In Tibetan Buddhist Tantra, it teaches that “The Body is Buddha,” emphasizing that all knowledge, wisdom, and power reside within the human form. Western somatic therapy recognizes that “the body keeps the score,” acknowledging that our bodies retain the cellular memory of our life experiences.
Spiritual masters across millennia have also understood that authentic, lineage-based tantra is a primary key to unlocking the wisdom, knowledge, and power inherent in the body. This approach often involves meditation, mindful movement, and breath practices. Interestingly, these methods also facilitate the transmutation of stored trauma in the body, which can otherwise hinder our access to this internal wisdom.
Lineage-based Tantric practice integrates breath, movement, sound, and visualization, fostering a deeper connection with the body and cultivating a sense of embodied bliss.
First, what is Tantra?
Tantra is a spiritual science which originated in Northern India several thousand years ago. Today, there are many different traditions and lineages of authentic tantric practice, with the most common being rooted in Buddhism and/or Hinduism. Most of the Tantra we are exposed to in Western society falls under the category of “Neo-Tantra”, which can best be described as a modern “adaptation” of these ancient, spiritual traditions.
What is Tantric Dance?
The expression of ecstasy through movement and dance has been part of human culture from its inception. Just as there are many different lineages of tantra, there are many different styles of Tantric dance. For instance, in the Kagyu tradition, a Dance referred to as “The Tara Mandala” is performed by women who embody the 21 different aspects of Tara thought intentional movements, mudras, and mantra.
The Kagyu tradition also gives us the Tibetan 5 Element Teachings, which are ancient, shamanistic methods from the Tibetan Bon tradition, dating back as far as 17,000 years!
The Tibetan 5 Element practices are a form of energy body yoga that allows us to access the vital life-force energy in the body to create more clarity, openness, equanimity, bliss and joy – in every area of life.
5 Element Tantric Dance is a modern application of these ancient, lineage-based teachings, which alows us to use the healing power (and pleasure!) of mindful movement to balance, enrich, and heal the physical and energy body- from the inside-out.
Each of the 5 Elements relate to a specific movement pattern of the body. The movements begin in the pelvis and radiate outward to eventually encompass the whole body. Just like the Tibetan 5 Element Meditations, we start with the most concentrated point of energy to build a charge, and then slowly allow the energy to grow, expand, and eventually permeate into our environment to create balance and enrichment in all of our physical and energetic spaces.
The 5 Elements of Tantric Dance and Corresponding Movements:
As stated, each of the 5 elements relates to a specific movement of the body. For instance:
- Fire Element = Thrusts
- Earth Element = Circles and half circles
- Space Element = Whole body expansion
- Air Element = Figure eight’s
- Water Element = Undulations
Performing each of these movements helps you connect with and ENRICH the elemental energy in your body. According to Tibetan Medicine, activating and enriching the elemental energies of our bodies can lead to better health and wellness of body, mind, spirit, and sex.
Health Benefits of 5 Element Tantric Dance:
- Enhances mind/body connection which increase our ability for self-attunement
- Releases stagnant energy and emotions
- Can be used to facilitate the release of stored “trauma”
- Uses breath, sound, movement, and intention to create more openness, balance, and pleasure in the physical body
- Releases “happy hormones” like endorphins that improve mood and enhance positive emotions.
- Refines balance, flexibility, and posture, which is excellent for the spine, bones, and muscles.
- IT’S FUN!!!
Awakening Embodied Bliss:
The 5 Elements of Tantric Dance are a fun, playful method for activating and enriching the healing energy of your body, while cultivating more connection and attunement. This allows you to hear the voice of your own inner wisdom with more clarity, which leads to more pleasure, joy, and bliss in every area of your life. Find out more about the Tibetan 5 Element practices at our website https://www.authentictantra.com/personal-development/
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