Tantric Hatha Yoga: Say What?

By Barbra

Okay, I'm beginning to wonder. Maybe you've been wondering, What is Tantric Hatha Yoga?

From our new schedule, now complete with descriptions of our classes: "Tantric Hatha uses asana (postures) as a technique, along with breath, meditation, visualization, mudras and bandhas (energy locks) to balance the main forces that sustain mind and the body to transform the physical body and unblock or remove the obstructions to balanced energy flow. The Tantric approach to asana is drawn from the ancient wisdom that suggests that the quality of your energy determines your experience of life."

I've been studying Tantric Hatha for almost three years with Rod Stryker. His "school" is known as Parayoga, which means "supreme." The Parayoga web-site provides a fantastic wealth of information, and I encourage you to visit. In it, Rod lays to rest misconceptions about Tantra, and illuminates how this tradition of Yoga is about moving into a life more joyful, more fearless. In short, achieving your highest potential.

The techniques practiced in a Tantric Hatha class were designed to polish all the systems of the body, to "remove the rubbish." They are alchemical. One simple example is alternate nostril breathing. Directing the breath and awareness in a specific sequence through the right and left nostril with visualizations can have a subtle yet profound effect on the quality of our energy, and in turn, the quality of how you view the world (see "What's Your Pranic Footprint?"). And while Maha Mudra may look like the familiar pose Janu Sirsasana, the way the breath and energy are being directed while in the pose can do wonders for the flow of energy.

Give a class in Tantric Hatha a try. What've you to to lose, except a little pranic pollution!