The scientific use of sound to affect consciousness is called Mantra Yoga. Next to breathing, the use of Mantra is one of  the more important aspects in the practices of Shivakti Tantra Yoga.

"Man" means mind, "TRA" means to tune the vibration (just as one tunes the keys of a guitar or a piano). Mantra is the sound current which tunes and controls mental vibrations. 'Mantra', the mental vibration to the infinite mind, is the direct connection between you & God, it is your personal broadcast.

In addition to the vibrations set in motion, something else happens when you chant. There are eighty-four meridian points, or pressure points in the roof of the mouth. Every time you speak, you stimulate them with your tongue. By stimulating these pressure points on the upper palate in a particular sequence, using the right access code, you affect the chemistry of the brain in a desired manner.

A mantra is a tool for reflection and the cultivation of awareness, and is used for both concentration and contemplation on the Source.

Within yoga, mantras are based upon sounds that reflect the energy of our divine nature. Om is considered to be the universal, consummate mantra.

Yoga teaches us that a mantra is a sound form of the Divine. It’s a sound form of the Great Consciousness. Different mantras relate to different aspects of the Great Consciousness, which are often expressed in the form of deities.

These sound forms are the subtlest in the world and also one of the most powerful ways to invoke the divine aspect of your own Self.

There are particular mantras that invoke different aspects of the divine feminine, or the goddesses of the yogic pantheon, and you can use these mantras and their corresponding goddess presences to bring great things into your life.

“Shreem” evokes the presence of the goddess Lakshmi, an aspect of the Divine Feminine who represents the power of auspiciousness, harmony and abundance. She is said to bring both material and spiritual wealth and prosperity.

If you have never practiced mantra meditation before, the process of reciting a mantra may appear rather mechanical. But the repetition of a mantra is anything but robotic. With regular practice you will find that japa practice will lead you to a much deeper understanding of yourself as you encounter new layers of your mind. Wants and hopes, duties and obligations, ideals and aspirations surface in your awareness. From meditation to meditation, life unfolds under your inner gaze, asking you to witness it in its entirety.

A mantra serves as a kind of centering device during this process. It offers a resting place for the everyday mind. It collects distracting energies. It brings spiritual insights forward, so that you can integrate them into daily life. Just as great music transforms a listener, a mantra gradually lifts and transforms your mind.

It can be noted that a mantra can be any word, phrase, or sound. The following mantras may help you get started, once on the path more advanced mantras are given:

• Om
• Om Gam Ganapati Namaha (We call in Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.)
• Om Namah Shivaya (I bow to Shiva)
• Om Parvatiyai Namaha (I bow to Parvati)
• Om Parā Deviyai Namaha (I bow to Parā Devi) - Parā Devi's proper mantra is given once immersing in devotion & receiving initiation
• Om Shanti (Om Peace)
• Om Mani Padme Hum (‘Hail the Jewel in the Lotus’)
• Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo (I bow to the Creative Wisdom. I bow to the Divine Teacher Within.)
• Ek Ong Kar, Sat Nam Siri, Wahe Guru (There is one Creator whose name is Truth. Great is the ecstasy of that Supreme Wisdom!)
• Hare Krishna (divine praise)
• A-ham Prema (I am divine love)
• Ho’oponopono
  (‘I love you; I’m sorry; please forgive me; thank you.’)
• Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu (May all beings everywhere be happy and free.)
• I am embodied
• I am pure peace
• I am Divine Bliss
• I am that I am
• I am a part of the infinite I am
• I am powerful
• I am Holy Love

You can recite these mantras (or whatever feels right in the moment) silently to yourself as you breathe, or you can say them out loud to charge them with even more powerful energy.

What is Sri Vidya and what is the benefit of Sri Vidya or practicing Sri Vidya? From the perspective of the Science of Mantras, there are two kinds of mantras. There are mantras of Devi (feminine energy) and there are mantras of masculine energy. Within those energies, there are further three types. The mantras of Devi are called Vidyas. When there is a mantra of a Devi, it means vidya. A good mantra of a Devi will always have a seed syllable. When there is seed syllable in a mantra, then it is like sowing a seed. That seed is going to go inside you, in your consciousness and sprout and make you a worthy recipient of the grace of the deity of the mantra. Every mantra has a deity: an owner of the mantra. If I were to look at Devi’s physical form for example, that is her visual aspect. But her sonic aspect, the aspect of sound, if I were to represent a Devi by sound, I will use her mantra. For example if you have a phone number of a person and you call that number and you get straight through to that person. Similarly, a mantra is the number of that God or Goddess. Through a mantra, you get through to that energy.

Sri means Devi, the primal mother, the first mother, the empress. She is Sri Mata, the mother goddess. Sri means somebody whose refuge you can seek.

Foundations of Tantrik Yoga: An Introduction to Classical Tantra by Christopher Hareesh Wallis, author of Tantra Illuminated

Please also enroll in this free valuable online course  in preparation of our Shivakti Tantra Yoga Teacher Training.

