“Unveiling the Misconceptions About Tantra: The Path to True Holistic Transformation”
- Mwenesi
- Jan 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 7
I’ve come to understand that healing is not a destination but a journey—a deeply personal and spiritual process of rediscovering the wholeness within. For years, I carried the weight of a wounded feminine energy. I felt disconnected from my intuition, my sensuality, and the nurturing, creative force that flows through me as a wom(b)an. It was through Tantra and yoga that I began to repair and realign this sacred part of myself.
Yoga became my foundation. With every pose, I learned to feel safe in my body again. Moving through asanas taught me how to ground myself, release stored emotions, and cultivate balance. Yoga reminded me of the strength in my sensitivity and the beauty of moving my body freely, without any stiffness. Through breathwork and meditation, I tapped into the stillness within, a space where my feminine energy could feel seen, heard, and loved.
Tantra, on the other hand, was the bridge back to my divine essence. Tantra taught me to embrace all of me: the light and the shadows, the joy and the pain. It showed me that my body is a sacred temple, not something to be rushed or shamed but something to be honored with reverence. By working with my energy centers, especially my sacral chakra, I began to reclaim my sensuality, my creative power, and my ability to receive love unapologetically.
Through these practices, I healed not just my relationship with myself but also the generational wounds passed down to me as a Black wom(b)an. Yoga and Tantra became the tools through which I could peel away the layers of shame, self-doubt, and disconnection to rediscover my truth: I am a divine, intuitive, and powerful being.
Now, as a Tantra Yoga practitioner, I share these sacred practices with other women, especially Black women, who are on their own journey of healing and self-discovery. Because when we heal our wounded feminine, we awaken to our full potential, and that is the most beautiful, transformative gift we can give to ourselves and the world.
When most people hear the word Tantra, their minds immediately associate it with sexuality or mystic eroticism. While Tantra does embrace sexuality as a sacred part of life, it is far more profound, holistic, and deeply spiritual than the narrow lens through which it is often viewed.
What is Tantra?
At its core, Tantra is an ancient doctrine rooted in the idea of oneness. Originating in Africa and Southeast Asia, it integrates the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of existence. The word “Tantra” itself translates to “weave” or “loom,” symbolizing how all aspects of life are interconnected and woven into a single sacred fabric.
In the Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) language, the concept of Tantra does not exist as a direct term because the philosophy of Tantra originated in ancient India. However, the principles of Tantra—holistic integration of body, mind, and spirit, as well as the sacred union of energies—align closely with spiritual concepts found in Kemetic teachings.
In Kemet, similar ideas were expressed through the concepts of Ma’at (balance, harmony, and divine order) and the interplay between masculine and feminine deities like Asar (Osiris)and Aset (Isis) or Shu and Tefnut. These relationships symbolized the sacred union and balance of energies, much like Tantra emphasizes the balance of Shiva (masculine) and Shakti (feminine) or the most famous YIN-YANG.
Ancient African spirituality and Tantra both focus on the interconnectedness of the divine within and the external Universe, emphasizing balance, sacred rituals, and the alignment of the self with universal energy.
Tantra is not about indulgence or quick gratification; rather, it is a science of self-realization and transformation. It is a pathway to experience the divine within oneself and the Universe.
The Doctrine of Tantra
1. Yoga Practice
In Tantra, yoga is more than physical exercise; it is a tool for aligning the body, mind, and spirit. Through breathwork and postures, you create energy flow, clear blockages in the chakras, and activate Sekhem (the serpent,Kundalini energy)...the dormant life force that rests at the base of the spine.
2. Meditation and Breathwork
Meditation in Tantra is used to transcend the duality of the mind. Techniques like mantra repetition, visualization, and pranayama (breath control) help calm the mind and deepen the connection to the inner self. Breathwork balances the ida and pingala energies—the feminine and masculine forces within us.
3. Alchemy and Energy Transformation
Tantra teaches the art of energy alchemy. This means transforming lower vibrations (such as fear, anger, or lust) into higher states of love, creativity, and enlightenment. Practices like Kundalini awakening, working with subtle body energies, and rituals aid in this transformation.
