The Difference Between Somatic Release and Kundalini Awakening

Tantra

Dec 17

When energy activates in the body, it can manifest as spontaneous movements, ranging from gentle tremors to more pronounced shaking. These movements are not random; they serve important healing and regulatory purposes:

Physical Release

Releasing deeply held muscle tension
Unwinding fascia and connective tissue
Supporting trauma release stored in the body
Allowing organs and tissues to release tension and stagnation

Nervous System Regulation

Activating the parasympathetic nervous system
Helping the body return to balance
Integrating higher states of awareness into the physical form

Over time, these movements may change in intensity. Early stages often involve noticeable shaking or full-body tremors, which gradually decrease as the body integrates the energy. You may then notice:

Subtle or micro-movements rather than large shaking
Heightened states of pleasure, vitality, or ecstatic sensations
Refined energetic awareness and internal sensations

This process reflects body-based healing, sometimes called “somatic release”, which differs from Kundalini activation. While body shaking and movement help release tension, regulate the nervous system, and integrate trauma, Kundalini refers specifically to the awakening of latent spiritual energy at the base of the spine.

What is Kundalini?

Kundalini, often depicted as a coiled serpent resting at the base of the spine, is considered a powerful, primordial life force energy present in every human being. In yogic and tantric traditions, this energy is seen as the creative, evolutionary potential waiting to be awakened and guided upward through the body's energy centers (chakras), ultimately leading to expanded consciousness and spiritual realisation.

When Kundalini awakens, it begins to rise through the central channel (sushumna nadi) along the spine, activating and clearing each chakra. This awakening can be spontaneous or cultivated through specific practices such as breathwork, meditation, mantra, yoga, or tantric techniques.

Signs of Kundalini Awakening

Kundalini activation can manifest in various ways, including:

Physical sensations
Heat or coolness moving up the spine, tingling, vibrations, or waves of energy throughout the body
Spontaneous movements
Yoga postures (kriyas), mudras (hand gestures), or rhythmic movements
Emotional releases
Sudden waves of joy, bliss, grief, or other emotions surfacing without an obvious cause
Energetic experiences
Seeing lights or colors, feeling energy spiraling or pulsing, sensing expansion beyond the physical body
Shifts in consciousness
Heightened intuition, mystical experiences, feelings of unity or oneness, profound insights
Intense dreams or visions
Symbolic imagery, spiritual encounters, or vivid dreamscapes

Key Distinctions

Body Shaking & Somatic Movements - Primarily therapeutic, grounded in releasing trauma, tension, and blocked energy. These movements can occur spontaneously or through guided practices like TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises), breathwork, or somatic bodywork such as de-armouring. The focus is on nervous system regulation and physical-emotional integration.
Kundalini Energy - A subtle, multidimensional spiritual energy that unfolds along the chakras and energy channels. While it may include physical sensations and movements, Kundalini awakening is not limited to physical release. It involves consciousness expansion, spiritual transformation, and the integration of higher states of awareness into everyday life. The process is often non-linear and can unfold over months or years.

The Evolution of Practice

As the practice deepens, physical movements often become more subtle, and the focus shifts from releasing tension to developing a conscious, harmonious relationship with the energy itself. Practitioners report a progression from experiencing bodily sensations and tremors as something happening to them, to experiencing energy as a collaborative, intelligent, and integrated process of personal and spiritual transformation.

With Kundalini work specifically, this evolution often includes:

Greater capacity to work consciously with energy flow
Deepening awareness of energetic blockages and their resolution
Enhanced sensitivity to subtle energetic states
Integration of spiritual experiences into daily life
A sense of being guided by an intelligence greater than the individual self

Important Considerations

Kundalini awakening is a powerful process that benefits from proper guidance, grounding practices, and supportive frameworks. Without adequate preparation or support, intense Kundalini experiences can feel overwhelming or destabilising. Working with an experienced practitioner who understands both the somatic and spiritual dimensions of this work can help ensure the process unfolds safely and sustainably.

Whether you're engaging in somatic release practices or consciously working with Kundalini energy, the body's innate wisdom guides the journey. Trusting this process while maintaining grounded awareness creates the foundation for deep healing and transformation.