Module 1 - Preparing to Practice · What is Tantrik Yoga? · Beginner’s Mind · Pure Motive · How to Sequence Your Practice · Sequencing: Meditation & Awareness Practice

Module 2 - How to Sit & Breathe · Teaching: How to Sit & How to Breathe · Practice: How to Sit & Breathe · Teaching: Sitting Still

Module 3 - Sitting Practice Practice: Body Awareness · Practice: Breath Pause

Module 4 - The Central Channel · Teaching: Central Channel · Practice: Finding the Central Channel

Module 5 - The Heart Center · Teaching: The Still Point at the Base of the Heart · Practice: The Blue Bindu

Module 6 - Introduction to Awareness Cultivation · Teaching: Becoming Aware of Awareness · Practice: Becoming Aware of Awareness

Module 7 - Grounding · Teaching: The Red Bindu · Practice: Grounding with the Red Bindu

Module 8 - The Side Channels · Teaching: Side Channel Theory · Practice: Hamsa Meditation

Module 9 - Movement & Energy · Teaching: Moving Stagnant Energy · Practice: Moving Stagnant Energy

Module 10 - Essence Nature · Teaching: Essence Nature · Practice: Dropping into Core (Meditation)

Module 11 - Being With What Is · Teaching: Being With What Is · Practice: Being With What Is

Module 12 - View, Practice, & Fruits · Teaching: View, Practice & Fruit · Practice: Vipashyna

Module 13 - Attitude · Teaching: Attitude Towards Practice

Module 14 - Kula · Teaching: The Role of Community · Blessing Mandala

Module 15 - The Grace of Lineage · Teaching: The Grace of Lineage · Practice: Guru Yoga

Module 16 - Deepening Awareness Cultivation · Teaching: Sequencing Awareness Practices · Practice: Witnessing the Mind (10 Count) · Teaching: Integrating Practice in Daily Life · Practice: Second Attention · Practice: Being With Intense Emotions

Notable Teacher, Scholar, Author and Practitioner,  Christopher Hareesh Wallace pictured here. Hareesh wrote the book Tantra Illuminated, about the little-understood spiritual tradition of Tantric Shaivism.  He recently finished his second book, The Recognition Sutras, in which he presented his translation and explanation of the 1,000-year-old spiritual masterpiece Pratyabhijñā-hṛdaya, “The Essence of the Recognition Philosophy.” 

There's a new generation of professional scholars of the Yoga tradition who are also practitioners, and he is of that small but growing community. We deeply honor and revere his masterful grasp of the Tantras and his ability to breakdown the complexity for us to receive in grace.

Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Raja. These four paths of yoga are not necessarily separate from each other.These four paths of Yoga are aspects of a whole that is called Yoga. The four paths of Yoga work together, like fingers on a hand. All four paths of yoga can be practiced alone or in combination with each other. None of these paths is ‘better’ or ‘more noble’ than the other and they all lead to the same destination.

Yoga is the preexisting union: Yoga means the realization in direct experience of the preexisting union between the individual consciousness and the universal consciousness. There are different ways of expressing this, including that Atman is one with Brahman, Jivatman is one with Paramatman, or Shiva and Shakti are one and the same. Each of these ways of saying it come from a different viewing point, while they are not essentially different points of view. They all point in the same general direction of union or Yoga. 

The four paths of Yoga: Again, There are four traditional schools of Yoga, and these are: Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Raja Yoga. While a Yogi or Yogini may focus exclusively on one of these approaches to Yoga, that is quite uncommon. For the vast majority of practitioners of Yoga, a blending of the four traditional types of Yoga is most appropriate. One follows his or her own predisposition in balancing these different forms of Yoga.  

Jnana Yoga: Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge, wisdom, introspection and contemplation. It involves deep exploration of the nature our being by systematically exploring and setting aside false identities. Everybody has a mind and at some point will need to examine it, wherein quiet reflection naturally comes.

Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion, emotion, love, compassion, and service to God and others. All actions are done in the context of remembering the Divine. All people will experience emotions such as love, compassion, and devotion at points along the journey, regardless of which of the four paths of Yoga is predominant. 

Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga is the path of action, service to others, mindfulness, and remembering the levels of our being while fulfilling our actions or karma in the world. Nobody can live in a body and the world without doing actions. Even a renunciate living in a Himalayan cave has to do some form of actions, and thus, some degree of Karma Yoga is essential. 

Raja Yoga: Raja Yoga is a comprehensive method that emphasizes meditation, while encompassing the whole of Yoga. It directly deals with the encountering and transcending thoughts of the mind. Everybody will become still and quiet from sadhana spiritual practices, will naturally encounter and deal with attractions and aversion, and will meditate, thus touching on Raja Yoga.

Integration: It is popular these days for a teacher or institution to develop some approach to Yoga that "synthesizes" or "integrates" these four paths of Yoga (along with other component aspects of Yoga). However, that is misleading in that they were never really divided in the first place. It is not a matter of pasting together separate units. Rather, they are all a part of the whole which is called Yoga. Virtually all people have a predisposition towards one or the other, and will naturally want to emphasize those practices.

