Tantra
Tantra is a sanskrit term made of the words TANOTI and TRAYATI. Tanoti means “to extend or expand, to stretch” and Trayati means “to free or liberate”. Therefore, Tantra is defined as “the means to expand one’s experience and comprehension beyond the material in order to attain Self liberation or realization. Tantra is also defined as “a Tool or Technique”. Tantra can be the techniques that are used to accelerate one towards this Self Liberation or Realization. These techniques include hatha yoga, pranayama, mudras, rituals, kundalini yoga, nada yoga, mantra, yantra, mandala, astrology, and hundreds of esoteric techniques for engendering worldly and spiritual prosperity. In essence, Tantra is used to reweave the fabric of the spiritual and the material world.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa stems from the words Nyasa (to place) and Vi (in a special way). While practicing Vinyasa, one is moving and meditating in a special way in order to achieve specific results. Common examples would be practicing specific sequences to relieve back pain, improve digestion, or reduce chronic fatigue.
How does Tantric Vinyasa look different from other yoga classes?
The most noticeable difference will be that the flow or sequence of the asana will be practiced at a slightly slower pace in order to practice Adhikara. Adhikara means “to become sensitive to the subtle realms or forces”. These subtle forces are known as Prana or vital life force and Agni, or digestive and psychic fire. Our goal in each practice is to become more and more sensitive to Prana, cultivate Agni and then ultimately control them. In Tantric Vinyasa, we will not only practice asana to increase strength and flexibility but we will include breath control, bandhas, mudras, and visualizations. The ancient Yogi’s believed through learning to control the subtle forces, we also learn to control the mind. One will leave a Tantric Vinyasa class knowing they have cultivated vital life force and a clear mind.
Link to ParaYoga for a more in depth look Tantra and the Sri Vidya Lineage.
