The classical view of Yoga on the body places it in a position of inferiority with respect to the spirit or the transcendental being. This is the philosophy shared by almost all styles of Yoga, for example Hatha Yoga, which is the most practiced in the West. In Tantra Yoga, the body is deeply valued and is considered a physical manifestation of the spiritual plane, therefore a vehicle for the liberation of the spirit and the elimination of suffering. Contrary to conventional exercises, where people seek to drain energy and get tired, the goal of Tantra Yoga is to recharge energy. In this practice, slow and subtle movements are used to go from one position to another, in which it is necessary to stay for a reasonable time, breathing deeply and calmly. Generally the complete series of Tantra Yoga is followed by an interval of meditations in which the instructor will assist the practitioner to bring him to a serene state of mind. Tantra Yoga is characterized by docility and seeks to connect the person with her desires and pleasures, which is why this type of Yoga is usually related to sexuality. In Tantra Yoga, any source of pleasure and desire is perceived as a window of access to divinity. Desire is a powerful force that motivates people, inspires them and drives them to achieve their goals, as long as they are not a source of obsession or attachment. The tradition of Tantra Yoga is closely related to self-knowledge, since it is considered essential to achieve fulfillment and maximum human potential. According to tantric anatomy, people must connect with their five bodies: the physical body, the energetic body, the mental and emotional body, the body of wisdom or internal teacher and finally the body of happiness. Each of these bodies has different access points that are explored through Tantra Yoga. The Asanas for example, they are a perfect communication channel with the physical body, and allow practitioners to feel their muscles, bones and physical anatomy in general.
On the other hand, the energetic body is related to the vibration and the small processes that give life to the body, the pulse, the breathing, the senses, etc. This is known as prana or vital essential, and is perceivable through stillness. The mental/emotional body is the one with which we are mostly connected in everyday life, it is related to reasoning. Many times, this is where negative thoughts, obsessions and harmful emotions develop. Meditation is ideal to access our mind in a harmonic way and balance it to improve our quality of life. Meditating allows us to look at our thoughts, prejudices and emotions in a detached way, which helps us become neutral witnesses of ourselves. The body of wisdom is related to intuition. It refers to that part of us that always knows which way to go. This body is exercised through silence and the ability to listen to our inner voice, which is strengthened through our conscious and silent search. Finally, the body of happiness is among all these that we have described, it is the idea of happiness and how to make it flow in us. However, according to the tantric tradition, the key to achieving this bliss is non-identification, ceasing to identify ourselves with anything, sensation, thought, person, etc. To achieve bliss, the ideal is not to identify with anything and simply embrace the statement "This is not me" and apply it to all things. In this way, happiness can flow freely through us.
About the Author
Claudia Faimberg, Yoga Instructor, author from Barcelona and director of Yoga Barcelona, where she teaches yoga classes, but is also a trainer for future yoga instructors. Committed to honest research, she challenges her students in her yoga classes to explore and understand the practice of yoga as it developed and evolved within each individual's body. She always encourages her students to explore the logic behind poses, and never to accept an absolute statement at face value. claudia faimberg
Yoga Barcelona
c/Avinyó 31, 3-2 08002 Barcelona Telephone: 933 101 676
On the other hand, the energetic body is related to the vibration and the small processes that give life to the body, the pulse, the breathing, the senses, etc. This is known as prana or vital essential, and is perceivable through stillness. The mental/emotional body is the one with which we are mostly connected in everyday life, it is related to reasoning. Many times, this is where negative thoughts, obsessions and harmful emotions develop. Meditation is ideal to access our mind in a harmonic way and balance it to improve our quality of life. Meditating allows us to look at our thoughts, prejudices and emotions in a detached way, which helps us become neutral witnesses of ourselves. The body of wisdom is related to intuition. It refers to that part of us that always knows which way to go. This body is exercised through silence and the ability to listen to our inner voice, which is strengthened through our conscious and silent search. Finally, the body of happiness is among all these that we have described, it is the idea of happiness and how to make it flow in us. However, according to the tantric tradition, the key to achieving this bliss is non-identification, ceasing to identify ourselves with anything, sensation, thought, person, etc. To achieve bliss, the ideal is not to identify with anything and simply embrace the statement "This is not me" and apply it to all things. In this way, happiness can flow freely through us.
About the Author
Claudia Faimberg, Yoga Instructor, author from Barcelona and director of Yoga Barcelona, where she teaches yoga classes, but is also a trainer for future yoga instructors. Committed to honest research, she challenges her students in her yoga classes to explore and understand the practice of yoga as it developed and evolved within each individual's body. She always encourages her students to explore the logic behind poses, and never to accept an absolute statement at face value. claudia faimberg
Yoga Barcelona
c/Avinyó 31, 3-2 08002 Barcelona Telephone: 933 101 676
