Integration | Beyond Experiencing Kundalini Activation & Breathwork

Spirituality has become a revolutionary trend in the wellness space over the past decade. Many of us have started experiencing spiritual awakening side effects that shift us through the various masks that the ego wears, and helps us to start remembering, who we really are - but is it all too much, too soon, too fast? This blog targets the basics of the nervous system, what integration actually is, and how to utilise techniques to embody your 'high vibe' experience so you can keep moving forward, safely.

When we start waking up spiritually:

• We question who we spend time with, suddenly feeling an inexplicable rift.

• We question our career direction, how we fit in, if that is the pillar of 'success'.

• We question ourselves, if we are happy, what we want more of, and less.

This theme is the basis of all of my work. To help you remember your true essence, uncovering the layers of the self that have been created by society and familial conditioning, working through the shadow scape of self, and becoming who you really are.

Nervous System Functionality | A Much Needed Note:

What I see on social media right now, are a lot of experiences that are pushing your nervous system into heightened states, overdrive, hyperarousal. When you are in this state, your nervous system is mobilised, you may feel hypervigilant, excited, anxious. Your mind might have racing thoughts, be agitated, easy to anger, you might feel like you are at breaking point, and be driving life from a place of scarcity, lack, anger, and fear. If you are in this state, you may also be unconsciously chasing the next 'high' (breathwork, bodywork, release etc.).

Basic example of the three main states of the nervous system | Click image to read more

If you are in this state, what you need, is to come back into your window of tolerance gently: a regulated nervous system that feels like it can easily move between hyperarousal (when a real threat is detected, or you need extra energy to get through something), and hypoarousal (the ability to shut down, or truly numb out physical/emotional/mental pain if needed and necessary).

I've been there, and I've been doing the homework ever since through extended study.

This ensures that I can develop my own capacity, while also assisting in co-regulation to help you understand your limits. Additionally, it keeps me informed about the best practices to remain trauma-aware, and provides you with the best resources to support you beyond our sessions.

Nervous system regulation isn't actually about being 'zen' like all the time, it's about being able to titillate between states, gently rebuilding your capacity, tenacity, and resilience to an ever-changing life. Like everything, though, this is built with time, patience, and devotion. It is something that becomes a daily practise - not a band-aid to bind the deeper layers that equate to burn-out.

This is why integration matters so much...

Integration | Beyond Experiencing Kundalini Activation & Breathwork

What actually IS Integration?

This has to be one of the most overused buzzwords in healing spaces, so I will do my best to make it as clear as I can, relating it to the yogic context.

In traditional Hatha Yoga, each Asana (physical posture or pose) is practised for a few breaths at a time, usually starting with the right side of the body, then moving to the left side to do the same pose. Often, either between sides, or after each, there is a rebound or integration posture like Tadasana (Mountain Pose, below image). This is also a common practise in yin yoga, rebounding from one gentle posture, into one that balances the energies within to support the previous posture. When you move into this 'integration' posture, you are allowing the body to be still, the mind to be present in the moment, to bring gentle awareness to how things feel in your muscles, your bones, your stance, your posture, to let things shift and settle. At a deeper level, you may become more aware of your breath, your heartbeat, your balance, your insights on how your mind may have slowed, or if any emotions are rising.

Tadasana or Mountain Pose, aids in integration in yoga. Click the image for a video on 'how to'

As Hatha Yoga is not taught often in Australia, you may be more aware of other yoga styles like Vinyasa, Flow Yoga, Slow Flow, Yin, or many other variances. At the very end of the session, the teacher will guide you to lie down on your back; palms facing upward, about 45 degrees away from the body, legs the same, with feet turned gently outward. The invitation is to gently tuck the chin, to draw the shoulders down and back, and soften the arch in the lower back so your spine can connect with the ground, reminding your lower back, your root chakra, your nervous system, that you are safe in your body - the vessel that carries you through life. This is Savasana (Shavasana, savasan, corpse pose etc.). This is your opportunity for your body to integrate all that the physical practice has taught your body from it's wisest place. Pure connection to self, to your consciousness. This is your chance to listen to the deep wisdom from within. Because that's what yoga is, the word literally means 'union' or 'to unite'. It brings back the balance of your mind, body, and soul, so you can become one again, to join your self, in union.

What happens with regular practise of yoga, is that you gain deeper self-awareness. Not only of how your body is feeling, moving, or flowing on the mat, but how it moves off the mat, after the class, as a result.