Other paths of Yoga: Yoga is traditionally taught orally, rather than organized in books, which naturally are linear in nature, and are clustered into chapters. In oral teachings, there is a natural movement from one to another of the aspects of Yoga, including between the four paths of Yoga. Books and organization are useful, but we need to remember that Yoga is, in fact, a whole which has different aspects. For example, in the text Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Hatha Yoga (often called "physical yoga") is described as also related to Kundalini Yoga. It also explains that the purpose of Hatha Yoga is Raja Yoga. Thus, we can easily see the relationship of Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga as being parts or aspects of Raja Yoga. 

We can't abandon the others: While it is definitely true that we each have predispositions towards one or another of the four paths of Yoga, we cannot really avoid or abandon the others.  

Yoga classes: One thing that can lead to some confusion about the four paths of Yoga is the modern "yoga class" which often focuses mostly (if not completely) on physical postures. By referring to postures classes as "yoga classes" one is left with the false impression that this, unto itself, is the meaning of "Yoga." It is important to understand that asanas (postures) are a small, though surely useful, part of Yoga. It would be far better that such classes be called "asana classes".  The seeker of the authentic goals of Yoga will need to discern amongst usages of the word "Yoga" so as to follow the four paths of Yoga. 

Choosing a path: Although the four paths of Yoga work together, along with the companion aspects of Yoga, it is extremely useful to be mindful of which of the four paths of Yoga is most in alignment with your own predispositions. By identifying that path, it can be emphasized in life, and the others can be wisely, lovingly used to enhance the chosen path of Yoga. 

Shakti Kundalini in the innate intelligence of embodied consciousness.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE PERFECTED GODDESSES OF YOGA

Kundalini Yoga emerged from the Kaula Texts of the Trika. This is the first usage of the word Kundalini.

The Trika taught all about the Maha Shakti. MAHA SHAKTI is the doctrine of the goddesses of perfected Yoga.

Shaktiva Kundalini Yoga Flow is a channeled creation fusion by  "Shivakti Shaktiva" (aka Sharene Shamana Ma)  drawn from the many years spent in Ayahuasca Ceremony (where the yoga came spontaneously through her), balanced with the practices she learned in White Tantra, Kundalini Yoga, the Tibetans and other dynamic practices.

We will dive deep into the exploration of awakening our sleeping serpent, awakening the Goddess in Shaktiva Kundalini Yoga. It is about the descent of the upper Shakti and the ascent of the lower Shakti. Our goal is complete embodied aliveness, immersion into the power of consciousness. We access and expand the center of our being.

We will have a Shaktiva Kundalini Yoga class every morning weaving Kundalini Yoga as revealed by the Goddess Queen of the Forest, combined with Shakti Yogas of the "Many Faces of the Goddess", with flowing asanas(continuing the dynamic breathing), Kundalini Yoga mantras, Shakti mantras, tantric meditations and weaving in multiple pranayama practices, primarily: *Breath of fire, *Kapalabhati, *Ujjayi, *Bhastrika.

Shaktiva Kundalini Yoga is an uplifting blend of spiritual, energetic and physical practices, it incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and the chanting of mantras. The goal is to awaken Shakti Kundalini, build physical vitality, transform energies, expand consciousness, and attain liberation from suffering - in the body and the soul.

Shaktiva Kundalini Yoga has the ability to give you Radiance, which is light, and from that light you feel embodied in your truest ecstatic nature.

Shaktiva Kundalini Yoga will cause the awakening and raising of Kundalini Energy (coiled at the base of your spine as a serpent) up the spine through energy centers called Chakras. The activation and balancing of the chakras is accomplished by the mixing and uniting of Prana (cosmic energy) with Apana (eliminating energy) which generates pressure to force Kundalini to rise, by means of Pranayama (breathing exercises), Bhandas (body locks), in Kriyas (exercise sets), using Asanas (postures), Mudras (gestures), and Mantras (sacred sounds). The Kundalini gets aroused and awakened through the practices.

We will also discuss how the flow of kundalini through the body affects ones body, mind, emotions & energy, what a kundalini awakening looks like & feels like, along with the potential anxiety, fears & shaking that arises. We will point out panic attacks are also possible. We will explain how to offer pranayama practices safely, as well as when to substitute with alternatives.

We will discuss grounding exercises, such as walking in nature to move the energy to help you balance yourself. Grounding foods, exercise, meditation, energy-work, body-work, cuddling, sleeping, showering and breath-work is very beneficial to your awakening and moving the stuck energy can be of utmost use to you during this time. We have additional class offerings on Centering & Grounding as well.

Kundalini Awakening, What is it?  Anandi Ma explains about the kundalini, in the book Daughters of the Goddess, 'The kundalini is the part of the soul which comes before, and prepares the body before the soul can actually enter it. After the creation of the physical body is completed, it becomes dormant at the base of the spine. Yogis use that same energy to reach back to the soul, then to God.'

The shakti kundalini is the mother energy, the adi shakti (first Supreme energy) leading the person to the higher goal slowly and gradually.

Kundalini Energy actually starts in the center of Gaia, in the heart of Gaia, where it moves up as one energy through Gaia's energy centers, into the soul star chakra below the feet, then it moves through the feet and up into the root chakra and into the sacral chakra where it splits off into duality, Masculine and Feminine Energy. Then it moves through the solar plexus and the manifestation chakra, the heart center, the dimensional chakra or higher heart, up into the throat chakra, third eye and crown chakra where it lights up the persons consciousness.

