The Three Keys of Tantra:

Breath, Movement & Sound

Part III 

By Philip D. Johncock

This is Part III of a 3-part series of articles on "What is Tantra?".

In previous articles, we learned 1) that Tantra is an ‘energetic merger and exchange’ and 2) how to create a magic circle for a sacred merger to take place. In Part III, we will focus on the three keys of Tantra: breath, movement, and sound.

Breath, movement, and sound. These three keys can help us control and circulate sexual energy throughout the body. Instead of allowing sexual energy to ‘explode’ outward from genital to genital, we learn to ‘implode’ energy inward and spread it throughout the body. This leads to a stronger full-body, sex-heart-spiritual connection with a beloved and a multi-orgasmic experience.

The three keys also help us move through self -consciousness (in relation to our bodies) and self-inhibitions, build sexual-esteem, and ‘de-armour’ tensions and restrictions held in our bodies.

Tantra teaches us that all aspects of ourselves (body included) are precious and worthy of expression. Using the 3 keys, we honor, express, expand, and align all aspects of the self, bringing greater esteem, pleasure, vitality, and expression of who we truly are.

KEY #1 - BREATH. Full and complete breathing brings many benefits: 1) increasing the flow of oxygen to the body and brain (giving food to our cells); 2) building up energy (using fast pace, panting, yang breaths); 3) slowing us down in high states of arousal (using slow, deep, yin breaths); 4) lending heightened sensitivity to whatever body part we focus on; 5) quieting the mind; 6) accessing deeper levels of consciousness and inner healing; and 7) helping us stay grounded in the NOW and in our bodies.

Our tendency is to breathe unconsciously, with quick, shallow breaths, either without pauses or big gaps when the breath is held, usually into our chest and head. For a change, try breathing into and out of your ‘Hara’ (‘belly’ in Japanese), just below the navel. The Hara is a spot where ‘chi’ (energy) is stored and is used as a principal centering point in martial arts and energy work.

Breathing through the nose gives you more control and slows down the energy flow. Using the mouth helps to speed up charge and release of energy. Try breathing in new, fresh, positive energy on the in-breath and releasing old, stagnant, negative energy on the out-breath. To relax in high states of arousal, use soft, slow, long, deep, yin-breaths and try pursing your lips, bringing in cool air. To speed up the charge and release of energy, use fast, deep, yang-breaths through your mouth.

Practice elevating energy from your first to your seventh chakra. Rhythmically squeeze your PC muscle (around your pelvic floor and anus) to pump the energy. Breath deeply (focusing on the exhalation) in each chakra. Rock your pelvis rhythmically with your breath; this primes the pump.

Do exercises to open the channel between first and seventh chakras, known as the ‘inner flute’. Do daily meditations in which you focus your entire attention on the breath and nothing else. You’ll find that old thoughts, emotions, pains, and toxins in your body will be released as you watch them float by like clouds. When your attention goes someplace, gently bring it back to the breath. With practice, you’ll feel clearer and more focused, centered, and energized.

KEY #2 - MOVEMENT. Movement brings many added benefits: 1) toning muscles; 2) improving circulation; 3) detoxifying tissues; 4) assisting us in connecting with the rhythm and flow of our bodies and lives; 5) bringing grace to every moment and movement of our lives; and 6) expressing deeply held emotions and energies.

It is common to feel self-conscious, inhibited, and even shy about parts of our bodies. Certain body parts can be chronically stiff, tight, or frozen. The most restricted parts of our bodies tend to be the pelvis, face, chest, throat/neck, shoulders, and anal cavity. Daily movement helps to build body-esteem and unthaw frozen areas.

Choose music with a lot of rhythm. Then, dance those areas in your body which are the tightest. De-armour yourself with your dancing.

To open your pelvic area, try pelvic rocking to rhythmic music. Also massage your pelvic and anus areas. Experiment with moving your pelvis, gyrating in different directions during your daily activities, especially during your lovemaking. Opening the pelvic and anal floors can do wonders to heighten sexual pleasure and spread energy to other areas of the body.

Try making faces and shaking your head during self-pleasuring or love-making. This helps elevate the energy and take the focus off the genitals.

KEY #3 - SOUND. The entire body is an instrument. It responds to sounds and vibrates like piano strings. Some benefits of using sound are: 1) massaging your body from the inside; 2) connecting the outer with inner voices; 3) accessing the inner healing vibrations and optimal brain wave states; and 4) aligning and tuning the chakras.

Some experts believe that most of our natural voice has been silenced, suppressed, and blocked by age 7. Our vocalizations often lack ease and freedom. We can reclaim a healthy voice, one that is clear, bright, open, and expresses how we feel deep down inside.

Start out by listening to how different music outside you affects how you feel on the inside. Select varying types of music to self-pleasure and make love to. Try music with strong, consistent beats. Try environmental recordings. Try relaxing; inspiring, or sensual music. To try something different, try using headphones while receiving a massage, energy work, or making love.

Feel the music massaging you from the inside. Let the feeling of the music speak to you.

Then, try giving voice to your own deep feelings.

Experiment with various sounds. Try gibberish, animal sounds, vowel sounds (like ‘ah’ or ‘oo’), humming, or laughter. Feel the vibrations of the sounds throughout the body, where you vibrate and how you can spread the vibrations with giving sound, any sound, to your feelings and thoughts.

Let the restricted areas of your body make sounds. Any sound. Give voice to these areas and listen to what they have to say.

At first, speaking gibberish or letting your body make sounds might make you feel foolish. Sometimes a little fun poked at ourselves can do wonders in shifting our energy slumps.

To integrate your spirituality with your sexuality, try chanting your favorite mantra, such as ‘OM’, while making love or elevating your energy. Love-making will never be the same.

PLAY

Of course, there is no right or wrong way to breathe, move, or make sounds. Trust your intuition. Find the rhythm, pace, and voice that works best for you. And, above all... have fun and play!

(This article appeared in In Light Times and also in Sunrise Magazine in 1996)

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