Ethical Yoga Matters: 'Kundalini Rising' with Elizabeth Hudson
An interview with the Los Angeles-based spiritual coach
by Jordan Schaul | Google Knowledge Panel | JCS Strategies | More Interviews
I regularly attend Barre 3 classes, and while I love the elements of cardio, postural yoga, breathwork, strength training, dance, etc., I realize the importance of meditative practices that I have less experience with. Barre offers a well-rounded program centered around a mind-body approach to health and wellness.
Fitness classes like aerobics represent one end of the spectrum of ‘mind-body’ practices because any rigorous exercise helps the mind. On the other end of these integrative disciplines are traditional yogic and martial arts practices (e.g., Kundalini and Tai Chi). The latter combines postural elements and considerable internal work.
Postural or external aspects are a tiny facet of yoga, but they have emerged as highly commercialized components in the Western World. I wasn’t aware of this when I was introduced to yoga under the auspices of a private teacher, and I often wonder how many seasoned yogis are committed to it as a mental and spiritual practice today.
While many new yogis choose to start with posture-focused yoga instead of Kundalini, an integrative mind-body practice sits at the core of many ancient self-development practices, including martial arts. For example, Tai Chi emphasizes external elements, while Qigong is more energetic and focused on mental wellness. Both, like yoga, are essential to spiritual growth and are widely recognized by Western Medicine for their complementary health benefits.
“The difficult part of being a spiritual coach and a spiritual teacher is that there is no quick fix when it comes to the evolution and expansion of our soul and our consciousness.” - Elizabeth Hudson
Modern yoga is asana- or posture-heavy, but traditional yoga was much more cerebral and scholastic in nature. Furthermore, the ancient postural forms were not regarded with the same reverence as the internal and introspective practices.
Without working on the psychoemotional and spiritual aspects of practice – known as the inner work – one is almost missing the point of yoga. You might as well stretch and go ride a bike or go for a swim. If anything, it is the inner work that is most central to the practice of yoga.
Kundalini yoga stands apart from almost every other form of yogic practice as it maintains the integrity of the deeply spiritual practice and philosophical approach to life that ancient yogis, monks, and mystics taught as a means of awakening consciousness.
Kundalini yoga stands apart from almost every other form of yogic practice as it maintains the integrity of the deeply spiritual practice and philosophical approach to life that ancient yogis, monks, and mystics taught as a means of awakening consciousness.
More than ever, we seem to appreciate integrative approaches to health and wellness that facilitate holistic transformation. It seems like the pendulum may be swinging back in favor of a more balanced practice that is more reminiscent of what the ancient texts—the Upanishads—described as the kinds of yoga and how to practice them.
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.” - Swami Vivekananda
Interview:
Jordan: Kundalini yoga is very potent, and its benefits to physical, spiritual, and mental wellness are unrivaled among yogic practices. For lack of a better comparison, the difference between modern postural forms of yoga and Kundalini yoga is like playing a basketball video game versus playing in the NBA. One is a virtual recreational pursuit, and the other is an authentic immersion process that is both philosophical and spiritual. The former is more like watching it, and the latter is like living it. The physical element of Kundalini practice is just one domain or tool to help awaken this energy. As a Kundalini teacher, do you explain this to people or counsel them beforehand, or do you just encourage them to try it?
Elizabeth: That is a wonderful analogy that points to the very important distinction between experience and theory. Kundalini practice or meditation practice gives us experience of a deeper connection through our breath through connection to our intuition and our more subtle senses. This is something that theoretically can be understood by the mind, but more importantly and more powerfully, can be experienced through the practice.
Jordan: Can you discuss the metaphorical reference to awakening Kundalini by uncoiling the snake and a bit about chakra balancing and realignment?
Elizabeth: The metaphorical reference to uncoiling the snake, which is the kundalini energy rising, is about the Ida and the Pingala, the masculine, and the feminine energies up the spinal column and awakening the chakra system, which is much like a snake rising up and lining our energetic system.
Jordan: Kundalini awakening can be achieved actively and passively through meditation and breathwork. Can you elaborate on this? Also, can you describe more about the Kundalini Activation Process, which has drawn attention in recent years?
