Kundalini yoga (Yoga)

This form of yoga includes those practices which are specifically directed to the arousal of the kundalini serpent power, the central psycho-physical force in the human body, and to the purification of the elements of the body which takes place upon that event. This awakening is achieved by will power, with the aid of the most rigorously controlled practices of bodily purification as each of the psychic forces exalts the physical consciousness through the ascending planes, leading finally to ultimate union with the supreme self, and consequent enlightenment and transcendent bliss. Breathing exercises, physical postures - [asana]

- and ritual gestures - [mudra]

- are also included in the practice. Seven centres, also called "lotus" or chakras, are defined; these psychological centres are distributed throughout the body and may be activated by a rising spiritual power, by "awakening the coiled serpent" which otherwise sleeps at the lowest of the seven centres, leaving the other centres unactivated.

This form of yoga is part of the tantric system and has much in common with what is termed tantric yoga. It is also considered to be an aspect of raja yoga.