One of the bugbears that I have about the post-modern yoga landscape is the word 'Tantric Hatha Yoga' - ok admittedly, I also use this description, but I truly wish that I didn't have to.
You see - ALL Hatha Yoga (and that includes Vinyasa & Yin) - is Tantric. Hatha yoga IS a tantric practice, hatha yoga is, at it's heart, focussed on the refinement and activation of 'prana' or life force, Tantra literally means to 'Weave the Loom' or to Intentionally 'Refine Lifeforce Energy' and that is exactly what Hatha Yoga is designed to do.
What does Tantric Hatha Yoga look like?
One of the reason that some modern teachers coined the term 'tantric hatha' was to differentiate the practice from the sanitised & simplified version of yoga that many westerners were practicing. Modern Yoga with an almost obsessional focus on achieving gymnastic postures & fine tuning alignment has led many of us astray. In a tantric practice, there is a clear methodology being utilised, intentionally effecting our prana vayus (energy systems) and through this, regulating our nervous systems and our minds. Hatha Yoga, when practiced with a tantric mindset, includes asana (posture) however they are but one layer to the practice. Within the tantric methodology there is usually a practice of;
Shatkarma (yogic cleansing practices)
Mantra (sacred sounds - often directed internally)
Dharana (focussed awareness)
Pranayama (using breath to control prana)
Mudra (energetic seals to intentionally direct the flow of prana)
Bandha (energetic locks to control & amplify the flow of prana)
Kriya (intentional movements and meditation practices, often bringing asana, pranayama, mudra & bandha)
Beyond the Hatha Yoga practice, yet inherent to to tantra are the practices of;
Meditation (an encompassing term that covers many technique of mental refinement)
Yoga Nidra (yoga nidra has originated from the tantric practice of Nyasa, which is a system of chakra activation done whilst in Nidra, the techniques of Chakra Shuddhi & Prana Vidya are two expressions of this.)
Beyond the Doing - The Philosophy of Tantra
Moving beyond the Practices, Tantra is a wholistic system of exploring life and the human experience. Whilst Tantra is largely experiential - to explore tantric practice and to experience the subtle qualities of life from the tantric point of view - a study of the philosophy & physiology of tantra is essential. Tantra introduces us to chakra psychology, the prana vayus and nadis (energetic pathways) a contemplation on the nature of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (lifeforce / prana) is an essential part of the Tantric Method.
Tantra is a Methodology for Perfecting Life in all it's Forms
As mentioned above - Tantra is a whole of life philosophy & methodology. Classical Tantra explores energy in all of it's manifestations, everywhere where energy flows, Tantra goes... The human body is a starting point, but Tantra explores nature in all it's forms, agriculture, money, architecture, sexuality, cosmology & music, each and every presentation of Prana Shakti is interesting and relevant for contemplation through the Tantric Lens...
Kundalini Tantra - The Personal Approach
Kundalini Tantra is focussed upon the individual experience with Prana. Kundalini derives it's name from Kund, or 'Coiled Serpent' which describes the latent potential of Prana Shakti within the individual. The purpose of Kundalini Tantra (including all Hatha Yoga techniques) is to refine the Chakras & Prana Vayus, cultivate Agni (our inner fire), burn off negative Samskaras (old sense impressions / trauma driving negative behaviour & disrupting the flow of prana) and cultivate the ideal conditions for a Kundalini Awakening.
What is Kundalini Awakening?
When the each of the chakras are purified & balanced, kundalini shakti can rise unimpeded through the Sushumna Nadi and the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) shall open - this is described as Kundalini Awakening.
In simple terms when the impediments that inhibit the flow of Prana Shakti through the Sushumna Nadi (the central energy channel within the spinal column) are removed, and we do certain practices to active the latent kundalini energy within Mooladhara Chakra (the base chakra) this will cause an upward flow of Kundalini Shakti. Kundalini will arise through each of the Chakras, through the Sushumna Nadi until it reaches Sahasrara (The Crown Chakra). The experience of Kundalini Awakening is an experience of radical enlightenment, whilst it is not the only way to achieve enlightenment it can be one of the quickest and most profound. The Kundalini Awakening experience can be subtle or dramatic, it can be temporary or permanent, although once one has had an experience of Kundalini Awakening, it is hard to go back to the former life.
