What is a Yoni massage and how is it done?

Giving or getting a massage is one of the best ways to feel more comfortable with your body and understand what feels good for you. For those (with a vagina) who want to indulge in some very-intimate self-care, a Yoni massage—that focuses on the vulva, vagina, ovaries, and womb is a great way to release tension and achieve sexual pleasure. The word finds its origins in Sanskrit (it means vulva or vagina) and roughly translates to ‘sacred cave’ or ‘sacred space’. While you can get it from a professional Yoni massage practitioner, or from your partner, you could also learn how to do it yourself and give yourself a Yoni massage anytime you want. 

Here’s how to do it and the different techniques and positions that you can experiment with your partner.  

Prepare your mind, body, and space

While a Yoni massage is an act of the body, it’s important to approach it with an open mind and heart. Leave any preconceived notions about what you’ll feel aside, as they could interfere with the experience. Choose a comfortable space—whether on your bed or the floor—and consider setting the mood with candles, music, pillows, and blankets, while dimming the lights. Don’t rush in. Start with deep, slow, and audible breaths to center yourself. Sensual touch is a great way to prepare your body for the massage. Focus on the breasts, areola, and pelvic area, using gentle strokes on the thighs, hips, and lower abdomen to relax your muscles. Massage, touch, and explore these areas in ways that feel good to you.

Techniques

Start by lying down and slide one pillow under your back and another under your head. Bend the knees and slowly open the legs to expose the vagina. Gently begin massaging the vulva and surrounding areas. Take your time and move slowly and carefully. As far as the techniques go, you can either use your fingers in a circular motion or massage the labia and perineum area with your hands.

You can gently tug the clitoris between your index finger and thumb, pulling it away from the body. You can do the same with the inner and outer labia, or any other areas that feel comfortable. Another technique called the pushing and pulling method, involves applying gentle pressure to the clitoris with one or two fingers and pulling your fingers downward.

One of the more popular techniques involves making small circles around the clitoris, alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise motions while adjusting pressure. You could also try the rolling technique where you grasp the inner or outer labia between your middle finger and thumb, then move your fingers in opposite directions, as if snapping them together. Lastly, there’s cupping where you shape your hand into a ‘cup’ and move the hand in circles over the vagina with your palm. 

Positions

Along with the techniques mentioned above, you can try a host of positions during the massage, either solo or with your partner, to deepen sexual and emotional intimacy. The lotus position involves sitting cross-legged with your back straight and resting your hands and palms on your knees followed by breathing slowly. The same can be done with a partner where the other person sits on the other’s thighs and wraps their legs around them. Spooning is another popular position for this massage where the person receiving the massage should be the ‘little’ spoon. 

Post-massage care

After the massage, allow yourself or the recipient to cool down and relax. End with some light breathing exercises. If you’ve got your partner with you, do some aftercare in the form of cuddling, and speaking about the feelings and sensations experienced. 

Benefits of a Yoni massage

A Yoni massage promotes sexual healing by releasing tension in the pelvic area, much like how a neck, shoulder, or back massage alleviates tension in those areas. It increases blood flow and improves overall vaginal health. While orgasms are not the goal, they can occur during a Yoni massage. This practice also helps women reconnect with their bodies and develop a positive relationship with parts they may have been conditioned to shy away from, fostering awareness of how different areas respond to touch and stimulation.

Lead image: Netflix

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