In this blog, you’ll discover:
- The true meaning and purpose of Tantra Yoga within the spiritual tradition
- How Tantra Yoga differs from other yogic paths like Haṭha and Rāja Yoga
- The role of the body, energy, and consciousness in Tantric practice
- Why Tantra Yoga is a path of integration, not indulgence
- How Tantra and Yoga intersect, and how this union shapes spiritual evolution
- Where to begin your journey through authentic Tantra Sadhana
What Is Yoga?
Today, the word Yoga immediately conjures up images of Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathwork). In the modern wellness industry, Yoga has largely been reduced to a tool for fitness, stress relief, and relaxation.
Statue of Lord Shiva performing Yoga in Padmasana (Lotus Position)
Source: wikipedia
But in Vedic philosophy, Yoga is far more than a physical practice. It is a sacred discipline of mental stillness and inner union.
The Sanskrit word Yoga (योग) comes from the root Yuj (युज्), which means “to yoke, join, or unite.” It refers to the union of the individual self (Jivatma) with the Supreme (Paramatma).
The earliest known reference to Yoga is in the Rig Veda (5.81.1):
“yuñjate mana uta yuñjate dhiyo viprā viprasya bṛhato vipaścitaḥ...”
— Rigveda 5.81.1Translation:
The wise apply their minds and thoughts in unison. They perform sacred rites in honor of the vast, all-knowing Savitā, directing the cosmic order.
Yoga, then, is the harnessing of the mind—a means to align thought, energy, and action with higher consciousness.
Yoga as Inner Equanimity: Bhagavad Gita Reference
In the Bhagavad Gita (2.48), Lord Krishna defines Yoga as equanimity:
“yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṁ yoga uchyate”Translation:
Be steadfast in your duties, O Arjuna, abandoning attachment to success and failure. This balance—Samatva—is Yoga.
Forms of Yoga: A Journey Through Time
Yoga is not a single system, but a family of approaches. Ancient Indian scriptures describe several distinct yet interconnected forms of Yoga, each offering a different path to the Divine.
Mantra Yoga
The most ancient form of Yoga, Mantra Yoga uses sacred sound vibrations (mantras) to elevate consciousness. Found in the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda, it focuses on invoking divine energy through sonic resonance.
Jnana Yoga
The path of wisdom and self-inquiry, Jnana Yoga is rooted in the Upanishads and elaborated in the Bhagavad Gita.
“na hi jñānena sadṛiśhaṁ pavitramiha vidyate...”
(BG 4.38)
There is nothing more purifying than knowledge.
This Yoga leads seekers beyond illusion through discriminative insight (Viveka).
Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga is the path of selfless action without attachment to outcomes.
“jñāna-yogena sāṅkhyānāṁ karma-yogena yoginām...”
(BG 3.3)
Some follow the path of knowledge; others walk the path of action.
It purifies the heart and prepares one for inner awakening.
Bhakti Yoga
The Yoga of devotion, Bhakti Yoga centers on unconditional love for the Divine.
“ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ...”
(BG 12.6–7)
Those who surrender all actions to Me, with unwavering devotion, I swiftly deliver them from the ocean of birth and death.
Raja Yoga
Also known as the Yoga of meditation, Raja Yoga was codified in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as an eight-limbed path (Ashtanga Yoga):
- Yama (ethical restraints)
- Niyama (observances)
- Asana (posture)
- Pranayama (breath control)
- Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (absorption)
8 Limbs of Yoga
Source: pinterest
“Yogaścittavṛttinirodhaḥ”
— Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
(Yoga Sutra 1.2)
Kundalini Yoga
Focused on awakening the dormant Kundalini Shakti, this Yoga stimulates the Chakras (energy centers) and elevates consciousness.
Image of Mahavatar Babaji as a representation of Kundalini Shakti
Source: pinterest
Hatha Yoga
Haṭha Yoga emerged between the 10th–15th centuries CE and focuses on purification of the body and breath to prepare for higher meditative states.
Textual sources like the Haṭha Yoga Pradipika describe practices such as:
- Padmasana (lotus pose)
- Pranayama
- Mudras
- Bandhas
- Shatkarmas (cleansing techniques)
Today’s Yoga studios primarily teach Hatha Yoga postures, though few emphasize its energetic depth.
Tantra Yoga
Similar to all other forms of Yoga mentioned above which pave a path to the Divine, Tantra Yoga—albeit the most misunderstood form of Yoga in Western countries—is actually a path of integration.
It brings together the body, breath, mantra, ritual, and kundalini awakening into one complete system of spiritual elevation.
References to Tantra Yoga can be found in the Amritasiddhi and in scriptures of the Nath traditions, dating back to the 10th–12th century CE.
Unlike other Yogic paths that may emphasize renunciation, contemplation, or devotion, Tantra Yoga views the body and material world not as obstacles, but as essential parts of the spiritual journey.
Its practices are crafted to harmonize physical vitality with subtle energies, ultimately leading to the expansion of consciousness.
