Sacred Dance, Embodied Beauty & Everyday Ceremony with Halo of Shakti Temple Arts
As I sit here putting together Halo’s beautiful interview, I am reminded of the auspiciousness of time. How things have a way of finding their own synchronicities in our lives.
Navigating change is not easy and so many people I have encountered are experiencing profound shifts in their work, their self-expression and their relationships. Such seismic shifts serve as poignant reminders of the fluidity and potency of Shakti, the divine feminine energy pulsating through the cosmos.
In the rhythm of universal flux, where change is the only constant, learning to gracefully sway with the currents of energy becomes paramount. As we traverse through the celestial dance, guided by the lunar eclipse of March, we are beckoned to momentarily retreat into the sanctum of our being.
There is an innate longing to dissolve into the depths of our essence, to reconnect with the subtle whispers of femininity that often fall to the shadows. Amidst hyper masculine structures, where speed is revered and success is measured by relentless pursuit, we find ourselves yearning for communion with the divine feminine.
Yet, amidst the clamor of societal expectations, do we neglect the sacred art of disappearing? Do we overlook the sanctity of eclipsing ourselves from hustle, delving into the recesses of our subconscious to rekindle our bond with the cosmic heart?
It is in this sacred quest for communion that I turn to Halo of Shakti Temple Arts. Through her devotion to the Goddess, to Shri, she offers a guiding light, illuminating the path to a deeper, more enriching experience of life. In her journey, she embodies the essence of devotion, surrendering to the divine dance of creation and nurturing the sacred flame of the feminine within us all.
I felt so energised after meeting Halo and even though it was a long day for me, an hour with her made me feel at peace and ease. Shakti really has a way of showing herself once we get out of our own way, and this was clearly the case with Halo.
Shakti Temple Arts focuses on helping women connect with their feminine side through various practices and teachings. Can you elaborate on how your approach to Tantra differs from traditional forms of Tantra, and how it specifically caters to the needs of women?
In traditional Tantra, practices often emphasize a separation between different aspects, such as embodiment practice vs spiritual practice. However, Shakti Temple Arts embraces a more integrated approach while remaining rooted in the essence of traditional Tantra. I infuse dance and temple arts with the sublime, blissful, and playful aspects of beauty that emanate from within. Instead of keeping these practices separate, I weave them into a tapestry of practice that can be applied to daily life, tapping into magic, embodiment, and deeper meaning.
Unlike traditional Tantra, which may require initiation, my approach welcomes all women, without the need for formal initiation. By harnessing the power of mantras and utilizing practices from the tradition that are open and safe, I help women connect to the divine. Indeed Tantra has a lot of esoteric and powerful practices that do require many years of practice and initiation, but my work focuses on creating safe and informed pathways for both novice and steeped practitioners alike.
Our unique approach to Tantra honors the relational space with the Goddess, empowering women to blossom into their true expression and liberating them from the constraints that hold them back. It is no secret that traditional systems negate the body, but at Shakti Temple Arts we recognize her sacredness as the vessel of communion. We go within, to find Her. We refine our ways & practices to awaken her inherent beauty within us.
Shakti Temple Arts emphasizes the importance of the feminine body, heart, and soul. How do your teachings help women cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of their bodies, and how does this connect to their spiritual journeys?
In today's society, many women grapple with feelings of guilt and shame regarding their bodies, often influenced by societal pressures to conform to external standards of beauty. This disconnect from our bodies, driven by an idealized and often male-centric gaze, fosters a sense of disempowerment, where the mind dominates and controls, while the body remains neglected and oppressed by rigid rules.
Oftentimes we are grappling with unrealistic standards of beauty that drive us to extremes, seeking alterations from cosmetic surgery, extreme diets, intensive workouts. All of this disrupts our hormones and disconnects us from our femininity.
Contrastingly, a woman deeply connected to her body is radiant.
This is what I learned whilst working with the energy body, drawing inspiration from Daoism. I learned to develop the right relationship with my body, becoming sensually aware of Shakti moving within. This journey towards empowerment requires courage and a willingness to embrace the overflowing strength that comes from reconnecting with one's inner essence.
Through practices such as dance, I encourage women to explore the depths of their being, recognizing that everyone is inherently a dancer. By granting themselves permission to open up to their bodies, ecstatic dance becomes a powerful tool for liberation, breaking free from the confines of structured movement and societal patterns.
Dance serves as a gateway to embodiment, allowing women to navigate their bodies in space and expand their capacity for somatic awareness. Ecstatic dance is powerful but structured dance helps break patterns in the body.
Learning where the body is in space, expanding the capacity of mind-body connection, somatically, we begin connecting to the whole.
Tantra speaks about the Dakinis, who are divine Sky dancers, liberated feminine energies who dance naked in the sky, symbolising eternal freedom and the element of space.
Through this process, women forge a deeper connection to their inner realm, bridging the barrier between inner and outer space, and experiencing a profound sense of relationality and intimacy.
As women become attuned to their inner space, they undergo a transformative journey that ripples outward, catalyzing shifts in their external reality. Through the merging of formlessness with form, they embrace the essence of Tantra, where every aspect of existence becomes imbued with sacred significance.
Relationality and intimacy are key aspects of your teachings. How can your teachings help Yoginis and Tantrikas build more fulfilling and authentic relationships with themselves, others, and the divine?
