Tantra Yoga is an ancient path of spiritual development that invites you to discover the deep and subtle aspects of your own existence. This practice is often mistakenly associated solely with sexual aspects. In reality, it focuses on the integration of body, mind, and spirit, offering unique experiences comparable to orgasm but transcending physical pleasure.
In this article, we will explore what Tantra Yoga is and how practicing it can lead to orgasmic experiences devoid of a sexual context. We will also explain the various techniques and philosophies behind this practice. Additionally, we will examine the benefits it can bring to mental and emotional health.
What exactly is Tantra?
Tantra is much more than a commonly misunderstood practice. It’s an internal technology, based on techniques and methods focused on spiritual and personal development. Unlike objective methods, tantra is based on subjective experiences that lead to a deeper self-understanding.
In modern society, the concept of Tantra is often associated with unconventional or even socially unacceptable practices. However, in reality, tantra is an integral part of yoga, known as Tantra Yoga. It’s a path that extends traditional yoga practices, introducing deeper, more internal experiences.
It’s commonly thought that tantra mainly serves to satisfy sexual needs, but this understanding is limited and does not reflect the full scope of this practice. Tantra focuses on three aspects of human existence: the physical body, which is an accumulation of what we consume; the mental body, being our software and memory, shaping our individual behaviors; and the energetic body, which is the foundation for the first two. Beyond these three, there is also a non-material sphere.
The main goal of Tantra is to break through the compulsive and cyclical limitations of the body and mind. This makes it possible to transcend our limitations and achieve higher possibilities. Tantra teaches how to use the body not as an end in itself, but as a means to reach higher dimensions of existence.
In practice, Tantra opens the path to a deep understanding of oneself and the world around us. It doesn’t focus solely on the physical or mental, but integrates all aspects of being, allowing for a fuller and more conscious life. This is a path that requires commitment and openness, but its effects can be transformative on many levels.
Tantra yoga is not just about sexuality
Tantra Yoga, often mistakenly seen as a path solely associated with sexuality, actually has a much deeper dimension. Sexuality is a fundamental instinct, programmed in our bodies to ensure the continuation of the species. However, it’s important to recognize the limits that sexuality cannot cross. Only understanding these limitations opens the path to exploring other dimensions through Yoga and Tantra.
Thinking that Tantric Yoga serves to satisfy sexual needs is a misconception. Tantra utilizes every aspect of being for growth and development, not limiting itself to just sexuality. Unfortunately, some people are interested in this path for the wrong reasons, seeking a spiritual justification for their sexuality.
Treating biology as something more than it is, is a mistake. Sexual needs can be satisfied within various relationships, without mixing in the spiritual process. Using spirituality to fulfill sexual desires is irresponsible and can lead to various losses, as it aims not only at individual spiritual development but also at creating an energetic space supporting other possibilities that bring wellbeing.
There are 114 chakras in the human body, with the top three considered the most important. Building energy to the level of these chakras requires the use of all basic instincts, including the sexual instinct, emotions, intellect, and the survival instinct. The intention is to use all instincts for which the body allocates a certain amount of energy. Participating in sexual acts disperses this energy and hinders the achievement of a higher goal. This path requires extreme discipline, which most people don’t even attempt to achieve.
It’s a path that requires deep understanding and commitment, allowing access to dimensions of existence that go beyond ordinary experiences. It’s not just a physical practice, but deeply spiritual and energetic, opening the way to new levels of consciousness and wellbeing.
Why practice Tantra Yoga?
Tantra Yoga, as an advanced form of practice, combines many yoga techniques. Though it requires commitment, it brings unique benefits for health and wellbeing. Being less physically demanding than other forms of yoga, it is accessible to people of all ages.
Regular exercises help ease back and neck pain and also increase overall wellbeing. Practicing this form of yoga supports the immune system, helps lower blood pressure, and releases toxins from the body. During the poses, human growth hormones are released, promoting healing and potentially aiding memory.
Tantric Yoga not only improves physical condition but also brings mental clarity. It focuses on reprogramming internal thoughts and conditioning the subconscious, helping identify and overcome obstacles to happiness. Additionally, this practice focuses on balancing the chakras, leading to inner peace and spiritual empowerment.
