When most people tell their friends they are planning on attending a Tantra workshop, they receive one of two responses. A slightly befuddled “What is a Tantra workshop?” or a tittering, winking “ohhhh, one of those….”
There is a longstanding misconception that Tantra, it’s workshops and anything connected to them are primarily and solely about sex and sexuality. The reality, however, is far from this. While there is a core element of sexuality and physical intimacy that runs through Tantra, it is understood to be a conduit through which practitioners can reach parts of themselves and connect to their partners in deeper and more meaningful ways.
When most people think of attending a Tantra workshop, they are likely thinking it is something similar to an orgy or swinger’s event. They may hold the idea it is only for couples or that you must be registered to an organization to participate.
None of these could be farther from the truth, and in this blog, we are going to give you a look inside what an actual Tantra workshop is about, some of the potential benefits of attending them, with a partner or just by yourself.
Tantra Workshops - Setting the Record Straight
Let’s start by clearing something up right away. One of the primary questions practitioners offering Tantra workshops are asked is “Do Tantra workshops offer sex?” The answer is a resounding “NO”, sex is not something that happens in a Tantra workshop. In certain high-level Tantra classes for students working to become certified practitioners, a live demo of a particular technique may occur. Such demos are done by other practitioners and are for learning purposes only with no audience interaction.
While it is true that tantra workshops do teach about anatomy, you won’t find X-rated or disrespectful discussions occurring. There are no orgies, or partner swaps. For some portions of the workshop, anatomical models will be used to explain physical aspects of a practice or give other information, but that information is only a single small piece of a much larger puzzle.
This puzzle includes many pieces, because Tantra workshops are not just about the physical acts of sex, in fact they are far less about sex than they are about communication, ways to enhance intimacy and connection, and about cultivating self-awareness. The goal of any good Tantra workshop is to provide information and understanding to its participants. To teach the how’s and why’s of the body and showcase the connections that can be made between body, mind, spirit, and sex.
Tantra workshops focus on energy, intimacy and self-discovery. They teach you about yourself, about how you connect to the world, and about the energies inherent in every human being. The goal of a Tantra workshop isn’t to teach you sex. It is to give you more information about the myriad of intangible pieces that comprise intimacy, to show you how they connect, where they root or show up in the body, and why.
One of the main focuses of any Tantric workshop is to provide a safe and supportive environment. The reason for this is because a Tantra workshop is a journey of intimacy. Whether you are doing it as a couple or flying solo, the primary focus of Tantra is developing a connection to and understanding of your inner joy. This requires great trust in the workshop leader and in the space to be safe enough to look inside those parts of yourself and begin to learn more about them. This is something that can only be done in an environment that is set up specifically to protect and support its participants so they may learn and grow without fear.
What is a Tantra Workshop?
So before we get into the anatomy of a Tantra workshop, lets first take a moment to truly define Tantra.
Tantra is an ancient spiritual practice that comes from the eastern part of the world. There are many, varied types of Tantric traditions, but they all share some of the same types of ideas and/or beliefs around realizing a balanced, healthier and more holistic way of being and living.
Now onto the topic at hand. Tantra workshops. The truth is there are no set standards of formats for these types of events. They are each unique creations that draw on any number of factors, from the intended topic of study, to the type of audience they are for, to the focus and expertise of the workshop’s creator. They can be tailored for individuals or couples, focused or broad, one-on-one or group based, technical or esoteric.
Tantra workshops are well suited for tailoring. Drawing from the vast body of knowledge contained within the system that is Tantra there is no end to the things that can be learned about and the ways that information can be taught. That being said, workshops usually include activities such as guided meditations, communication practices and breathing exercises. Depending on the topic, the practitioner teaching the workshop, and the attendees, there may be some activities that involve physical touch, however these are always done with clear and informed consent and the comfort of the attendees at the forefront.
As mentioned, Tantra workshops come in many different varieties forms and flavours, but they do often fall into a few general categories. There are the well-known introductory workshops – where the focus is on providing an overview to a particular skill or to Tantra itself. Then there are themed workshops - where the focus is much narrower and in-depth content is offered on a specific topic such as communication, intimacy, sexuality or any one of many other choices. And finally, there are the more advanced workshops – these are normally offered only to experienced practitioners and it is likely that one needs to have a relationship with the provider or clear proof of past experience to attend.
One of the most integral parts of a Tantra workshop is its facilitator. Especially in the context of Tantra, the facilitator’s job is to impart much more than the information contained in the workshop. They are there to set the tone, to create and hold the space for the workshop, and to ensure the environment is safe and supportive.