In Tantric Iconography – the symbol of the triangle becomes vastly important. It is a meeting of three points, that signifies all of relationships: relationship with the self, relationship with the other and relationship with the divine.
At the heart of my teachings lies the understanding of karma, the intricate web of cause and effect that binds us all. Rather than being ensnared by this web, why not become creators within it? Through nurturing a profound relationship with oneself, we open the gateway to divine connection. In meditation, we cultivate intimate communion with the self, through the self I touch the divine. Piercing the illusionary bubble of separation to unite with the divine.
Drawing from Tantric Saivism, we focus our meditative gaze on the beauty of the object and in so doing, you merge with the object.
Therefore lovemaking, where the third point of the triangle, the bindu, becomes a singular point of unity. In embracing our journey of belonging, we come to recognize our inherent holiness amidst the messiness and beauty of life. We begin to touch life in a more intimate way.
In moments of enlightenment, we not only touch the divine but remain immersed in its sacred embrace, forever transformed by its ineffable beauty.
Oftentimes Yoga Instructors and Tantrik facilitators give so much of their energy to their community, how do you recommend that people who work in these areas create a sacred space for self-care and ceremonial rituals in their everyday lives?
It is mandatory that some practices in Tantra are kept to oneself, it is so personal to oneself. In so doing you begin cultivating immense energy that you need to be able to contain. When you are a public figure, it is important to maintain energetic hygiene. Discernment is key, what to conceal, what to reveal. There are Mantras that I won’t share publicly.
For those who walk this path daily life becomes the crucible of transformation, prioritizing practice is paramount. Self-care rituals become lifelines amidst the whirlwind of multiple energies and distractions that besiege modern existence.
Ancient practices like Abhyanga, the sacred art of oiling the body, offers not only physical rejuvenation but also a harmonizing of the body's energies—vata, pitta, and kapha.
What’s beautiful about Tantra is that everything can be a ceremony. Mothers transform their breastfeeding into a sacred practice, simply by increasing presence. Anything can be a practice, you transform your space into sacred with presence.
Simple things have a huge impact. Notice if the mind is running the show – catch that moment. The moment you notice you are in your head, draw the energy down into your body, settle into the pelvis, ground into your feet - “now I am here”. Respond to what's happening – turn away from computer screen and breathe.
Through the practice of catching the moment, Tantra offers a pathway to presence, inviting us to reclaim our bodies and breathe life into the sacred spaces of our everyday lives.
What are some common challenges that those following the path of Tantra face in their spiritual journeys, do any of your teachings address these challenges?
In our Tantric journey, numerous challenges arise, each offering opportunities for growth and transformation. One common struggle lies in bridging the gap between spiritual practice and livelihood, as the demands of modern technology and business can pull us away from our true path of service.
While we aspire to dissolve the ego and embody the principle of servant over master, the realms of social media and entrepreneurship often breed ego-driven behaviours. To navigate this terrain, we must prioritize our spiritual principles even amidst the hustle of business. This is where teachings on yogic principles in business, such as the course I offer, become invaluable. By integrating spirituality into our livelihoods, we ensure that our actions align with our deepest values, fostering ongoing practices of refinement and authenticity.
Yet, the challenges extend beyond the personal realm to encompass cultural responsibilities. As practitioners inspired by temple arts and traditions, we carry the weight of representing and honoring these sacred lineages in the Western world. It is a delicate balance, respecting the roots of these practices while navigating the nuances of cultural appropriation and reverence.
To deepen our understanding and connection with these traditions, trips to India offer immersive experiences in dance, arts, Tantra Yoga, and ritual. These journeys serve as potent reminders of the living, breathing Goddess tradition and the inner sanctum of the divine that resides within each of us.
In response to these challenges, I offer a 6-month mentorship program rooted in Tantra and Daoism. Through themes of ritual, mantra, and personal transformation, participants gather in sacred circles to share wisdom and explore the multifaceted dimensions of life and embodiment. Additionally, in-person retreats provide opportunities for deepening practices and fostering community bonds.
As we embark on this journey together, we honor the ancient wisdom of the Rishis who came before us, carrying their legacy forward with reverence and devotion. In the heart of the Bay Area and beyond, we create spaces of transformation, where the dance of the divine unfolds in each moment.
Halo Seronko is a teacher of feminine embodied awakening who brings a deep wisdom and love of lineage and tradition onto the dynamic stage of the modern world. Halo has been teaching Tantra, Temple Dance and the Taoist Feminine Arts since 2013.
In 2015 she founded the online and international school Shakti Temple Arts. She has led multiple international retreats including Tantra of Temple Dance in Guatemala, Path of the Mystica in Greece, Sublime Shakti Pilgrimage in India and day long immersions in Australia, Italy, India, Costa Rica and the USA. She currently teaches and resides in the Bay Area of California.
She has initiated hundreds of women into the Temple Arts through her rich online programs such as Temple of Shakti, Jade Temple Online, The Cosmic Consort, Shakti Temple Dance and more.
Halo believes that Temple is a vessel for God/Goddess, be it an ancient architectural structure, or our very bodies, breath and consciousness. Temple is a way of life that acknowledges the sacred in all that is, and offers reverence and awe in the form of beauty and the cultivation of awareness.
Links:
Website: https://www.shaktitemplearts.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaktitemplearts/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvREoXBsC8MDUqclkClXmZQ