Q. Is Tantra a form of therapy?

A. Practicing Tantra can be highly therapeutic; however, they are not trained as therapists. They believe that much tantric healing emerges from the student's commitment to doing the work and from regular practice. They also caution couples that Tantra is not couples' therapy. Tantric practice can deepen and enhance intimacy in powerful ways, but it can also bring unresolved tensions and problems to the surface. It is important for couples who wish to practice Tantra together to have good communication skills and clear agreements between them when entering onto this path.

Q. How can practicing Tantra improve my relationship?

A. It can improve your relationship in many ways. On a purely physical level, using tantric techniques will enhance your lovemaking skills. More importantly, the practice of Tantra will help you to see the divinity within your lover and develop the capacity to be more fully present in all of your interactions.

Q. I am single; can I still practice Tantra?

A. Yes. There are many techniques, both sexual and non-sexual, that can be practiced alone. They encourage single people to attend introductory classes, to meditate regularly and to cultivate awareness of their body energies. In fact, most Tantric practices are solo practices, and in our own lives, each of us devotes a considerable amount of time every day to individual practice.

Q. What if my partner doesn't want to attend the workshop with me?

A. This is a complex issue. In general, they discourage people in relationships from exploring the sexual aspects of Tantra without the knowledge and participation of their partners. The energies unleashed in tantric practice are powerful, and the potential for imbalance is great if one partner starts to practice Tantra without the other.

Q. How will I personally benefit from practicing Tantra?

A. If you are willing to do the work, you are likely to experience an increase in your overall sense of well-being, self-awareness and capacity to give and receive pleasure. You may find that certain negative behavior patterns and other personal problems will begin to resolve themselves. You may discover a new capacity to relax and experience a greater sense of personal freedom.

Q. Is Tantra a religion?

A. Tantra is a spiritual science and is a current in many religions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism. Our teachers come from the Hindu tradition, but it is not necessary to become a Hindu to practice Tantra. Tantra is non-dogmatic and honors the truth of experience rather than abstract faith. In our teaching, we do emphasize ritual and encourage our students to become increasingly aware of their partner's innate divinity and to recognize the divine in all aspects of life.

Q. What can I expect from a class?

A. The introductory, public classes are aimed at the beginner and offer an overview of tantric history and philosophy combined with some simple but very powerful techniques for beginning to practice Tantra. The classes are very safe and may include some interaction involving eye-gazing and light touch, as well as some exercises for enhancing awareness of breath.   

ABOUT MARK AND PATRICIA

Mark and Patricia are a devoted, married couple and have been teaching together since 1999. In October 2001, their Guru, Dr. Jonn Mumford (Swami Anandakapila Saraswati) named THEM lineage holders of the OM Kara Kriya® system for the Americas and Europe, and in October 2003, he initiated Mark as Swami Umeshanand Saraswati.  .

In addition, Sunyata has named Mark as his successor and authorized them to carry on his Tantric teachings, including all four levels of Naga Pranayama (Cobra Breath). We have also studied Bhakti Yoga with Bhagavan Das, and Tantra with Dr. Rudy Ballentine, among other teachers.

Mark is a graduate of New York University School of Law and holds Masters Degrees from NYU and Yale. Patricia is a professional operatic soprano and has been a serious student of Tantra for over 10 years.