Let Go. Let Rise. Let Flow. Intro to Kundalini.

Before moving to Bali, I had never heard of Kundalini. Then suddenly, it was everywhere—slipping into conversations, whispered at yoga classes, casually dropped over smoothie bowls. My participation was inevitable.

For those who aren't acquainted with the concept, and correct me if I am wrong: Kundalini is said to be a dormant energy coiled at the base of the spine, often visualized as two serpents. When awakened, it slithers up through the chakras, unlocking untapped potential, emotional releases, and sometimes—depending on who you ask—spontaneous enlightenment. KAP (Kundalini Activation Process) is the modern fast-track to this awakening. A facilitator channels energy, and you just... lie there and let things happen. Note: I did not learn this until after my first session

Well.

My first encounter with KAP was at a festival in Ubud. I still had no idea what I was getting into, but by that point, I had heard "Kundalini" enough times to feel like the universe was personally inviting me. So I found myself lying on a mat in a room with 50 other people, instructed to close my eyes and "stay open to receive."

The session lasted an hour, but it felt like ten minutes. Possibly because I fell asleep. But in that hazy in-between state, I swear I felt something—like a dragon twisting its way through my body. I snapped myself awake, shut that thought down, and convinced myself I had imagined it.

A few days later, I met a woman who actually hosts KAP sessions. I told her about my experience, expecting her to dismiss it. Instead, she gave me a knowing look.

She explained to me what Kundalini was (see above), and that it may be time for me to start listening to my intuition.

Okay. Lucky guess.

A month later, I joined a women’s group for a full moon gathering—candles, intentions, the works. At the end, one of the facilitators mentioned that if anyone wanted to stay for a KAP session, she’d be leading one.

Obviously, I stayed.

And this time I was fully convulsing on the floor. I'm so serious. Mind you--if I had chosen how to react, I might’ve gone for something more subtle—perhaps a serene shudder, an elegant sigh. But no. My body had other plans.

I was writhing, belly contracting and releasing, shoulders shaking like I was trying to escape my own skin. I felt like I was gagging, choking, coughing up something invisible but very real.

Spoiler alert: this is the exact chakra multiple healers have told me I need to work on. Throat blockages. Classic.

Eventually, the session came to a close, we said our goodbyes and I stumbled outside, still vibrating with whatever had just cracked open inside me. A man was sitting on a nearby bench, staring at the sky. He turned as I passed, studied me for a moment, then nodded like he recognized me from somewhere. Before I could say anything, he stood up, stretched, and walked away. His shirt had a single phrase printed on the back: "Let go. Let rise. Let flow." with the Ouroboros wrapped around it.