Introduction to Yoga Tantra (Free Lecture)

All of us who encounter your teaching feel the grace of your knowledge and the blessings of your lineage. I have no doubt that the Swami Shankardev and Jayne are casting the seeds of something so extraordinary that we cannot even imagine it yet at this time.

Dr. Swami Shankardev is an excellent and profound teacher. A humble and thoughtful Yoga Acharya, he addresses his students with a strong desire to share his sacred knowledge in the true spirit of giving. After his visit to Jivamukti, I began to practice Big Shakti’s meditations. I find them extremely helpful, full of wonderful instruction, and deeply soothing.

At the risk of running fate’s gauntlet, the effect of this Facing Life workshop has been profound. The relative simplicity of the meditation exercises and the down-to-earth manner in which they were taught has made continued practice easy. They have been extremely effective in their ripple-on effect throughout my day-to-day life, under the title of his workshop. Of particular note, as a doctor, my enhanced centeredness has improved my ability to both sense, and simultaneously detach from my patients’ issues, enhancing my ability to aid in their healing process.

In his recent Yoga-Tantra workshop Swami Shankardev gave me the advanced meditation knowledge that I have been searching for, for three years. His spiritual depth, kindness, humility, and humor drew me toward him. After the workshop, my heart was more open, my practice more fluid and refocused.

I would recommend Swami Shankardev and Jayne Stevenson’s workshops and meditations to anyone who wants to incorporate a practice in their daily life that can have profound impact, particularly in terms of shifting longstanding patterns when other techniques have not been successful. Until their workshop, I had not been able to harness the energy required to shift from a long term partnership. Almost immediately on completing the workshop and commencing to use the Core Strength Meditations on a daily basis, I found the energy required to successfully reorganise my professional life. I moved to a new, much happier partnership.

Thanks to your great Las Vegas workshop, I have regained my sense of smell – after 12 years! I am amazed at the power of the prana techniques and the whole learning experience. Upon waking, the morning after the workshop, I could smell everything! At first it was completely overpowering, but fairly soon I was enjoying the smells (and of course the tastes) of life again. I am continuing to practice your pranic healing cds and I am very impressed with the professionalism, care and effectiveness of this guidance.

The last message from the Universe came from Swami Shankardev and his partner, Jayne Stevenson, who are visiting several cities in the States to give seminars on powerful healing techniques that focus on the breath. I spent the weekend learning and practicing techniques that left me glowing from the inside out with energy.

Prana techniques work much better than the strongest brew of coffee and leave my cells buzzing with energy. And still others are available that help cool or heat the body. Even before this wonderful weekend, I had always referred to pranayama practices as the “candy” of my yoga practice. It was therefore very easy for me to accept that the breath could be used to heal.

It would be a daunting task for me to think that I could summarize the wise words of Swamiji and Jayne. There are a couple of things, however, that I want to share. First, Swamiji was able to convey the logic behind why yoga practices are so important for overall health. As we all know, especially if we sit too long in one place, energy gets stuck in certain places and the yoga asanas help to ensure a free flow of energy for use by the body.

Thanks for your great Yoga-Tantra workshop. I had such a beautiful time. It was very engaging and informative and I feel that I gained a great deal of useful knowledge and insight. I have incorporated the basic warm up for the joints (that creates spatial awareness with the mind and the body) into my daily yoga practice and into my teaching. It is the best ‘primer’ for Hatha yoga practices. Now I want to learn more and look forward to following your teachings on the Tantric path.

Swami Shankardev radiates the light and knowledge of his lineage along with a great sense of humour and a certain simplicity and lightness of being. Not a small feat! Big Shakti is a valuable site for all aspiring to yoga, laymen and advanced practitioners alike. Thankyou for the great work!