Tantra & Sexuality
It is near impossible to mention Tantra in the modern time without the implication of sexuality. As discussed previously, Tantra is a methodology for perfecting all aspects of life, and sexuality is a wonderful and important aspect of life where it is fundamental to cultivate this sacred union. Tantra seeks to cultivate the alignment of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (Lifeforce Energy) and sexuality, both as a personal journey and when shared with others, it is vital then in traditional terms Tantra can be reviewed as Left Handed or Right Handed Tantra, or Red or White Tantra.
All paths of Tantra seek to cultivate a blessed union between Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (LifeForce Energy)
Right Handed or White Tantra are the intentional practices of Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Kriya Yoga, Pranayama & Mantra, wheras Left Handed or Red Tantra are the more taboo practices focussed around sexuality. Whilst a lot of Red Tantra is focussed only on sexuality, Kundalini Tantra is focussed on all of life, which includes, but is not limited to sex. It is strongly encouraged, that anyone interested in Red Tantra, explores White Tantra also, as without the purifying practices of White Tantra, Red Tantra will often become debaucherous.
I'm certainly not against the modern neo-tantra movement, but it should be noted that much of this is is completely removed from any traditional understanding or method of tantra. For adepts of any method, the practice of Kundalini Tantra is invariably going to make your experiences of Red Tantra, so much more illuminating, and for those practicing celibacy, Kundalini Tantra offers a profound pathway of exploring the depths of love all by yourself. White Tantra is most definitely orgasmic, but not necessarily sexual.
Which brings me to...
Tantra as The Path of Love
One of the better descriptions that I have heard of tantra is as 'A Radical Acceptance of Life'. By becoming accepting to life, as it is right now, unadulterated and in this moment, we become open to the inherent nature of life, which is absolute stillness enveloped with dynamic evolution & change, or Shiva & Shakti as it is described in the tradition. Tantra emphasises this Path of Love, a gratitude for the gifts, and acceptance of the challenges as all are presentations of Shakti, whom we seek to love, in her entirety.
Is Tantra for Beginners?
Yes absolutely, Tantra is for Everyone!
Adding mudras into an asana practice is a great way to make your yoga practice more tantric.
The great news is that if you have ever practiced any type of hatha yoga - (vinyasa, yin & all the other flavours very much included) then you are already practicing Kundalini Tantra. Any practice that aligns movement with awareness is essentially tantric, by layering in the additional dimensions of pranayama, mantra, mudra, bandha & kriya, you are able to amplify your practice to a whole new dimension
Kundalini Tantra is traditionally encouraged as the path for the householder, those living in the muck of societal daily living, rather than those ascetic living apart for society
How do I start a Tantric Practice?
There are so many ways to start, for most peeps already practicing Hatha Yoga, emphasising your practice of Pranayama is a perfect next step, adding in some breath holds (kumbhaka) with Bandhas is an excellent way to sensitise our awareness to the essence of Prana. Learning some simple mantras (the Chakra Bija Mantras & Gayatri Mantra are essential knowledge) and exploring kriya yoga techniques are wonderful stepping stones from there. Ideally, the techniques of Kundalini Tantra are best explored with the guidance of a suitably skilled teacher, Kundalini Yoga is suitable for beginners, but the advanced practices should only be explored with the instruction and guidance of a suitably experienced and qualified teacher.
Layers of Practice
Last point here - but certainly not the least. I find it useful to review layers of awareness within a tantric yoga practice. The yogic model of the koshas supports and guides this, but in simple terms, we start with our body, focussing on posture, movements & alignment, then add a layer of awareness with pranayama (breath control), then additional layers of awareness through adding in mantras with the breath, and then kriyas which bring many of these elements all together, into what can become a truly sweet symphony of movement, awareness and awakening.
I offer regular classes in Tantric Hatha yoga (read: yoga with the juicy bits) as do some other teachers at Bamboo Yoga. I run semi-regular courses and teacher trainings, take a look at the event section of our website to see if there is anything available.