In everyday life filled with stress and tension, it can be the key to relaxation and unwinding. Yoga poses release happy hormones that help combat depression and anxiety. Breathing techniques in Tantra Yoga allow the mind to relax while strengthening the body. Daily practice of mindful breathing can significantly alleviate physical and mental stress.
Practicing can also improve body flexibility. The poses are designed to relax and elongate the spine, leading to better posture and less joint strain. Improved posture increases blood and oxygen flow throughout the body, translating into more energy after a yoga session.
It’s also a great way to deepen relationships, whether practiced alone, with a partner, or in a group. Practicing together can strengthen bonds with loved ones, building trust and spiritual connection.
Selected Tantra Yoga poses
Tantra Yoga is a practice of finding balance between the energies of Shiva and Shakti, Yin and Yang, darkness and light, to find harmony within oneself. This practice is not just about the physicality of the poses, but also about a deep connection with breathing and inner awareness.
Each movement in Tantra Yoga aims to create space for energetic transformation and discovering deeper layers of one’s soul. Through slow and conscious movements, we can better understand ourselves and the world around us.
Mountain Pose
Stand straight with your arms along your body and palms facing forward, feet set hip-width apart. Activate your legs by bringing your shins closer together and lifting the upper parts of your thighs. Lengthen your tailbone and lift your lower abdomen. As you inhale, raise your arms upwards, keeping your shoulders relaxed and away from your ears.
Focus on filling your chest with air, expanding it in every direction. As you exhale, lower your arms and tighten your abdomen toward your spine, fully emptying your lungs. Stay in this position for several deep breaths, feeling your body stabilize and gain strength from your feet to the top of your head. Mountain Pose is not just about physical grounding but also mental focus and inner strength.
Warrior Pose
Begin by placing your left foot about 1 meter in front of your right. Keep your left foot pointing straight ahead, and bend your left knee, aligning it with your heel. Keep your right leg straight and rotate your right foot about 45 degrees. Place both hands on your abdomen. Stand firmly on both legs, feeling balance and stability in your body.
As you inhale, raise your arms upwards, palms facing up. Expand your chest and emphasize lifting your spine while keeping your shoulders relaxed. Feel your entire body elongate and energy flow through each segment. As you exhale, lower your hands back over your abdomen. Be careful not to overarch your lower back, directing your tailbone towards your front heel. Maintain your gaze forward, keeping focus and inner strength.
Warrior Pose is not just an exercise for leg strength and stability, but also for mental focus and heart courage. Feel how each breath strengthens your inner warrior, making you more decisive and confident. This pose also aids in developing concentration and perseverance, essential for life’s daily challenges.
Chair Pose
Start with your feet hip-width apart. As you inhale, raise your arms over your head, keeping them straight and parallel. On the exhale, slowly tighten your abdomen, bend your knees and lean forward until your chest touches your knees, forming a position resembling sitting on a chair.
Place your hands on the floor beside your feet to relax your neck and let your head hang freely, further loosening tensions in the neck and shoulder areas. Inhale and slowly raise your arms over your head again, moving back into a shallow squat. Feel your thigh and buttock muscles actively work to maintain this position.
Gradually rise by straightening your legs. At the peak of your inhale, your legs should be straight, and your body fully upright. Repeating this sequence several times strengthens leg muscles, improves balance and focus. Chair Pose is also an excellent exercise for strengthening the spinal cord and shaping posture.
Boat Pose
This exercise increases torso flexibility and helps build balance and abdominal muscle strength. Sit facing your partner, grasping each other’s hands on the outside of your legs and maintaining eye contact. Place your feet against each other’s, initially with slightly bent legs. Gradually try to straighten them, lifting upward, forming a ‘V’ shape with your bodies. This position requires both physical strength and cooperation to maintain balance and proper form.
Steady eye contact and physical connection with your partner strengthen the sense of closeness, aid in non-verbal communication, and increase trust between partners. Beyond the physical aspect, this position is also an excellent practice for building intimacy and cooperation in a relationship. Practicing this pose together can symbolically reflect mutual support in various aspects of life.
Dancer’s Pose
The Dancer’s Pose is a beautiful balance-challenging position that simultaneously strengthens and stretches the body. In this standing position, you and your partner face each other, holding one hand. With the other hand, reach for your opposite ankle or calf, gently lifting it up and back, creating a graceful posture reminiscent of a ballet dancer. Maintain eye contact with your partner, which not only helps maintain balance but also builds a sense of mutual trust and closeness.
