hi ,

you can bring the energy up to the mind from the base and transform to the crown chakra. no supression only transformation .,

Fiona, I think there are two answers to your question.

First, there is the "common" explanation. To people who follow this idea, Tantra is about improving sex and making it last longer. Therefore, a Tantric massage has the goal of both enhancing sexual enjoyment, expanding upon the notion of what is sexual/sensual, focusing on the present moment, and extending the duration of a sexual experience. Unfortunately, in practical experience, for some practitioners and clients, a "Tantric Massage" is nothing more than a "rub and a tug," AKA a massage (often performed naked) with a "happy ending." It may include a gloved massage of the prostate in men and of the g-spot in women. That is, it may be a front for prostitution.

However, there is also an initiated explanation. The ancient Tantrics were aware of the energy flows of the body. Where the flows met, (known as "marmas") the body's psychospiritual energy could be directed and manipulated. There are massage techniques which directly manipulate the marmas for physical and emotional healing, along with moving the energy leading to enhanced spirituality. There are a few--a very few--books on the subject, and to find them you'd need to look at Indian or Tibetan book suppliers. I also have one book which specializes on just massage of the head. Frawley has a book on the marmas. I was taught some techniques of Tantric massage in workshops given years ago by Sunyata Saraswati, co-author of The Jewel In The Lotus.

And yes, an Indian monk who was aware of this knowledge eventually travelled to China and the Shaolin monastery, where he taught the information to the monks there. What he taught eventually became Chinese martial arts and Traditional Chinese medicine, although it must be added that the people of China vastly advanced both of those sciences in new directions.

Thai Yoga Massage* combined with some elements of Ayurvedic Massage are about as close as you can get to a formally taught practice that can be defined as "Tantric". The requirements, needs, wants, personal parameters of the client/receiver are evaluated. The masseur applies his art and knowledge to the highest standard for the indicated appropriate actions to take place. It helps if both the giver and receiver are tuned in to the same station. The massage is a form of shared meditation where both giver and receiver colaborate for the desired result.

Unfortunately, the sex industry has co-opted the term "Tantric Massage" and has redefined it to mean a sexual or a sexy massage often performed by untrained sex workers. In practice that will amount to a superficial backrub with a b.j. or handjob tacked on. And there are some higher proced massage salons that present "tantric massage" with a bit more artistry, a little more "class", employing some little knowledge of tantric terms, some "atmosphere",... and very much more expensive.. But these too show a lack of knowledge of anatomy, medicine, therapy, much less flow patterns of higher energies. You'd have to conclude that they too are a sham.

The term "tantric massage" has a bad name. To receive a tantric massage you'll have to look for it under other descriptions. Because the typical masseur today having some knowledge of the Tantric Science will be loath to have his good name associated with the public perception of "tantric massage".

* look for videos of Thai Yoga Massage at youtube.com to get more of an idea about how it operates.