Aspects of Tantra Yoga

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In Tantra Yoga, the subtle bodies of energy and spirit are developed to create a bridge from the physical to the Devine. The development of energy is focused on the purification and cultivation of prana and the activation of kundalini. The physical body is used to activate energy through the practices of asana, pranayama, mudra, and shatkarma. Thus, the Tantra yogis developed the yoga postures (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) that are most commonly used today in Hatha Yoga. Mudras include hand gestures and an intense fusion of asana, pranayama, and bandha. Shatkarma (often referred to as kriya) are esoteric exercises and techniques to purify the body and cleanse the energy pathways. The devotional practices of mantra, yantra, and puja are used to develop the spiritual body.

With over two decades of experience, Gurdeep Arora is a seasoned practitioner and teacher of Tantra Yoga. He has trained and mentored numerous students, guiding them on the path of spiritual growth and self-realization through the practice of Tantra Yoga. Gurdeep Arora holds a Ph.D. in Indology and specializes in the field of Tantra Yoga. Gurdeep's research interests revolve around understanding the philosophical foundation and practical applications of Tantra Yoga. He explores the intricate connection between meditation and Yoga, aiming to unravel the transformative potential of these practices. Gurdeep has also conducted workshops and retreats internationally, sharing his profound knowledge and expertise with a wider audience. Gurdeep Arora's profound contributions to the field of Tantra Yoga have been recognized and honored. He has received the Excellence in Yoga Teaching Award from the Indian Yoga Association for his exceptional dedication to spreading the teachings of Tantra Yoga.

Geetha Adithan is a tantric scholar and yoga teacher. She has earned her PhD in Tantra Studies from the University of Madras. She has worked as a researcher at the Tantra Research Centre, Chennai, and as a professor at the Yoga Institute, Pune. She has wide-ranging areas of academic and research interests, which include, the philosophical foundations of tantra yoga, the practical aspects of tantric meditation and yoga, the history and development of tantra yoga, the relationship between tantra yoga and other spiritual traditions. Geetha has won several awards for her knowledge and teaching contributions in the field of yoga. She has been presented the "Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award" for her phenomenal teaching service and the impact she has made worldwide. She is also a member of several organizations that promote the study of tantra yoga.

Tantra Yoga is a relatively modern revamping of the ancient Vedic and yogic spiritual practices. The Tantrics developed innovative yet unorthodox techniques for allowing one to experience the reality of the true Self-the oneness of the entire cosmos. Instead of expanding and focusing one's awareness outwards, Tantra saw the value of the body as a tool to explore and delight in. Previously, yoga techniques were focused on the renunciation of the physical body and a conscious effort to detach from the suffering encountered in the body. Tantra instead discovered the value in the awareness and delight in the body's inner world of energy. Understanding the techniques and goals of tantra yoga is important as hatha yoga originated from this system of yoga, and tantra provides a context for the individual practices and techniques of modern yoga. The energetic focus of Tantra yoga originates from the worship of Shiva and Shakti-the dynamic and static principles of the universe. The energy of Shakti (dynamic, creative, feminine) and Shiva (static, destructive, masculine) are seen as a continual play that manifests in a multitude of forms.

In Tantra Yoga, the subtle bodies of energy and spirit are developed to create a bridge from the physical to the Devine. The development of energy is focused on the purification and cultivation of prana and the activation of kundalini. The physical body is used to activate energy through the practices of asana, pranayama, mudra, and shatkarma. Thus, the Tantra yogis developed the yoga postures (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) that are most commonly used today in Hatha Yoga. Mudras include hand gestures and an intense fusion of asana, pranayama, and bandha. Shatkarma (often referred to as kriya) are esoteric exercises and techniques to purify the body and cleanse the energy pathways. The devotional practices of mantra, yantra, and puja are used to develop the spiritual body. Mantras are sacred Sanskrit sounds that are manifestations of the divine power. Yantras are sacred geometric forms used for concentration and visualization in Tantric rituals. Puja is the active devotional worship of a chosen deity through offerings of food, incense, light, water, and gems. The Tantra Yogis emphasis on personal experimentation and experience led to radical techniques to cleanse the body and mind to break the knots that bind us to our physical existence. The famous "Left Hand" schools of Tantra used unlawful practices of consuming sex, alcohol, and meat as powerful tools for transformation. Tantra Yoga encompasses a huge range of techniques, yet its underlying focus is on using the body as a temple to worship the all-encompassing oneness of life as sacred. Tantra enables the practitioner to directly experience the Divine and to taste the oneness of the cosmos. Tantra offers a smorgasbord of yogic techniques to bring one into the state of ecstasy representing a vast synthesis of spiritual knowledge.

This book lays special emphasis on the development of the powers latent in the six Chakras, from Muladhara to Ajna. Kundalini Yoga actually belongs to Tantric Sadhana which gives a detailed description about this serpent-power and the Chakras (plexus). Entire Tantric Sadhana aims at awakening Kundalini, and making her to unite with Lord Sadasiva, in the Sahasrara Chakra. Methods adopted to achieve this end in Tantric Sadhana are Japa of the Name of the Mother, prayer, and various rituals.

**Contents and Sample Pages**