Confronting one’s fears & finding inner calm is what the latest stay-fit trend ‘Snake Yoga’ is all about.

For all those wanting to be to the fore of the crowds, snake yoga – official terminology ‘Kumara Serpent Healing’ – a derivative of Kundalini yoga – is definitely a must-try. It is a bough of the type that blends adoption of physical poses alongside focussing on respiration, meditation & chants.

The eye-catching part of being part of these sessions is the much-dreaded rendezvous with ‘snakes’. Snake yoga was developed by Kwalin Kumara who strongly believes that the objective of the class is deepening out link to the innate world & spirit with the use of her amicable, therapeutic snakes as guide.

Trouncing one’s innate repugnance to the snake species would assist in unblocking one’s chakras, facilitating free energy flowing all through our bodies – that could noticeably bring about all-rounded improvement in all spheres of our life.

The logic to snakes being a vital part of this session is to connect individuals to what’s transpiring within them. A total of 8 workshops are held which are basically corresponding to the 8 chakras (energy points reaching up via the body in an upright line from spinal base towards the mane of one’s head). It is believed that unobstructed energy flow must ideally occur throughout the 8 chakras, though in majority of the individuals, there is an obstruction in some place causing several issues. Any form of anxiety could be causal to blockage in the chakras & surmounting them could aid in more free flow of energy – due to which reason the snakes come into the picture.

The base (1st) chakra is situated at the spinal base. On placement of a droplet of perfumed oil on the forehead area of all participants, one starts off with performing the ‘mulbandh squeezes’ or what we understand ‘pelvic floor exercises’.

One goes through several poses like the crow pose – which can be a rather uncomfortable posture wherein one has to thrust one’s tongue outside & be doing rapid breathing, pant & pump the stomach. The snakes are central to Kundalini that deems that energy is seated latent, looped at the spinal base alike serpents. The reason for performing this yoga is to set free that energy & for easing the stress & strain of a chaotic existence.

Following a rough start, there is lengthy relaxing period ensued by meditating to tunes. Due to the intensity of the yoga – one moving swiftly amid tough poses – one tends to forget about the presence of the slithering crawlies in the workshop.

After one has done the chants, one is then required to meditate for removing all fears. One has to be seated by crossing one’s legs and holding arm up to one’s sides and then making fingers movements as per directions.

At the conclusion of the workshop one is bound to feel a sense of intense tranquillity with the yoga poses & relaxation having done their part.

So, if you do get a chance to participate in a snake yoga workshop – go ahead and give it a try, who knows, you just might end up shedding inhibitions and excess weight.