What Are the Signs of a Kundalini Awakening?

Kundalini is believed to be the life-giving energy given to us by the universe. In most people, this energy remains dormant, coiled at the base of the spine like a serpent. But in some cases, Kundalini energy can uncoil, spreading through the body and bringing new experiences and insights. We’re here with everything you need to know to determine if you’re having a Kundalini awakening, including grounding tips from intuitive counselor and happiness coach Kari Samuels.

Common Signs of a Kundalini Awakening

Feeling of energy traveling up through the spine to the head
Feeling hot or cold
Muscle twitches or tremors
Spontaneous yoga poses or mudras
Deep sense of connection to the universe

Section 1 of 9:

Physical Signs of Kundalini Awakening

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Energy moving through the body During a Kundalini awakening, some people experience a tingling or vibrating feeling, or the feeling that energy is traveling through their body. This is sometimes a subtle feeling, and sometimes it’s very intense. You may feel the energy:^{[1]
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- Moving up from the base of your spine through your head
- Moving down from the crown of your head into or around your body
- Radiating out from your heart
- Tingling in your hands and feet
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Shaking, goosebumps, or muscle twitching Some people notice involuntary physical movements during a Kundalini awakening. These might include shaking or trembling, muscle twitches or spasms, or sudden goosebumps. It’s thought that this may be the newly-awakened energy bringing life into your body in a new way, or that the Kundalini energy is clearing blocked energy from your body.^{[2]
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- These involuntary movements might seem a little alarming at first, but they’re typically temporary.
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Involuntary yoga poses and hand gestures If your Kundalini awakens, you may feel the urge to move your body into yoga poses or hold your hands in certain sacred positions called mudras. Some people report having this experience even if they’ve never practiced yoga poses before, and some people find that they can suddenly achieve yoga poses they previously couldn’t.^{[3]
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- These involuntary movements are known as “Kriyas.”
- Some people also find they feel compelled to pray, chant mantras, or make sacred sounds.
- Your breathing may speed up or slow down, as well.
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A feeling of heat or cold When the Kundalini energy starts uncoiling, it may create a hot or cold sensation at the base of your spine. You might also feel heat radiating out from the center of your body.^{[4]
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- These sensations can sometimes occur in other parts of the body as well.
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Pain or pressure in the body Some people experience painful sensations during a Kundalini awakening, especially near their chakra centers. This may be a result of the Kundalini energy encountering trauma or blocked energy in the body as it uncoils.^{[5]
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- You may also experience pressure near your chakras, like in the center of your forehead or around your heart. This may manifest as a headache.
- Some people report symptoms of autoimmune conditions like CFS or fibromyalgia after a Kundalini experience. If this occurs, it may be triggered by an adrenal response.
- In some cases, the pain may linger a day or so before dissipating.
- Rashes or itching may also accompany a Kundalini awakening.
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Changes in libido Kundalini energy originates near your Root Chakra, which is often associated with sexuality. Some people feel sexually aroused during a Kundalini experience, or that they suddenly experience a highly-charged libido. Other people find that they lose interest in sex.^{[6]
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- Libido changes are a result of shifting energy and usually even out.
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Changes in your diet or appetite Some people find that a Kundalini awakening causes a lack of appetite. Others suddenly experience cravings for new or unusual foods. And some people report feeling nauseous or having other digestive issues.^{[7]
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- These feelings usually go away after a short time. In the case of food cravings, they may be a sign from your body that you need a certain type of nutrition to help your body process the Kundalini energy.
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Improved health Some people report that a Kundalini awakening helped them heal faster from illnesses or improve chronic pain. Some simply say that Kundalini helps them feel stronger and healthier. This may be a result of the Kundalini energy helping to remove blocked energy that was contributing to those conditions.^{[8]
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- It’s important to remain under your doctor’s care for any ailments that you’re being treated for. Even if you start to feel better, don’t stop taking any medications or end treatment unless your doctor advises it.

