Imagine a beautiful warm place within your own spirituality and your own intimate energies. A journey so alluring in nature, where you have a self-centric approach and yearn for a deeper connection with yourself, a place of serenity and mindfulness as a whole…this is called Tantra yoga.
Tantric Yoga is the Word
Tantra yoga is about establishing a cavernous self-virja. In doing so you will reach a more impactful understanding of self.
This is a very personal experience and a journey that you have to undertake alone to discover your own path of enlightenment.
In short, it means being at one with yourself and your inner being. If all is well with your inner being, you will be a beacon of light in a sad and uncertain world, drawing others into your energy and solstice.
It is an ancient and powerful practice integrating asana, mantra, mudra, bandha, and chakra. When ignited together, all these powerful elements yield better strength, improved clarity and siddhi in your everyday life. It can bring about a complete metamorphosis in your existence.
The Origins of Tantric Yoga
The exact birthplace of this deep study of self is unknown. There is conflict amongst academics as to whether it originated between 3000-5000 years ago, or only later in the 4th century, when it was actively practiced.
Be that as it may, the story goes that, circa the 8th century, the great philosopher Vasugupta experienced a dream where Lord Shiva appeared to him. Shiva instructed Vasugupta to journey to the mountain called Mahadevgri.
Upon his arrival, the philosopher found 77 verses, called sutras under a rock. These verses presented a path to spiritual liberation called samadhi. This path could be achieved with powerful meditation and ideology called tantra.
After his discovery he not only became a practitioner, he also began educating other scholars on this practice.
Coming Into Existence
Some intellectuals believe that the reason that tantric yoga came into existence was due to the still prevalent existence of Kali Yuga (the dark age) in response to a time when spirituality is being put on the back burner.
The Difference Between Tantra and Other Yoga
Tantra yoga is different to other types of yoga as it focuses on resetting (so to speak) subliminal design, rooted deep in our unconsciousness. (What are the 8 types of yoga ?)
It was formulated from our self beliefs and via mental techniques of meditational practices to create an equal balance throughout our lives in general.
The essence of the word is a portmanteau that is derived from the words tattva and mantra. Tattva means dharma (cosmic principle) and mantra bears reference to vibrations and sounds.
To summarize, tantra is then using the cosmic principles to reach a place of unrivalled spiritual dominance.
You can learn more about this practice by studying the vedas and other archaic Hindu scriptures and texts.
Practicing Tantric Yoga
For one to go about in knowing how to engage in the proper practice of tantra yoga, one needs to achieve the following.
The four elements need to be harnessed (air, water, fire, earth) and incorporate this with the fifth element known as akasha. Akasha is the energy that binds all of the elements together.
Benefits of Tantric Yoga
There are a few major benefits associated with the regular practice of tantra yoga. This means either with a partner or even with yourself:
- Increased level of intimacy with your partner.
- Cultivating and nurturing a better understanding and appreciated for self-love.
- Improving the quality of sleep.
- Acts as a confidence booster in the bedroom
- Experience a surge in your performance in the bedroom
- Refined lifestyle and overall way of life.
- Deeper connection on a whole new level with your partner.
- Renewed sense of trust.
Sexual Connotations
There is definitely a link between the different types of tantra:
Red Tantra. Bears reference to the sexual aspect and practice thereof. In context, it is the yearning to create a deeper connection with your partner. An effective use of practising red tantra is to explore what you have learnt and engage in the practise with your partner.
White Tantra. Refers to the yoga and meditative practice of tantra, with oneself. This can also be sexual in nature, however this is a yearning of a deeper connection with yourself.
Tantric Yoga a Couples Experience
For a fun date experience, with a difference, we will include some couple yoga poses for you to explore and enjoy.
Tantra yoga is a derivative of Kundalini (kun-da-lee-nee) yoga by incorporating an intricate pattern of breathing techniques, meditating, asanas, and chanting. All to awaken senses and latent energies.
Kundalini is a form of spiritual yoga, and can even be considered tantric, if practiced with a partner.
The idea of these asanas is for the partners to enjoy practising them as they will require prolonged touching, which is a love language for many yogis and yoginis as well as a lot of eye contact, which can be completely sensual in its own right.
All of these poses can be adapted and modified as required to accommodate different ages and fitness levels.
