Blog | Open To Bliss | Tantric Yoga

From Tantra to Neo Tantra to What is Happening NOW?

There is a big shift happening in the Tantra, conscious sexuality and spirituality world… it has been growing exponentially in people who lead it in the past few years, say, since COVID especially.

Teachers, also schools like The New Tantra, AGAMA, Mooji even, have been called out in the past years for abusive behaviours, cult dynamics, homophobia, overwhelming people beyond breaking points, grooming, pressuring people to cross their boundaries and more in the name of ‘healing’ but leaving many hurt on the way. Then we got to “Tantra for Women,” “Trauma Informed Awareness Training,” and my own signature “The Tantric Yoga Intensive” to at least bring a safe space that is embedded in a lineage and sometimes facilitated by a less egoic woman holding space for what needs to be seen.

The word Tantra had been taken out of context by the neo-tantra scene that many believe it means spiritual or slow sex, and a lot of the potent liberating and awakening aspects have been stripped away until there are just some nice peak states and erotic tantric massage techniques sold that have very little to do with Tantra. Many teachers have little to no understanding of the tradition, also the secrets yet teach it as if they do. There simply isn’t the years or background needed, and it leads eventually to exercises regurgitated without background or the maturity to hold what is happening for people inside, which can be people’s biggest traumas – the sexual, unspoken and unseen things that have occurred. There is also lack of meditation experience and teachings to support what is being led by both facilitators trying to make a living while travelling or students with an authentic interest, going beyond the initial sexual interest in Tantra.

Strange behaviours and misrepresentation has become common – often due to the heads of many of the largest schools being abusive narcissistic and their views being deeply entrenched in the culture and teachings that it is difficult to even teach. So much weighs on the word and reputation of Tantra. This is why I feel so strongly to align it with Yoga. Afterall, I am a yogi first and foremost, if you know me you know this. Yoga is it!

Much good has also been done with this effort though, also. The world is waking up to the fact that we need to talk and act on some of the wounds that have happened to people, over many cultures and generations. Many people have even experienced radical sexual awakenings and empowerment- but also we have been left with a scene full of individualist faux teachers who are often so caught in their own personal processing and spiritual egos they rarely experience contentment, or the community and depth of relationship they truly desire.

Many are even turning to convents, monasteries or Buddhism, Christianity or other religions because the new age scene has failed them and they’re waking up from the cult dynamics and spiritual ego dramas and finding themselves lost and alone.

The first , or is it the second? big wave of neo-tantra has been crashing, and something new is emerging….I still want to call it tantric yoga, just to name it something other than ….sexuality and sacred.

It is inclusive and accessible so that more people who want to deepen their relationship to self, other and life can join the movement even if they aren’t alternative. It brings compassion and acceptance to the forefront, and hints at a glimpse of the experience of unconditional love.

It is rooted in tradition and aware of its history, rather than just a washed-out westernized version of spirituality that picks out the fun bits and leaves out the important (and less comfortable) aspects needed for integrated awakening. Yoga and meditation certainly aren’t as fun as tantric work, but necessary. Really. It has been my path. I didn’t go from being a sex worker or stripper to tantric yoga teacher, at all. I went from yoga into more yoga. From stretching to depth in practice on all levels. Years and years of meditation.

Our modern understanding of the nervous system and the way that trauma impacts our bodies, behaviours and neurobiology is becoming integrated via the spiritual practices that really work and have long-term positive effects. This is the yoga practice being brought together with all these highly charged and suggested exercises, to be observed, to see what reactions are happening. If any. Better not to react. A yogi will know what to do, think, say if needed, because the practicality to the rather challenging exercises I offer is to practically do it (it is always safe, we do things in a public group setting) and then see what occurred in the mind doing the work. THIS is Tantra. Try everything. Decide what you do in your relating life based on where the magnetism and energy goes. Say yes to life.