Himalayan Yoga, also known as Tantric Hatha Yoga, is an integrative method that encompasses concepts of traditional practice as proposed by classical yoga philosophy, Vedanta and classical Hatha Yoga, interpreted through the lenses of non-dual Shakta Tantra philosophy. This method was passed on to me by my beloved teachers: Pandit Rajmani Tigunait PhD (Himalayan Yoga Institute), Christina Chung, and Karina Guthrie. To this, I also integrate concepts and wisdom from incredible teacher Indu Arora, philosophical underpinnings from Advaita Vedanta and asana principles from Krishnamacharya’s lineage and Gosh’ lineage, passed down to me by my dear teacher Talia Sutra.
The Foundation: Three Archetypes
Moon, Sun, and Fire represent three powerful archetypes that guide the practitioner in shaping a cohesive, energetically balanced yoga practice. Each embodies a distinct intention, energy, and mood, offering a framework that supports clarity and purpose. Rooted in classical Hatha Yoga, these elements are often invoked to define stages, intentions, and the overall rhythm of the practice. Whether harnessing the calming, reflective energy of the Moon, the dynamic vitality of the Sun, or the transformative power of Fire, this integrative approach is woven into every class I teach, creating a holistic journey for body, energy and mind.
Calm, Center, Soothe
Energize, Uplift, Replenish
Awake, Illuminate, Transform
MOON – Calm, Center, Soothe
The lunar practice forms the foundation of Hatha Yoga, where you learn to take care of the mind: you deepen your awareness of mental activity while cultivating non-reactivity. The focus is on holding poses for longer durations, extending the exhalation, and quieting the mind through gentle meditation techniques. The use of asana is mindful and simple, and this way you begin to create the inner space necessary for meditation. These practices can also be used to nourish and regulate the nervous system through specific techniques. This energetic approach can also be applied to Nidra or Yin experiences, instead of traditional Hatha. Lunar practices are the heart of the method, offering timeless tools to carry with you. I will guide you to connect with the stillness beyond the mental chatter, rediscover inner calm and tranquility, and nurture a meditative space within yourself.
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This practice is also ideal if:
- You suffer from anxiety and want to feel more grounded and calm
- You have trouble sleeping
- You get angry easily
- You want to improve your concentration and meditation practice
- You feel an excess of Vata/Pitta
- You struggle with digestion, both emotionally and physically
- You want to start exploring your inner world
- You feel the need for a practice that supports you during challenging times
SUN – Energize, Uplift, Replenish
The second type of practice offered by this method is the Solar practice. Sun practices focus on harnessing and cultivating Prana, the vital life force, and are expansive and expressive in their energy. These sessions are designed to help you balance the energy needed to thrive and excel, while also cultivating the sensitivity required to connect with the more subtle layers of reality and the body. You will develop a deeper ability to listen to your intuition and strengthen your connection with your Inner Wisdom.
This practice incorporates various tools such as asana, prana dharana, bandhas, pranayama, and meditation, but as any other class, they can also be ‘sunny’ Nidra or Yin experiences. A calm and stable mind is essential to guide you through these energy-rich practices, making it ideal to already be familiar with the Lunar practice or at least have some experience in meditation.
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This practice is also ideal if:
- You are ready to cultivate more energy and learn how to manage it
- You feel sensations of sluggishness, heaviness, and/or depression
- You wish to cultivate positivity
- You have slow circulation
- You sense an excess of Kapha
- You desire expansion
- You want to enhance your energetic presence in space
- Your work drains your energy
- You are familiar with meditation and can concentrate with relative ease
FIRE – Awake, Illuminate, Transform
Soul on Fire: Ignite the potential of your spirit. These sessions are designed to guide you through a transformative stage of the practice. But don’t mistake the fire element for simply intense or vigorous classes. Fire practices are incredibly subtle, and they can be even gentle, with restorative or yoga nidra sessions, but they are intricate. They require focused concentration and devotion.
In these practices, we explore the deeper elements of the Tantric path, including ritual, kriya, bandha, mudra, mantra, and prana dharana—tools that take you to the true heart of yoga.