Having an experienced guide is essential to the success of a Tantra workshop, as it is they who set the tone for good communication and ensure consensual practices are followed.
What to Expect at a Tantra Workshop
So you’ve decided you might want to check out a Tantra workshop. First of all, congratulations on being willing to open yourself up and explore! Now, let’s talk a little bit about what you can expect.
Tantra workshops place an emphasis on self exploration and connection, whether that be connection with yourself or your partner (if applicable). You will notice there is a focus on creating a safe environment, fostering open communication, and making sure participants are comfortable and have what they need to be able to fully enjoy the experience.
Most workshop facilitators will open with some basic introductions, icebreaker activities and of course a clear setting of the intentions and ground rules for the space. Throughout the rest of the workshop you will likely enjoy a variety of experiences such as guided mediations, breathwork exercises, and activities focusing on touch, communication and intimacy. These will likely be spaced out by group discussions, opportunities to share experiences, and to ask questions.
It is imperative to note that any and everything that happens in a Tantra workshop is consent based. At all times in such a workshop you should feel that your boundaries are being respected, and you should be clear in the knowledge that you may choose not to participate in an activity that does not feel comfortable for you.
A Tantra workshop is, by it’s nature, a group activity. Often times under the guidance of a skilled facilitator, groups learn to work together and explore far more than perhaps they initially expected they would be comfortable with. Part of how this works is the practices themselves. As you are participating you are also learning about yourself and what your capacity truly is, so it is normal to come away from such a workshop having learned far more than you expected and done far more than you might have thought you would be comfortable with without having ever left your comfort zone.
One thing to note about any Tantra workshop is that it is always ok to have questions, to not totally understand something or to not have things impact for you the way they do for others. Tantra is a very personal journey, and how something happens for you is absolutely ok. There are no right or wrong answers, the important part is learning, experiencing and being in an environment that is safe, comfortable and supportive so you can feel good in sharing, experiencing, and discussing openly with your group.
Concerns About Couples Tantra Workshops
One of the things often raised in discussions around Tantra workshops are concerns about couples’ workshops and potential issues, discomfort, or awkwardness that may arise. Again, the importance of an experienced and skilled facilitator is key here, but also there needs to be a bit of understanding as well.
The focus of a couples workshop is to strengthen and expand a couple’s communication, connection and understanding of one another. Facilitators of these workshops tailor the activities towards building intimacy and fostering a greater understanding of each other’s needs. These workshops are designed to be spaces for exploration, within the solid foundations of a safe, supportive and nurturing environment that has been intentionally created for just that purpose.
Finding a Tantra Workshop in Toronto
Finding a tantra Toronto workshop is like finding one in any other major city in the world. It involves doing your research, learning more about the things you want to learn about, what format you want (in-person or online), figuring out what you feel is and isn’t applicable to you, and then beginning your search.
In most cases you will find workshop facilitators have a page, like the one I have here or even an entire website to talk about their workshops. These make very good starting places to work from, though it is recommended that you do your research about the practitioner themselves, as well to see if you feel any resonance with them and that they are qualified to be running these types of events.
Another great way to find workshops is to seek recommendations from friends or other trusted sources. Talk to them about the facilitators they have worked with and what the experience was like. Or you could speak to local yoga studios and wellness centres to see what they have on offer or if there is anyone they may recommend.
Most importantly, the main part of finding a workshop, isn’t the actual finding of the workshop. It’s finding the workshop that is right for you.
Join Our Community
Tantra workshops are magical places. They enhance and deepen understanding, teach and clarify self-connection, and allow us to expand our knowledge and discover what brings us true joy. They are customizable, flexible containers that encourage exploration and provoke revelations. And they can create communities of people with whom you can share connection, understanding, and space.
If you would like to learn more about this, please consider signing up to receive updates on our upcoming workshops. Our community is filled with an incredibly diverse and wonderful group of people, and we would love to have you join us. Click here to subscribe to our updates and learn about our upcoming offerings.
To Sum it All Up
Tantra workshops are not the sex filled, partner swapping, free-for-alls often portrayed in modern media. They are calm, safe spaces of learning, growth and education that can do much to promote healing and enhance your life. They are consent based, education focused repositories of information about non-mainstream ways of thinking, problem-solving and life enhancement that most people may not even realize exists. They are a world unto themselves, off the beaten path, full of joy, laughter, learning and movement.
Tantra workshops hold great benefits for anyone, single or partnered to achieve growth. Whether that growth is personal to you, or growth in your relationship, it is there and available to you, whenever you choose to access it. The only true prerequisite is that you keep an open mind and have a desire to positively transform your self and your life in amazing ways.
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