Those experiencing a Tantra massage for the first time are often surprised at how often the masseuse refers to the breath. Not as an instruction but as an invitation: breathe in deeply, breathe out slowly, let the breath sink down into the stomach. There is a simple reason for this.
Holding or letting it flow
When aroused, most people unconsciously hold their breath. This concentrates the sensation in one place, making it rise quickly and fade quickly. If you keep breathing deeply instead, the sensation spreads throughout the whole body. It becomes broader, longer and calmer. That is exactly what Tantra massage aims for: not the summit, but the landscape.
Nothing to practise, only to allow
You do not need any skill for this. No breathing technique, no preparation. Your masseuse reminds you in the moments when you hold your breath, with a hand on your stomach or a word. If you allow it, you will notice after ten minutes that your thoughts grow quieter and your body louder. If you do not wish to allow it, that is fine too; the massage remains a good massage.
After the massage
Many guests tell us that after a Tantra massage they breathe differently, for hours, sometimes for days. Calmer, deeper, with more space. That is not magic but memory: the body has learned that it is safe to let go. You take that with you, into the meeting, into everyday life, into the next massage.
