Selfcare & Sexual Wellness

Tantric Sex is more than an orgasm

Tantra is an art that teaches us to live in harmony with reality, it being the most pleasurable form of meditation possible. It is difficult to determine the origin of tantra, as it has been around for thousands of years, but we do know that the ancient practice originated in Hinduism and Buddhism. History says that tantra is about awareness, mindfulness, and connection.
After Tantric sex, with the achievement of spiritual ecstasy, for a long time, you will feel as if renewed, rejuvenated, vigorous and energetic. Sex will turn into bliss.

What’s the philosophy of Tantric Sex?
The meaning of Tantric philosophy is to achieve the spiritual and physical harmony of partners, as a result of which a “tantra-couple” is formed. The couple will feel much closer to God, than each of the partners separately. First, you need to deal with an environment in which you would be comfortable and a place to give you the feeling of freedom. No one should disturb your peace. It is advisable to turn on soft, calm music, dim the lights, and light incense.

Energy exchange
The energy exchange of two bodies, in accordance with Tantra, is possible only if the partners are fully concentrated on sex and its long duration, so the main thing in Tantric sex is the ability to delay ejaculation and maintain an erection for a long time. It turns out that Tantric sex is not so much an orgasm of the body, but rather an orgasm of the soul.

The poses
The poses for tantra are sex yoga exercises, and the process of making love should be taken as meditation. Orgasm in tantra is not the goal, it may not occur at all. Tantric sex is very sensual and slow, it implies the complete merging of partners in order to obtain energy. Each movement must be felt to the end. Fast movements are not suitable for this type of sex, as are standard poses like doggy style.

Breathing is the key
Use Tantric breathing exercises to guide your “Kundalini” through your “chakras”. Kundalini is known as sexual energy that is believed to remain dormant in the body until it is awakened when it spreads from the base of the spine to the top of the head through the body’s energy centers (chakras). Tantra lovers use meditation, touch, breath and visualization to awaken and stimulate the flow of their sexual energy.

Process
To tune into a partner, you need to synchronize your breathing. Both, you and him should breathe slowly and deeply, so that your hearts beat in the same rhythm. Get as close as possible to the partner, adjust to his breathing, listen to his heartbeat. Each touch can bring more pleasure than classical sex. The leading role at this stage belongs to you. In this state, you may “wake up” unexpected erogenous zones.

There are six stages of Tantric sex:

You can start by taking a walk or meditation, a light breakfast, however, the most important is affection and compliments.
This stage is about the environment – preparation of the room, taking a shower, turning off devices,
Tantric Sex can’t work without relaxation of the body and thoughts. It is essential to enter a “thoughtlessness” state of mind, or it can also be a type of emptiness. This stage is about giving each other a light massage, light aromatic lamps, and candles. Keep looking into each other’s eyes, to create the connection, and of course, you can kiss.
The prelude to sex! This is about adjusting your breathing in order to feel the body of the partner and enter into a single rhythm. A good exercise would be to inhale and exhale in turn. You can also try exploring different positions without penetration, in order to understand your needs and desires.
Fusion! This is the loooongest stage, which can last from hours to days. The best option is to start with the spoon pose. Then you can continue with the lotus position. This ain’t the last stage! First, the man enters into the woman “incompletely”, by touching her labia and gradually increasing the depth of entry.
Relaxation. The sixth stage is relaxation. Unlike regular sex, when partners jump out of bed immediately after orgasm, in tantra it is very important to relax properly and continue caresses even after the “boom”.

When making love, make sure you are completely liberated. There’s nothing wrong if you feel to cry, scream, or moan during sexual ecstasy. Smoothly transitions, slow movements, effortlessly, also smoothly transitions from one movement to another, will make the process magic. The longer you make love, the more pleasant and stronger the orgasm is. Both you and he should have only one orgasm at the very end of the session, and it can be very strong.
As soon as you feel the orgasm is close, the advice is to stop the process without removing the penis from the vagina, and just wait until the excitement passes. It’s about learning how to delay orgasm.

Tantra is harmony, unity, a deep connection, creativity, and inspiration, as well, a special vision of love, sincerity. We can talk for a long time about Tantric sex. Better yet, try it and share your impressions! Read more articles here

Selfcare & Sexual Wellness

Legal to Sell, Illegal to Buy: The Paradox of France’s Prostitution Law

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Thursday ruled that France’s criminalization of the sale and purchase of sexual acts/prostitution does not constitute a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Case Overview

The case, M.A. and Others v France was ruled unanimously. 261 applicants complained against Law no. 2016-444 of 13 April 2016, which aimed at criminalizing prostitution in France. This law intended to “strengthen the fight against the prostitution system and provide support to prostituted individuals.” Applicants relied on Articles 2, 3, and 8 of the ECHR for their case. These individuals argued that criminalizing the purchase of sexual acts affects the physical and mental integrity of individuals who commonly participate in prostitution and violates their right to private life, personal autonomy, and sexual freedom.

Legal Reasoning

The Court judged the applicants’ complaint principally based on Article 8 ECHR, which refers to the right to respect for everyone’s private and family life. According to the official document, interference with this right is unacceptable except when done “in accordance with the law and as is necessary for a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being.” The French Government submitted that the aim of Law no. 2016-444 was “combatting prostitution rings and human-trafficking networks,” which the Court considered a legitimate aim within the meaning of Article 8 ECHR.

