Going to White Tantric Yoga? A few tips
Many people find the prospect of going to White Tantric Yoga a little bit (or a lot!) daunting. It can seem overwhelming to sit through a whole day of meditation. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience.
Drink a lot of water. You’ll probably clear out a lot of subconscious garbage during the meditations. Drink a lot of water both during the course breaks and after the course ends. (It’s recommended that you bring your own refillable bottle.)
Try to follow a yogic diet leading up to the course if not always. Go for simple, whole, nutritious foods. Avoid processed foods including sugar, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Also limit or eliminate caffeinated drinks and alcohol. What you eat and drink can have an impact on your physical body as well as your mind. Heavy and acidic foods will make it harder for you to sit comfortably and hold postures. These kinds of foods can also make it harder to focus your mind during meditation.
Bring something comfortable to sit on. It’s a long time to sit and you may start to feel it in your hips or knees. Having something soft can help you feel more at ease throughout the day. Many yogis like sheepskins because they provide cushioning and they’re both grounding and insulating. Alternatively, there are cotton and manmade fibre blankets and cushions. (Note: natural fibres are preferred to synthetics which can adversely affect your electromagnetic field…the impact may be subtle but irritating.)
Bring a shawl or wrap. When you’re sitting meditating for long periods of time, your blood pressure tends to go down, and you might feel chilly. Many people like to have an extra layer to wrap up with.
During the course, when the going gets tough, try to relax. With many of the postures, even the most awkward and uncomfortable ones, there is an optimum position where the body is in alignment and the posture seems to support itself. Often, when you find yourself in a state of discomfort during a White Tantric Yoga kriya, you might find a little more ease if you lengthen your spine a bit, relax your shoulders and your hips and anything else you don’t need to hold the position. Sometimes, however, you just have to grin and bear it. And when you smile, you start to relax ;-).
The whole day is considered a kriya (completed action) so it’s advised that you stay for the duration.
Each of the White Tantric Yoga courses is distinct. Some are subtle and gentle, others are more rigorous. Some kriyas might make you laugh, some might make you cry. But do your best to keep contained. It’s all a cleansing process that ultimately can bring you closer to the true you. Like a regular Kundalini Yoga class seriously amplified.
Afterwards, savor the victory but be gentle with yourself. After a lot of meditation, grounding foods – potatoes, beets, carrots, carbohydrates – can help bring you back down to earth. Be social if that feels good or go home and go to bed. A warm bath – especially with sea salt, cider vinegar and baking soda - can help sooth tired muscles and assist the body in letting go of whatever emotions are being released.
Enjoy the day and let us know how it goes!
Looking for a White Tantric Yoga course near you? You can find the complete international schedule here: https://www.whitetantricyoga.com/pages/schedule