Word of the Day

: October 4, 2008

kundalini

noun, often capitalized koon-duh-LEE-nee (the "oo" is as in "book")

What It Means

: 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

kundalini in Context

In her yoga class, Susan is learning the breaths for awakening kundalini.

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.