Tapping into Divine Feminine Energy: A Yogi’s Guide
Years ago, I was sitting in a friend’s house in Rishikesh, India, drinking chai and chatting with the group. There was a huge mural of what I thought was Shiva sitting in meditation on the wall. His bright blue skin and sleepy expression only covered one side of this body. The other side had multiple arms and an incandescent glow.
I turned to the person sitting closest to it and asked: “Is that Shiva or Shakti?”
”It’s both,” he replied. I blinked at him, not understanding why they would paint both as the same person.
True to Indian culture, speaking from a place of wisdom and not saying too much, he said, ”We all have masculine and feminine energy within us, don’t we? We must find balance.”
I nodded. Duh, of course. After all, the entire point of Yoga is to balance your energies so that you can sit quietly and commune with God (basically). Feminine and masculine energy are a core aspect of this.
Just like anyone who ventures down the yogic path, I’ve spent the last ten years studying this. Understanding this balance has helped me heal a lot of my body and mental health as I’ve backed away from my masculine energy and leaned more into my feminine energy to find a nice, sustainable balance.
Here’s everything I know so that you can begin this journey of tapping into feminine energy within yourself!
Divine Feminine Energy Throughout History
Feminine energy ain’t new. Throughout history, the divine feminine has been a big deal across many cultures, symbolizing creation, fertility, wisdom, and compassion. Think about ancient Egypt with the goddess Isis, who stood for motherhood and magic, or Greek mythology with goddesses like Athena and Aphrodite, who embodied wisdom and love. Indigenous cultures have always honored Mother Earth as the ultimate life-giver, emphasizing the nurturing and sustaining aspects of feminine energy.
When it comes to yoga, the divine feminine is everywhere. The concept of Shakti, the powerful, creative force of the universe, is seen as the essence of divine feminine energy. Shakti is the source of all movement and change, perfectly balancing the still, unchanging essence of Shiva (pure consciousness, stillness, consistency and reliability). This dance between energies shows how essential the divine feminine is for keeping things in balance and fostering growth, both within ourselves and in the universe.
Divine Feminine Energy in Yogic Texts
In yogic philosophy, the divine feminine is beautifully captured through the concept of Shakti, which represents the dynamic, creative force of the universe. The ancient texts, like the Vedas and Upanishads, often speak of Prakriti, the natural world, as a manifestation of Shakti. This energy is seen as vital for life and transformation, flowing through all living beings and the cosmos itself.
The Bhagavad Gita also highlights the importance of the divine feminine, emphasizing the role of Shakti in maintaining balance and harmony. According to yogic teachings, Shakti complements the still, unchanging essence of Shiva, illustrating a perfect dance of energies. Shiva represents the masculine energy—stable, grounding, and meditative. Together, Shakti and Shiva show the importance of both energies working in harmony, like two sides of the same coin, each essential for the universe’s functioning and for our personal balance.
By understanding and connecting with Shakti, practitioners can tap into a powerful source of creativity, intuition, and inner strength, which supports personal and spiritual growth.
Goddesses and Their Energies
I really Iike how Yoga and Hinduism don’t create a black-and-white explanation for existence… because if we’ve learned anything in our short lives on this planet it’s that nothing is black-and-white. There are multitudes to you and each of those parts is just as real as the other, each necessitating awareness and nurturing. So while “Shakti” is the umbrella feminine energy, these goddesses above can help us understand these aspects within ourselves.
- Durga: Known as the warrior goddess, Durga represents strength, protection, and courage. She is often depicted riding a lion or tiger, symbolizing her fearless nature and ability to overcome evil. Durga’s energy reminds us of our inner strength and the power to face challenges head-on.
- Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth, prosperity, and abundance, Lakshmi brings blessings of material and spiritual riches. Her presence is often associated with beauty, fertility, and good fortune. Lakshmi’s energy encourages us to cultivate gratitude and attract positivity and abundance into our lives.