Section 2 of 9:

Psychological and Emotional Symptoms of Kundalini Awakening

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Emotional swings You may experience deep emotions when your Kundalini awakens. You might find yourself crying, laughing, dancing, or contemplating long-forgotten experiences. Some people think this is because the Kundalini energy brings up buried emotions and trauma so you can process them—and in the case of negative emotions, start to heal from them.^{[9]
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- Some people may struggle with feelings of anxiety, grief, or fear as Kundalini awakens. This may be due to the pain of releasing old beliefs.
- This can be an intense and sometimes difficult part of a Kundalini awakening. It may help to journal about what you’re experiencing, or you may want to seek the help of an experienced and compassionate spiritual leader.
- The flood of emotions isn’t always negative—some people experience intense bliss and contentment as part of a Kundalini awakening.
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Changes in sleep Some people find their sleep patterns are disrupted after a Kundalini awakening. This can happen in different ways—you might find yourself sleeping more than normal, or you might discover you don’t need as much sleep as you normally do. You may also experience restlessness or insomnia. Fortunately, these sleep changes are usually temporary.^{[10]
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- You might also notice that you have vivid dreams, or you may even begin lucid dreaming, where you maintain some awareness and control over your dreams.
- Dreams of snakes are common—Kundalini energy is often represented as a snake.^{[11]
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  Research source} People also report dreaming of cats, which may represent divine male energy—a counterpoint to Kundalini.
- Dreams are often symbolic during a Kundalini awakening, so spend some time meditating on them after you wake up to try to draw out any hidden meanings.
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Increased sensitivity After a Kundalini awakening, you may notice that you’re more emotionally sensitive, or you might feel more sensitive to other people’s emotions. You may also feel more sensitive to loud noises or bright lights, sometimes to the point of overstimulation. This may occur because your body is learning to interact with the world in a deeper way, so you feel things more intensely.^{[12]
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- You may see colors more vividly.^{[13]
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- You might feel the pain of others, or even like you’re experiencing the pain of the entire world.
- These intense feelings usually fade over time. Meditation and grounding exercises can be an effective way to learn to cope in the meantime.
EXPERT TIP

Kari Samuels
Intuitive Counselor & Happiness Coach
Kari Samuels is an international Intuitive Counselor and Happiness Coach. With more than 21 years of experience, she specializes in intuition, energy healing, numerology, and astrology. Kari assists people in reclaiming their innate intuitive gifts and restore well-being through self-empowerment. She has a popular Youtube channel and has been featured on Hay House Radio and other podcasts.

Kari Samuels
Intuitive Counselor & Happiness Coach

Empaths need to recharge when they’re overstimulated. If you have a sensitive energy field, you can get overstimulated and overwhelmed, which can make you shrink from the world. Spending time in nature can help you feel strong and empowered and shine your light.
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Shifting priorities As your Kundalini energy awakens, you may find that your spiritual experience causes you to prioritize things differently in your life. For instance, you may no longer be concerned with material goals. This can be a positive change if you embrace it.
- You may find it easier to say “No” to things that you don’t want to do, or to say “Yes” to things that push you out of your comfort zone.
- It’s important not to deprioritize things like work or taking care of your household. If your Kundalini awakening reveals to you that it’s time for a career change, for instance, you might start taking classes or working on a business plan before you quit your current job.

Section 3 of 9:

