I feel compelled to write to you about Tantra this week. What it is and what it is not. To dispel some myths and create a deeper understanding.
Tantra practices help us access intimacy from a place of deeper connection and presence – being truly present in all aspects of who we are: mind, body, emotions and spirit. This connection begins with ourselves from within. It is self-love in a wonderfully unselfish way; meaning we fill ourselves up first. I cannot offer you deep love and healing if I myself am empty. I consciously fill my own heart first, then I offer it to you.
Tantra Yoga came into my life as a natural progression in my own personal growth, and as a way to deepen my offerings in sessions and workshops. I have been studying sacred intimacy for over 25 years. It really began at age 14 with a book borrowed from a friend that my Mother happened to discover. I thought I was incredibly clever with my in-between the mattress hiding place. I was mortified. But it never curtailed my curiosity and study.
Firstly, Tantra it is a branch or limb of Yoga. Yoga means ‘yoke or union.’ Tantra means – ‘technique or technology’ – meaning: an inner technology. It is a combination of breath work, movement and sound. It is not a book of positions to try out with your lover, which is a common misunderstanding. In fact, many Tantra techniques are be solo in nature and can also be combined with a partner to deepen connection and intimacy. Tantra is not all about sex and is not promiscuity – it goes far beyond the realm of the physical body. However, we begin with the physical body – the physical we are familiar with, and we know.
How often when we feel something is missing in our relationship do we feel compelled to get a book on intimacy and positions in the bedroom? We think if we spice it up in the bedroom we will reconnect with our partner. Nope. That’s where Tantra comes in – conscious loving practices that assist with deep reconnection create the deep connection that can spice things back up. But we need to reconnect first – to build trust and feel safe again. Many people express they no longer know how to approach their partner and now they simply avoid the whole topic.
Many Tantra techniques work with the chakra system in the body. Chakra means: ‘wheels of light’ or the spiritual anatomy of the body. These are seven main energy centres that contain the energies of all significant experiences in our life. (good and not so good) Through breath work, sounding, movement and mudras (hand positions) we work to move and build our energies, and help them move up to the higher realms of consciousness and connection. Tantra teaches us how to be intimate and connected to ourselves, and how to connect with a partner if we choose to. It does not have to involve physical intimacy with another, however, with a partner you can access, in the physical realm, the ecstasy and bliss of what has been termed: ‘God loving God.’
With Tantra practices the energy moves up through our body. We move this powerful life force energy from the lower chakras (Shakti and Kundalini energies) up from the base to the crown – which then empowers us, gives us strength, helps us speak our truth, expands our wisdom and inner knowing, up to the higher realms of consciousness. All of this culminates in a deeper more profound inner connection that is carried out into the world.
…Tantra is about love, connection, and presence…
When you love yourself in this way, you make love to the world in all you do.
Then…we are all one.
You can find out more about this in my workshop on Dec 8!
I wish you an abundant fall season filled with much love, passion and adventure. As always I am here to support you in this life journey – and welcome your feedback.