words: Nicci

Yoni is the Sanskrit word for female genitalia, and having an Ayurvedic therapist massage it is the latest kinky health craze. Scarlet reporter Nicci booked in a session to find out
what all the fuss was about...

I sometimes have a problem with vaginismus (a condition where the vaginal muscles go into spasm during intercourse, making sex painful) so I decided to try yoni massage, a spiritual form of vaginal massage that can help with sexual blocks or trauma. I found my therapist (Dave) via Tantra sites on the net, and had several chats with him. He trained in Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka and now practises Tantra therapy. The treatment would cost £40 and he reassured me I'd enjoy the experience and that it would help ease painful sex.

The session would take two hours and would begin with rituals to create a sacred environment with candles and music prior to the massage. It's not goal-orientated, so the aim isn't to have an orgasm, although if you do it's likely to be "more intense than usual". I quite liked the idea of being pampered for a couple of hours and booked a hotel room for the session. We also discussed whether or not I wanted him naked or clothed during the treatment. I don't have a problem with naturism - at least I'd know if he was getting turned on by the experience - so I said "naked, please" and as it turned out he didn't get hard.

Pre-massage, I opted for a little spanking (it gets me in the mood) and an enema to detox me. Dave also recommends enema for hygiene purposes before anal play, and he asked me to shave my bits beforehand to make them easier to massage and to enhance the sensation for me. After undressing and bathing me he asked me to lie on my side for the enema (done the old-fashioned way with a pipe, soap and water). This would clean me out, and some women find it a turn-on. Not in my case. Once the fluid was in my bowels he turned me onto my stomach to massage my intestines and told me to try and hold it in for a while. I think I lasted about two minutes before nature took its course. Afterwards, my stomach felt much flatter and lighter, and I've noticed that my skin has been much clearer since.

Pre-massage, I opted for a little spanking (it gets me in the mood) and an enema to detox me.

Next came the body massage, and although I was relaxed I could've done with some music to help me zone out. I could hear people walking around outside my room, which didn't help. For the yoni massage, I lay on my back with a pillow under my head and my knees bent so I could see what he was doing. We'd been chatting up to this point but I stopped talking, closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing deeply. He used plenty of lube and started by gently massaging my mound, labia and clitoris, varying the strokes and pressure until he worked out what I liked.

Once I'd relaxed he massaged internally, using two fingers to work my G-spot area and varying the depth, speed and pressure. After a while he put his little finger in my anus and carried on massaging my clit. It felt good but it took me a while to relax into it. He was very gentle and nurturing, working with me to see what turned me on, then we took a couple of breaks and I used my Rabbit vibe, which I'd brought with me, on my clit for a bit. I guess I wasn't in the right frame of mind to come - probably because the situation was a little unusual. It's weird being that intimate with someone you don't fancy or want to kiss and cuddle, and for me, having an orgasm is tied into all that. I think I was still in journalist mode; wanting to record the experience rather than fully letting myself go.

Despite that I did enjoy it and afterwards felt energised, very relaxed and in tune with my body. Yoni massage is extended foreplay, and I reckon if you can teach your partner how to do it you will definitely expand your sex life.

Prices for yoni massage vary. For further info email Dave Dias, Tantric and Ayurvedic therapist, at Mstrtherapy@aol.com