Presence in Tantra massage

To be present – what does that mean?

To live a conscious and fulfilled life it is important to be present.
Being mentally present means that you fully engage with your surroundings and are attentive without getting caught up in thoughts about the past or the future due to external factors or internal distractions. Instead, focus on the present moment and what is happening.
This way you will be more aware of your senses – for example, the sensations in your body, sounds around you or the texture and taste of food.
When you are present, you can put yourself in a state of greater awareness and also enhance your mindfulness.

What does it mean to be present in tantra massage?

Being present in tantra massage requires a willingness to allow and explore new sensations and experiences. Being present here also means that you fully allow the present moment and that you are aware of your body, your sensations and feelings. It is about focusing fully on the physical and spiritual experience. In this way you come to deeper relaxation and increased awareness of your body.

What can I achieve when I receive a tantra massage in presence?

• a high level of relaxation,
• a deep connection with your masseuse – when you are present and aware of your body, you can communicate more clearly and concretely with your masseuse and ensure that the massage meets your needs,
• heightened sensory experience – you can enhance the massage experience and increase your enjoyment of the massage,
• your overall wellbeing can improve – massages have been shown to have physical and psychological benefits, such as reducing muscle tension, improving circulation and therefore reducing stress and anxiety.

Why should I be present in a massage as a masseuse?

By being present you can help to ensure that you are providing a high quality massage experience. This will also enhance your overall wellbeing and improve your skills.
When you are fully present and focused during the massage, you can better identify the needs of your recipients and tailor the massage accordingly.
In this way you achieve:
• a deeper effectiveness of the massage,
• greater satisfaction – your recipients feel connected to you during the massage,
• improved body mechanics for you – if you are aware of your own body during the massage, you can avoid overloads or injuries.

How can I come into presence?

Being and staying in the present is always a challenge. However, there are several strategies that can help you.

• mindful breathing: Breathe in slowly and deeply and concentrate on how the air flows in and out of your body. This calms your mind and allows you to anchor yourself in the present moment.
• focused attention: Pay attention to what is happening in the present moment.
The giving or receiving of the massage, the sound of music in the background or the sensation of the air on your skin.
• activate your senses: Use all your senses to fully allow the massage experience, feel into your body, pay attention to sounds, smells and feelings.
• avoid distractions: Turn off your phone, let emerging thoughts pass and focus on the massage.
• relaxation methods: Practice relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, visualisation or even meditation in preparation for the massage to reduce tension and stress.

Supportive meditations

In the following section I would like to recommend some meditations that can help you to come into presence. Meditation can help you to focus your attention on the here and now. You train your mind to focus on the present moment. For any form of meditation, find a quiet place and lie or sit comfortably. Make sure you are not disturbed for a set time.

• Mindfulness meditation: Focus your attention on the present moment and observe your thoughts, feelings and sensations without judging them. In this way you increase your awareness of the present moment and are able to be less distracted.
• Body scan meditation: Focus your attention on different parts of your body, from your toes to the top of your head. This can help improve your body awareness and anchor you in the present moment.
• Breath awareness meditation: Here you focus your attention on your breath, following its rhythm and observing any sensations or thoughts that arise. This calms the mind and increases concentration on the present moment.
• Micromeditation: Concentrate on your breath. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Notice how the air flows in and out of your body. Observe your thoughts and when you start to drift off, focus again on your breath.

Only a few minutes are needed to practise these meditations; repeat them several times a day.
Thus prepared, your presence can also become a natural part of the massage experience.