Tantric Yoga Explained – 5 Incredible Benefits
- Alexandra Uren
Table of Contents
Tantric yoga is often thought of as a highly sexual practice, but this contemporary interpretation is a little misleading.
At its roots, Tantric yoga is different to the modern interpretation of the practice. The practice is deeply tied to energy connections, sensuality and self-awareness, which can then lead to physical and mental liberation.
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What is Tantric Yoga?
Tantric yoga is a form of yoga focused on enhancing spiritual growth and physical wellbeing. There’s 3 primary goals of Tantric yoga; to thrive, prosper, and bring the spiritual and material world together.
The word ‘tantra’ means to weave in Sanskrit. Tantric yoga brings together a number of yoga practices and spiritual teachings to connect the material and spiritual. It works with 5 different bodies; the physical, the energetic, the mental, the wisdom and the bliss.
A Tantric yoga practice looks similar to Hatha yoga, although it also incorporates Kundalini, Bhakti, Karma and Raja practices. Classes can also include chanting, breath work, chakra work and meditation.
Tantric yoga goes beyond the physical body; more of a moving meditation than a physical workout. It’s about discovering what feels good, while connecting with your mind, body and spirit.
While Tantric sex is a popular branch of Tantra, Tantric yoga can help develop a self-connection and a connection with others.
You may also have heard of white and red tantra. White Tantra is a solo practice which incorporates both yoga and meditation. It has the goal of spiritual growth and, although it uses sexual energy, it is more aligned with traditional yoga.
Red Tantra on the other hand, is a sexual practice. This is often taught instead of White Tantra, but it cannot exist without the White branch. It uses sexual energy and aims to create a deeper, more intimate bond with your partner.
Pink Tantra is a combination of both White and Red Tantra. This is both an individual and group practice, and it focuses on unblocking the heart chakra.
Pink Tantra teaches body awareness and develops a connection with both ourselves and others.
What are the Benefits of Tantric Yoga?
Tantric yoga, like any style of yoga, can bring about a range of physical and mental benefits. Many people find it can give them confidence in relationships, in themselves, and the world around them.
Provide Mental Clarity
Tantric yoga demands your full focus, which will allow you to connect and reflect. Many people find learning to focus on the present can help them see clearer, look at situations from a different perspective, and reflect on their strengths and weaknesses.
Connect with your Spiritual Body
Tantric yoga focuses on balancing the chakras, the spinning wheels of energy located around the body. When the chakras are balanced, you’ll be rewarded with peace and empowerment. Chakras that are out of balance or blocked will lead to mental and physical imbalance.
Increase Flexibility
On a physical level, Tantric yoga can offer the same benefits of other forms of yoga. Those who sit at a desk all day or play a lot of sports may find they have sore spots in their body. Likewise, those suffering from stress or anxiety will likely store tension in their back, neck and shoulders. Tantric yoga increases flexibility, improving the flow of oxygen around your body and releasing sore muscles.
Relieve Stress
Many people practice Tantric yoga purely as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. The focus on the breath will bring you into the present moment, pushing thoughts of to-do lists or financial worries aside. You’ll end your session feeling more focused, present and calm.
More Confidence Sexually
Of course, Tantric sex is a world-famous phenomenon, and Tantric yoga is a great stepping stone to increasing your confidence. It’ll encourage you to connect on a deeper level to your body, with its focus on the present allowing you to feel things more intensely than you would otherwise. A regular Tantric yoga practice can bring about new sexual energy, and help develop a deeper connection to your partner.
How to Practice Tantric Yoga
Tantric yoga is less about the postures, and more about the approach. Unlike Bikram yoga which uses the same 26 postures in each class, Tantric yoga allows the practitioner more freedom.
Most Tantric yoga classes use inversions, side bends, forward folds, twists and backbends to bring the practitioner into their physical body.
Tantric yoga is best practiced in class, but an individual practice can also be very effective. It can also be practiced with a partner to help deepen your connection to those around you, although traditional Tantric yoga should always be practiced individually.
Key Facts
- Tantric yoga is a style of yoga focused on building connections between the mind, body and spirit.
- Many people mistake Tantric yoga for Tantric sex. While both are tied to energy and connectivity, the goal of Tantric yoga is not the same of that of modern Tantric sex.
- Tantric yoga uses many different types of yoga and teachings, including meditation, Kundalini, chanting and Hatha practices.
- White Tantra is a solo practice that incorporates posture and meditation, while Red Tantra focuses on connecting with a partner sexually.
- The benefits of Tantric yoga include mental clarity, improved mental health, a connection with your spiritual body and more confidence sexually.
- Tantric yoga can either be practiced in a class or at home. There are no set postures or movement sequences to follow, with most Tantric yoga sessions incorporating many different styles of yoga.