- Saraswati: As the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts, Saraswati embodies wisdom, creativity, and learning. She is usually depicted with a veena (a musical instrument), symbolizing the harmony of knowledge and art. Saraswati’s energy inspires us to pursue our passions, expand our minds, and express ourselves creatively.
- Kali: The goddess of destruction and transformation, Kali represents the fierce aspect of the divine feminine. Though she might seem intimidating with her dark, wild appearance, Kali’s energy is about breaking down the old to make way for the new. She teaches us the importance of letting go and embracing change for personal growth.
- Parvati: Known as the goddess of love, fertility, and devotion, Parvati embodies nurturing and compassionate energy. She is often seen as the ideal wife and mother, symbolizing balance and harmony in relationships. Parvati’s energy encourages us to cultivate love, devotion, and care in our interactions with others.
These goddesses are not outside of us: they are parts of us that we tend to ignore because they’re so familiar to us already. Just like we don’t notice what’s right in front of us unless someone points it out, we sometimes don’t notice that we have exactly what we need right within us. The goddesses help us recognize these parts of ourselves so that we can really care for ourselves in exactly the way that we need.
Understanding Divine Feminine Energy Within Yourself
Understanding both masculine and feminine energy within ourselves is really about finding balance and harmony in life. No matter who you are, everyone has a mix of these energies, and recognizing how they show up in your actions and interactions can lead to better self-awareness and growth. Divine feminine energy, in particular, brings qualities like intuition, empathy, creativity, and nurturing. By tapping into this energy, you can improve your emotional intelligence, connect more deeply with others, and approach life with more compassion and understanding.
For example, when I want to stop feeling sorry for myself, I focus on Kali’s energy, which is destructive and burns away things that do not serve us to make space for the natural abundant flow of life.
When I want to bask in the abundance mindset, I focus on Lakshmi and cultivate gratitude for my current abundance and what I have in store.
When I am wanting someone to hold me, protect me, and just be with me in those dark moments, I bring in Durga and Parvati… parts of myself that are protective, nurturing, and compassionate.
For women, embracing their divine feminine energy is especially important. It’s a big part of their identity and overall well-being. When women recognize and nurture this energy, they often feel more connected to their intuition and inner wisdom, which helps them make choices that truly resonate with who they are. Plus, embracing the divine feminine can boost confidence, resilience, and a sense of community. The impact is HUGE—it can change how women see themselves and their role in the world, leading to more fulfilling and balanced lives.
Practices to Cultivate Divine Feminine Energy
So how do we cultivate feminine energy?? By engaging in activities and practices that nurture intuition, creativity, and emotional well-being. Here are some simple yet powerful ways to connect with and enhance your divine feminine energy:
1. Yoga and Movement
Yoga poses were designed to foster energy flow, so selecting a yoga practice that supports the aspects of feminine energy can be fun and powerful. I quite like this yoga flow:
If you want to try out a few of my favorite feminine energy yoga poses, then these are a great place to start:
Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana)
Chakra: Sacral (Svadhisthana) and Root (Muladhara)
Benefits: Opens the hips, strengthens the legs, and embodies the power and grace of feminine energy.
How to Do It:
- Stand with your feet wide apart, turn your toes out, and bend your knees.
- Lower your hips and bring your hands to your heart or extend them overhead.
- Hold the pose, feeling the grounding and empowering energy flow through your legs and hips.
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Chakra: Heart (Anahata) and Throat (Vishuddha)
Benefits: Opens the heart and throat chakras, encourages vulnerability and emotional release.
How to Do It:
- Kneel on the floor with your knees hip-width apart.
- Place your hands on your lower back and gently lean back, reaching for your heels.
- Lift your chest and let your head drop back, opening your heart and throat.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Chakra: Third Eye (Ajna) and Root (Muladhara)
Benefits: Provides a calming and nurturing effect, grounding and soothing for the nervous system.
How to Do It:
- Kneel on the floor, bring your big toes together, and sit back on your heels.