When we experience a Kundalini Awakening this universal life-force energy starts to move up the spine through the energy centers known as chakras, which are the energy centers of the major organs and glands, also known as the endocrine system. 

As our consciousness changes we become more in tune with our own energy and the energy of the planet and the universe.

We become in alignment with the lunar, solar, stellar and planetary alignments and cosmic alchemy.

As the Kundalini moves through our energy bodies, we experience a heightening of our senses known as clairsentience which are clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairalience, clairgustance, claircognizance. You start to experience alignment with the mystical realms, such as synchronicity, signs and symbols from the divine intelligence which become hard to ignore. You start to experience prophetic dreams, visions knowing things without even knowing how you know them.

You start to channel divine intelligence and your higher self consciousness in such a way you simply speak divine truth without even knowing how you came to this knowing.

This is how the prophets came to being. They were simply in alignment with divine truth. They were open to the Fountains of Bliss pouring through them.

We will explore teaching methodology as briefly outlined here and we will have the students teach practice classes.

THE ART OF TEACHING & TIPS FOR CREATING AN AMAZING CLASS EXPERIENCE:

· Come from a heart space and lead with love and compassion

· Gracious compliments when well deserved

· Visual metaphors are very effective, many people are visual.

· Define anatomical terms when necessary (eg. Tailbone, sit bones, sacrum, femur, etc)

· Be decisive and commanding in your instructions.

· Give detailed instructions on BREATHING

· Allow for moments of silence in between instruction

· Allow for pauses in between movement for integrations and reflection

· Suggest a water break if you notice that the whole class is overwhelmed

· Treat the yoga mat as a sacred place

The Principles of Observation - Self Awareness. "The observer is the observed" Krishnamurti - At the essence of yoga is the potential for transformation. On a biomechanical level, in hatha yoga, this potential reveals itself through asana, where we use body, breath and mind to identify, become aware of, and change habitual patterns. Throughout our lives we develop these patterns through the process of neuromuscular organization and socialization that limit our optimal development. This often creates imbalance and eventually disease. As a teacher it's important to be aware of our own patterns. From our own experience we can then begin to understand others. If we do not become aware of our own habitual patterns (which frees us up to change them), then we tend to reinforce them, even project them onto others. A regular personal practice is key to developing this awareness. 

Self Observation Practices - Inner Body Begin with the internal sense of balance and then notice how this is reflected in the outer Watch your breathing pattern and look for overworked and underdeveloped areas Body scan in lying position Seated, follow inner alignment of spinal column, neck and head Seated, notice internal right/left balance 

Outer Body - At home in front of mirror (non-judgmentally!) observe alignment standing in tadasana, observing symmetrical alignment in relation to plumb line. Discover where tension is held and which areas are contracted. Objectively notice any patterns. 

Integration : In motion, bring your awareness of both the internal sense of balance and outer alignment to the yoga postures. 

Observing one to one: There are many levels of seeing and observing the body beyond the structural observations we will be making including; emotional, psychological, energetic postural cues, even visceral (3-D). Be aware that a change in postural alignment can have an effect on all levels of a persons being as the underlying patterns shift. In fact, the potential for a change in consciousness is at the root of the practice of yoga. Keep in mind that we are just observing, not trying to fix. Again, awareness is the main purpose here. Always use encouraging and sensitive language as when you are working one to one the student can feel quite self-conscious with so much attention on them. -Ask the student if they have any injuries (old or new), pain, or movement limitations (often a written intake is helpful here.

Observe student as they enter the room or move towards you, notice any patterns. -Observe student in tadasana from different perspectives. -If it feels appropriate and the student is comfortable use your hands to get a feel for the general tones of muscle and fascia. 

Observing a group - Always ask students, particularly new ones if they have any injuries or specific limitations that you should know about. Keep these students in a place where you can easily view them. Move around the room so that you can see what the students are doing from various perspectives. Are they breathing easily? Do they have a solid foundation in the pose? Focused attention? Aligned? Making faces? (Tense?) Notice energy level of students in relation to the flow of the class (Do you need to slow down the class, are they tiring? pick up the pace or direct attention more clearly?) If there are several students out of alignment, not focused or with unstable breathing, use the opportunity to direct the attention of the whole class to that tendency and teach the way toward optimal alignment, stability and ease. Stay flexible in your teaching to allow for what is needed for those in the class (teach to them not at them). 

Overview of Optimal Alignment -From front view - plumb line will pass evenly between feet and knees, through the navel and breastbone, and the center of the nose and head kneecaps will face forward in optimal alignment feet will point straight ahead or with a mild turnout palms will face inward at level of thighs. -From back view -center plumb line will run evenly between legs, through the center of buttocks, sacrum, and spine to the of the back of head -From side view - plumb line will run from just in front of ankle bone, pass through the center of upper arm to ear canal -Also notice any lateral deviation from the plumb line - if body leans forward (most common), or back .

