Continued from What Is Tantra Yoga? Tantra can be broken down in two schools/techniques. Rod Stryker explains that in the big picture of Tantra there are two schools: the right-handed path and the left-handed path.

Both have the similar goal of “the realization of spiritual and worldly abundance,” but are different in their approaches.

“The left-handed path emphasizes more external ritual and is weighted more towards bhoga‘,â€? explains Rod. Bhoga is sensual enjoyment, and focuses more on delighting the senses.

Maithuna fits in here as a left-handed practice. However, what most don’t know is that the approach is very methodical, even mechanical and tedious. “Think of it as a sexual version of a model airplane kit — lots of pieces that you have to put together precisely,” he says.

While some people can find a spiritual awakening, Rod warned that “another downside to this approach is that exaltation is temporary,” for there’s no training for long-term effects.

The right-handed path “emphasizes integration and how to sustain a heightened state for as long as possible. This is done through breath, postures, energy cultivation and at some point, developing a deeper reverence for life,” says the yoga teacher.

He goes on to say that while the right-handed path might seem the less exciting of the two at first, its power is longer lasting.

“If you are practicing the Tantric approach to yoga, you bring the practices with you when you make love and the experience will become spontaneously ecstatic and heightened.”

By following the right-handed path, all experiences in life “become more profound and sublime,” not just what happens in the bedroom.

Rod Stryker underscores that the whole point of Tantra is to have more fun. “We do these practices to be more alive, to be more joyful and to be the most courageous that we can possibly be.

It’s about life. Are we moving to the other side of our fears and learning how to live more fully? Can we change our shortcomings and increase our optimism and our sensitivity?”