Yogini

A Yogini (Sanskrit: योगिनी, yoginī) is a female master of yoga, and also a formal term for a female practitioner of tantra. The term is frequently used as a respectful way of addressing female Hindu or Buddhist spiritual teachers.

Historically, the term "yogini" has encompassed a complex range of meanings, reflecting diverse spiritual and social contexts. It can refer to:

• A Female Adept: Generally, a woman who has attained a high level of spiritual realization through yogic practices.

• A Tantric Practitioner: Specifically, a woman who engages in the esoteric practices of tantra, often associated with the worship of goddesses.

• A Member of a Yogini Cult: Historically, there were groups or cults of yoginis, often associated with the worship of the sixty-four Yoginis (see below). These groups may have practiced specific rituals and held significant social or religious power.

• A Demigoddess or Divine Being: In some traditions, yoginis are considered to be divine beings or demigoddesses, often associated with Shakti, the divine feminine energy.

• The Sixty-Four Yoginis: This refers to a specific group of powerful female deities or figures, often depicted as attendants or emanations of the goddess Durga or Kali. Temples dedicated to the Sixty-Four Yoginis are found in various parts of India. The precise nature and origins of these Yoginis are debated, but they are typically associated with tantric practices, power, and protection.

The concept of the yogini is multifaceted and nuanced, reflecting the diverse traditions and interpretations of yoga and tantra. Their role can range from that of a dedicated practitioner to a powerful deity, embodying the transformative potential of spiritual practice and the potent energy of the divine feminine.