Common areas of Postural Misalignment

Head and shoulders: rounded shoulders, head forward or tilted to side, sunken chest, high shoulder, winged scapula Spine and back: flat back, kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis Hips and Pelvis: hip elevated, hip twisted, pelvis; anterior, posterior, or lateral pelvic tilt Knees: hyperextension, knock knees, bowed legs Ankles and Feet: feet turned outward, feet turned inward, pronated ankles, flat feet (fallen arches), high arches

Principles of Demonstration: Clear intention - Why are you demonstrating? As with all aspects of teaching it is important to reflect on why you are doing what you're doing. If your intention is clear that will be transmitted to the students. 

Particularly with new students, an image can be worth a thousand words. The visual of seeing a posture done with correct alignment and that balance of effort and ease can be very helpful, however, it's important to be clear of the purpose of the demonstration in relation to the class focus: 

Some reasons to demonstrate: It's new for the students, To indicate a particular theme or concept, to show a sequence of postures or variations of a pose for different levels, In response to a student's questions, even with verbal cues, you look around and everyone is doing something different. 

Some key concepts to keep in mind when demonstrating: -Appropriate level - Know your student body - who are you teaching to? Show postures appropriate for level of students. 

-Keep it simple Only emphasize a couple of points; stick with overall theme of class, or particular question asked. Keep it brief, too long and too many details stagnates the flow of class. 

-Visibility Position yourself so students can see you.

'Come and watch-asana' (have students gather around you closely to see). Move to the center of the room. Have students in a kneeling position. 

-Audibility Make sure students can hear you, be aware that speaking while in pose makes it difficult to hear. Clarify points of demonstration, then show, and then clarify points as talking the class through pose. 

-Using a student to demonstrate, Emphasize the positive, then suggest improvements. Again, stay within focus of class and keep it simple, it can be confusing for students if you have too many different things going on at once. 

Creating the Space - If we want to cultivate a quality of awareness in ourselves and in our students, which facilitates the practice of Yoga, we must create an environment that is conducive to that. We begin, as we do in our Yoga practice, by moving from gross to the subtle, starting with the physical environment. 

What is the physical environment you have to work with? How could it better serve this process of Yoga? For some this will be an established Yoga Center that has already created a space, which supports the practice of Yoga. Others will have to get creative. 

Is the space clean? Just as with our physical bodies, the cleaner the container, the more easily the energy will flow. Make sure the space is clean and uncluttered before every class. This will generate a feeling of clarity and calm. 

Are there specific things in the space that draw the attention outward? 

Often you can use simple cloths to drape over wall hangings, or even just dim the lights so that the colors in the room, wall hangings and other distracting elements are not so loud. 

What is the room temperature? If you have control over this it should be comfortable, not too hot, not too cold. (Unless you're teaching a specific method that requires heat). If you don't have control over the temperature, ask students to dress in layers, so that they can stay warm enough in the beginning and end of class. 

How is the air quality? Is there sufficient ventilation? If you are teaching a class and the room gets stuffy, the air still, you can literally watch the energy drop by watching your students faces pale and eyes glaze over. Lack of sufficient air circulation, (fresh oxygen!), can tire everybody out and make it feel like you are dragging your students through the class. 

What is the flooring like? For asana practice, the surface should be not too hard, but firm enough to provide support for balancing and standing postures. A surface with the qualities of sthira and sukha (firm and comfortable) will help you and your students achieve these qualities in yourselves. 

What could you bring to the space to invoke reflection and inner stillness? 

This will be largely determined by the context - where you are teaching and to whom. For example, in a fitness center, incense and an altar may not be appropriate. However, one fresh flower can have a powerful effect on the feeling of a space. Of course, what you choose to bring to the space (images of your teachers, symbols of the practice you do, etc.) will also be a reflection of your own personal orientation to the practice 

What are you personally and energetically bringing to the space? Are you always hurried, in a rush, late? If so, this will send ripples outward to the class. Arrive early, take time to ground and center yourself, and begin on time. Take time to connect with students before class, learn their names, if they have specific health conditions or injuries, and what their goals and intentions are in a yoga practice. 

Your presence, i.e., how present you are, sets the tone for the class. Your voice quality of attention and ability to teach to, not at, your students is a reflection of that presence. 

What is the intention for the class? What is the underlying purpose of the class? Intention? Inspiration? Goal? In order for the students to connect to something beyond the physical postures, it is helpful to clarify your intention for the class. This may be specifically related to Yoga philosophy or a more general attitudinal theme. You may also have the students themselves reflect on their own personal intention for their practice. Either way the theme of the class should reflect the larger meaning of Yoga as well as the goal (one specific posture or class of postures, pranayama, meditation, etc.). 

A simple example is the first Yoga Sutra on Asana; YS 2.46 Sthira Sukha asana. Explaining the sutra to the class and then organizing the postures around that theme, inviting the students throughout the class to reflect on their own postures, "Is your trikonasana comfortable and steady?" You may even have the students chant the sutra several times in the beginning of class to evoke those qualities. 

