Practicing Highest Yoga Tantra one inevitably encounters one or the other form of protector practice. In the case of Yamantaka it is an integral part even in the shorter sadhanas in the form of the torma (Tib: gtor ma) offering(s) to various entities; when doing the Yamantaka self-initiation sadhana and/or retreat practice even more so. Aside from the torma offering(s) in the sadhana itself the retreat practice includes three protector practices:  (1) Offering to the General Dakinis; (2) Offering to the Lord of the Site, and (3) the Gektor Offering to the Hindering Spirits (Tib: gegs gtor). They are contained in the  Offering Practices available in the Download section of this website (for registered users only).

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Dharma protector practices include elaborate "fulfill and restore" rituals, called "Kangso" (Tib: bskang-gso), in which we, as (self-generated) Buddha-figures, remind the protectors to fulfill the oaths that they promised and restore our close bonds with them by making special offerings. Another common ritual is the golden libation, the Serkyem Offering (Tib: gser skyems), in which we offer alcohol or black tea to the protectors, but without tasting it ourselves. We may also simply invite the protectors into our mandalas to make offerings, especially of tormas, and to make requests (Tib: gsol 'debs). Often these rituals call for an extensive invocation of the main protector's retinue. In the West, people informally call all these practices "protector pujas". There are two Mahakala and one Palden Lhamo Kangsos available for registered users in the Download section.

Another example of a protector practice is the Cha-sum (The Ritual of the Three Parts) puja (Tib: cha gsum) (available for download from the Gyuto Center website). This ritual is said to be very powerful to eliminate obstacles which occur in one’s life and spiritual practice. Rather than using wrathful means to harm the interfering spirits, one offers them tormas, praises, and various offerings such as water, flowers, incense, lights, perfume, food, and music.