Tantra is one of the most spiritual and energetic approaches to sex and life. But before you think it involves out-of-this-world flexibility and awkward positions, our sex and love expert Jacqueline Hellyer insists it's easy enough for all of us to get involved.
So, if you want to know the secret path to endless orgasms and extended love making sessions with your partner, we suggest you read on and learn how to do it (pun intended!).
FOUR GREAT EXERCISES FOR BEGINNERS
YAB YUM
This is the classic position for circulating energy between you. Try it with both the penis in and out. A great position for simply connecting, breathing together, and for circulating energy if you’re doing those practices. Also great for exploring the valleys, see below.
DAILY DEVOTION
Lying in spoon position, every day for a week come together, penis in vagina, for five to 10 minutes. Just lying there, breathing together. No movement, maybe the odd vaginal squeeze. Feel what happens.
WOMAN-LED VALLEY EXPLORATION
This is a great position for exploring the valleys of sex. The man completely relaxes and receives, which makes it easier for him to be less penis-focused and focus on spreading the energy throughout his body so he lasts longer. The woman can play with subtle movements up and down, back and forth, and particularly round and round, squeezing her vagina, feeling the exquisite sensations that start at the genitals and expand through the body. Try holding back so that you don’t speed up, and let the exquisiteness build to an unbearable, whole-body orgasm (quite possibly mutual).
EYES WIDE ORGASM
Try this – when you’re orgasming, keep your eyes open and look into your partner’s eyes as you come.
A TANTRIC ENERGY SEQUENCE
Sit facing each other either cross-legged or on straight-backed chairs with feet flat on the floor and knees touching. Hands in your lap. Each stage can last as long as you like, start with a couple of minutes each. Unless stated, each stage can be done with your eyes open or closed.
STAGE 1: Close your eyes and smile gently, feeling your energy and awareness sinking into your abdomen and pelvis. Slow your breathing and breathe from low down in your torso.
STAGE 2: After a couple of minutes, place your left hand on the centre of your chest, and right hand over the left. This is your heart energy centre. Imagine the love energy burning bright there.
STAGE 3: Then place your right hand over your own genitals, keeping your left on your heart. Imagine a flow of energy from heart to genitals and back up again, balancing the love and lust energies.
STAGE 4: Bring your right hand back to your hear, open your eyes and look into your partner’s eyes for a few minutes. (You may feel like giggling, which is fine, just don’t look away.)
STAGE 5: Now keep your left hand on your heart and place your right hand on your partner’s left hand on their heart. Imagine the love energies passing between you.
STAGE 6: Move your right hand to your partner’s genitals. Imagine the energies circulating between your heart and their genitals.
STAGE 7: Optional more advanced technique: imagine the energy flowing in a figure of eight – your heart to his genitals to his heart to your genitals to your heart, for a few minutes; then reverse the flow.
STAGE 8: Remove your hands and simply hold each other’s hands in your laps.
STAGE 9: Embrace.
Want to know more about Tantra? Jacqueline offers an in-depth look into her world.
