Although texts that refer to this form of yoga go back to 1200s in the Common Era, it is, in fact, much older. According to some references, the practice can be dated as far back as the first century. It is referred to in very early Sanskrit texts as well as in the Pali canon in the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha, himself, is said to have related to specific postures in order to promote Kundalini, otherwise known as divine energy or shakti.