From Freud to Taoism & Tantra - For Beginners

Integrating Sexual Therapy into Luxury Wellness - easy to read version

What if the future of luxury wellness lay hidden in the past, buried in ancient philosophies and practices that most modern spas have overlooked?

The founder of Forbidden Yoga invites the leaders of the wellness world to explore a radical new direction—one that integrates the insights of Sigmund Freud, Chinese Taoism, and Indian Tantra into an innovative approach to sexual therapy and holistic healing.

Imagine Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, transplanted into today’s wellness industry. How much would his hourly rate be if he were working for a luxury resort in Asia? How much did he charge in Vienna? His approach, examining the human psyche through the lens of fetishes, obsessions, perversions, and fixations, would certainly challenge the norms of today’s super clean spa offerings.

Would such an approach, centered on understanding the deeper motivations behind human desire, seem out of step with today’s wellness offerings, or could it bring a fresh perspective that challenges our understanding of what true healing entails?

Let’s turn the clock back further, drawing parallels between Freud’s exploration of the unconscious mind and ancient Eastern practices that harness sexual energy—known in Chinese as “ching” (精). It represents the sexual energy or essence that contributes to spiritual and emotional well-being and, ultimately, the attainment of immortality, mirroring the Indian notion of Moksha—liberation from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth.

But could this all be dismissed as spiritual nonsense, or is there something here that we are missing?

Freud’s theories in Totem and Taboo discuss the origins of guilt and shame surrounding human sexuality, dating back to the prehistoric murder of a primal father and the subsequent act of cannibalism. Consider: Are these ancient fears and taboos still influencing our attitudes today? Could the very shame and guilt many experience around their own sexuality be traced back to these primitive human behaviors? In a world obsessed with wellness, could understanding these origins reveal hidden pathways to true psychological and spiritual healing?

The exploration continues by questioning whether the very foundations of current wellness offerings are adequate. Is it enough to offer therapies like abdominal massage or basic Tantric Yoni/Lingam bodywork, or must we look deeper into the philosophies that guide these practices? True healing requires not just surface-level treatments but a profound understanding of the spaces in which healing happens, the architecture that holds these spaces, and the attitudes of those who serve as guides and facilitators within them.

At Sensual Liberation Retreats, this is precisely the approach taken. These experiences are unlike anything found in today’s wellness landscape. Rather than providing mere relaxation, they offer a space where participants engage with primal instincts, repressed desires, and the complexities of their inner worlds. Unique rituals, such as the “Animal Ritual” drawn from West Bengal Tantric traditions, encourage participants to reconnect with their primal energies in ways that are both playful and profound, while remaining safe and not directly sexual.

The uniqueness of this approach lies in working with only one client or a single couple at a time, turning the entire experience into a theater of the unconscious. Supported by hired actors, every interaction is designed to reflect back aspects of the client’s inner psyche, mirroring their fears, desires, and hidden motivations in a controlled yet immersive environment. Drawing inspiration from films like The Game, where reality blurs with staged events, these retreats provide a unique space for self-discovery and transformation.

The comparison extends to two Taoist massage practices that represent different approaches to healing. Stephen Russell’s Taoist massage offers a holistic, sensual experience that subtly works with sexual organs to bring people into a state of oneness and balance. This approach aims to gently harmonize the body’s energies, fostering a sense of tranquility and connection.

On the other hand, Mantak Chia’s “Chi Nei Tsang” is a direct abdominal massage that targets energy blockages in the organs, focusing on detoxification and emotional release. This method can be more invasive and sometimes painful, addressing deeper, more ingrained issues within the body.

Both methods have their own strengths, yet true healing often lies in combining different approaches, recognizing that each has its own place in a broader, integrated strategy for wellness. In Forbidden Yoga retreats, these massages are incorporated as supplementary tools, enhancing the deeper and more transformative Tantric rituals that are the core of the practice. These methods highlight the importance of understanding the unique needs of each client, crafting a personalized journey that goes beyond conventional wellness practices.

The ultimate question posed is whether the wellness industry is ready to move beyond the superficial, to embrace these ancient, often misunderstood practices. Are the leaders in wellness bold enough to look beyond comfort zones and integrate this wisdom to create spaces that genuinely transform, not just soothe or relax?

Is China, with its rich history and cultural legacy, prepared to lead the way? Could Chinese wellness centers, hotels, and spas look beyond the familiar—beyond Tai Chi and standard practices—and rediscover the deeper layers of Taoist teachings? This is the essence of the work at Forbidden Yoga: to seek out what has been lost, forgotten, and in doing so, to tap into the ancient matrix of humanity itself.

The conversation then shifts to the concept of totemism, as discussed in Freud’s Totem and Taboo. Ancient societies used totems as symbols representing sacred rules, dictating what was permissible and what was forbidden, such as prohibitions against marrying within the tribe. Beyond these primitive rules, could the deep-seated shame and guilt surrounding sexuality in today’s society actually derive from these ancient taboos? Understanding these primal fears could hold the key to unlocking more profound forms of healing.

How could these insights translate into contemporary wellness practices? Staff at modern wellness centers should not just be trained in conventional techniques but should possess a deep understanding of psychoanalysis and ancient traditions. This knowledge allows them to work more effectively with clients grappling with complex emotional and psychological issues. For the super-wealthy, who may already have access to the best treatments money can buy, the next level of wellness might lie in this deeper, customized approach.

True healing is not just possible but inevitable when there is a harmonious connection between the architecture, spirit, and people within a healing space. The concept of “Ma” emphasizes the importance of these in-between spaces in creating an environment where transformation can occur. It challenges us to rethink how wellness spaces are designed—not just in their physical structure but in their capacity to hold the complexities of human experience.

The retreats at Forbidden Yoga are about creating a dynamic theater of the unconscious, where everything is real, yet not real at the same time. Every interaction, every ritual, every detail is curated to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and stimulate growth. They reflect a commitment to a deeper understanding of healing, one that is willing to explore the unknown and embrace what has been forgotten or suppressed.

Reflecting on the wellness industry in China, the question is whether it is ready to embrace its rich cultural heritage and explore Taoist practices beyond the familiar. Hotel and resort owners are challenged to look deeper into ancient scriptures and lost teachings, much like what is done at Forbidden Yoga, where the aim is to rediscover what has been lost or forgotten and use these insights to create a more profound, transformative wellness experience.

The architecture of wellness spaces is a critical factor in healing. These spaces are not mere backdrops; they are active participants in the healing process. The design should foster a sense of openness, reflection, and possibility. The absence of distractions, unnecessary luxuries, and conventional comforts creates a setting where clients can confront their deepest fears, desires, and inner conflicts. This is true luxury—one that is not defined by material comfort but by the ability to see into one’s own soul.

The staff’s role in these spaces is crucial; they must be more than just facilitators of treatments. Their attitude, energy, and understanding of both ancient and modern healing philosophies are essential in creating an environment where true healing can occur. The wellness industry must focus on hiring individuals who have worked through their issues, as unresolved personal conflicts could negatively impact the healing environment and prevent clients from achieving transformation.

Is the wellness industry ready to embrace these deeper, more challenging aspects of healing? If the answer is yes, then the future of luxury wellness could be more exciting and transformative than we ever imagined.

Michael Perin-Wogenburg’s visionary ideas are a call to action—a challenge to the leaders of the wellness world to think differently, to be bold, and to create spaces that truly transform, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern healing practices.