Tantric breathing is a spiritual practice that combines focused breathing (pranayama) with the goal of uniting your body, mind, and spirit, helping you explore spiritual growth. It’s easy to think of tantra as just being about sex, but it’s actually a system of yoga that’s all about accepting yourself and inhabiting your body fully.
Tantric breathing techniques offer a host of potential benefits. You might find that practicing tantric breathing improves your mood, reduces stress, helps you heal from trauma, and even activates your Kundalini energy, also known as your “life force.”
Understanding the Foundations of Tantric Breathing
Shiva and Shakti: The Core Energies
Tantra recognizes two fundamental energies: Shiva and Shakti. Think of Shiva as masculine energy and Shakti as feminine energy. The ultimate goal in tantra is to bring these energies together to achieve oneness, or samadhi. Interestingly, tantric philosophy says that both men and women possess both Shiva and Shakti energies within them.
These energies are also connected to Kundalini, the dormant energy believed to reside at the base of the spine. Tantric breathing exercises are designed to help move Shakti energy upward to unite with Shiva.
The Role of Chakras
Tantra also works with the chakra system, which consists of seven energy centers located along the spine. Tantra aims to balance these chakras to improve the flow of energy throughout the body. When your chakras are in balance, your overall well-being may improve, and you might consider an ancient nutrition detox to further support a healthy body.
Key Benefits of Tantric Breathing
Tantric breathing techniques are said to offer a range of potential benefits, from calming the nervous system to deeper, more spiritual experiences.
Regulating the Nervous System and Reducing Stress
One of the primary benefits often associated with Tantric breathing is its ability to regulate the nervous system. By consciously controlling your breath, you can induce a state of calmness and reduce stress. This is because breathing techniques directly influence the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous systems, helping to bring them into balance.
Emotional Release and Trauma Healing
Some practitioners believe that Tantric breathing can help uncover and heal emotional trauma. It’s thought to promote body awareness and release emotional blockages that may be stored within the body. Some research suggests that breath retention techniques, in particular, may help reduce symptoms of PTSD.
Elevating Mood and Vibrational Energy
Tantric breathing is also purported to improve your daily mood. By focusing on breath and energy flow, it’s said to elevate your vibrational energy, aligning your energy with a higher frequency. Whether you believe in vibrational energy or not, the focused attention and deep breathing can certainly be mood-boosting.
Activating Kundalini Energy
In some Tantric traditions, Kundalini is described as dormant sexual energy that can be transmuted for spiritual enlightenment. Certain breathing techniques are believed to awaken this Kundalini energy, leading to profound spiritual experiences. This aspect is often considered advanced and should be approached with guidance from a qualified teacher.
Practical Tantric Breathing Techniques
Ready to breathe like a Tantric master? Here are a few techniques to get you started:
Bhastrika (Bellows Breath)
Bhastrika, also known as Bellows Breath, is a powerful technique designed to invigorate the body and mind. In Tantric practice, Bhastrika is believed to help move Shakti energy, allowing it to merge with Shiva. Here’s how to do it:
- Sit comfortably with your spine erect.
- Forcefully exhale and inhale through your nose, creating a bellows-like sound.
- Perform 27 repetitions.
- After completing the breaths, gently lift and lower your head 3-5 times to release any tension.
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Alternate nostril breathing, or nadi shodhana pranayama, is a technique used to balance the energy channels in your body. You gently close one nostril and breath out the other, then repeat on the other side.
Ahamkara Mudra
The Ahamkara Mudra involves a specific hand gesture combined with visualization. In this practice, you visualize light expanding from your heart, radiating outwards to fill your entire being and beyond. This technique is believed to foster self-awareness and connect you with your inner self.
Bringing Tantric Breathing Into Your Life
So, how do you fit Tantric breathing into your day? Try incorporating it into your existing practices, like meditation, yoga, or even sex. It can add a new dimension to these activities. If you’re looking for more structured guidance, consider joining an online Tantric breathwork class.
And, if you’re serious about diving deep, seek out an experienced Tantric energy healer or teacher. They can help you navigate the nuances and unlock the full potential of this powerful practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tantric love?
Tantric love, at its core, is about connecting deeply with yourself and your partner on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. It’s not just about the act of sex, but about cultivating intimacy, mindfulness, and presence in all aspects of the relationship.
How do you do tantric breathing for beginners?
For beginners, a simple tantric breathing technique is the “belly breath.” Lie down comfortably, place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Inhale deeply, focusing on expanding your belly while keeping your chest relatively still. Exhale slowly, releasing all the air from your belly. Focus on the breath and the sensation of your body.
What are the five forbidden things in tantra?
The “five forbidden things” (the Panchamakara) are controversial and not universally practiced. They are often misinterpreted. The five Ms are Madya (alcohol), Matsya (fish), Mamsa (meat), Mudra (parched grain), and Maithuna (sexual intercourse). These are symbolic and used in advanced practices under the guidance of a qualified teacher to transform desire into spiritual energy.
What are the 24 tantric places?
The 24 tantric places, also known as Pithas, are sacred sites in India believed to be imbued with powerful energy. These places are associated with the goddess Shakti and are important pilgrimage destinations for practitioners of Tantra.
What is the secret to deep breathing?
The “secret” to deep breathing is awareness and intention. It’s about consciously engaging your diaphragm, allowing your lungs to fully expand, and focusing on the sensation of the breath moving through your body. Slow, controlled breaths are key to maximizing the benefits.
The Bottom Line
Tantric breathing offers a range of potential benefits, from reducing stress and helping you heal from difficult emotions to opening you up to spiritual growth.
If you’re curious, why not give it a try? Explore different techniques and see how they feel in your body and mind.
Remember that Tantra is a holistic path, and Tantric breathing is just one tool you can use to unlock your potential and discover more about yourself.