- Extend your arms forward and rest your forehead on the mat.
- Breathe deeply, feeling grounded and connected to your inner wisdom.
Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
Chakra: Sacral (Svadhisthana) and Heart (Anahata)
Benefits: Opens the hips and chest, promotes relaxation and introspection.
How to Do It:
- Lie on your back, bring the soles of your feet together, and let your knees fall open.
- Place your arms by your sides or overhead.
- Relax into the pose, feeling the gentle opening of your hips and heart.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Chakra: Heart (Anahata) and Sacral (Svadhisthana)
Benefits: Strengthens the back and glutes, opens the heart, and balances the hormonal system.
How to Do It:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet hip-width apart.
- Lift your hips toward the ceiling, clasp your hands underneath your back, and press into your feet.
- Hold the pose, feeling the opening in your heart and the activation of your core.
Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
Chakra: Sacral (Svadhisthana) and Throat (Vishuddha)
Benefits: Promotes spinal flexibility, stimulates the flow of energy, and balances the sacral chakra.
How to Do It:
- Start on your hands and knees.
- Inhale as you arch your back and lift your head (Cow Pose).
- Exhale as you round your spine and tuck your chin (Cat Pose).
- Flow between these movements, synchronizing your breath with the motion.
Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)
Chakra: Sacral (Svadhisthana) and Root (Muladhara)
Benefits: Deeply opens the hips, releases stored emotions, and enhances flexibility.
How to Do It:
- From a tabletop position, bring one knee forward and extend the opposite leg back.
- Lower your hips and rest on your forearms or lay your torso down.
- Breathe deeply, allowing the stretch to release tension in your hips.
Wide-Legged Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana)
Chakra: Root (Muladhara) and Crown (Sahasrara)
Benefits: Stretches the hamstrings and lower back, calms the mind, and promotes introspection.
How to Do It:
- Stand with your feet wide apart.
- Hinge at your hips and fold forward, placing your hands on the floor or grabbing your ankles.
- Relax your head and neck, feeling the stretch in your legs and the grounding energy.
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Chakra: Root (Muladhara) and Heart (Anahata)
Benefits: Enhances balance and stability, connects with the grounding energy of the earth.
How to Do It:
- Stand on one leg, place the sole of the opposite foot on your inner thigh or calf.
- Bring your hands to your heart or extend them overhead.
- Focus on a point in front of you to maintain balance, feeling the grounding and heart-opening energy.
Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)
Chakra: Sacral (Svadhisthana)
Benefits: Opens the hips and groin, promotes relaxation and emotional release.
How to Do It:
- Sit with your legs extended, bring the soles of your feet together, and let your knees fall open.
- Hold your feet and gently press your knees toward the floor.
- Lean forward slightly if comfortable, feeling the stretch in your hips and inner thighs.
2. Meditation and Breathwork
Meditation can help you tune into your intuition and inner wisdom. Practices like lunar breathing (Chandra Bhedana) and guided visualizations focusing on feminine archetypes can be particularly effective. I also really like Alternate Nostril Breathing, which is a classic pranayama breathing exercise that has been shown to calm the nervous system and settle your body for whatever you need.
Even if meditation isn’t “your thing”, it’s not about being good at meditation. It’s about giving yourself some quiet time to sit with yourself, observe yourself, and witness any pressing thoughts that bubble up in the process.
Try this: Spend a few minutes each day in quiet reflection, allowing yourself to connect with your inner world. Begin with a few rounds of Alternate Nostril Breathing and then sit in silence with your eyes closed, if that’s comfortable for you. Focus on your breathing for as long as you can, noticing the way your skin feels as your chest expands with each inhalation and exhalation. Whenever you find yourself deep in thought about something, make a note about it. “Oh I’m thinking about this thing again, interesting.” And then move on. The idea is to see what thoughts are taking up all of your mental energy. This helps you get clarity about yourself and what action is needed in your life to bring peace back to your mind.
