Tantra is a spiritual discipline that aims to enlighten you and help you connect with your inner energy. Contrary to what many people think, tantra is more than just sexuality. In Tantric Yoga, you hold a pose and use your breath to visualize energy flowing through your body. Together, we will examine the origins, advantages, and practices of Tantric yoga in order to fully understand it.
What Is Tantra Exactly?
Tantra is fundamentally about making a deeper connection with your own energy in order to gain a better knowledge of who you are. The actual origins of this tradition are unknown, however it dates back to ancient times. Tantra is said to have originated around 500 A.D., however some claim it wasn’t developed until the 16th century. The fundamental component of tantra, a self-liberating practice, does not change despite its age.
Definition of Tantric Yoga
Tantric yoga is a type of yoga that combines many meditation and yoga techniques to help you develop a deep awareness of who you are. Chanting, breath practice, yoga positions, chakra work, and meditation are all a part of it. This type of yoga is great for practicing alone since it lets you explore tantra without having a partner or having sex.
Yoga Tantric vs Tantric Sexual
White tantra (solo practice) and red tantra (sexual practice) are the two categories of traditional tantra. Despite using sexual energy, their objectives are not the same. White tantra concentrates on self-connection, whereas red tantra seeks to strengthen a person’s relationship with a partner. White tantra is a prerequisite for red tantra since it is necessary to practice alone before applying what you have learned in a partnership.
Tantric Yoga’s advantages
Frequent tantric practice has many advantages, such as:
Decreased Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Tantric yoga’s meditative elements aid in mind-calming, stress hormone reduction, and inner-peace cultivation.
Improved Self-Awareness and Self-Love: Through introspection, practitioners grow in their capacity for self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Better Sleep Quality: Tantric yoga’s relaxing methods and increased mental clarity might result in more restful sleep cycles.
Increased Confidence and Performance in the Bedroom: Tantric yoga teaches self-awareness and energy control, which can improve confidence and sexual performance.
Improved Quality of Life: When physical, mental, and spiritual health are in balance, overall wellbeing is enhanced.
Enhanced Intimacy Capacity: Practitioners who have a strong connection with themselves are also able to establish a stronger connection with others.
Tantric Yoga Pose
In contrast to Ashtanga or Bikram yoga, tantric yoga lacks a set order. Different movements, breathing exercises, meditations, chanting, and chakra work may be led by each teacher. All tantric yoga courses must to incorporate five essential poses, though:
Inversions: Positions that encourage blood flow and circulation in which the head is below the heart.
Side bends: These facilitate the release of accumulated tension and help to open up the sides of the body.
Forward Folds: A calming pose that encourages reflection and unwinding.
Twists: Digestion-enhancing and spinal tension-relieving detoxifying exercises.
Backbends: Opening poses for the heart that improve energy flow and emotional discharge.
Separate vs. Combined Practice
Tantric yoga is a solo practiceable form. Self-guiding might be difficult since it requires nuanced awareness, yet even just practicing can have a profoundly positive impact. Some advise against going solo unless you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals. By enabling you to harmonize your energies, practicing in the same space as your significant other can be a special and private experience.
At-Home Exercise
It is possible to do tantric yoga at home. You can practice without attending to a studio with a variety of online classes like Tantra: The Art of Conscious Loving, Yoga Glo, and Yoga International. Working one-on-one with a tantra guru is highly advised if you wish to delve further into classical tantra yoga instruction. Gurus can be found online or at nearby Kundalini or Hatha yoga facilities.
Enrolling in a Course
It can be difficult to locate a reputable tantric yoga class. Here are some pointers to make sure you select the appropriate class:
- Are there pairs or solos in the classes? Traditional tantra yoga is best practiced alone.
- Do You Teach White Tantra or Red Tantra? (White tantra should be the response.)
- What is the class’s objective? (The response ought to advocate for self-improvement and self-awareness.)
- Does Chanting Take Place in the Class? (Yes should be the response.)
- How is the Training of the Teacher? (The instructor ought to have received training in tantra, Kundalini, Integral, and Hatha yoga.)
- On the other hand, since Hatha emphasizes the same concepts as tantra—developing awareness and balancing energy—any Hatha yoga class can function as an introduction to tantric yoga.
Enhancing Your Work
It can be quite beneficial to investigate advanced tantric techniques for practitioners who want to take their practice to the next level. This could consist of:
Advanced Breath Work: Methods like breath retention and alternative nostril breathing can improve mental clarity and energy control even further.
Mantra Meditation: By repeating particular mantras, you can focus your attention and enter more profound levels of meditation.
Chakra Work: Extensive work on chakra activation and balance can result in significant spiritual discoveries as well as human development.
Tantric Rituals: Partaking in customary tantric rituals can deepen one’s spiritual experience and give one a sense of connectedness to the practice’s historical origins.
Frequently Held Myths Regarding Tantric Yoga
Tantric yoga is a subject of many myths, many of which stem from its connection to sexual rituals. It is crucial to realize that:
There’s More to Tantric Yoga Than Just Sex: Tantra involves sexual energy, yet this is just one facet of a larger spiritual practice.
Tantric Yoga Is a Personal Practice: Solo practice is an essential feature of tantric yoga; it is not required to practice with a partner.
Everyone Can Practice Tantric Yoga: Tantric yoga is accessible to everybody and its lessons can be beneficial to practitioners of any age, fitness level, or experience.
Sources for Additional Education
Tantra can be learned from an abundance of sources, including books, workshops, and internet sites. Among the suggested sources are:
The books “Tantra Illuminated” by Christopher Wallis, “The Heart of Tantric Sex” by Diana Richardson, and “Urban Tantra: Sacred Sex for the Twenty-First Century” by Barbara Carrellas.
Online Education: Tantric yoga and tantra philosophy courses are available on platforms such as Gaia, Yoga International, and Udemy.
Workshops and Retreats: Participating in workshops and retreats can offer individualized instruction from knowledgeable experts as well as immersive experiences.
