One thing’s for sure about tantra: Its history is as complicated as its philosophy. Though there’s a lot of beauty to it, the tradition has picked up some not-so-positive connotations along the way. Many people equate “sex” or “weird sexual practice” with the word. But, says Coby Kozlowski, a teacher at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Life, but this isn’t totally accurate, as there are lots of different philosophies within the tradition. “The word itself has a vast history and can be thought of in many ways,” she says. “So often when we hear the word tantra, we think ‘sex.’ But tantra is a much more diverse and rich part of the evolution of yoga and is both a school of thought and body of practices. Within each school of thought there are diverse belief systems and today it stands as a path for many spiritual seekers.”
Definition and Meaning of Tantra
The word tantra itself is translated as to weave, or loom, since the root “‘tan’ means to ‘stretch or expand,’” says Kozlowski. The suffix “tra” generally translates as tool or instrument, making tantra an instrument by which to weave. “We are given the gift of embodiment, and have the opportunity to dance with all that life has to offer and weave into the infinite tapestry—a constant and never ending loom, which is always expanding into more.”
Misconceptions about Tantra and its Sexual Connotations
So why do we think of tantra as being so much about sex? Danny Arguetty, also a Kripalu teacher and student of Douglas Brooks, points out that tantra incorporates many different philosophies which diverged into three separate approaches over time. One of the arms became increasingly sexual in nature, but tantra as a whole got stuck with this connotation. “The Tantra involves a vast array of thoughts, philosophies, and schools which are often thought of as representing either a right handed, left handed, or centric approach,” says Arguetty. “The left handed practices used sexual practices of varying degrees – from benign to sadistic – and are the reason the Tantra still has negative associations in India.” The ‘Left Hand’ schools of Tantra also engaged in what were considered unlawful practices, such as the consumption of alcohol and meat, viewing these acts as powerful tools for transformation.
These schools operate under the broader philosophy of Tantra Yoga, which focuses on using the body as a temple to worship the all-encompassing oneness of life as sacred. By embracing and transcending societal taboos, practitioners sought to achieve spiritual liberation and enlightenment. Tantra Yoga encompasses a wide range of techniques, but its core premise remains rooted in the idea of honoring the sacredness of life through the physical body.
But the associations just deepened as tantra moved to the U.S. “As yoga migrated to the West,” he says, “small groups of practitioners discovered the approach of left handed schools in turning sexual intercourse into a practice of raising energy, honoring pleasure by delaying and then having a more powerful orgasm, and feeling the dance of the feminine and masculine energies (Shiva and Shakti). With the help of these teachings and the Kama Sutras, neotantra (sometimes called California Tantra) was born, popularized, and created the association of Tantra as sexual practices.
Tantra yoga was introduced to the West in the nineteenth century as exotic sexual-spiritual practices to deepen connection and intimacy. The interest in Eastern spirituality and the sexual revolutions of the late 1960s and early 1970s further popularized and cemented Tantra as a yoga technique for great sex.
The fusion of these elements led to a broader understanding and acceptance of Tantra in the Western world, intertwining spiritual and sexual practices in a way that captured the imagination of many. This blend of the ancient and the new found fertile ground in the cultural revolutions of the time, forever changing the landscape of both spiritual and sexual exploration in the West.
While many other Tantric schools do not deny physical intimacy as a conduit for rich exploration, they are also invested in infusing passion, increased energy, and pleasure into broader facets of life.”
Broader and Richer Understanding of Tantra
So that’s how it got its sexual and, in some circles, its negative connotations. But as both teachers point out, there’s a much richer way to think about tantra and incorporate the idea into our lives. Kozlowski says, “if you keep the more original definition in mind, tantra is about building upon and integrating past experience – good and bad – into the self. Tantra Yoga then becomes an opportunity to surf the different flavors of life such as grief, sadness, sorrow, passion, lightness, peace and recognize that tantra is not about escaping or disassociating from life but rather a rich relationship with all the different flavors that life has to offer.”
In Tantra Yoga, the body is not merely a vessel but a sacred temple. It is through the awareness and delight in the body’s inner world of energy that practitioners find profound spiritual connection. Tantra Yoga emphasizes the purification and cultivation of prana (life force) and the activation of kundalini (spiritual energy), bringing both physical and spiritual realms into harmony.
Modern Hatha Yoga draws extensively from Tantra Yoga, incorporating practices like:
- Asana (postures)
- Pranayama (breathing exercises)
- Mudra (gestures)
- Shatkarma (purification techniques)
These practices are not just physical exercises but sacred rituals that activate and balance the body’s energy. By engaging in these techniques, one honors the body as a temple, worshipping the all-encompassing oneness of life as sacred.
Through this holistic approach, Tantra Yoga offers a pathway to experience life’s full spectrum, from sorrow to joy, transforming each moment into a spiritual practice.
How often have terrible situations in life – a job loss, a divorce, or some other form of rejection – later turned out to be turning points for something better? Keeping in mind the fact that the really painful things that happen to us are often, eventually, ways of inviting in better things is important. Of course, sometimes a bad situation is just a bad situation, and not always a door to something great. But even these times can be opportunities to learn to at least sit with the lousy stuff, and know that it too shall pass – and we’ll be the better for it. Oftentimes it seems like it’s the kindest, most soulful, and most giving people who have been through the most difficult situations in their lives. And that seems to be more than just coincidence.
“Each moment becomes an opportunity to find a deeper and more intimate connection and an opportunity to delve into the intelligence and luminosity around us and in us,” says Kozlowski. “Rather than trying to reach a peak experience of enlightenment, we can both weave and bind to this moment and feel the evolutionary impulse of desire that expands us into the more.”
Understanding the Development of Subtle Bodies in Tantra Yoga
Tantra Yoga emphasizes the growth of subtle bodies of energy and spirit to create a connection between the physical and the divine. This process involves several key practices:
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Purification and Cultivation of Prana: Through specific techniques, practitioners purify and enhance prana, the vital life force, to increase their energy levels. This ensures a robust flow of energy throughout the body.
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Activation of Kundalini: Kundalini energy, often visualized as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine, is awakened and guided upward through the chakras. This awakening can lead to heightened spiritual awareness and enlightenment.
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Physical Practices: The body itself becomes a tool for energy activation. Techniques include:
- Asana (Yoga Postures): These physical poses help open energy channels, allowing for a smoother flow of prana.
- Pranayama (Breathing Exercises): Controlled breathing patterns regulate and increase the prana within, contributing to both physical and spiritual vitality.
- Mudra (Hand Gestures) and Bandha (Energy Locks): These refine the control over energy movements within the body.
- Shatkarma (Purification Practices): These cleanse the body to ensure unobstructed energy flow, vital for effective prana movement.
Integrating Practices to Develop Energy and Spirit
By engaging in these practices, Tantra Yoga practitioners systematically cultivate a fine-tuned balance between the physical, energetic, and spiritual aspects of their being. This holistic approach not only fosters physical well-being but also promotes spiritual growth, creating a seamless bridge to the divine.
What has been your experience with tantra, in any of its forms? Please comment below.
Alice G. Walton, PhD is a health and science writer, and began practicing (and falling in love with) yoga last year. She is the Associate Editor at TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com and a Contributor at Forbes.com. Alice will be exploring yoga’s different styles, history, and philosophy, and sharing what she learns here on the YogaGlo blog. You can follow Alice on Twitter @AliceWalton and Facebook at Facebook.com/alicegwalton.