Seated Twist
The purpose of this seated spinal twist is to warm the spine, whilst deepening the connection between you and your partner.
- Be seated in an upright position on a yoga mat or soft surface like grass or beach sand.
- Face each other and sit cross-legged, allowing your knees to touch your partner’s
- Chests should be pushed slightly forward and your chin pointed slightly downwards.
- The crown of your head should point to the sky for optimal results.
- Place your left arm behind your back, whilst extending your right arm. Your partner is to mirror your movements.
- Grab your partner’s left hand with your right hand and extend your left hand to your partner’s right hand. The idea is that your bodies will both slightly twist, accommodating the other one’s movements in achieving the proper pose and alignment intended.
- Both you and your partner are now to twist as far and as deep as what is comfortable for both of you.
- Constantly communicate with one another and remain in that position for a few deep breaths.
- Next, switch sides and repeat the process.
- Practice a few repetitions of this asana before continuing.
Warrior I
One of the most versatile asanas of all times. All of the versions of the Warrior can be practiced as a form of tantric yoga. Constant eye contact and communication will make this a truly special experience with your partner.
- Stand upright on a firm flat surface and face your partner.
- Be so close that the toes of your right feet are touching those of your partner.
- Both of you are now to step back the left foot for a distance of about three feet, and turning your toes at a 45 degree angle for better balance.
- Bend the front knees and lengthen your spines by straightening them.
- Whilst maintaining eye contact all of the time, drop your shoulders back.
- Next, square your hips toward that of your partner and raise your arms above your head.
- Hold the pose for a few deep breaths, then switch sides and repeat a few times.
Boat Pose
With the help of your partner, give those dormant abdominal muscles a strength session.
- Sitting on a soft surface or a yoga mat, face your partner.
- Both of you are to have your legs stretched out straight in front of you, knees slightly bent.
- Move forward in your partners direction, until the soles of your feet are touching together, holding hands at the same time.
- Maintain eye contact, lean back and push your feet up against your partners.
- Straighten the legs slowly, whilst keeping your soles touching.
- To deepen the stretch, bend your knees again, feet touching all the while, and move your legs apart in a straddling motion.
- Straighten the knees again, this time with the legs outside of the arms.
- Hold for a few deep breaths. Switch sides and repeat the process.
Downward Facing Dog
This is a great pose to practice with your partner if the one can lean on the other for support. Might also be one of the most fun experiences to date.
- One of the two participants is to get into the downward facing dog position, about 18 inches in front of their partner.
- Bending down, place your hands (palms down) flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
- By lifting one leg, place that foot on the corresponding shoulder of your partner.
- Repeat with the other foot.
- Using your hands, walk your feet up all the way to your partner’s hips.
- Push your heels back and rotate the shoulders forward.
- Hold for a few breaths. Then switch sides, repeating a few times.
Legs Up The Wall Pose
This beautiful form of a restorative asana is performed with both entities resting at the same time. One person in the Child Pose and the other on the partner’s back with their legs straight up against a wall. It even feels great for the person in the Child Pose, being on the receiving end.
- Request your partner to relax in the Child Pose on a soft surface, or on a sticky mat. Arms can be either relaxed or extended out, with the palms facing the floor.
- If your balance is not good or you would like to engage in this asana without strain, request your partner to do so with their head facing a wall.
- Sit on your partner’s hips, facing the wall or away from their head.
- Lay back on your partner’s spine by following the curve of their spine to match yours.
- Raise your legs in the air, or straight against the wall.
- Hold for a few deep breaths. Trade places and repeat a few times.
Drawback Associated with Tantric Yoga
There is a careful consideration to take when engaging in the practice of tantra yoga:
Check your guru or teacher. Unfortunately there are some souls in the form of yoga teachers or guru’s that abuse their power by not teaching others, but rather manipulating them.
The power that you will be engaging in is very strong. A lot of ancient texts and scriptures strongly suggest that prior to any practitioner taking part in the sexual aspect thereof, that individual needs to go through a process of purification.
Some of the facets of this process will include components such as fasting, yoga, detoxification, etc. Only once all of these factors are stable, then the practitioner is to proceed with the sexual practice thereof.
Conclusion
Tantyante vistaryate jnanam anemna iti tantram. Namaste!
Quote of the day:
“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees – B.K.S Iyengar”