Giving Your Lover a Sensual Bath

From ancient times bathing was a sacred ritual among many civilizations because of the belief in the religious powers and healing properties of water.

Bathing rituals became a tradition started by the Egyptians and Syrians. Cleopatra, the Egyptian Queen, was known to luxuriate in a bath water infused with olive oil and fruit essences. Egyptians bathed to purify themselves before daily prayers.

The Romans brought the fine art of bathing to new heights. Famous for their bathhouses, Romans offered amenities in addition to the bathing ritual. Roman bathhouses included physical and mental exercises, as well as aesthetic activities (theater activities, the pursuit of beauty, arts) and leisure events.

Although the Greeks and Romans discovered the perks of bathing around the same time, each had their own unique approach. As in Rome, the bath became a focal center for social and recreational activity. The Greeks began bathing regimens that formed the foundation for modern spa procedures. Greeks believed in the fortifying powers of cold showers.

The Japanese believed that a bath ritual was important to cleanse the mind and spirit and experience man's connection with nature. If dirt was removed in the process, that was just an added benefit. Spiritual pursuits of purity, hygiene and ritual purification were an important part of Japanese culture and bathing was done communally without regard for division of the sexes.

Today, with the constant pressures of our modern existence, bathing has once again become an essential activity for health, relaxation and restoration and the ultimate way to pamper one's body, mind and spirit.

Recreating an ancient bathing ritual will help to increase intimacy, build excitement and rejuvenate your lover and your relationship.

What you'll need

• Bath Crystals or salts
• Bubble Bath
• Loofah Sponge
• Tea Light Candles
• Water proof massager or vibrator
• Music
• Blindfold (optional)
• Glass of water for drinking
• Robe or wrap
• Sponges
• Lotions or body oil
• Towel
• Shampoo
• Removable shower head (optional)

Gathering essential ingredients

Place a shampoo, body oil or lotion, towels, robe/wrap, sponges, massagers, toys, etc within arms reach. You won't have to break the mood by getting up to get an item during the middle of the bathing experience. Set up the MP3 or CD player to play your lovers favorite songs. Draw the bath water. Make sure the temperature is not to hot. You don't want to ruin the mood by burning your lover with scalding water. Place a few drops of essential body oils, bath salts and/or bubble bath into the water. Position lighted candles around the room to provide an alluring glow. Now you're ready to bath your lover.

Bathing your lover

Blindfold your lover and guide them into the water slowly allowing them to get use to the water. Blindfolding your lover will heighten their senses and increase sensitivity in the other senses.

Begin the bathing experience by washing your lover's hair. Gently massage and stimulate the scalp. Rise the shampoo out using a removable shower head or a cup filled with warm water. Next begin bath you lover using various bathing tools (i.e. sponges, loofah, textured towels). Take your time wash your lover's entire body, paying very close attention to their "sweet spot." Once you have lather the up the body, allow your partner to soak. As they are soaking, gently massage their entire body using a waterproof massager. Be sure to keep at least one hand on your lover's body at all times, this helps to maintain the continuous flow of energy and intimate connection.

To heighten the experience, lightly kiss their lips, neck, shoulders, back and/or face. Whisper sweet something's into their ear. Or perhaps you may want to read a page from your favorite erotic or love novel.

After 30 minutes rinse your lover off with warm water by using a removable shower head or a cup filled with water. Once all the soap has been rinsed off, it's time to dry your lover off.

Drying your lover

Gently remove your lover from the water one leg at a time. Use a warm and fluffy towel dry off your lover's entire body. After the body is dry, softly massage lotion or oil into the body to keep the skin soft and moist. Once the lotion or oil has been applied swathe your lover in a robe or wrap. Give your lover a glass of water to help alleviate dizziness and to rehydrate any fluids lost during the bath. Enrapture your lover in a heart to heart embrace and slowly remove the blindfold while softly kissing your lover's lips!