Sunday 4 March 2012

Basic Tantra Massage Guidelines

Tantric massage is only one aspect of learning and practicing tantra. Other vital components that the tantra teacher will instruct his pupils in are tantric yoga, meditation, breathing and sexual techniques.

One of the most basic fundamentals of tantra massage is that the giver and receiver must have a pre-existing emotional bond. By this definition, all commercialized tantric massage services fly out of the window. It is almost impossible for a woman or man to enjoy and benefit from a tantra massage if she or he receives it from a stranger. The element of trust and intimacy is paramount in all tantric techniques, tantra exercises and tantra rituals.

A tantric massage must take place in a setting that is conducive to complete relaxation and whatever intimate contact may follow. Obviously, it must also provide complete privacy and freedom from potential disturbances. Therefore, all contact with the outside world must be cut off. The surface on which the massage will take place should be equipped with a comfortable mattress or mat with a freshly laundered sheet. Rolled-up towels to support the neck and knees are essential.

For the tantra massage, only high-quality massage oil should be used. Ideally, the intimate atmosphere should be further enhanced with incense, candle light and soft devotional music. I personally recommend a prolonged musical recitation of the Avalokitasvara SÅ«tra, which is commonly chanted at Buddhist temples in East Asia. It is the perfect musical backdrop for a tantric massage.

Begin this tantric ritual with the recipient lying on his or her stomach. Start with a gentle foot massage and then shift your ministrations to the neck and shoulders. These areas have vital pressure points which, if attended to with light but firm massage strokes, release relaxation throughout the body. The masseur can then proceed to massage the upper middle and lower back, continuing in these areas until all the knots and tension have been worked out from the muscles there. Then gently turn the recipient over so that you can work on the front.

Remember that this form of massage is not just about relaxation but also about building up the tantra energy in the recipient's body. As this energy is liberated and begins to flow, Kundalini is awakened. This energizes and balances the chakras - energy centers that are distributed along the central axis of the body. By energizing the chakras, you unleash various physical and emotional benefits in the recipient.

It is perfectly alright for the massage to be followed by sexual activity, but at least half an hour of patient massage should precede such activity. If your partner is fully relaxed as a result of the tantra massage, the lovemaking can indeed be spectacular.