TANTRA vs. TRAUMA

Massage can also help release trauma stored in the body. When the therapist knows how to create a safe space, it can support the healing process of the recipient. It is not so much that the therapist cures the recipient, but rather that he supports the healing process.

In this regard, surrendering to a safe space is a big part of the healing benefits of tantra massage. “Safe” is that the therapist is a therapist and not a lover. Interacting with a lover is different than interacting with a therapist. Lovers exchange energy (and actually also engage in a complex web of energetic karma ties).

A well-trained therapist, on the other hand, simply maintains an open space. He can observe the energy flow of the client, but does not engage with it or exchange energy with. This allows the recipient to surrender in a deeper way and access deep levels of vulnerability. Engaging with a client in their vulnerable state would be a violation on the part of the therapist, and it is wise to find a massage therapist with clear boundaries on this issue.

In terms of energy, a good tantra massage is when the therapist can facilitate the ascent of energy throughout the body. This is called “sublimation” or full-body ecstasy. It is one of the main focuses of tantric practice, as it results in the use of total energy to enhance states of meditation and bliss. Tantra massage is actually a great way to learn this, but it can only be learned from a practitioner who knows how to work with energy in this way.