Spiritual Symptoms of Kundalini Awakening

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Interconnectedness with all things A Kundalini awakening may help you feel more connected to others, nature, and the universe. You may feel a deeper sense of compassion, and you may sense a connection to God or the Source of Life—or you may sense its presence in everything and everyone around you.^{[14]
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- Feeling more connected to others may make it easier to communicate with them.
- For most people, this brings a feeling of awe and wonder. However, some people find that this feeling of oneness makes them question their place in the universe.
- Grounding exercises, meditation, and working with a spiritual mentor can help you manage any feelings of overwhelm that occur as part of this experience.
- As you start to sense your connection to everything around you, you may experience a profound sense of acceptance and deep love for the universe and others. This might be accompanied by a feeling that you’re called to serve others and a deep opposition to violence.
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Deeper intuition Tapping into Kundalini energy may help heighten your intuition. You may feel more in tune with the emotions and energy of the people around you. This can sometimes be overwhelming, but it helps if you can learn to observe these emotions and energies without being affected by them.^{[15]
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- Sometimes this manifests as feeling uncomfortable when you’re around another person. This may be a sign that your energies are in opposition to each other.^{[16]
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- Some people even report developing psychic abilities after a Kundalini awakening.
After a Kundalini awakening, some people find that they’re inspired to create music, paintings, sculptures, poetry, or other forms of art. Not only can this help you channel the Kundalini energy in a productive way, but it’s also a healthy way to process the changes you experience as part of the Kundalini awakening.^{[17]
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Altered perception Some people find that during a Kundalini experience, they spontaneously go into a meditative state. Other people experience visions, smells, or sounds that are not physically present. For instance, you might:
- See flashes of light, celestial beings, or auras
- Hear chants, mantras, high-pitched tones, buzzing, or ringing in your ears
- Experience synesthesia, where you see colors when you hear music
- Have an out-of-body experience
- Feel like time has slowed down or sped up
- Feel the spiritual world around you
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Feeling disconnected or fragmented A Kundalini awakening can shake up your sense of self. As you begin understanding your place in the universe, you might feel detached from your former sense of self. You may also feel alienated or distanced from others, or like nothing has meaning.^{[18]
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- These are all part of the transformative power of Kundalini energy. If you’re struggling with your sense of self or your connection with others, talk to a friend or mentor, and follow our practices for a healthy Kundalini awakening.
- In this disoriented state, some people will experience feelings of grandiosity, like they are called by a higher power. It’s important to temper this with grounding practices and a supportive community.

Section 4 of 9:

Tips for Managing Symptoms

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Go slowly and be patient with yourself. While some Kundalini awakenings happen spontaneously, many are the result of a dedicated yoga or meditation practice. Start slowly, with simple meditations or beginner-friendly yoga poses. This will help ease the process and prepare you for the deeper experience of a Kundalini awakening.^{[19]
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- Don’t put pressure on yourself if a Kundalini awakening doesn’t happen right away—some people practice for years before experiencing it.
- Also, be gentle with yourself as you navigate the symptoms of a Kundalini awakening. The experience is harder on some people than others—try to embrace the changes and learn what you can from them, even the more challenging parts.
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Try grounding exercises to feel more centered. Samuels says, “Ground yourself every day. Being in nature helps you ground yourself. Focus on your breath and your body. Take time to process your emotions and your energy—learn to enjoy your own company. And when you can, avoid crowds, bright lights, loud noises, and small talk.”^{[20]
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Kari Samuels
Intuitive Counselor & Happiness Coach

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- Samuels recommends the following grounding exercise: “Imagine that your energy is connected to the earth. Then, imagine you have a waterfall washing over you, cleansing away any energy that you picked up through the day that doesn’t belong to you or serve you.”^{[21]
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- Another exercise that Samuels recommends is to “Put one hand on your solar plexus and the other hand facing the other way. Push that other hand away and say, ‘What’s mine is mine. Anything that doesn’t belong to me, I return to its source cleansed and purified. I let go of any energy or emotion that doesn’t belong to me.’ Then, imagine a bright light cleansing you from within.^{[22]
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Practice self-care. Self-care is always important, but if you’re undergoing a Kundalini awakening, it’s essential to do things that make you feel relaxed and nourished. Exercise, journaling, meditation, and spending time in nature are all good options—find what works best for you.
- If you feel relaxed by a certain scent, light candles as you meditate or bathe.
- Spend time with people you love to rejuvenate your spirit.
- Prioritize sleep and rest. A Kundalini awakening can be an intense experience, and being well-rested can make it easier to cope with the symptoms.
- Make time for journaling or reflection so you can process what you’re going through.
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Stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet. It’s important to take care of your body as you go through the physical, emotional, and mental changes of a Kundalini awakening. Eat nourishing whole foods that provide your body with healthy fuel so you’ll have plenty of energy, stay hydrated, and get out and active as often as you can.^{[23]
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- The healthier your body feels, the healthier your mind will be.
Kundalini awakening can be a profound and even life-changing experience. It may be easier to navigate these changes if you have the support of like-minded friends or a spiritual guide who’s experienced in Kundalini.^{[24]
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Section 5 of 9:

