Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga

After 5 years of practice and my first Yoga teacher training, I thought I was a Yogi now. After my second Yoga teacher training, I thought I was a superior human. When I first went to The Practice in Bali to check out their classes, I thought I was an absolute failure. I understood that I, frankly, knew nothing about what Yoga actually meant. I knew the Asanas, sure, and I heard of Patanjali and the Sutras, but did I understand that Yoga was about cultivating, shaping and directing Prana? Surely not. I felt like an absolute beginner. I could do 50 Sun Salutations in one go, but could not hold a down dog for more than 2 minutes. It certainly wasn’t a matter of physical strength, it was a matter of mental clarity and focus. After my Yoga Teacher Training at exactly that studio here in Bali, I want to share my latest insights on Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga and why it is, spiritually speaking, so much more efficient than more modern practices.

Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga offers a profound and holistic approach to physical and mental well-being. While often misunderstood as solely a practice of physical postures, Tantric Hatha Yoga encompasses much more. In this article, I take you on a deep dive into the transformative power of this ancient practice, emphasizing the understanding that Asanas, or physical postures, are not just about flexibility but serve as tools for cultivating steadiness and ease in both body and mind, Sthira and Sukham. In Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga, flexibility is not a thing. We want to be in steady, long holds of Asana. We delve into the origins, principles, and practices of Tantric Hatha Yoga, highlighting its focus on the internal journey towards developing a strong and steady mind. By integrating breath control and meditation, Tantric Hatha Yoga offers a holistic path to personal growth and profound well-being. And, most important, I want to show you how you can use this powerful practice for yourself.

Origins and Principles of Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga

Tantric Hatha Yoga traces its roots back to ancient texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita. It draws from the rich tapestry of Tantric philosophy, which views the human body as a microcosm of the universe and seeks to unite the energies of the body, mind, and spirit. The core principles of Tantric Hatha Yoga include balance, harmony, and the cultivation of inner awareness. I’d even go that far and say it’s all about the study of your own energy.

Tantra and Yoga are age-old practices, dating back to the old Hindu Valley culture, when 5.000 years ago the word Yoga was first mentioned in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest Hinu texts. If you ask me, the sister sciences Yoga, Ayurveda and Tantra are a lot older, passed down from generation to generation. Why? Because addressing body, mind and spirit is the ultimate way to holistic health and well-being.

While asanas are an integral part of Tantric Hatha Yoga, their purpose extends beyond physical fitness and flexibility. Each posture is designed to create a harmonious balance between strength and flexibility, encouraging practitioners to explore their physical and mental boundaries. By maintaining steady breath and focusing the mind, practitioners develop concentration, patience, and self-awareness, unlocking the potential for personal growth and transformation. To be honest: talking from a yogic perspective, the fancy Asanas that don’t do that much energetically. As a fact, many Asanas we practice today in Vinasha classes are actually not that old.

When Yoga came to the West, many Asanas like Wild Child, Revolved Side Angle and even Virabhadrasana I, Warrior 1, was designed around 1940 and popularized by Iyenagar, Krishnamacharyas pupil. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who brought Yoga into the western world, just died 33 years ago. Again, Yoga is not about flexibility. It is about Stira and Sukham, stability and ease. We’re not being easeful in a split or a handstand if we’re not super fit and used to it, and we won’t be able to hold it for long. And this, ultimately, is the aim of Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga: Longer holds, less poses, going internal.

You will see that holding an Asana for longer than you usually would brings up involuntary movement in the body and mind. We are challenging, mastering our mind to overcome the bodies screaming, stepping into a space of complete mental focus. We are working with the Vayus, the bodies energies, and according to the direction of the spine those energies get activated and move through the body. Longer holds are critical. Moving fast in and out of Asanas will not shape your mind in that way. Some teachers would go to the extent of saying that mixing up Inversions, Backbends, Forward Folds and Lateral Asanas messes with the bodies energies. I say: depends on the intention.

Vinasha is an absolute fantastic workout which prepares your body for those longer holds, strengthens your muscles so that you’re actually physically capable of getting through the practices. It all comes down to intention: Vinsaha is many things, including moving meditation and breath control, but it is only a spiritual practice to a certain degree. It all comes down to the intention. Using it as a physical workout will get you so strong to fast, but performing Vinasha with a more subtle intention of emotional mastery will not get you far. The real work starts when you’re in an Asana, in stillness, observing what’s happening in mind and body.

Breath Control and Meditation in Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga

Tantric Hatha Yoga places great emphasis on the integration of breath control (pranayama) and meditation. Conscious regulation of the breath helps to calm and steady the mind, while meditation cultivates self-reflection and inner stillness. By synchronizing breath, movement, and mindfulness, practitioners tap into the present moment, experiencing a profound sense of peace and connectedness. And because you knwo that I’m obsessed with the breath, here the scientific ad on: Because of the body mind connection, it is the breath that shapes the posture and the breath that triggers or not triggers whatever comes up in long hold of Asana.

The holistic approach of Tantric Hatha Yoga brings transformative benefits to both physical and mental well-being. Regular practice improves physical strength, flexibility, and balance, promoting a sense of vitality and overall health. Let’s please highlight that all of those things are pretty physical, and provide a nice side effect of regular practice. But the true aim, self study and the shaping of our own energy, is and always will be the aim focus of this practice. Moreover, the cultivation of mental steadiness, self-awareness, and emotional balance helps practitioners navigate the challenges of daily life with equanimity and clarity. Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga fosters a positive mindset, cultivates resilience, and deepens the connection between body, mind, and spirit.

