In our blog series, where we look behind the scenes of massage or tantra providers, you also come across associations that care about principles, the lobby work or even training. This article is about the Swiss Tantra Massage Association, in german: "Förderverein Tantramassage Schweiz" (FVTM). Vice president Christian has agreed to an interview where he answers questions about the association, Tantra in general as well as the different tantric offers.
Don (Massage123): Namasté Christian, why or out of what motivation was the association founded?
The association originates from the idea of the owners of the "Bodywork Center". Among other things, tantra massage taster evenings, introductory courses and professional trainings are offered there. Annually, so many people go through these courses, but then lose themselves again, because there was no platform to exchange, meet, educate and develop. The FVTM was founded in 2015 and wants to remedy this shortcoming on the one hand, but on the other hand to bring the value of tantra massages to the public and to advocate for social acceptance of tantra massages.
Thus, actually nothing else than for example a book club, where like-minded people come together...
The purpose of the association goes clearly beyond that. Among other things, it promotes an unencumbered reputation for tantric massage in Switzerland. It explains the essence of this massage and ensures unbiased acceptance of tantric massages, which are performed according to the principles of the association and the goals of the WHO for sexual health.
The association also offers information on training and, of course, the opportunity for personal exchange among themselves. The association also offers orientation possibilities to outsiders regarding trainings or the activity as a Tantra masseuse or masseur. And it informs interested people about the offer of tantra massage practices.
However, it should be mentioned that we are not a "Tantra specialist". We are based in Neo-Tantra and primarily in Tantra massages. Tantra itself is not primarily concerned with touch and sexuality.
Maybe a short sentence about the members?
Meanwhile the association has about 350 members, primarily in the German part of Switzerland. They are divided into 42% women and 58% men.
Not bad at all for small Switzerland. Who can become a member? What are the advantages for members?
Membership is open to all people who are at least 18 years old. With their membership they support the aims of the association and commit themselves to follow the principles of the association in tantric massages.
Advantages are the networking of all members, the possibility to visit regulars' tables organized by FVTM (they are open to all). Then there is the possibility for members to attend info or massage exchange events where they can practice their massage skills (giving as well as receiving) themselves. The FVTM website also offers a lot of information about "Tantra Massage".
If someone is interested in offering tantra massages themselves, can the association help? If so, how?
The FVTM offers on its website a list of institutes where a comprehensive professional tantra massage training can be completed. In terms of the requirements for such training, the FVTM follows those of the Tantra Massage (Professional) Association of Germany (TMV), whose goals, like those of the FVTM, are to ensure that its members or providers of tantra massage are solidly trained.
As a portal, Massage123 is also available and active in other countries. Tantric massages are offered in many countries. Is an internationalization of the FVTM, e.g. to Germany or Austria an option?
For the time being there are no plans for internationalization. Contrary to its name, the radius of action of the FVTM is limited to the German-speaking part of Switzerland and surrounding German-speaking regions, although the association knows no geographical boundaries, e.g. when carrying out tantric massage exchanges.
How do you see the position/acceptance of tantra as a service in Switzerland and in society in general?
A tantric massage is considered prostitution in Switzerland because it meets the four legal requirements:
- Sexual act: touching genitals is considered a sexual act.
- Use of one's own body: Only the hands of the person giving the massage count.
- For pleasure: It is assumed that tantric massages are exclusively for pleasure, which absolutely does not have to be the case.
- Against payment: that is, against a fee.
Although prostitution is a legal trade, it is socially stigmatized. We would like to bring tantric massages (which are performed according to the association's principles) out of this corner. Media coverage of tantric massages gives society a clearer picture of this type of massage and thus increases its acceptance. Constant dripping wears away the stone.
Does the woman or man on the street understand what Tantra is?
Not necessarily, it remains the case that many people have no idea what "tantra" and "tantric massage" are. Both terms are unprotected and are often also used as a symbol of sensuality, eroticism as well as to cover up clear and unambiguous red light offers. The FVTM tries to achieve a differentiation in this regard without stigmatizing the red light.
At least, the acceptance and knowledge about tantric massages is slowly increasing. There is always information about this kind of massage in the magazines or on TV and this is mostly benevolent. The education about the nature of tantra massage also contributes to its acceptance.
What belongs to a tantric massage and what does not?
The principles of the association say that for professional massages sexual and oral intercourse are excluded. The tantra massage providers of the FVTM adhere to this. This clarity ensures that tantra massage providers recommended by the FVTM are approached by a clientele that has understood the essence of tantra massage rather than people looking for sex or quick relaxation. The individual offering massage can customize the massage within these boundaries.
What is the FVTM's position on red tantra, that is, a tantric ritual involving union?
As mentioned, the principles of the FVTM exclude sexual intercourse as well as oral sex and thus red tantra as well as the Maituna ritual in professional tantric massages.
A tantric union ritual is celebrated over days and hours and is something very special that has hardly any place in a commercial offer and is rather performed in the context of personal encounters, courses or retreats. If "tantric rituals with union" of one or two hours are offered, this may be beautiful and intense, but has, so my insinuation, hardly anything to do with what it is named after. In short: Those offering FVTM do not offer red tantra, but are well aware of the value of such a ritual.
What are the typical quality features you should look for when you are looking for an authentic - or as you call it - professional tantra massage?
Of course, the offers of our members are a good starting point. A tantra massage is authentic when the person giving it is authentic. If she manages to create a sensual space in which it is possible for the receiving person to be herself, to unfold, to feel herself, perhaps to discover something new in the touches and to get to know herself and her own emotions. Of course, sexual horizons can also be expanded in the process. This expansion, this learning should be experienced and enjoyed by the receiving person as enrichment.
