother from Long Beach, California, and a Swedish father, Westman briefly lived on a kundalini ashram in Los Angeles as a child and moved to Sweden at age 10.
—Florence Kane, WSJ, 31 Mar. 2018
Gentle kundalini yoga For beginners to advanced practitioners.
—Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2021
With 45-foot walls plus bouldering and yoga (acro, kundalini, and ashtanga are just a few of the special options), there’s always a buzz here.
—Sunset Magazine, 26 Feb. 2020
While ashtanga has a reputation for being physically demanding, kundalini is considered to be a style of yoga that’s more spiritually focused.
—Hannah Chenoweth, SELF, 5 May 2019
Born to an American mother from Long Beach, California, and a Swedish father, Westman briefly lived on a kundalini ashram in Los Angeles as a child and moved to Sweden at age 10.
—Florence Kane, WSJ, 31 Mar. 2018
Gentle kundalini yoga For beginners to advanced practitioners.
—Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Kundalini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kundalini. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share