The tantric side of things

Yes, the word Tantra is in there. No, this is not about sex. Tantra is about so many things, and it simply doesn’t exclude sex. Generally speaking, Tantra is the study of your own energy. In addition to its physical and mental aspects, Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga encompasses a unique and profound spiritual dimension. Rooted in the Tantric philosophy, this practice recognizes the inherent divinity and sacredness in all aspects of life, including the body, senses, emotions, and relationships. It embraces a holistic approach that integrates the physical, energetic, and spiritual dimensions of human existence.

Tantra, derived from the Sanskrit word “tan” meaning “to expand” or “to weave,” seeks to expand consciousness and weave together the mundane and the divine. Unlike popular misconceptions, Tantra is not solely about sexuality but encompasses a broader understanding of the universal energy and the interconnectedness of all things.

In Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga, the body is revered as a temple, a vehicle for spiritual awakening. It is viewed as a microcosm of the universe, containing the subtle energy centers known as chakras and the channels called Nadis. Through the practice of Asanas, Pranayama, and meditation, practitioners aim to harmonize and activate these energetic pathways, awakening the dormant spiritual potential within.

The Tantric approach to Hatha Yoga emphasizes embracing and integrating all aspects of the self, including the shadow aspects and the emotions that arise during practice. Rather than suppressing or transcending these experiences, Tantric Hatha Yoga encourages practitioners to engage with them consciously, transforming them into vehicles for self-awareness and spiritual growth. This approach fosters a deep acceptance of oneself and cultivates a non-judgmental attitude towards others, fostering compassion, and interconnectedness.

Ultimately, the Tantric side of Hatha Yoga invites practitioners to move beyond rational thinking more into feeling to embrace the unity of all existence. Especially talking about polarity and duality, Tantric principles to talk about feminine and masculine aspects of human existence as a mirror for us to see that there are two sides to the same coin. It encourages an experiential exploration of the divine nature within oneself and the interconnectedness with the larger cosmic reality. By integrating the physical, energetic, and spiritual aspects of practice, Tantric Hatha Yoga offers a profound path to self-realization and spiritual awakening.

The yogic side of things

The Yogic side of Tantric Hatha Yoga draws inspiration and guidance from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, a foundational text that outlines the philosophy and practice of classical Yoga. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras offer a systematic and comprehensive approach to understanding the nature of the mind and attaining self-realization.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras describe the Eight Limbs of Yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga, which serve as a roadmap for spiritual growth and self-discovery. These limbs provide a structured framework for practitioners to progress from the external aspects of practice to the internal dimensions of the mind and spirit. Let’s explore the key aspects of the Eight Limbs:

1. Yamas (Ethical Restraints): The Yamas guide practitioners in cultivating ethical principles and social conduct, including non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), moderation (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).
2. Niyamas (Observances): The Niyamas focus on personal observances, including cleanliness (saucha), contentment (santosha), discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender to a higher power (Ishvara pranidhana).
3. Asanas (Physical Postures): Asanas are the physical postures practiced in Yoga. Patanjali suggests that through steady and comfortable postures, practitioners develop physical strength, flexibility, and stability, preparing the body for meditation and spiritual practices.
4. Pranayama (Breath Control): Pranayama involves conscious regulation of the breath, harnessing the vital life force (prana) within. It includes various techniques to expand and direct the breath, balancing the energy in the body and calming the mind.
5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses): Pratyahara is the practice of withdrawing the senses from external distractions and turning the focus inward. By detaching from sensory stimuli, practitioners cultivate a heightened sense of inner awareness and develop mastery over the mind.
6. Dharana (Concentration): Dharana refers to the practice of one-pointed concentration. By focusing the mind on a single object or point of attention, practitioners cultivate the ability to sustain concentration and develop mental stability.
7. Dhyana (Meditation): Dhyana is the state of uninterrupted meditation, where the mind becomes fully absorbed in the object of concentration. Through sustained meditation practice, practitioners deepen their inner awareness and experience profound states of tranquility and expanded consciousness.
8. Samadhi (Union with the Divine): Samadhi is the ultimate state of Yoga, where the practitioner experiences a complete merging with the divine and transcends individuality. It is a state of profound bliss, unity, and self-realization.

The Yoga Sutras are just a tiny little part of what Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga is about. We haven’t even touched on the offer of profound insights into the nature of the mind, the causes of suffering, and the path to liberation. They provide practitioners with a framework to cultivate self-discipline, inner stillness, and spiritual awakening. Through the practice of the Eight Limbs, individuals can purify the mind, attain higher states of consciousness, and ultimately experience the union of the individual self with the universal Self.

It is important to note that the practices outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras require guidance from experienced teachers and sincere dedication to the path of Yoga. The study and application of these teachings can lead to profound personal transformation and the realization of one’s true nature. Believe me, our true nature is not always as pretty as we think it is. But with slow integration and continuous practice, the pairs of opposites in life impact us less and less. This path is about stability.

Divided into three categories, Moon (settle the Prana), Sun (Cultivate Prana) and Fire (Shape Prana), I’m still pretty much at the Moon state. But seriously – This is absolutely sick. My OCD brain has issues focusing, my hormones going crazy, there is always drama and intensity in my life, but this practice brings me to a space where those things are still there but simply don’t touch me as much as they used to.

Tantric Hatha Yoga offers us a profound pathway to personal growth and holistic well-being. By understanding that Asanas are not about physical flexibility, but about cultivating steadiness and ease in body and mind, practitioners embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. We can leave the performance pressure that invaded so many Yoga studios nowadays behind (eyes on your own mat!). Through the integration of breath control and meditation, Tantric Hatha Yoga provides a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness and inner balance. This ancient practice has the potential to positively impact physical health, mental well-being, and overall mindset, guiding practitioners towards a state of harmony, resilience, and profound self-awareness.