Somatic Kundalini
100h immersion with Tara Judelle & Tova Olsson
Kuṇḍalinī is one of the most mysterious, and perhaps misunderstood, concepts in the history of yoga. It finds its origin in early tantric texts, where it refers to a "coil" which later transformed into the well-known image of a snake, lying coiled at the base of the spine. Later hatḥa yogic practices were designed to wake kuṇḍalinī through forceful methods, causing her to rise through the midline of the body, which was thought to result in immortality. Yet, the tantric understanding was always that kuṇḍalinī is nothing other than the Goddess, a portion of her divine creative capacity gifted to the individual. As such, it must never be forced, manipulated or taken advantage of, but must be awakened both gently and gradually. In fact, tantric tradition holds that the Goddess herself choses when she wants to wake up inside of us. It holds that our very practice, our efforts, are a sign of her grace.
The 100-hour Somatic Kuṇḍalinī immersion is a new offering developed to open up the conversational around the wisdom of kuṇḍalinī in the body. As all Embodied Flow offerings, this one approaches the territory of ancient tantric traditions through our own somatic experience, calling back our intuition, opening the channel to the wisdom of our body-mind, and releasing our individual creativity.
In this 10-day container we will enter into the discovery of kuṇḍalinī via glands, bones, fluids and embryology. We will endeavor to know the subtle energy through our concrete body topography, as we unveil clues of the potent life-force we call kuṇḍalinī.
While previous experience with yoga, embodiment and meditation is suggested, you can attend this immersion without previous training, just the desire to know and befriend this life focus energy so that you can court and utilize it throughout your lifetime.
After this program you will have full knowledge and awareness of the structures in your body that utilize and activate elevated sensorial awakened states of consciousness. You will have the tools to both activate and balance kuṇḍalinī processes. You will know how to ground and stabilize energies within your body and how to work with others that are going through a kuṇḍalinī process. Most of all, you will gain the keys to initiating your own potent energy of the universe within the microcosm of you.
In this very special training, Tara Judelle, the creator of Embodied Flow, will be accompanied by scholar of religion Tova Olsson, who will teach daily classes on the Daśa Mahāvidyā - the ten tantric wisdom goddesses. The Mahāvidyās (literally translated as "great wisdoms") each represent one aspect of kuṇḍalinī śakti, or one face of the Goddess that we meet as we move through practice and through life. As we study and practice with them, we make sense out of the different stages of our spiritual lives, but we also learn to recognize and worship the divine energy which is present (according to tantric tradition) in all aspects of reality, even those we try our best to avoid. Just as kuṇḍalinī, the Mahāvidyās have been feared and misunderstood. In this training, we approach them through great respect and devotion, but also pragmatically and safely.
This is the loving offering of two teachers who have spent decades of their lives immersed in and embodying tantric teachings and who are madly in love with the Goddess. Who share the same lineage and the same longing for intimacy with reality, for embodied liberation.
If you want to understand and work with the Daśa Mahāvidyā and kuṇḍalinī, both through somatic practices, philosophical discussion, mythological storytelling and mantra and meditation techniques, this retreat is for you.
This immersion will focus on
Somatic approach to body, the glands, and kundalini
Daily non-dual tantric meditation and mantra practice
Embryological investigation of the main energy centers of awakening
Lectures on the Daśa Mahāvidyā and Śākta Tantra
Somatic free movement to help court and assimilate the kuṇḍalinī śakti.
Holding space for yourself and others through kuṇḍalinī activation.
The Daily Schedule:
07:00 – 8:30 meditation, mantra, breathwork journaling.
09:00 – 11:00 Dynamic movement practice.
01:00 – 03:00 Mahāvidyā lectures (including mantra and meditation)
03:30 – 05:30 Afternoon, practice/ lab.
Support materials:
(not required but supportive to your work)
Awakening Shakti, by Sally Kempton.
Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine, by David Kinsley
Dates:
April 1-11, 2027
Venue:
The Yoga Barn, Ubud, Bali
Pricing:
PLEASE NOTE – This training is non-residential, students need to book their own accommodation.
Standard Rate: $2375 USD ( $2250 USD Tuition + $125 USD Meals & Materials) $500 USD deposit within 7 days of confirmation, full rate by January 1st, 2027
What’s included:
10 days of in-person training
Daily organic & nourishing brunch at The Yoga Barn
In-depth teacher training manual
Your Teachers:
Tova Olsson:
Tova Olsson is a scholar of religion, author and senior yoga teacher. She is appreciated for her humorous approach and deep knowledge, for her ability to explain esoteric ideas and philosophical concepts in an accessible and embodied way, and for her immersive storytelling.
As a ‘Scholar-Practitioner’, she strives to combine an academic, critical understanding with the experience of a long-term practitioner, offering teachings that provide liberating knowledge – on many different levels. She holds a MA in Religious Studies and is currently working on her PhD, researching the construction of gender in contemporary tantra in Europe. Tova is the author of Yoga and Tantra: History, Philosophy and Mythology, published by the renowned Motilal Banarsidass, as well as numerous academic articles. She also runs the online school Saraswati-Studies and is part of the teaching faculty on several international yoga teacher trainings, where she shares her passion for yogic and tantric philosophy and mythology.
Tara Judelle:
Tara has been facilitating yoga experiences since 2001. From her base in Los Angeles, she relocated to Bali in 2010- from which she began touring and facilitating workshops, immersions, trainings, and retreats internationally. Motivated by her strong desire to find technologies that enable her students to realize their full and joyous multi-dimensional selves. The response to the conversation to become liberated and embodied is the School of Embodied Flow. Inspired to innovate the method and means of the yogic conversation, weaving tantric philosophy, skillful movement, and playful humor into her facilitation. She curates Embodied Flow yoga happenings to incite students towards expanded consciousness and an awakened experience of themselves. Her dynamic style brings ease and authenticity into a new yoga culture.
Space is limited and acceptance is by application only.
$500 USD Deposit is due upon acceptance to reserve your spot. Deposits are non-refundable and are part of the overall tuition.
This 100 hours can count towards the Embodied Flow 300h certificate.
Or towards Yoga Alliance CE units.