An introduction to Tantric Yoga
Whilst many think of sex when we think of Tantra, this ancient yoga practice is actually a powerful combination of asana (poses), mantra (chants or sounds), mudra (hand gestures), bandha (energy lock) and chakra (energy centre) that you can use to build strength, clarity, and bliss in everyday life. By harnessing and embodying these five forces, Tantric Yoga suggests we can move through life with more confidence and contentment.
Tantra actually means to weave, and so tantric yoga is both weaving movements together and to weave together many yoga practices, other spiritual styles and teachings, in order to connect with yourself, others and the universe.
Tantra yoga takes the whole body and whole person into account and works with five different elements:
1. The physical body
2. The energetic body
3. The mental/emotional body
4. The wisdom body (the inner teacher)
5. The bliss body
Why do it?
According to Rod Stryker, one of the most renowned teachers of Tantra yoga, the goal of Tantra Yoga is three-fold:
1. To thrive
2. To prosper
3. To bring the spiritual world and the material world into one
Stryker says, “Tantra yoga shows us what is blocking us from thriving, and offers techniques that will help us attain spiritual and material prosperity.”
The aim of Tantra Yoga is to expand awareness in all states of consciousness, whether waking state, dream state or sleep state. To accomplish this we need a kind of “deprogramming” and “reprogramming” of our human computer.
Tantra is much more than eroticism, as it has been classed by modern culture… Tantra is the spiritual path that teaches the true art of living and of saying yes to life in all its aspects. Tantra teaches us how to live every moment with intensity, lucid awareness and detachment, and how with love and understanding we can abandon to the flow of life. Then, life itself becomes a continuous and joyous lesson, teaching us all we need to know, transforming us for the better, and supporting us in realising our full potential. Tantra is a spiritual path that can be enjoyed by all!