Elizabeth: Divine feminine energy is the ultimate creative power of the universe. It is Mother Earth. It is the nurturing aspects of caregiving, maternal grace, and unconditional love. The divine feminine is also the ultimate power, as we see with Mother Nature. It is quite fierce at times and not to be trifled with.
Jordan: Most ancient texts across numerous cultures refer to divine feminine powers. The Greeks refer to Aphrodite, and the Hindus refer to Kundalini Shakti. Can you explain what it means to manifest this divine feminine energy?
Elizabeth: A kundalini awakening is a very personal experience that differs from person to person. The activation process inherent in kundalini yoga, meditation, or breath work practice is a technology employed to awaken this potent energy that lies within all of us. There is nothing to be afraid of, as this energy is naturally a part of who we are, but it can be quite powerful and, therefore, should be handled carefully and consciously.
There is nothing to be afraid of, as this energy is naturally a part of who we are, but it can be quite powerful and, therefore, should be handled carefully and consciously.
Jordan: Your podcast Sexual Alchemy taps into the divine feminine. Kundalini is inherently feminine. Can you tell us about the podcast and perhaps some of the guests and topics that you have explored?
Elizabeth: My podcast Sexual Alchemy came through what I found to be a chasm in the bridge between spirituality and sexuality. I feel there needs to be so much more awareness and consciousness around our spiritual energy in terms of it being sacred and as an expression of divine creation. Guests I have on my podcast vary from Native American shamans to sex toy creators to consciousness coaches to comedians. It has been a wonderful opportunity for me to engage in discourse around conscious sexuality. First from a place of healing, removing shame, and opening to a far greater expression of our life as a force energy located at the sacral chakra.
Jordan: You have been practicing yoga for two decades and have taught Kundalini for 15 years? What drew you to Kundalini? Are there other types of mind-body practice that you have explored, borrowed from, endorsed, or are otherwise curious about?
Elizabeth: I was drawn Kundalini, as I was a seeker of various modalities of spiritual practice from Kabala to Jaffe yoga to meditation. Kundalini gave me an experience that got me hooked. What I have found in my almost 2 decades of teaching spiritual practices is that it gives you an experience of your higher self in ways, unlike any others that I’ve explored. As far as other types of mind-body practice, I enjoy Vinyasa yoga. I enjoy the teachings of Paramahansa yoga. I enjoy Kirtan chanting, and mostly, I enjoy surfing and being out in nature.
Jordan: The popularity of postural forms of modern yoga may be at an all-time high. Yoga was once on the periphery of mainstream health and wellness programs. Now, as an adjunct therapy, it is praised by Western medicine practitioners. It's rare to find people who haven't tried some form of yoga, whether they are aware of it or not. For example, I've been joining a regular barre class to complement weight training and to work on my core strength. Barre borrows from some postural yoga practices. What have you observed since you began practicing as far as yoga becoming so widely popular?
Elizabeth: Yes, it’s quite something how mainstream yoga has become, and it certainly speaks to the necessity of a deeper connection to spirit through movement and various disciplines. I am sometimes amused by how Western culture tries to make yoga almost competitive or more outward, using words such as power, yoga, etc. Ultimately, yoga practice is about relaxing the nervous system and aligning the mind, body, and spirit.
I am sometimes amused by how Western culture tries to make yoga almost competitive or more outward, using words such as power, yoga, etc. Ultimately, yoga practice is about relaxing the nervous system and aligning the mind, body, and spirit.
Jordan: People want a quick fix, and the outer practice offers a much quicker fix than the inner work. Have the masses abandoned or simply dismissed the spiritual practice and philosophical tenets of Yoga-Vendata? Is this close to accurate, or are people embracing a serious yoga practice integratively?
