Naturist Massages

Before I move onto eastern massages I am going to talk about what are called ‘Naturist Massages’ because the issues raised here will surface again with  eastern massages. Naturist massages reference the clothes being worn by clients and masseurs or masseuse. Men and women booking a Swedish, Deep Tissue or Sports may expect to undress down to underwear and will know their therapist will remain professionally clothed. Even in these massages men in particular, may remove underwear rather than get oil onto them but the boundaries here remain very clear.

There are massages where masseurs or masseuse might advertise that they can offer massage in clothes that are not standard professional wear like briefs, speedos, jockstrap, g-string etc or where both of them are naked. Some of this might link to fetishes and kinks which I will discuss much later on in this blog. Naturist massages suggest both are naked and without a clearly defined massage that has been developed over time we enter a situation where boundaries have not been defined and established by a culture or a recognised organisation. This is where agreement and consent are essential if both client and masseur are to be safe and happy. There cannot be a more vulnerable situation than being naked in the hands of what might be a complete stranger. A masseur working naked must know they might be touched. Is that ok and what touch is ok. This is where the Wheel of Consent comes into play.

Betty Martin’s talk on YouTube is excellent or website - https://www.artofconsent.co.uk/wheel-of-consent     .

When it comes to touch there is a circle with 4 quadrants. Who is doing the touching? For whose benefit is the touching happening? As a masseur the client gives me permission to touch them for their benefit and pleasure. They are not giving me permission to touch their body for my pleasure, although in another time and place they could. Likewise, if as a masseur I am happy when naked to be touched for whose benefit or pleasure is that? Does the client get pleasure from touching me or do they imagine that what they are doing is giving me pleasure.

What is clear is that in any massage where there is deviation from standard accepted practice it is essential that practitioners spell out exactly what is on offer and establish boundaries. Likewise, the client needs to ask or be reassured that their understanding of what is being offered is correct, find out what will happen and what could possibly  happen if there is something they would like. I always make it clear if I do anything they don’t feel comfortable with they should just say and that the reverse applies if they were to do anything to me I didn’t want I would tell them.

Are these issue you have encountered and had problems with? Share with us if you have.