Exploring the Depths of Tantric Yoga Postures
Tantric Hatha Yoga' is one of my pet peeves with the post-modern yoga scene. I admit that I use this term myself, but I wish I didn't have to.
Vinyasa and Yin are part of Tantric Yoga Postures, which is Tantric. Tantra literally translates to "Weave the Loom" or "Intentionally Refine Lifeforce Energy," and that is precisely what Hatha Yoga is intended to do. Hatha yoga is a tantric practice that is fundamentally concerned with the activation and refining of "prana," or life force.
What is the appearance of Tantric Yoga Postures?
To distinguish the practice from the sanitized and simplified form of yoga that many Westerners were doing, some contemporary gurus came up with the name "tantric hatha." Many of us have been misled by modern yoga's almost obsessive concentration on perfecting alignment and attaining acrobatic poses. Tantric practice follows a precise technique that purposefully affects our prana vayus (energy systems), which in turn regulates our thoughts and neurological systems. Asana (posture) is a component of Hatha Yoga, however it is only one aspect of the practice when done with a tantric attitude. The tantric technique often involves the following practices:
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Beyond the Action: Tantra's Philosophy
Beyond the Practices, Tantra is a comprehensive approach to understanding existence and the human condition. Although Tantra is mostly experienced, it is crucial to learn the philosophy and physiology of tantra in order to investigate tantric practice and experience the subtle aspects of life from a tantric perspective. In addition to introducing us to chakra psychology, the Tantric Method requires reflection on the nature of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (lifeforce/prana), as well as the prana vayus and nadis (energetic channels).
Tantra is a System for Improving Life in All Its Aspects.
As previously said, Tantra is a philosophy and approach that encompasses all aspects of life. Tantra travels wherever energy flows, according to classical Tantra, which examines energy in all of its forms. Although the human body serves as a beginning point, Tantra examines all aspects of nature, including agriculture, money, architecture, sexuality, cosmology, and music. Through the Tantric Lens, every presentation of Prana Shakti is intriguing and pertinent for Tantric Yoga Postures.
Kundalini Tantra: The Individual Method
The individual experience with Prana is the main emphasis of Kundalini Tantra. Its name comes from the word Kund, which means 'Coiled Serpent' and refers to the latent potential of Prana Shakti inside the individual. Refining the Chakras and Prana Vayus, cultivating Agni (our inner fire), burning off negative Samskaras (old sense impressions or trauma that drive negative behavior & disrupt the flow of prana), and creating the perfect environment for a Kundalini Awakening are the goals of Kundalini Tantra, which includes all Hatha Yoga techniques.
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Kundalini Awakening: What is it?
Kundalini Shakti may ascend unhindered through the Sushumna Nadi and the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) will open when all the chakras are cleansed and balanced; this is known as Kundalini Awakening.
Simply put, Kundalini Shakti will flow upward when the obstacles preventing Prana Shakti from passing through the Sushumna Nadi (the spinal column's central energy channel) are eliminated and specific exercises are performed to awaken the latent kundalini energy within the Mooladhara Chakra (the base chakra). Through the Sushumna Nadi and each of the Chakras, Kundalini will emerge until it reaches Sahasrara, also known as the Crown Chakra. An experience of extreme illumination, the Kundalini Awakening can be one of the most rapid and intense paths to enlightenment, though it is not the only one. Once one has experienced Kundalini Awakening, it is difficult to return to the previous existence, yet the experience might be mild or profound, transient or permanent.
Sexuality and Tantra
Nowadays, it is nearly hard to discuss Tantra without bringing up sexuality. Sexuality is a great and significant area of life where it is essential to nurture this holy connection, as was previously described. Tantra is a system for refining all aspects of life. In traditional terminology, Tantra may be categorized as either Left Handed or Right Handed Tantra, or Red or White Tantra. Tantra aims to develop the alignment of Shiva (awareness) and Shakti (Lifeforce Energy) and sexuality, both as a personal journey and when shared with others.
The deliberate practices of Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Kriya Yoga, Pranayama, and mantra are known as Right Handed or White Tantra, whilst the more forbidden activities centered on sexuality are known as Left Handed or Red Tantra. Kundalini Tantra focuses on all aspects of life, including but not limited to sex, whereas most of Red Tantra is only focused on sexuality. Anyone interested in Red Tantra is highly urged to investigate White Tantra as well, as Red Tantra will frequently turn debaucherous without White Tantra's cleansing rituals.
Although I have nothing against the contemporary neo-tantra movement, it should be mentioned that a lot of stuff is entirely at odds with any conventional interpretation or approach to tantra. For practitioners of any technique, Kundalini Tantra practice will always make their Red Tantra experiences far more enlightening. For celibate individuals, Kundalini Tantra provides a profound means to delve into the depths of love alone. Though not always sexual, White Tantra is unquestionably orgasmic.
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Tantra as the Love Path
'A Radical Acceptance of Life' is one of the most accurate ways to describe tantra that I would have heard. The essential nature of life, which is complete stillness surrounded by dynamic growth & change, or Shiva & Shakti as it is traditionally characterized, becomes accessible to us when we embrace life as it is, pure, and in this now. Since all of these are manifestations of Shakti, whom we want to adore in her entirety, Tantra emphasizes this Path of adore, thankfulness for the blessings, and acceptance of the difficulties.
Is Tantra Suitable for Novices?
Without a doubt, Tantra is for everyone.
Making your yoga practice more tantric may be achieved by including mudras into your asana routine.
The good news is that you are already practicing Kundalini Tantra if you have ever done any kind of hatha yoga, including vinyasa, yin, and all the other flavors. By adding the extra dimensions of pranayama, mantra, mudra, bandha, and kriya, you may elevate your practice to a completely new level. In essence, any practice that synchronizes movement with consciousness is tantric.
In contrast to ascetic people who live separate from society, Kundalini Tantra is usually promoted as the way for the householder, or those living in the midst of Tantric Yoga Postures.
How can I begin practicing Tantric?
There are many different methods to begin. For most people who are currently doing Hatha Yoga, focusing on your Pranayama practice is a great next step. Using Bandhas to do breath holds (kumbhaka) is a great technique to increase our awareness of the essence of Prana. From there, learning a few basic mantras (the Gayatri and Chakra Bija mantras are crucial) and investigating kriya yoga practices are fantastic first steps. While Kundalini Yoga is appropriate for novices, the advanced practices should only be studied under the supervision and guidance of a teacher who is appropriately qualified and experienced. Ideally, the techniques of Kundalini Tantra are best explored under the tutelage of a teacher who possesses the Red tantric yoga poses.
Levels of Practice
This is the final point, although it's by no means the least. Reviewing levels of consciousness during a tantric yoga practice is helpful, in my opinion. This is supported and guided by the yogic model of the koshas, but to put it simply, we begin with our body, concentrating on posture, movements, and alignment. Next, we add layers of awareness through pranayama (breath control), then more layers of awareness by incorporating breath-related mantras. Finally, we combine many of these elements into kriyas, which can create a truly lovely symphony of movement, awareness, and Tantric yoga Poses for beginners.
Along with a few other instructors at Bamboo Yoga, I often teach Tantric Hatha yoga, which is also known as yoga with the juicy parts. I do teacher trainings and semi-regular courses; check our website's event area to see what's happening.
