The Art of Tantric Sex to Enhance Your Health

The practice of Tantra has long been known to be health enhancing. Sexual energy is one of our most powerful energies for creating health. Practicing Tantric sex teaches us relaxation methods, breathing techniques, and how to respond correctly to our body needs and wants. Using candles, fresh flowers, and certain scents helps our bodies to relax and allows us to release and relieve stress.

Have you ever experienced a moment of sexual ecstasy? How did it make you feel, exhilarated, luminous, or deeply connected? Intense sexual experiences are one of our greatest sources of pleasure. At the same time, sex is often regarded with an equal measure of fear and fascination. We may crave sexual intimacy to the core of our being, yet also take great pains to avoid it. We may wish to be touched with all of our heart, yet fear our own vulnerability. We may long to rekindle lost passion, but have forgotten how to light the fire.

The practice of Tantra shows us how to reclaim the sexual intimacy that is our birthright. And through this most ancient of arts, we may discover new joys of the erotic and expand mere moments of sexual ecstasy into a lifetime of sexual bliss. At a time when the stresses, fears and distractions of daily life threaten so many relationships, the age-old practice of Tantra shows us how to open our hearts, our emotions and our sexuality.

What is Tantra?

Born in India more than 6,000 years ago, Tantra emerged as a rebellion against organized religion, which held that sexuality should be rejected in order to reach enlightenment. Tantra challenged the ascetic beliefs of that time, purporting that sexuality was a doorway to the divine, and that earthly pleasures, such as eating, dancing and creative expression were sacred acts. The word Tantra means "to manifest, to expand, to show and to weave." In this context, sex is thought to expand consciousness and to weave together the polarities of male (represented by the Hindu god Shiva), and female (embodied by the Hindu goddess Shakti), into a harmonious whole.

When something is sacred to us we treat it carefully, with reverence. In Sacred Sexuality the body and our sexual energies may be considered divine, connected to the One Interconnected Reality. Here we may find liberation, peace, power, confidence and love. By recognizing sexuality as sacred, people tend to put more effort into their relationships, creativity and love- making. Tantric sexual practices teach us to prolong the act of making love and to utilize potent orgasmic energies more effectively.

How is Tantric Sex Unique?

The goal may be to reach orgasm rather than to pleasure our lover or to connect with him or her more fully. This kind of lovemaking, say sex experts, has a distinct beginning and ending, with a climax somewhere in between and an average duration of 10 to 15 minutes. Given that women can take about 20 minutes just to reach full arousal, this type of sexual experience can be deeply unsatisfying.

Tantra teaches lovers how to extend the peak of their sexual ecstasy so that women and men can experience several orgasms in a single sexual encounter. Leading teachers of Tantra suggest that even men who experience premature ejaculation can learn how to extend orgasm and with practice to enjoy multiple orgasms.

Beginning Tantric Sex Techniques

The following exercises will help you reconnect with your body and with your partner in a profound way. As you move through these steps, do not focus on intercourse as the ultimate goal. Instead, simply enjoy giving and receiving pleasure using gentle touch and loving words. Communicate with your lover to discover what he or she finds most arousing. Create a sacred space filled with candles, fresh flowers, erotic music, dim lights and whatever else makes this space a welcoming environment.

Tantric Intimacy Exercises

Massaging is an excellent way to fuse your energies. It is important to work on developing new intimacy skills. Most importantly, use this time to communicate,sharing what you adore about each other. The idea is to help each partner feel loved and cherished. Fully focus on each other rather than on the goal of sex. In this way you can strengthen the bond of love and ignite passion.

Harmonize your breathing. Conscious breathing can be a powerful aid in sexual growth. Breathing exercises quiet the mind and help you focus on each other. As you gaze into your partner's eyes, take soft, but deep breaths. Keep your eyes open, gazing beyond the eyes, into the soul. Although this may feel awkward at first, sustained eye contact is essential for building intimacy, creating amorous adventures together, exploring new and creative ways to awaken each others bodies and minds. Then you will be ready for Tantric lovemaking.

Sources

Richardson, Diana. The Heart of Tantric Sex: A Unique Guide to Love and Sexual Fulfillment. Hampshire, UK: O Books, 2003.

Carrellas, Barbara. Urban Tantra: Sacred Sex for the Twenty-First Century. Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts, 2007.

Michaels, Mark A. Tantra for Erotic Empowerment: The Key to Enriching Your Sexual Life. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 2008.

Michaels, Mark A., and Patricia Johnson. The Essence of Tantric Sexuality. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 2006.

Mirdad, Michael. Sacred Sexuality: A Manual for Living Bliss. Mt. Airy, Maryland: Grail Foundation P, 2004.