Ethical Considerations and International Consensus

During the judgment, the ECtHR also referred to the moral and ethical “sensitivity” of the problems linked with prostitution. It specified the lack of consensus among the European and international community on how to address prostitution correctly. Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, in 2023, commented on French Law no. 2016-444. The Special Rapporteur argued in favor of the comprehensive approach taken by the law, stating:

“Far from ensuring access to the rights guaranteed by articles 2, 3, and 8 of the ECHR, the potential repeal of the criminalization of the purchase of sexual acts would further expose the most discriminated women and girls, who are the overwhelming majority in the sex trade, to the control, violence, and inhumane and degrading treatment of trafficking networks and sex buyers.”

Legal to Sell, Illegal to Buy

French law presents an unusual dynamic where it is legal to sell sex but illegal to buy it. This approach aims to reduce demand for prostitution while protecting those who may be forced into selling sex due to economic hardship or coercion. The logic is that by targeting buyers, the law reduces the market for prostitution, thereby decreasing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

Ongoing Debate

Despite this ruling, the criminalization of prostitution remains a heated debate with conflicting opinions. The ECtHR held that France had not overstepped its discretion and did not violate Article 8 of the Convention. However, it emphasized the duty of the French Government to constantly review its legislation and amend the law as European and international standards evolve on the matter.

Conclusion

The ruling underscores the complexity of addressing prostitution through legal means. While France’s approach aims to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals, it also faces criticism and demands for ongoing scrutiny and adjustment. The dichotomy of legalizing the sale but criminalizing the purchase of sex continues to be a contentious and ethically sensitive issue, reflecting broader global debates on the most effective and humane ways to handle prostitution.

Source: jurist.org

Selfcare & Sexual Wellness

Le Shaw teams up with Woodhull Freedom Foundation to champion sexual rights and freedom

Le Shaw, the International Sexual Health and Wellness Research Institute, is thrilled to announce its new collaboration with the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, an organization dedicated to advocating for sexual freedom as a fundamental human right. Named after suffragist Victoria Woodhull, the foundation focuses on challenging sexual repression and advocating for the rights and freedoms of all individuals.

Through this partnership, le Shaw will support Woodhull’s mission with its research capabilities and commitment to sex-positive principles. Their joint efforts will advance the dialogue around sexual rights, promote a culture of sexual liberation and human dignity, and help build a more equitable and informed society.

Bobbi Bidochka, Director of le Shaw, was excited to start working together: “The Woodhull Freedom Foundation’s commitment to sexual freedom resonates deeply with our mission at le Shaw. Together, we will work to dismantle the barriers of sexual repression and promote a more inclusive and respectful understanding of sexual rights as fundamental human rights.”

For more information about le Shaw and its partnership with the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, please contact [email protected].

Latest News

Etsy Bans Adult Toys and Accessories

Etsy, the popular e-commerce platform, will no longer allow the sale of adult toys and sexual accessories. The company announced this policy change in a recent memo, sparking frustration and anger among its loyal vendors. Starting July 29, Etsy will remove listings for sex toys such as dildos, vibrators, and similar products, as well as items depicting sexual acts, genitalia, or sexually charged slogans related to familial relationships like “daddy” or “mommy.”

Alice Wu, head of Etsy’s trust and safety team, stated the policy was updated to “keep our users safe.” However, vendors have criticized the decision as “lazy” and a “crushing disappointment.”

“The ban will essentially close the doors of many handmade makers in the adult toy realm like ourselves,” said Preston Stevenson, an Etsy vendor, in an interview with The Guardian. For small shops like his, which have invested significant time on Etsy, the 30 days’ notice is insufficient to transition to a new platform with similar traffic and exposure.

Stevenson and his partner Laura Norden, who have been selling handmade sex toys since 2018, expressed concern that their site traffic will not recover if they move to another platform. “Bans like this one further the idea that sexual health and pleasure are taboo or something to be ashamed of,” he added. “It has broader impacts on society as a whole.”

Alexandra Houston, founder of the UK-based fetish apparel platform Charmskool, criticized Etsy for catering to the mass market instead of remaining loyal to its users. “Etsy wants anything creative as long as it is beige and middle of the road. It doesn’t want anything risqué anymore,” Houston told The Guardian, noting an increase in former Etsy vendors migrating to Charmskool.

Simply Elegant Glass, another affected vendor, penned an open letter to Etsy on Twitter, condemning the company for its “lazy solution” under the guise of community safety. “Protecting children from adult content is a noble interest, and we agree it should be pursued. But that’s not what you’re doing here, is it?” the vendor wrote, arguing that a blanket ban is an easy fix for non-compliance issues Etsy created. “It’s a solution that targets buyer retention and appeases investors and advertisers.”

The transition to other platforms is complicated by many payment processors’ refusal to work with vendors advertising adult toys. Anna, founder of Simply Elegant Glass, told the BBC she feels “betrayed” by Etsy’s new policies. “As creators who have helped make Etsy what it is and remained loyal for years, we feel betrayed,” she said, advocating for explicit labeling of sexual products rather than an outright ban.

According to Anna, a large portion of their profits came from Etsy sales, and moving to a new e-commerce site would be like starting from scratch. Other vendors echoed her concerns, worried that new platforms may not generate enough income.

“It’s like having your house burnt down,” Houston said, reflecting on the difficulties of establishing a new business presence after relying on Etsy for years.

This decision by Etsy is not only a business challenge for vendors but also raises questions about societal views on sexual health and pleasure. Many see the ban as a step backward, reinforcing outdated taboos and stigmas.
This decision by Etsy is not only a business challenge for vendors but also raises questions about societal views on sexual health and pleasure. Many see the ban as a step backward, reinforcing outdated taboos and stigmas.

Source: BBC