The Benefits of Tantra Breathing Techniques

The techniques of Tantra breathing form the most esoteric part of the art of tantra. Vamana Muni formulated a unique system of breathing, which is also evident in the asanas prescribed by Rishi Patanjali.

Tattva breathing (or engaging in breath-centric postures) requires the practice of several tantric positions within related breathing norms. This Tantra breathing technique is marginally similar to ujayyi pranayama, where the word ‘ujayyi‘ means ‘triumphant’. It produces intense body heat and makes one sweat profusely. It stimulates our organs and has a purifying, detoxifying effect on them.

Significantly, this breathing technique also encourages the release of endorphins (or ‘happy chemicals’) and nutrients, and brings about wellbeing and contentment. It also assist in effective blood circulation, resulting in sublimated blood, a strong body and a sound mind.

There is a specific chronological sequence to abide by when practicing this Tantra tattva breathing. Your tantra teacher will instruct you in gradually progressing from one sequence of these dynamic tantra positions to the next.

Tantric yamas and niyamas detoxify and align our body, purging us entirely of toxins. Tantra sadhana sublimates our nervous system by opening and clearing up the chakras, allowing energy to flow more easily. Tantra tattva mudras incorporate the grace and staying power of this breathing practice to promote flexibility.

Tattva breathing is an intense and demanding exercise, but it is worth the effort – this breathing technique assures us deep peace of mind and fulfillment.

As always, ensure that you engage in these tantra techniques only under the guidance of an authentic tantra teacher. Practicing tantra exercises without expert supervision is counter-productive and often harmful.

Without proper guidance and supervision, most Tantra exercises can cause physical and emotional harm as they influence our mind, body and soul simultaneously.

Copyright (C) Subhojit Dasgupta.

Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra teacher and offers Tantra lessons to select pupils.

The Art of Tantra And The Seven Chakras

In the ancient tantric scriptures, the word ‘chakra’ signifies a conscious spinning-energy wheel. A tantra teacher will reveal that there are seven such spinning-energy nerve centers located along the spinal column, and that every chakra corresponds to a specific area of our body. Further, each chakra represents a specific set of behavioral characteristics associated with that specific area of our body, and the various phases of our spiritual growth through them.

When you practice authentic tantra under the guidance of an experienced tantra master, you will learn to correctly focus your energies with specific positions/postures. This will help you to align the chakras, and to induce them to spin in their proper direction and velocity. Learning how to energize, focus and control the chakras through tantra meditation will help establish physical equilibrium and peace of mind, body and spirit.

The chakras are essential components of tantra courses. It is essential to understand the seven chakras and how each  of them relates to a distinct part of our body along the spinal column, from the perineum to the crown of the head. All seven chakras pertain to a particular set of organs, distinct colors and sounds, specific emotions and/or behavior, and also control certain other personal aspects – including personal identity, goals and attitudes.

The seven chakras are:

•    Muladhara – located at the base of the spine
•    Svadhisthana – located around the abdomen, genital organs, lower back
•    Manipura- located at the solar plexus
•    Anahata – located in the heart area
•    Vishuddha – located in the throat region
•    Ajna or Agyna – located in the eyebrows region
•    Sahasrara – located at the top of head and the cerebral cortex

When your tantra teacher guides you through certain tantra positions and yoga postures, you will be able to focus your conscious awareness and prana shakti (energy) on the chakras. This will allow you to correct specific areas of your body that are out of sync with or inactive in correlation to your body.

By balancing the prana shakti among all seven chakras, complete emotional, physical and mental balance is attained. This spiritual energy (or shakti) attained is better known as Kundalini shakti. In its sleeping state, it is pictured as a coiled-up serpent resting at the base of your spinal column, around the Muladhara chakra.

Because the chakras behave like valves influencing the flow of energy, the postures and techniques your tantra master teaches you are extremely beneficial in realigning the chakras to bring about complete harmony of mind and body.

Do not attempt any Tantra techniques without the close guidance and supervision of an experienced Tantra teacher if you wish to derive optimum benefits. Without proper guidance and supervision, most Tantra exercises can cause physical and emotional harm as they influence our mind, body and soul simultaneously.

Copyright (C) Subhojit Dasgupta.

Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra teacher and offers Tantra lessons to select pupils.

Kundalini Tantra and Kundalini Shakti

In my role as a tantra instructor, I have spoken extensively of kundalini tantra to those I instruct in this ancient tantric art. Kundalini tantra, which gives rise to Kundalini shakti, is the superpower that lies inactive within the uninstructed in the form of a coiled-serpent.

Specifically, the power of kundalini tantra dwells in the Muladhara Chakra, which is the first of the seven chakras. (The other six are Svadhishthana, Manipura, Anahata, Visuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara, in order of magnitude of higher consciousness.)

Together with the Vedas, the Agama Shastras are the origins of the ancient tantric arts, and they offer elaborate descriptions of tantric life. One must familiarize oneself with these to gain a proper comprehension of kundalini tantra.

The original Agama shastras/sastras are twenty-eight in number, and are acknowledged as Saiva Agamas. Their primary focus is on building a relationship with (and finally realizing) the superior devotee Shiva, or Siva. There are some other names such as Vira signifying Hero, Siddha implying Perfected and Swayambhuva implying naturally revealed.

The Agamas have four parts known as padas or lessons. The first two padas address Chariya (or good demeanor) and Kriya (or external worship of Goddesses) and includes all details of personal life, home planning, city planning, personal worship in temples, the architectural designs for temples and sculpture in addition to the elaborateness of temple puja.

The final two padas – Yoga (or internalized worship and union) and Jnana (or enlightened wisdom) give elaborate descriptions of the techniques and phases of kundalini tantra yoga, and the super high consciousness experienced while Tantric Samadhi is attained. In the actual shastras, the padas are sequential with Jnana first, Yoga second, and then Kriya and Chariya.

The Agamas comprise tens of thousands of verses, so much more prolific than the Vedas. Especially the Yoga and Jnana Padas are indeed advanced and omnipotent. Any student should strive to peruse and understand them. They can be complicated, so be sure to avail of the guidance of an accomplished tantra master.

Do not attempt any Tantra techniques without the close guidance and supervision of an experienced Tantra teacher if you wish to derive optimum benefits. Without proper guidance and supervision, most Tantra exercises can cause physical and emotional harm as they influence our mind, body and soul simultaneously.

Copyright (C) Subhojit Dasgupta.

Subhojit Dasgupta is a Tantra teacher and offers Tantra lessons to select pupils.