This pose is not just a physical exercise, but also a way to improve communication and cooperation in a relationship. Supporting each other in maintaining balance symbolically shows the importance of mutual support and understanding in relationships. You can take turns, where one partner supports the other, then switch roles. The Dancer’s Pose also aids in developing focus, concentration, and strengthens leg and back muscles, offering both physical and emotional benefits.
Yab Yum
Yab Yum is an intimate and symbolic position in Tantra Yoga, reflecting the union of masculine and feminine energies. The larger person sits on the floor with crossed legs in the lotus position, creating a stable and strong base. Smaller person sits on the partner’s thighs, crossing their ankles behind the partner’s back, ensuring closeness and mutual support.
The couple uses their torso strength to maintain balance, which not only strengthens abdominal muscles but also requires coordination and cooperation. Bringing foreheads close and gently touching them fosters a deep emotional and spiritual bond between partners. This moment is full of tenderness, helping to immerse in the present moment, simultaneously supporting mutual awareness and connection.
The Yab Yum position is also an excellent meditative practice, allowing for achieving a deep state of relaxation and focus. Through it, partners can better understand the dynamics of their relationship, learning to be present and sensitive to each other’s needs. This position is an expression of trust, acceptance, and unity, key elements in the practice of Tantra Yoga.
Tantra Yoga vs. Mainstream Yoga
After a long stay in an ashram and becoming certified in traditional Tantra Yoga, I returned to my Western home. Here, practicing yoga often means rushing through busy streets, running into a studio at the last minute, and performing a sequence of poses at a pace set by the teacher.
In these classes, the teacher’s role is heavily emphasized. They lead the class, introducing sequences and choosing the music. There’s nothing wrong with this. Yoga is a personal journey, and no one else can define its path for us.
However, with experience in a different form of yoga, I began to wonder: “Is this really my practice? Do I feel empowered by following others, or do I need to develop personal freedom and strength in a different way?”
When I lead Tantra Yoga classes, I support and gently guide my students. I help them discover their own power and freedom, enjoying yoga. The role of a Tantra Yoga instructor is to encourage discovering what feels good in the moment and trusting that feeling.
Tantra Yoga – two paths full of mystery
Imagine Tantra Yoga as a journey along two different paths. On one hand, there’s the left-hand Tantra, akin to a journey through ancient rituals and mystical ceremonies. It’s a more ‘earthly’ version, revolving around symbolic actions.
On the other hand, there’s right-hand Tantra – think of it as an elegant and subtle yoga technology. Here, there’s no room for external ceremonies or rituals. It’s an internal path focused on personal energies. It’s like working on oneself from the inside, without any external adornments.
One might wonder if this is still Tantra. The answer is yes, but within a broader context of yoga, which is like a vast mosaic of different paths and possibilities. Unfortunately, some have misunderstood left-hand Tantra as solely physical practices, then created whole stories about strange sexual rituals. However, this does not reflect the true essence of Tantra.
At its core, Tantra is the ability to use one’s energies to achieve various goals. It can be sharpening the mind, awakening immense love in the heart, strengthening the physical body, or activating energies without directly using the body, mind, or emotions.
Here comes Agastya Muni – a legendary figure in the world of yoga. He brought us a Tantric process that operates entirely on the principle of internal body energy. We need no external elements like grains of rice or sand. Everything happens within us. This is an incredible gift to humanity – one of the greatest ever received. Agastya Muni gave us this unique opportunity to explore Tantra within ourselves.
FAQ – frequently asked questions – Tantra Yoga
No, Tantra Yoga is a spiritual practice that transcends religious boundaries. It focuses on personal development and spiritual awareness. It’s a path of exploring one’s inner self and harmony, independent of specific religious beliefs.
No, Tantra Yoga is accessible to everyone, regardless of their level, from beginners to experienced yogis. Anyone can find something for themselves in it, no matter their physical condition or prior knowledge of yoga.
No, most Tantra Yoga practices can be done solo. While there are partner practices, they are not necessary to experience the benefits of Tantra Yoga.
Yes, with the right approach and under the guidance of an experienced instructor, Tantra Yoga is a safe practice. It’s important to listen to your body and tailor the practice to your individual needs.