The science of Tantra has two main branches — ‘vama marga’ and ‘dakshina marga’. The former is the left-sided path, which combines sexual life with yogic practices in order to explore the dormant energy centres, namely ‘Kundalini’, ‘chakras’ and ‘nadis’. ‘Dakshina marga’ is the right-sided path that encourages sexual abstinence.

According to Tantra, sexual life has a threefold purpose. Some practise it for procreation, others for pleasure, but a Tantric ‘yogi’ practises it to achieve ‘samadhi’. He or she doesn’t hold any negative views about Tantric sex, practises it as a part of his or her ‘sadhana’ or spiritual exercise but at the same time, realises that for spiritual purposes, the orgasm must be maintained. Ordinarily, this experience is lost before one is able to deepen it. By mastering certain techniques, however, this experience can become continuous.

One may find the sensory door easier to follow than others. Start with this door and gradually expand to open the hidden aspects of every sense. This will open into super-consciousness. The more sensitive one is, the more alive, alert, and intelligent one becomes.

Tantric massage is, literally a full-body experience, which focuses on aspects of the person that perhaps a regular massage doesn’t give time or energy to. An example of one area that a tantric massage gives a lot of attention to is the balancing of the chakras. These are seven energy vortexes that lie in and around the body which are considered in Tantra to have a major influence on the well-being of a person. It is considered that if the chakras are balanced, aligned and vibrant then not only can a person’s health be restored to a balanced state, but their sexual energy will begin to flow naturally.

Tantra’s Multiple Benefits

* Tantra helps in improving the quality of sex life in general, physically, mentally and spiritually.
* Tantra helps women to explore their sexual potential to the fullest. There are various tantric postures and techniques involving breathing and concentration, through which the ability to have prolonged as well multiple orgasms could be enhanced.
* It helps to deal with the problem of weak erections and premature ejaculation in men. Various tantric techniques of strengthening the pelvic muscles, erectile tissue and developing the sphincter control can help correct the problem.
* It addresses the problem of lack or loss of libido in both men and women.

Tantric Intimacy Exercises

Use ritual to develop intimacy: This may be something as simple as feeding each other delicious foods or sharing a glass of wine in the nude. Take time to wash each other with loving care. Water relaxes the body and is a symbol of sexuality. Massaging each other is also an excellent way to fuse your energies.

Harmonise your breathing: Conscious breathing can be a powerful aid in sexual growth.
Try this exercise: Sit quietly, cross-legged, facing each other. Gaze into your partner’s eyes, take soft, but deep breaths. Although this may feel awkward at first, sustained eye contact is essential for building intimacy.

Experiment with erotic touch to fully appreciate your partner: Share your desires in an encouraging way, making requests in a clear and loving manner.

Ask your lover to caress any erogenous zone, encouraging him or her to apply more or less pressure, to stroke in a specific pattern, to use the tongue, etc. Thank your lover and let him or her know with words or sounds that you are enjoying this sensual touch.