Tantra Yoga is also referred to as Kaula Yoga. As a system that unites Tantra and Yoga, it is rooted in an eternal formula based on Prana (Chi, or life-force energy) and the physical body.
This integration helps achieve a profound balance between these two forces—supporting the seeker in transcending the illusions of duality and accessing higher states of union.
Yoga and Tantra or Tantra Yoga?
Tantra is a spiritual science — a sacred path to divine union.
The word Tantra comes from Tan (sensory or psychical) and Tra (expansion or protection).
Thus, Tantra is a method of expanding consciousness through the body — not to indulge, but to transcend.
Tantra Yoga, as mentioned above, is the path to achieving stillness of Mind, Body, and Soul through the integration of rituals, breath, mantra chanting, and Kundalini awakening.
Similar to Haṭha Yoga, it includes a series of Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breath control techniques), but it places deeper emphasis on the energetic and ritualistic components of spiritual practice.
The energetic essence of Tantra Yoga stems from the worship of Shakti (dynamic, creative, feminine energy) and Shiva (static, destructive, masculine energy) — i.e., the balance of the dynamic and static principles of the cosmos, or the duality of nature and existence.
Meditating Shiva-Shakti
Source: pinterest
In this premise, the body is seen as a tool to awaken energy through four main practices:
- Āsana – postures
- Prāṇāyāma – breath control
- Mudrā – gestures and energy locks
- Śatkarmā – cleansing techniques
Mudrās can be as simple as hand gestures or more advanced combinations involving posture, breath, and muscular locks.
Śatkarmā, often referred to as Kriyā, includes purification practices that cleanse the body and open energy pathways.
Yogis or Yoginis practicing Tantra Yoga were the ones who shaped many of the postures and breathing methods that later became foundational to Haṭha Yoga.
It is fair to say that Tantra Yoga and Haṭha Yoga are not very different — they are deeply interwoven, both in philosophy and in practice.
Difference Between Tantra Yoga and Haṭha Yoga
In the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, Swami Svātmārāma of the Nath tradition compiled older knowledge of Haṭha Yoga, drawing from scriptures like Amritasiddhi and teachings of Gorakṣanātha.
The Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā went on to become one of the most influential scriptures on Haṭha Yoga, outlining four key aspects of the practice:
- Āsanas (postures)
- Prāṇāyāma (breath control)
- Mudrās (seals or gestures)
- Samādhi (meditative absorption)
Haṭha Yoga is also closely linked with Rāja Yoga, the primary meditative path described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. This connection reveals that Haṭha Yoga serves as a preparatory stage for achieving the higher states of consciousness that Rāja Yoga aspires toward.
Key Differences in Practice
Tantra Yoga and Haṭha Yoga are similar in many ways, but they diverge slightly in intention and emphasis.
In Tantra Yoga, the āsanas are directed toward activating the Chakras — the body’s energy centers — to stimulate the flow of Kundalini energy. This practice is typically integrated with breathwork, meditation, and Yoga Nidra, emphasizing the expansion of awareness and the liberation of the mind from limitation.
In contrast, Haṭha Yoga places more emphasis on Asanas as a physical discipline. The focus is on building steadiness and strength through postures that prepare the body to sit comfortably for long periods of Prāṇāyāma and meditation.
Source: pinterest
Source: pinterest
Source: pinterest
Without this preparation, the body may become restless or uncomfortable, making it difficult to maintain meditative focus.
In summary:
- Tantra Yoga is more energetically focused, working with rituals, chakras, and Kundalini awakening.
- Haṭha Yoga is more physically preparatory, building the foundation for deeper stillness through posture and breath.
Both are paths to the Divine — just approached from slightly different starting points.
Yoga and Tantra in a Nutshell
In essence, whether it is Yoga Sadhana or Tantra Sadhana, both practices point to the same truth:
The union of body, mind, and spirit leads us back to the wholeness already within us.
Whether one begins with a simple āsana, as in Yoga Sadhana, or with a mantra, as in Tantra Sadhana, the end goal is the same—to cultivate balance, awaken inner energy, and live with deeper awareness.
Different Paths, Same Destination
Yoga, especially in the form of āsanas and the 8-limbed path, is widely popular today. It can be accessed through many mediums—yoga classes, online tutorials, books, or workshops.
Tantra Sadhana, on the other hand, is not an easy path for beginners. It requires deeper commitment, initiation, and often guidance, as the practices are subtle, intense, and sacred.
Begin Your Sadhana Journey
To truly learn and experience the power of Tantra Sadhana, you can download the Tantra Sadhana App—a revolutionary spiritual tool created by the Himalayan Siddha, Om Swami.
This app is all the Guru a devotee needs to perform various Sadhanas safely and effectively. Through it, you can experience a divine connection with the Superconsciousness right at your fingertips—and begin to unlock the secrets of cosmic balance and harmony.
Are you ready to connect to the Highest and Supreme version of your consciousness?
