An older idea, kept simple.
I'm Antonio. I've been practising massage since 1995, and I opened The Workshop in Royston, Hertfordshire in 2011. Tantric massage, in my opinion, is a slow, full-body naturist massage given in a quiet room by someone who knows what they're doing. There's a lot of overstylised writing about it elsewhere; I'd rather just describe what actually happens here. People sometimes ask where the line is between this and an ordinary naturist massage, so there's a separate page on how tantric and naturist massage differ.
Like writing poetry.
I get asked a lot what a tantric massage involves, and the honest answer is that it's different for everyone.
The therapists here have been with me a long time. We work by reading how you react on the table — and in reality, you don't realise you're reacting. It's the little signals the body gives away. The session will usually follow your reaction.
It's a bit like writing beautiful poetry, with your body as the guide.
Tantra isn't this or that. Two people having the same length session with the same therapist will have taken something quite different from it, because what you bring to the table shapes how the massage feels.
After thirty years and thousands of clients, I believe this to be true. After all, we are all unique, as the saying goes. Or, the way I like to say it — I'm unique, just like you.
Tears, sometimes.
Tantric massage can surface emotion. It tends to be quiet rather than dramatic: a few tears for no reason you can name, an old tightness in the chest letting go, sometimes laughter, sometimes nothing at all. The therapists here are familiar with it and slow down or stop until you're ready to carry on. It isn't the goal of the session, but it's one of the things that can happen when the body is given an hour or two of slow, undivided attention.
More on this in what a first tantric session is like, which goes into what tends to surface and how the session is held when it does.
Who you'll be working with
The day-to-day rota is a small group of female therapists: Jessica, Roxanne, Sophia, Maria, Cindy, Scarlett and Lilly. Most have been at The Workshop for years.
I run the spa and provide the couples tuition; I'm not on the daily rota. If you'd like a session with me by name, or you're a couple who'd prefer a male and female pair, that's usually possible with a day or two's notice. Just mention it when you call.
There are four treatment rooms, all properly set up: full-size tables, warm soft lighting, real privacy. One is larger than the others and has two tables side by side; that's the room used for couples sessions. The couples version of this treatment has its own page, couples tantric massage.
“A first visit for me last Saturday and it will not be my last, a really enjoyable tantric massage expertly given. The staff are friendly and helpful with even a cup of tea afterwards – highly recommend.”
Google review
How it differs from the others
The biggest difference between the treatments here is pace. If you're not sure which suits you:
The slowest of the four. Long even strokes, plenty of room around each one. From 45 minutes; 60 or 90 is the more typical choice.
Firmer, more directed. The right choice if you're stiff from training or a desk and want the knots worked out.
A steady working pace, somewhere between the other two. Covers similar ground without the slowness of tantric.
Two therapists working on one person. Can be given at a tantric pace if you ask for that.
If you're coming as a couple, you each receive your own preferred treatment in the larger room with two tables. Separate rooms is also an option. See the couples tantric page.
Worth knowing before you call
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1
Sessions start at 45 minutes
60 or 90 is the more typical first visit. The slower pace genuinely needs the extra time for a proper impact.
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2
Booking is by phone or WhatsApp
The Workshop is by appointment only; we don't run an online booking system. Matching a customer with the right therapist and room takes a short conversation, rather than a calendar click.
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3
Arrive five or ten minutes early
That's plenty. Unless you'd like to use the sauna, then thirty minutes earlier, would be perfect.
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4
Towels, sauna, showers and a hot drink, filtered water, are all included
Bring flip flops if you'd rather not walk barefoot from the room to the shower.