You notice that you might have greater mobility, flexibility, space, or strength in the body.

You notice that you might have a clearer, calmer, more focused mind.

You notice that you might feel more connected to spirit, source, god, or your higher self.

Everything is possible, when you pause.

Surrendering to the process; feeling, not thinking

Integration Beyond The Yoga Mat:

It's not just yoga which requires integration, this is just a gentle example. Yoga is a simple practise that can be repeated daily. Many modern spiritual practises actually come from ancient yogic practises like:

• Yoga as we know it in the West = Asana practise, the physical postures, are just one limb/part of what traditional yoga really is.

• Breathwork = Mostly stems from traditional pranayama, life force energy control.

• Energy healing e.g. Reiki, Kundalini Activation, Sekhem etc. = The connection or transference of 'spiritual' energy, stems from faith healing, or even Shaktipat. The latter is a full transmission, known to fully awaken the Kundalini (life force energy) within, in a sustained way.

• Meditation = Dyhana, or contemplation, is a spiritual practise of stillness, becoming the witness, and contemplating the mind's inner workings.

Of these practises, many push the boundaries of the nervous system. Some may have not done correct preparation; have mental health complaints; have fresh, or unstable trauma imprints withing, or have not awakened their third eye enough to see what really needs to change within their lives, so they don't take the aligned action needed,

they don't embody the lesson -

And so, they stay stuck.

As a result, this work can sometimes lead to repercussions by the 'casual devotional' aspirant who isn't fully committed to the path, or whom believe that the physical practise is the pot of gold, when it's just the rainbow, leading you there.

These practises when done too much, too soon, and without correct integration can actually induce a dark night of the soul (often this actually lasts for years), spiritual awakening, kundalini awakening, or even psychosis - please don't take them lightly!

Best Practises Pre and Post Session

Prior to the session:

• If you are going to an event, start witnessing what is rising in your life the week prior.

• Set an intention; what do you want to get out of the event/practise?

• Ground yourself, connect with your spirit team, and call in spiritual protection - first.

• Ask questions! Facilitators expect you not to know everything, we are all learning.

• If you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, unseen, tell the facilitator what you need from them.

• Get comfortable; clothing, position, hair, show up raw, real and ready to connect.

• Set boundaries with yourself, know your edges, and what feels safe. Stop if you need to.

• Ask your higher self/spirit for what you want/need.

• Pack a journal, water bottle, hydrolytes, tissues, comfort items, crystals etc.

• Block out at least half an hour for every hour the event runs over for reflective self time.

• Ask your logical mind to leave, let go of judgement, and allow yourself to feel.

Post Session Integration:

• Call your power and energy back to your body, feel it land.

• Cut any cords or attachments you may feel called to (fi this is within your practise).

• Ground yourself, black tourmaline is great to hold, stomping on earth etc.

• Hydrate - energy needs to move through you, let it go!

• Share your experience if you have the opportunity, this helps others understand what may have occured for them at a deeper level too, and voicing it, brings more awareness to it for yourself, to keep integrating post session.

• Connect with your body; hold yourself, hug, dance, shake, walk, do yoga; let the wisdom of the body show you what it needs.

• Most breathwork and energy healing events will keep moving energy through you for the next 3 - 14 days; create space to feel, notice, witness the changes, and connect to your higher self to ask for clarity on your next steps.

• Journal. Writing is powerful. If you are stuck, chose an emotion you felt during or after that wasn't present before. Describe any colours, symbols, ideas that came in.

• Do oracle cards or tarot around the situation that may have risen in your mind, ask for clarification. Journal.

• Use shadow questions to get to the deeper layers. This work isn't about 'fluff', ;ove & light, and rainbow coloured unicorns - it's about recognising the parts you may have abandoned, supressed, repressed or ignored, and like a child who just needs love, you are bringing those parts, into the light.

• Reach out! Most facilitators will invite you to connect post session, not because it's a 'nice thing to do', but because they want you to know that you are really there for extra support. Reach out, make the move, choose yourself, and learn how to embody the lessons to stop you staying stuck in a time-warp of pain, over purpose.

Give yourself a voice - sharing your experience helps you integrate

If you have any questions, or your own integration suggestions, I would love to hear about them! Please reach out at:

Email: hello@moniqueelouise.com

Instagram: @monique_elouise

Love always,

Monique Elouise | Ma Mani Padma