Another example would be focusing on inverted postures with an emphasis on the larger purpose of the practice of Yoga as one of moving from bondage to freedom as we increase our ability to adapt to change (versus resistance, which keeps us stuck in old patterns). Because the body and mind are so interconnected, change in one brings about change in the other. 

Using themes gives the students the opportunity to reflect on their experience. In this way they not only get the physical benefits of the Yoga postures, but also some insight into the deeper aspects of the practice. 

Organizing the Content - This is where the Art of Teaching comes in. How to structure a Yoga class that is not only safe and balanced, but that will leave people with an experience of what Yoga is rather than just feeling like they've had a physical workout. 

Structuring a class the following is a basic outline for a class structure: 

Opening / centering; moving from external to internal, meditation, invocation (chant, prayer), setting intention, breathing, imagery, visualization. Seated is usually best although reclining can work well, too. Preparatory poses, moving into action pose (ex. Cat/Cow, Lunges, Sun Salutations, poses that slowly begin to stretch the body, expand the breath capacity and create internal heat. Action poses; this could be a series of postures that build up to one 'goal posture' (ex. baby backbends, shoulder and hip opening poses leading to full. backbend) or simply a balanced sequence of more active postures. Cooling, balancing, quieting poses, (ex. Seated and reclining poses). Savasana; corpse pose 

• Pranayama and Meditation, these could also be done before savasana. 

Categories of poses: Backbends Forward bends Twists Lateral bends The above can be done in standing, seated or reclining variations Arm balances Inversions Restorative poses 

Sequencing poses - In sequencing poses it is important to take a step by step approach. Gradually moving from the known to the unknown, from the gross to the subtle, from the simple to the complex and from the easy to the difficult. For example, you wouldn't want to start with a full inversion (headstand) or go from a full backward bend to a full forward bend. 

It is helpful to use easier versions of a pose, moving in the same direction with simpler postures first. Sometimes I call this 'mirroring' or 'mimicking' a pose. An example of this would be to do preparatory backbends (cat/cow, cobra, sphynx) before moving into bow pose. It is also important to consider the energetic effects of a posture so that you can balance the body, breath and mind with a counter pose. This also should be done gradually so that you are not moving from one extreme to the other. For example, to balance bow pose, you may do childs pose as a counter pose, followed by downward facing dog and then a seated forward bend. 

• Backbends are energizing and heating 
• Forward bends are cooling, calming and soothing 
• Twists are neutralizing 
• Standing poses build heat, stamina, strength, stability, balance and energy 

Seated poses are more quieting and calming 

Arm balances build strength, energy and heat and help to cultivate balance 

• Inversions are calming and replenishing 
• Restorative poses are nourishing, soothing and calming 

Adapting to the individual - How can we adapt for the individual when we are teaching a group? This is one of the most challenging yet most essential aspects of teaching classes. The key is to teach to whom is in front of you. Another way of saying that would be have your class plan and be willing to change it depending on who shows up for class You have to learn to 'play the scales' of the postures, giving modifications for the various levels and conditions of the students. In order to do this you need do cultivate a keen eye for what is needed and learn the variations that are appropriate for the different levels. Here are some ways to do that: 

go step by step and encourage students to stay at their own level. Clearly offer levels 1, 2 and 3 stating which version is for which level as you teach so that students will know which variation of the posture is appropriate for their level. Ideally, if it is a small enough class, you can verbally direct the students who need as to what variations or modifications they should be doing. Continuously remind students to keep their awareness on the quality of their breath, this will give them clear and continuous feedback. 

Learning modalities Keep in mind that people learn in different ways and it's important to be able to relay the information in a way that the students will understand. Sensory modalities of learning: 

• Visual - visually dominant people learn best by reading or watching experience is processed through sigh and visual images. Auditory - auditory dominant people learn best by being told or by listening to a lecture, experience is processed through words and sounds.

• Kinesthetic - kinesthetically dominant people learn best by doing, although 

Watching can only enhance the process. Everyone uses all three learning modalities, but one modality is usually more dominant. So, what does this mean as a teacher? You must be able to show the visual, by demonstrating the posture, having someone else demonstrate, or by showing an image of it. You need to have the linguistic skills to verbally describe and explain the posture. You also need to be able to guide the students into the postures so that they can experience it in their bodies (partner work, props and using appropriate touch can also be effective here). Throughout the class these three ways of communicating are constantly interwoven. 

Translating - Along the same lines, it's important to remember that people are coming to Yoga classes for a variety of reasons and it is helpful to be able to use language that the students can relate to in relation to their age, culture, and orientation. For example, if you were teaching a class in a fitness center where people were not necessarily looking for a spiritually oriented class, you wouldn't want to begin by chanting a mantra in sanskrit as you may alienate people. However, you could begin the class by simply having them lay on their backs and hum. Just by creating the sound they will experience the vibration in their bodies and the benefit of the lengthening of the breath as well. 

Resources 

There are many, many excellent books on Yoga. Read, read more, cross reference and read more. It is such a rich tradition. Today there are many books on asana specifically that have all the benefits, contraindications and ideas for sequencing as well as how to use the poses therapeutically. Take and observe classes with experienced, qualified teachers. That said, in the end, you must return home to your own experience, your own practice, again and again as a source of insight and inspiration. This is an essential aspect of embodying the spirit and practice of Yoga. Teach only what you know in your body and in your heart. The continued dissemination of Yoga will come form your own inner growth. 