Calm your mind, cultivate energy, and kindle that inner fire, nestled in the center of your being, which burns away limitations and doubt. This is where your practice becomes a sacred ritual. While these classes may feel challenging and vigorous, the real emphasis is on nurturing your spiritual fire, directing awareness and energy up the spine (Kundalini)—the sacred channel that leads us back to the Source, connecting us to the Universe. Live in your most radiant, authentic self.
This is an advanced practice: not because there are fancy poses, but because it requires an established meditation and devotional practice as a foundation.
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This practice is also ideal if:
- You have achieved a good psycho-physical balance, feeling calm with strong grounding and focus.
- Your body is in full health.
- You have a positive relationship with Prana.
- You have established a stable meditation practice.
- Yoga has become an integral part of your life, embraced as the spiritual practice it truly is.
- You are ready to embrace your inner greatness.
- You feel that you can suspend the Ego’s judgment during meditation.
- Both aggression and excessive passivity have been integrated and balanced through the previous stages of practice.
Practices, Arts, Methods
The three-folded energetics foundations can be applied to any style of practice, any approach and yogic art used to craft a yoga experience, either for you or your students. They are useful to set the intention, purpose and direction of what you are doing, and then it’s time to understand the how.
Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditaiton
Yin & Restorative Yoga
Yoga Nidra
Breathing, Mindful Embodiment & more
HATHA YOGA – Embrace Tradition
The Hatha Yoga (physical yogic practices) taught by me and my school emphasizes inner stillness and one-pointed focus. These practices are drawn primarily from the Himalayan Tradition, Sivananda, and Ghosh lineage. The dynamic vinyasa aspects of practice are influenced by Desikachar’s teachings and the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system. Our goal is to teach Hatha Yoga as a devotional, spiritual practice. All Hatha Yoga classes include philosophical teachings, mantra, pranayama, meditation techniques such as kriya, bandha, mudra, drishti, and of course asana – yogic postures.
My school and I interpret all practices through the lens of Advaita Vedanta, non-duality, and Tantric non-duality: a recognition of the timeless, formless Source in all manifested reality, and a non-ascetic, householder approach to the spiritual path.
YIN & RESTORATIVE YOGA – Listen, Replenish, Nourish
Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga are both slow-paced, meditative practices of yoga, yet they differ in their aims and approach.
Yin Yoga focuses on targeting the deep connective tissues, such as ligaments, fascia, and joints, by holding postures for extended periods—typically 3 to 5 minutes or longer. This practice promotes flexibility, increases circulation in the joints, and supports energetic balance by stimulating the body’s meridians, similar to acupuncture. Yin Yoga invites stillness and introspection, encouraging practitioners to explore sensations deeply and cultivate patience.
Restorative Yoga, on the other hand, aims to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting deep relaxation and recovery. In this practice, poses are supported by many props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks, allowing the body to fully rest and release tension without strain. The focus is on healing, stress relief, and restoring the body and mind to a state of balance and calm.
YOGA NIDRA – Rest in Awarenss
Yoga Nidra, historically, refers to the state of divine absorption and transcendent sleep often associated with deities, such as the goddess Nidra, and the cosmic pause between cycles of creation. While references to yoga nidra can be found in tantric and Advaita Vedantic texts, these early mentions describe states of profound meditative absorption rather than systematized practices. Over time, medieval yoga texts began to associate yoga nidra with samadhi, a state of yogic sleep beyond the ordinary waking and dreaming states. In the 20th century, Swami Satyananda Saraswati developed a structured practice of Yoga Nidra, synthesizing elements from various yogic traditions into a sequence of steps aimed at guiding practitioners through deeper states of consciousness. This modern approach consists of relaxation techniques, breath awareness, rotation of consciousness, and visualization, offering a powerful method for meditation and self-awareness.
BREATHING, EMBODIMENT & MORE
As an experienced yoga teacher, I offer alternative and therapeutic application of yogic practices to those who have different intentions to spiritual seeking. In other words, I share breath awareness and embodied movement practices that are grounded in traditional yogic principles but tailored to meet diverse needs and goals. These adaptations include techniques for regulating the nervous system, mindfulness practices specifically designed for athletes, and yoga-inspired breathing exercises for freedivers and water people. I also provide methods to enhance flexibility and mobility, with a strong emphasis on spinal awareness, ensuring that each practice is aligned with the individual’s physical and mental well-being. This integrative approach supports both physical performance and inner balance.