4. Herbal Remedies and Sacred Substances
Herbs are used in Tantra as a form of healing and spiritual elevation. Plants like Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Red Raspberry leaf, Sarsapilla and Blue Lotus are revered for their ability to cleanse the womb, enhance mental clarity, and heighten spiritual awareness.
5. Sacred Rituals and Yantras
Tantra includes rituals involving fire ceremonies, offerings, and yantras (sacred geometric diagrams) to harness and direct energy. These practices help align the individual with universal forces.
6. The Sacred Union and Self-intimacy
GREAT NEWS GODDESSES, Intimacy doesn't equal sex! Yes you can be intimate and creates wholeness, not only in relationships but also within the self without involving physical intimacy or sex.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of Tantra is the practice of sacred union. Its true purpose is to harmonize the divine feminine (Shakti) and divine masculine (Shiva) energies within. Practices like yoga, dance (twerking & whining) are good for bulding self-intimacy.
All indigenous traditional dances focus on movement of the hips.
Our ancestors knew the power of the Ren (sacral chakra, the hips: pelvic floor and reproductive organs).

Why Tantra is Relevant Today?
In a world dominated by stress, disconnection, and external validation, Tantra reminds us to come home to ourselves. It teaches us to honor the divine in all things, to live with intention, and to experience life as a sacred ritual.
When you practice Tantra, you learn to weave the threads of your life into a tapestry of balance, vitality, and joy. Whether through yoga, meditation, plant medicine, or energy work, Tantra offers a pathway to holistic healing and self-discovery.
Why I Teach Tantra Yoga to Black Wom(b)en?
As a Black wom(b)an, I have witnessed and experienced the layers of trauma, disconnection, and suppression that often weigh on us, passed down through generations and reinforced by a world that doesn’t always honor our softness, strength, or divinity. I chose to teach Tantra yoga to Black wom(b)en because it is more than a practice; it is a pathway to healing, liberation, and self-discovery.
Healing Our Wounded Feminine
For centuries, Black wom(b)en have carried the burden of being everything for everyone else, often leaving little space to nurture ourselves. Tantra yoga provides that space. It is a practice of reconnection, helping us reclaim our sensuality, creativity, and power without shame. Through breath, movement, and meditation, we heal the wounds of neglect, overwork, and societal judgment, reconnecting with the sacred feminine within.
Restoring Balance and Flow
Many of us have been conditioned to suppress our emotions and operate in survival mode. Tantra yoga teaches balance—between giving and receiving, softness and strength, masculine and feminine. It allows us to let go of rigidity and embrace fluidity, reminding us that rest, pleasure, and joy are our birthright.
Reclaiming Our Sensuality
Tantra celebrates the body as a sacred temple and sensuality as a divine force. For Black women, this reclamation is revolutionary. We deserve to see our bodies not as objects to be exploited or controlled but as vessels of divine energy and beauty.
The journey of reclaiming self-awareness as a Black wom(b)an is deeply intertwined with the dismantling of societal illusions. Black wom(b)en have been misrepresented and burdened with labels such as “hyper-sexual,” a stereotype constructed during times of slavery to justify rape and exploitation. This harmful narrative, still present today, projected onto Black wom(b)en the undisciplined desires of others, distorting their sense of self-worth and purity. Tantra yoga helps us explore and honor our sensuality in a safe, loving, and empowering way.
Dispelling the Misconceptions
• Tantra is not just about sex. While sexual energy is powerful and sacred in Tantra, it is only one aspect of the practice. Tantra teaches reverence for the body and life itself.
• Tantra is not hedonism. It’s a disciplined and intentional path to enlightenment, requiring mindfulness, devotion, and inner work.
• Tantra is not exclusive. Anyone can practice Tantra, regardless of gender, religion, or cultural background.
Embrace Tantra not as a fleeting trend, but as a timeless philosophy that empowers you to awaken your true potential!
Hope you are ready for more blog posts and the TANTRA YOGA SELF-LOVE CHALLENGE.
From the 14th of February to the 21st of February, we will learn more about using concious movement and dance to tap into our feminine energy, heal sexual traumas and let go of the shame and guilt around our sensuality.
For more information about the challenge, subscribe to my youtube and watch the intro video https://www.youtube.com/@mwenesiwellness
I also offer private/duo tantra yoga coaching. Click below to learn more:
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