-Thanks to Janice Gates(Yoga Teacher & Author) for much of the content above on The Art of Teaching. Below is a wonderful book she wrote that we recommend.

Holy Love is an essence of being: love, peace, compassion, and a mutual understanding of respect. Holy Love means living in harmony with the people and land around you with mercy, sympathy, grace, and kindness.

Take a moment to reflect at the beginning of your practice, to inquire within yourself - What is my present condition? How may I draw in with my breath, the essence of "Holy Love"? How may I breathe in with ease and with grace?

What is currently happening in my life, body and environment? How may I bring all my senses to the present moment? What would help bring more balance, peace, harmony, clarity?

Here at the Holy Love Institute of Tantra Yoga, our offerings are learned through academic study,  focused practice and intuitive - learned through shamanic inquiry. You will learn to discern for yourself when to lean in to formal studies and when (and how) to tune in to your internal guidance.

It is our prayer to be clear conduits for Divine Remembrance, for all parts of you to feel the vibrations of true holy love, the kiss of kundalini bliss, to reclaim all your soul parts from across space and time to be embodied now.

With an open heart, open mind, open body, you are invited you to ride the cosmic energy train, allowing the energy to flow where it needs to go, moving beyond old blocks, opening yourself up to limitless expansion -- and if ready, Kundalini Awakening and the flight of the hummingbird within, the Spirit.

Holy Love means to be in the presence. When we are in the presence or spirit, we radiate the divine in everything we do, everything we are, and everything we say. Since great spirit is love, when we embrace that truth, we open ourselves to serving with love. It influences everything.

Holy Love gives us purpose. It forever will be and has always been a part of who we are. We can connect to Holy Love and extend it to everyone in any situation.

Holy Love means to venerate. Venerate means to uplift, to lift up or raise up. We can raise ourselves up with holy love. We can raise others up with holy love. We can help each other to be more and to be better, to be more closer to the spirit that we truly are.

Holy Love is the experience of being welcomed. It’s the experience of being welcomed, loved, and accepted as family instantaneously.  Not after a period of time of getting to know someone, but instantaneously and unconditionally. We hope in our Holy Love Kula, in our family, you will feel safe, honored, seen, welcomed, respected, loved.

Holy Love is just a way of life and encompasses our values. Keep your Light Bright.

Breathe in Holy Love, you are welcome here.

Breath is Life, the love of God/dess.

We will differentiate between Yogic Breathing and Pranayama, giving a breakdown of each fundamental Pranayama Practice with demonstrations & practices of each. We delve into what pranayama means, the benefits, history (going back to the Upanishad/Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutras, Pradipika) & overview.

Preparation for meditation: In Yoga Meditation, breath training is essential preparation for deep meditation and samadhi, on the path to Self-Realization. Breath is the bridge between the body and the mind. When you regulate breath, the body and mind will follow.

Practices are known by different names: To avoid confusion, it is useful to note that the collective practice, of which breathing and pranayama practices are considered a part, may be known by different names when used by different modern teachers. This is particularly true with the practices dealing with the spinal energy and the vigorous practices. The breathing and pranayama practices may be known collectively, or considered to be part of pranayama alone, hatha Yoga, raja Yoga, kundalini Yoga, kriya Yoga, tantra, or simply Yoga.

It begins and ends with awareness: Breath awareness is so important that, in a sense, you can say that the whole science of breath begins with awareness, and ends with awareness. Everything else, in the middle, is preparation for awareness.

We will explore many pranayama practices and also Shamanic Breathwork.

Description: Intention, energy and breath-work, including guided pranayama practices into the ten top pranayama practices to teach.

Breathing Practices and Pranayama in Yoga

We will differentiate between Yogic Breathing and Pranayama, giving a breakdown of each fundamental Pranayama Practice with demonstrations & practices of each. We delve into what pranayama means, the benefits, history(going back to the Upanishad/Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutras, Pradipika) & overview.

Preparation for meditation: In Yoga Meditation, breath training is essential preparation for deep meditation and samadhi, on the path to Self-Realization. Breath is the bridge between the body and the mind. When you regulate breath, the body and mind will follow.

Practices are known by different names: To avoid confusion, it is useful to note that the collective practice, of which breathing and pranayama practices are considered a part, may be known by different names when used by different modern teachers. This is particularly true with the practices dealing with the spinal energy and the vigorous practices. The breathing and pranayama practices may be known collectively, or considered to be part of pranayama alone, hatha Yoga, raja Yoga, kundalini Yoga, kriya Yoga, tantra, or simply Yoga.

It begins and ends with awareness: Breath awareness is so important that, in a sense, you can say that the whole science of breath begins with awareness, and ends with awareness. Everything else, in the middle, is preparation for awareness.

We will explore many pranayama practices and also Shamanic Breathwork.

The Artful Body Alignment of Shivakti Tantra Yoga...

The physical expresses from the inside out, in devotion by Her Grace.

