Figuring out what the mind is and that we are NOT our physical mind is the gateway for real progression. One can NOT attain any real progression without the cessation of illusory thoughts, or without coming to the understanding that we are NOT the thinking mind and that we are also NOT our body and therefore through this understanding comes the cessation of illusory thoughts. So physical exercises and visualizations such as chakra opening meditations or kundalini or t'ai chi will NOT do anything BEFORE the understanding of our Story (please see "Terminologies" in the search section). We also can NOT cultivate chi WITHOUT samadhi. Such practices will have an effect only when IN samadhi. The body is left alone to be and so is the mind (when you have figured out its true nature!). The true nature is zero effor in order for opening of chakras and rise of kundalini and inspiration processes to occur. It is IMPOSSIBLE to happen if you are making efforts. Because when we believe we are our thinking mind and emotional impulses we are affecting and adding resistance to the nervous system which is the chakras or blocking the chakras. When we believe we are our Thinking Mind we then believe we are our story, and thoughts, and emotions, if we believe we are our story we then believe we are our past and also our future. If we believe we are our Story we are under its control and the most we can do is attempt to control it by 'fixing', by 'analysing', by 'meditating' out thinking mind, thoughts, and emotions. They are all perfect. It is the Illusion of the Story that we must let go. Nothing else requires to be fixed, all is made perfectly and non is neither good nor bad but GOOD. Body and mind requires zero resistance in order for the body and energy processes to do what they naturally should do and the aid of visualization can assist these processes after the fact. So figuring out that we are not our Story, Thinking Mind, thoughts, emotions, nervous system is the gateway to real spiritual progress. We are the WHOLE not separated into parts!
Yoga is excellent to help clear up the energies in the body and clear up the spine through movement and breathing exercises and connecting to the here and now by slowing down as well as connecting to the world and universe around us, especially the Earth, by the use of rooting the feet to the ground and rooting in balance postures. However yoga is significantly more effective when are not separating your Self. The body is difficult to balance with a busy mind, because you are controlled by your Story, thoughts, emotions, and therefore body who gets affected. The more empty the mind is of illusory thoughts, the easier it is to balance in specific postures and to progress into certain asanas such as forward bendings and back bendings. The more Whole we are the more full we can take in breaths which is needed for each asana (posture). The breath will go to the bottom of the spine, the spine will stretch more and so will the rest of your body from head to toe. Everything will literally stretch in order to take in more oxygen to the cells of the body, chakra zones, and energies throughout. This is why doing the asanas will be significantly effective (flexibility and balance) when oxygen is properly being drawn to all parts of the body (which can only happen the closer one is to being Whole or in a more relaxed and peaceful state).