from the book Tantra Between the Sheets
by Val Sampson

KUNDALINI ENERGY

Tantrics believe there is a powerful energy, known as Kundalini energy, which lies dormant at the base of the spine. Tantric drawings represent this as a coiled snake. If awakened, it shoots straight up the body to the brain. It is accompanied by an intense sensation of joy, a feeling of being cleansed and also deeply relaxed. You can get in touch with this energy through a number of routes, including meditation and yoga. Another way is through Tantric sex.

Teachers of Kundalini yoga describe their path as a way of reaching our latent potential and expanding our consciousness and vision. In their understanding, as the energy uncoils, it rises from the base of the body to the crown of the head and leads to a change in awareness. On the return journey it brings enlightenment.

Kundalini energy is not something you need to manufacture; it is already there, waiting to be discovered. In Tantra, preparation for sex involves channeling this energy through the body so that you and your lover may experience it flowing freely between you, bringing intense emotions of joy and intimacy.

There are many myths and even scare stories surrounding the potency of Kundalini energy. As with any physical or mental practice, use common sense and be guided by your own response. According to Tantra teacher Leora: "The exercises that we do in Tantra with Kundalini energy are entirely beneficial. We aim to softly release tension to allow the energy to flow through the body. We practice something called 'streaming,' which is like gently washing away the debris that collects in a river in order to allow the river to move freely."

It is quite simple to experience this energy for yourself. Pelvic bouncing, when you lie on your back (and yes, you've guessed), bounce your pelvis up and down, is an exercise that can produce surprisingly powerful results. Try this:

PELVIC BOUNCING

Make yourself comfortable and lie on your back, either on a soft quilt or cushions or on the floor - whichever you prefer.

Rest your arms by your sides, palms facing upward. Bend your knees and plant your feet flat on the floor, your hips' width apart. Lengthen your neck and relax your jaw and shoulders. Keep your neck relaxed as you start to raise your pelvis from the floor. Begin to bounce your pelvis up and down; you can either do this rhythmically, or you can experiment with different speeds. It may feel like hard work at first, but don't be put off. (A musical soundtrack with a strong beat will help.)

The first time I tried this, I felt like giving up after a couple of minutes. Then it started to feel as though the bouncing was taking me over and it became pretty much effortless. When bouncing, you are in effect charging the whole of your body with energy. When you stop, the energy will start to move upward. It may make it easier if you imagine it as a silver or gold light moving up to the top of your head and then tracing a line down the front of your body to settle in your navel.

ROGER, 47, COMPANY DIRECTOR

"I am very down to earth and I can't really relate to the chakras and the energy stuff, but I do believe that people have got energy stored inside them. The first time I practiced streaming energy through pelvic bouncing, it was a total release for me. I haven't a clue how it works, other than I have a total willingness to do it. I love it. I feel totally in control but I shake and cry during it. I think my wife got a bit concerned the first time I did it, but I think it is absolutely fantastic and the best thing is that I feel wonderful afterward."

EXPLORING YOUR ENERGY

The best way to become more familiar with the concept of energy moving inside your body is to experiment. Tantra teacher Margo Anand calls the process of moving energy up through the chakras experiencing "the inner flute.” When I first heard this, I couldn't help wondering where the rest of the "inner orchestra" had gone, but sometimes you have to put your cynicism to one side and accept that it is simply a metaphor to make a practice, which requires a degree of imagination, easier. Here are some things you can try:

VISUALIZATION

Visualization, or picturing images in your head to help you achieve a positive goal, is a useful tool that is becoming increasingly popular with a wide range of people from sales managers to cancer patients. Top athletes use it all the time to help them meet and then surpass their mental and physical targets. The theory behind it is that the brain programs and re-programs itself through its images. Visualization is a useful technique for improving sexual relationships, and it is well worth giving it a try.

All you bare to do is find somewhere comfortable and quiet where you won't be disturbed for 10 minutes or so, lie on your back, and breathe in and out. As you do so, contract and release the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle (that's the one you use when you are desperate to go to the bathroom, but need to hold on). This can be done by men and women. (More information about the PC muscle and how it works is given in Chapter Two on pages 48 and 59.)

As you contract this muscle, breathe in and imagine the breath moving up through your body to the crown of your head. Breathe out and feel the breath flowing outward as you release your PC muscle. It may help if you gently trace its progress with your left or right hand as you imagine it moving inside you. Don't be discouraged if you don't feel anything at all at first. It takes time to become sensitive to the movement of energy, but it is worth persevering because this is a valuable technique to take with you into Tantric sex.

In Tantric texts the chakras are usually depicted as lotus flowers. If you are a newcomer to the idea of the chakras, try this exercise to open them up and help the energy to flow more freely in your body:

Sit or lie so that you are comfortable; slowly move your attention from each chakra to the next, imagining, as you do so, a flower of the relevant chakra color opening its petals from a bud into full bloom. Breathe deeply and relax. Allow yourself at least 10 minutes' peace in order to do this. Again, don't worry if you can't feel anything much immediately. Focus on something that does work (even if it feels very small) rather than dwelling on what isn't working. Keep going and slowly you will become more in tune with the energy in your body.