Consciousness & embodiment, unmanifest & manifest, formless & formed, changelessness & change, being & becoming, this is the alchemical love dance of Shiva & Shakti, peace & passion, divine space & action...

We are born magical world weavers. Adi(first) Shakti is the primal, eternally limitless first power, she is Parashakti, the divine energy of creation, the pure eternal consciousness, the Shoonya Bindu, the divine zero feminine energy. Feminine in its aspect, it divines the future—both known & unknown, it is the embodiment of creativity, balance, & completion.   She is known as 'Prakriti'(Universal Nature) meaning she who gives rise to all life forms and the potency that brings about evolution and change. She is called 'Mahamaya' or one who creates illusion of this world. Her name is 'Mahavidya' meaning the greatest knowledge that frees one from the illusion of this world.

In Shivakti Tantra Yoga, we open to grace as we bow to the divine mother of all peace, all passion, to the divine mother of all that we can perceive, to all that we can know thru our senses, thru these body temples, by her gift of form, the beautiful fabric which drapes us and through her all is known. We recognize that we are the embodiment of the power of pure consciousness, that same consciousness that is vibrating in every particle on the planet.

We align ourselves to align our world. The true purpose here is to awaken. To find balance in ourselves & our world, we must remove the bonds that have suppressed the divine feminine, we must unleash her, honoring her voice and her guidance. SHAKTI IS RISING to claim her authority. May we be clear to hear her voice and tuned in to feel her pulse, Pratibhā, guiding us.

We will be artfully weaving the feminine expressing herself from the inside out, as "The Many Faces of Shakti", while allowing for the container of the posture/form/world/consciousness .. the "Shiva" to hold her.

Photo Montage of Annette Martinez, HLITY Graduate Teacher.

We will largely be implementing the Universal Principles of Alignment as learned from Anusara Yoga.  Sharene Shamana Ma will both help you to integrate the principles and information through demonstration and hands-on learning. You will learn to safely align, adjust, and gain a deeper understanding of the WHYS of Asana.

Initiate your asana by "Setting the Foundation with Opening to Grace", an intentional approach of softness. In the first moment of your pose, align your heart’s intention with your spirit and your physical being. Soften your whole being with humility. Allow yourself to be an instrument and embodiment of Holy Love. In Shivakti Tantra Yoga, we begin each practice with an intention and a "dial-up/dial-in" mantra. We weave this intention throughout our Yoga Asanas.

We aim to affect the Heart Chakra energy center as we maintain our pose. Muscular Energy, the second Universal Principle of Anusara Yoga, establishes stability and coordinates physical strength. Muscular Energy draws into the Focal Point, an area of localized power in the body. Muscle Energy is an energetic magnetism of the outer circumference of the body—skin, muscles, bones—into the core of the inner body’s radiance, harmoniously integrating the two together.

We expand our energy with Inner Spiral. Energy expands from the feet up into the pelvis and waist area, thighs widen. Inner Spiral is an ever-expanding energy spiral that widens the back of the body, broadening the roots of the limbs and connects us to the Universal. This will create physical  fluidity, expansion, opening, flexibility, flow, movement... While having the emotional experience of an inner opening, thus becoming: accommodating, receptive,  a refinement, flowing, free, open to self expression, open to receive.

we apply Outer Spiral principle, which redirects energy inward, back down through the tail bone and out the legs and feet. Remember that the previous principles are still active. Outer Spiral is an ever-narrowing energy spiral that narrows the back of the body, powering the hips and shoulders, and toning the front, brings us into our personal power. This physically creates integration, containment, connectedness, contraction, power, toning - while emotionally feeling fiery heat, personal empowerment, drive, confidence, recommitment.

Activate Organic Energy, the final Universal Principle of Anusara Yoga. Organic Energy is an outward energy that runs through the body’s outer core. Organic Energy is an extension from the inner body that radiates out in all directions symbolically representing the ultimate purpose of spirit to expand freely in the most creative and joyful way possible. The Anusara Teacher's Training Manual is required reading for this course foundation.

We bring an alchemized understanding of the human body and its potential to the student through artful alignment and application of the Universal Principles of Alignment woven with varied paths of study and background. Our techniques for achieving balance within the body will help you to better understand and refine your own approach to asana, and better enable you to help others.

Adi Shakti Mantra

Adi Shakti, Namo Namo, Sereb Shakti, Namo Namo, Pritam Bhagvati, Namo Namo, Kundalini, Mata Shakti, Namo Namo!

Meaning of Adi Shakti Mantra

I bow to the primal power, I bow to the all-encompassing power, I bow to the creative power at the beginning,

I bow to the divine mother of all peace.

In ancient times, Adi Shakti was revered and worshipped above all the gods. She was the Mother Goddess who commanded the love of her children and showered them with blessings. It is by her grace that we must first align, and allow the form to follow.

To bow is the beginning and the ending of the spiritual path. It is to humble oneself to acknowledge the infinite majesty of the divine. It is awe in the face of the great mystery. We bow to Adi Shakti as Parā Devi, the Supreme Goddess, as Parā Vac, the Supreme word. OM.