3. Creative Expression
Engage in activities that spark your creativity, such as painting, writing, dancing, or playing music. These forms of expression allow you to tap into your inner creative force and let it flow freely, enhancing your connection to divine feminine energy.
I like to play the flute and write, those are my favorite ways to be creative. But I also like painting, puzzles, and honestly even creating yoga sequences. Anything that brings an idea to life is a creative process. Bringing something from the ethers to this material world is very symbolic of giving birth, which is the ultimate feminine act (whether birth to a child or birth to an idea).
Try this: Take a moment to think about the ideas in YOUR life that you bring to life. What does that look like? How much time does it take? When is it most energizing for you to do these things? How can you incorporate this into your daily life?
4. Nature Connection
Spend time in nature to reconnect with the earth’s nurturing and grounding energies. Whether it’s a walk in the park, gardening, or simply sitting under a tree, being in nature can help you feel more centered and in tune with your surroundings.
Immersing yourself in nature is also a massive exercise in witnessing masculine and feminine energy in the natural world around you. Where trees represent divine masculine energy with their steadiness and deep roots that provide structure and safety to the forest, sacred feminine energy flows through life-giving rivers, destroying anything in the way and breathing life into the forest.
Try this: Download my Feminine Energy workbook to get prompts for your next nature walk that help you lean into the masculine and feminine energies all around you!
5. Space for Self-Care Rituals
Create daily rituals that honor your body and mind. This could include a warm bath with essential oils, journaling, or practicing gratitude. I personally really like taking baths, but it’s more than just a bath: It’s about SPACE. Caring for yourself is unique to you and how YOU feel nurtured. Giving yourself space for that, even if it’s just lying on the floor in silence for an hour, is self-care.
I personally reserve my mornings for myself. It’s when I feel my best: I’m full of energy, optimistic about the day, and excited in general. I like to save this time for myself to do whatever I feel like! I usually drink my coffee in front of my red light therapy device, read or journal, and then do a bit of yoga.
In the afternoons, when I’m getting grumpy and bored of working on my computer, I’ll go for a walk, play my flute, or do a bit more challenging yoga practice. In the evenings, when I’m exhausted and done with the day, I like to paint, read, or do puzzles. This is also where a hot bath comes in.
Everyday, I give myself SPACE everyday to find ways to nurture myself through a list of self-care rituals I’ve made myself. These rituals remind you to take time for yourself and appreciate the beauty in everyday moments.
Try this: How do YOU feel nurtured and cared for? If you could ask someone in your life that you crave care from to do something for you, what would that be? How can you provide that feeling to yourself? What activities (or non-activities) do you do that relax you or energize you? If you could do anything you wanted from the comfort of your own town, what would that be and when could you do it?
6. Community and Connection
Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals who uplift and inspire you. Join women’s circles, spiritual groups, or creative workshops (like my upcoming Divine Feminine workshops!) where you can share experiences and grow together.
This isn’t just about feminine energy, either. In the book The Body Keeps The Score, the author shares how engaging with friendly faces mirrors back to us safety, comfort, and compassion. So when we are in the throes of life, which tends to DEMAND a masculine approach to get to the other side, your community can mirror the nurturing feminine energy that we need to get ourselves through it all.
Try this: Join our community at one of our upcoming events! I teach yoga on Mondays at 5:30pm at Pintler’s Portal and on Tuesdays at 6:30pm at Copper VIllage Museum. You can also see all of the upcoming events in Anaconda in my recent blog post: New to Anaconda? Top Things To Do In Anaconda (Summer 2024)
Ready to Tap Into Your Feminine Energy?
Leaning into my feminine energy and finding balance with my own masculine energy has healed my LIFE. Providing nurturing space and rituals for myself allows me to fill myself up enough to be active, curious, and open for life. It allows me to fill others up happily.
Want to join me? Sign up for one of my upcoming Divine Feminine Energy workshops and download my Feminine Energy workbook to cultivate balance in YOUR life. ❤️
