Awakening Shakti Energy
Shakti is referred to as the “Mother Goddess” in Hinduism. She is the Goddess that guides all other Goddesses. Shakti is represented in the Hindu Goddesses Durga, Parvati, and Kali. Each Goddess utilizes Shakti energy differently and can be called upon for different purposes.
I was first introduced to Shakti during my early days of practicing Kundalini yoga. Shakti is life, death, rebirth, destruction, and creation. Shakti energy is the divine feminine force coursing through the cosmos and all aspects of our reality. She is the ultimate Goddess and the creative energy behind all Goddesses. Even though Shakti is a divine feminine force, it is present in all life forms, male and female, though it may be repressed in some. The balancing force to Shakti is Shiva or masculine energy.
In pursuit of living a more passionate, yet balanced life, it is essential we tap into our Shakti energy. Listed below are 8 ways to increase your Shakti energy.
1. ACTIVATE YOUR SACRAL CHAKRA
Your sacral chakra is your hub of creativity and feminine energy. This chakra is located below your belly button. Imagine it glowing orange with each inhale and exhale to awaken it.
2. TAP INTO THE WATER ELEMENT
The water element represents femininity, so it’s the element to focus on to increase your Shakti energy. Let the water element wash over you, literally, by taking a soothing bath (one of my favourite past times and self-care rituals).
3. MEDITATE
Meditation will help increase your Shakti energy (check out guided meditations here) but here’s a technique to give it an extra boost. Visualize your Shakti energy coiled up like a snake at the base of your spine. With each breath visualize this snake-like energy uncoiling and traveling through each chakra, lighting it up and cleansing it along its path. Continue until you reach the crown chakra. This meditation can be very intense and energizing, allow ample time to calm and ground yourself afterward.
4. CALL ON KALI, DURGA, OR PARVATI
Kali, Durga, and Parvati represent Shakti in Hinduism, and calling on any of them can bring some extra Shakti energy into your life. Each Goddess possesses a unique kind of energy. Parvati is a Goddess of love, Durga is a warrior Goddess, and Kali is the destroyer who ultimately brings balance.
5. FOLLOW THE MOON
The moon has long been associated with divine Goddess energy due to its correlation with our menstrual cycles and the Triple Goddess. Try charting your cycle and perhaps even opening yourself up to trying new rituals for different moon phases.
6. KEEP MOONSTONE NEARBY
Moonstone carries the energy of the moon and can serve as a potent reminder of her Goddess energy. Wear it, carry it with you, or place some moonstone visibly in your home as a glowing reminder of the moon and Shakti energy.
7. ILLUMINATE YOUR SHADOW SIDE AND RELEASE SHAME
The imbalance of Shakti in our society is a direct reflection of our own imbalances. We so often focus only on our light, while directly under the surface our shadow side is seething. Take time to explore your light and darkness, and find balance within yourself through reflection, meditation and shadow work.
8. BREATHE DEEPLY
Prana, your breath or life force, is Shakti. Any focused breathing can help increase your prana and therefore increase your Shakti energy. If you’re not familiar with any pranayama techniques, start with taking a three-part breath. Inhale, filling your lower belly with air first, then your middle section, and last your chest. Exhale in the reverse order. Practice this three-part breath 5-10 times and notice how you feel after you’re done. If you’re familiar with different pranayama techniques, try adding one into your practice daily.