What is a Kundalini awakening?

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A Kundalini awakening involves the release of dormant energy. Kundalini energy is thought to be coiled snake-like at the base of the spine near the Root chakra (or Muladhara chakra). A Kundalini awakening involves releasing this energy to tap into its powers, moving it from the spine to the head (or Crown chakra).^{[25]
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- Some people find a Kundalini awakening to be an empowering experience, helping them unlock creativity, compassion, and a connection with the universe.
- Other people have a less pleasant awakening, sometimes experiencing physical pain or discomfort, overwhelming emotions, psychological distress, or a disconnection from their sense of self.
- It’s important to note that a Kundalini awakening is an extremely personal experience. The signs and symptoms will be different for everyone—there are some common occurrences, but there’s no universal Kundalini experience.

Section 6 of 9:

What triggers a Kundalini awakening?

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Kundalini awakening can be spontaneous or deliberate. Practitioners of yoga and meditation can sometimes awaken their Kundalini through deliberate exercises where they open themselves to Kundalini’s energy and wisdom. Energy healing and reiki practices sometimes trigger Kundalini as well.^{[26]
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- In other cases, Kundalini is awakened spontaneously—usually during or after an intense experience like childbirth, puberty, menopause, trauma, grief, depression, or substance abuse.

Section 7 of 9:

Is Kundalini awakening dangerous?

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It's not inherently dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable. A Kundalini awakening can make some people feel isolated or alienated. You might feel that you’re only a small part in the universe so everything you do is pointless, or like there’s no point working and paying bills because all you want to do is meditate.^{[27]
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- If Kundalini energy starts to get too overwhelming, take a break from your meditation practice. Focus on grounding activities or spend more time in nature during the break to help you feel more connected to the world around you.

Section 8 of 9:

Final Thoughts

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Kundalini can be a disruptive but transformative experience. Some of the symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they’re there to serve a purpose—even if that purpose can be hard to see. For instance, physical symptoms like pain and tremors may occur because the Kundalini is moving blocked energy due to repressed trauma. Ultimately, this will serve you, even if it is difficult in the moment.
- Working with an experienced spiritual leader can help you find the meaning in difficult Kundalini symptoms, as well as having support as you navigate them.

Section 9 of 9:

FAQs

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How do you know if you have a Kundalini awakening? The most obvious sign of a Kundalini experience is the feeling of energy traveling up from your spine. However, if you’re regularly practicing yoga or meditation and you notice some of the symptoms mentioned above, your Kundalini energy might be uncoiling.^{[28]
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How does it feel when Kundalini awakens? It often feels like a rush of energy traveling up through the spine and through the top of the head. Sometimes, it might feel like energy traveling down from the head or out through the heart.^{[29]
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- You may also notice hot, cold, or tingling feelings.
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What happens when Kundalini is released? You may feel more connected to others and experience your senses and emotions more vividly. You may also notice a deeper ability to intuit the emotions and intentions of others.^{[30]
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What’s the difference between a spiritual awakening and a Kundalini awakening? A Kundalini awakening is a more physical experience than a spiritual awakening.
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How do you have a Kundalini awakening? The best way to have a Kundalini awakening is to develop a consistent yoga and meditation practice, especially under the mentorship of an experienced practitioner.
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How long does a Kundalini awakening take? It’s different for everyone. Some people have a Kundalini experience without trying, and others practice for years before they have one.