Tantra, or tantric massage,[1] is a form of erotic massage, which incorporates elements from the neotantric movement in the Western world. The word Tantra refers to an esoteric yogic tradition that was first developed in India from the middle of the 1st millennium CE. Tantric massage focuses on the primary erogenous zones of the body, such as the mouth, the phallus (penis), the vagina, and the anus.[2] [3] [4]
According to the Tantric Massage Association, Tantra massage was developed in the 1980s by Andro Andreas Rothe, founder of Diamond Lotus Tantra Lounge, the first Tantra institute in Germany (1977).[5]
A tantric massage client, or receiver, is not a giver. It is their responsibility to accept the massage and yield to the rediscovering of senses, feelings, and emotions. As people come to resolve issues related to relationships, self-esteem, and sexual life, the process is designed to combine a sense of well-being with deep relaxation.[5] [6]
According to the Tantric Massage Association Berlin, tantra massage is based on ideas taken from the work of Wilhelm Reich, Carl Jung, Carl Rogers and Alexander Lowen. Other sources of inspiration included the work of Mantak Chia, Joseph Kramer - who developed the "Lingam massage" (origin of the word Lingam is Sanskrit in which it means organ) and "Taoist Erotic Massage" - and Annie Sprinkle, who developed the "Yoni massage".[5]