Elizabeth: Yes, unfortunately, we are in a time where people are used to instant gratification and often can find it. We have solutions at our fingertips like never before. The difficult part of being a spiritual coach and a spiritual teacher is that there is no quick fix when it comes to the evolution and expansion of our soul and our consciousness. It is a process that requires acclimation to each step as we go. I’ve seen many people do this work and receive enormous results
Jordan: The peer-reviewed literature reports that a yoga practice slows cellular aging, which contributes to cognitive decline and osteoarthritis, among other pathologies. It also serves as a preventive measure for combatting lifestyle diseases like diabetes. Meditation and breathwork can help cultivate greater awareness and mindfulness and calm the mind, which really translates to helping with our stress response. But again, all of these benefits work synergistically and potentiate each other. Are there other applications of yoga that might surprise people?
Elizabeth: Yes, there is plenty to support the tangible effects of a yoga practice as it relaxes our nervous system, creates more balance and integrity in our internal organs, etc. I love to point out science as much as possible to make it tangible for anyone who might approach the practice with doubt. For example, the scientific truth of the placebo effect shows us how powerful our thoughts can be if we believe a pill will fix us; whether it is medicinal or not, it can have that effect. It is important to realize how mindfulness can have a powerful effect on our external reality.
Jordan: Some forms of yoga are more appropriate for those with limited experience with mind-body practices, while other forms cater to clients with certain health concerns or specific needs and goals. Are the more integrative forms of yoga necessarily less commercialized, or is that an unfair characterization, considering yogic practices should really be integrative by definition?
Elizabeth: Yes, all yoga practices are ultimately integrative. How deep someone is willing to go in their practice is truly up to the individual. When I teach a class, I often say you are your own guide. You can make this as deep as you want it to be.
Yes, all yoga practices are ultimately integrative. How deep someone is willing to go in their practice is truly up to the individual. When I teach a class, I often say you are your own guide. You can make this as deep as you want it to be.
Jordan: Since you help clients improve their lives by elevating their consciousness through holistic transformation, what are your thoughts about the consumerism and commercialism that have plagued some aspects of modern postural yoga practices?
Elizabeth: Of course, there is always a downside to some degree about anything becoming too commercialized or based on consumerism or transactional. Unfortunately, we have seen examples of exploitation from various yoga gurus in almost all disciplines, including kundalini.
Jordan: How do yogis stay grounded as spiritual teachers and avoid the temptation to become capitalist-driven fitness industry professionals? I can see how postural yoga teachers might do this, but it seems incompatible with teaching kundalini.
Elizabeth: Ideally, anyone teaching yoga is conscious of their actions and not exploitative in any way. There is nothing wrong with receiving a flow of energy in terms of receiving compensation for services. Like anything, there is karma involved in exploitation or anything that comes from greed. When this is an alignment, this is a beautiful exchange.
Jordan: It is perhaps an interesting commentary on society, but Westerners probably know more about hot yoga and goat yoga than kundalini. Is that fair? Why goats? Why not alpacas? Joking. Is it because goats like to negotiate rough terrain, which I guess is similar to jumping on someone's back? They should try to introduce Dall sheep or rock wallabies. I digress.
Elizabeth: Yes, that’s true and funny. Yoga is more of a cute gimmick. Kundalini is a very specific path. If it speaks to you, you are ready for it. As you pointed out before because it is not a quick fix and involves a little deeper work, sometimes that can be challenging, but it is much more rewarding.
Jordan: It is commendable that people follow their passion, but yoga presents an ethical dilemma for the enterprising practitioner. Do teachers address this in a formal way? Is it part of the credentialing or certification process? The dichotomy between spiritual teacher and fitness coach has always intrigued me regarding yogic practices.
Elizabeth: Yes, it is in incredible ethical responsibility to be a spiritual teacher in teacher training. It is addressed with the utmost care. Ultimately, anyone taking on the spiritual responsibility and care of anyone else must do so with the utmost discipline. There need to be strong boundaries, discipline, and humility.
Jordan: Some entrepreneurial yogis open boutique single-establishment studios. Others have gone on to become owners of large retail chains like Denver-based CorePower Yoga, which owns 22 outlets across 22 states. YogaSix is the largest yoga franchise. Still, other teachers and enthusiasts have emerged as ‘yogalebrities’ with cultlike followings on Instagram. One take is that as more people gain exposure to yoga, there is hope that many will get fit, and some will more fully realize the benefits of the practice as it was originally intended. Do you have a perspective on this?
