title: Enriching the sexual experience of couples: the Asian traditions and sexual counseling.
abstract: Drawing from Hindu and Buddhist Tantric traditions, central themes reflecting Asian approaches to sexuality are described and contrasted with contemporary values, assumptions, and objectives implicit in both sexual experience and in the clinical practice of sexual counseling. The Tantric ceremonial sex ritual provides a fertile source for several innovative behavioral assignments useful in sexual counseling. Five exercises in intimacy derived from the ancient Tantric sex ritual are presented and suggested as home assignments for couples: the creation of a ritual, synchronized breathing, sustained eye contact, motionless intercourse, and sexual exchange without orgasm. Applications to intimacy development, sexual enhancement, and sexual counseling for couples are described, creating a broad and meaningful context for responding to clients' sexual concerns.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Doctoral Program, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco 94117.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Voigt
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D002016:Buddhism; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D009948:Orgasm; D012119:Respiration; D012731:Sex Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014110:Touch