EB: How can teachers use Yantra for inspiration, to enervate our teaching and enrich our own understandings?
ST: Yantras are ancient visual tools used in yogic practices to connect you to the Divine. This is the Divine within you. I find it is a good idea to connect with this before teaching, before embarking on a day of sharing yourself with others. Being centered brings the best through you, to the table, the yoga mat, your relationships and your day.
EB: What is the process of creating a Yantra?
ST: When I create a Yantra the initial step is to decide which one? I generally put an array of Yantra Cards (miniature Yantras) before me and feel which one is calling me. That is how I begin.
The process is underway, the energy in my body starts to shift as I allow this new influence to consume me like a delicious elixir imbibed. I plot out the major directional lines on a piece of paper, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal, each one running through a central point on the page. There are methodical steps to the drawing process, largely created with a compass, whereby the Yantra image takes form. I work from the outside in, spiraling to the center of the page, and, to the center of myself.
Once the lines are drawn, the color can be applied, any medium can be used, I like to either color with coloring pencils, or paint with gouache paints. Mixing and shading as I move again from the outer colors to the center.
EB: Does each deity have a Yantra?
ST: A Yantra comes from a Mantra, it is the light that follows the fine vibrations of sound.
There are many Mantras for each deity, so in essence there are many many Yantras. The Yantras are all deities. They are literally vessels containing the essence of the deity. I like to work with the Planetary Yantras, the planets were the original deities, and also a series of Goddess Yantras. The number however, is infinite.
When the Yantra is complete you can keep it as a focal point for your seated meditation or you can place it in an area of your home or workspace to uplift the energy there.
Here are some Yantras you may choose to help you with your teaching:
To feel grounded and open to the knowledge transmitted as you teach a yoga class you may like to call upon Ganeshe Yantra:
Mantra: OM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA
To feel clear of speech and articulate you may like to call upon Matangi Yantra:
Mantra: EIM
To bring the energy of the yoga sutras to your class, or to uplift the use of the senses you may like to call upon the Venus Yantra:
Mantra: OM SHOOM SHUKRAYA NAMAHA
To learn more from Sarah on the qualities of the deities and how specific Yantras within this practice can enhance your teaching presence, please tune in to http://www.yantratecture.com…
Copyright Sarah Tomlinson. 2015