Elizabeth: Yoga celebrities have their benefits and capabilities. There are certainly those who have given a great voice to creating yoga as a popular practice. Sometimes, this is a great thing, and sometimes, it’s not.
Jordan: Documentaries have chronicled the rise and demise of a few once highly celebrated yogis. You may know them personally, which, of course, you don't have to disclose. But some of them were considered modern 'gurus' because of their fame, distinguishing them from the real gurus who were revered teachers of Indian-origin religions. Do you ever talk about your teachers or those who have influenced your practice?
Elizabeth: Yes, there have been many instances of gurus who have exploited their power. With great power comes great responsibility, and the true test of being enlightened is not exploiting those who seek guidance from you. Unfortunately, there are too many examples of those who have failed this test. I have seen some wonderful teachers who have taught me what to do and sometimes also what not to do.
Jordan: Yoga is about harnessing and fulfilling the ego and not annihilating it or letting it run wild—the antithesis of what practicing yoga is supposed to be. Yet even yoga, which raises consciousness and is often described as the art and science of healthy living, has drawn its share of charlatans. After some highly publicized scandals, are people more aware of these concerns regarding harmful behavior perpetrated in such sacred spaces?
Elizabeth: Too often, we see the exploitation of power in the areas of religion and politics. I think a yoga practice falls somewhere in between both. I’m somewhat kidding, but unfortunately, human nature is what it is. I hope future generations will do better.
Jordan: Economic incentives drive a booming health and wellness industry, and yoga and Pilates studios are great examples of why. Amazon has replaced many brick-and-mortar streetside businesses. Once rare tenants in strip centers, malls, and boutique shopping districts, yoga and Pilates establishments have become a staple in retail centers and commercial zones in metropolitan areas all over the US. In 2020, there were almost 40 thousand mind-body practice venues.
You host retreats. Can you talk a bit about them? Do these necessarily cater to higher-end, more seasoned, or more devoted clients? Are people inclined to benefit more from these events because you spend more time together, presumably?
Elizabeth: Hosting retreats has been one of my great joys as a teacher. I have taken students to places like Ojai, California, Joshua Tree, Tulum, Mexico, and Bali, Indonesia.
The benefits of a retreat are the experiences. It gives the practitioners an opportunity to have a deeper experience away from their everyday lives, which tends to integrate the benefits on a deeper level. Yes, the bonding has provided many deep friendships.
Jordan: Yoga and Pilates studios comprise a nearly 40-billion-dollar market share in the health and wellness industry. Packing high volumes of people into fitness centers is obviously a good and sustainable business model. Insurance companies also benefit from contracting with chains and franchises. But isn't yoga as a group or class endeavor a new concept? I imagine that traditional yoga was more intimate, where a teacher and disciple worked closely on an evolving practice in a more informal engagement.
Elizabeth: There are benefits to group classes and individual one-on-one training. Both are beneficial, and both have been ongoing practices as far as I’m aware.
Jordan: While credited as one of the fathers of modern yoga, Swami Vivekananda was concerned about some Western values. Still, he could not have predicted how a commitment to free-market capitalism in America could eventually alter the trajectory of the very philosophical movement and spiritual practice he hoped could temper Western impulses. Ironically, commercialized yoga has become part of the very 'industrial complex' that he had tried to admonish Westerners about. In your travels, what have you observed or been curious about how other cultures embrace mind-body practices? I suspect they may be less inclined to focus on the aesthetic benefits and more inclined to appreciate an integrative practice. I'm, of course, generalizing.
Elizabeth: My experience with yoga, which is about the union of mind, body, and spirit, has been a journey that involves both postural athleticism and the deep connection of mantra, chanting breath, work, and relaxation.
The concept of unifying the world's religions is ultimately the unifying force of spirituality. When we look within, we dissolve the walls, the borders, and the boxes that divide us and find the unity through the breath, our heartbeat, and the consciousness of the collective that unites us all.
To contact Elizabeth, please visit her website: https://elizabeth-hudson.com/