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TANTRA
The Art of Sacred Sensuality and Communication


Discover yourself through tantra:

Discover yourself; discover each other. Learn valuable tools for your couple. Receive support from professional, trained teachers in a safe environment. Learn how tantra can be helpful to you. For more, see Tantra at a Glance.

Next events in San Diego:
Sunday February 7th , 1 pm to 7 pm : a Valentine's tantra workshop for couples
Sunday Feb 28th, 9:30 am to 4:30pm : ancient secrets for women
For more, see the Calendar of events.

About us:
Francoise and Mitchell Ginsberg have studied and worked in the fields of psychology, psychotherapy, sex therapy, and tantra for several decades. For more, see About Us.

Classes:
We offer private classes, lessons, and practicas in tantra. For more, see Private Classes. We also offer group classes, workshops, puja days and evenings. For more, see Group Classes (Calendar of Events).








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TANTRA AT A GLANCE

The name Tantra comes from the Sanskrit, in which tantra is literally an instrument (-tra) for expanding (tan-). Understood psychologically or psychospiritually, a tantra could be a practice for expanding our consciousness, or a text containing such descriptions. Typically, these practices involve guided imagery and various bodily postures and movements. These aim at creating a greater intensity of experience and a profound appreciation of the divine or sacred nature of existence which is other than and beyond our conditioned life and our personal histories. We acknowledge this dimension in the traditional Indic greeting, Namas-te.

A puja is literally (in Sanskrit) a treating with respect or reverence, a mutual honoring, a receiving hospitably, an acknowledging.

Tantra (which could be a solo practice), when in the structure of a puja, is an interactive practice. One form it may take is a circle of practitioners who meet in a directed fashion following clear instructions that maintain full respect and help us to rediscover the divine in all of us. For example, we may follow a series of structured exercises lasting from 3-7 minutes with various partners, including eye gazing, light touch, verbal sharing, and contact dancing... the entire series being designed to have us become more aware of this sacred dimension present in all of us, and in the West, to practice the art of loving.

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ABOUT US


FRANCOISE and MITCHELL GINSBERG
have been married for over 27 years. They have raised a daughter and a son who are now young adults in their twenties. Francoise and Mitchell have taught about the principles and practices of tantra to individuals and couples since the early 1990s.


FRANCOISE GINSBERG (tantra.francoise@gmail.com) received her doctorate from the University of Paris, where she worked as a woman's counselor. She has been leading puja rituals ongoingly for different organizations since 1994. Francoise offers private consultations for women and men. She is President of the San Diego Tantra Connection.


MITCHELL GINSBERG (mitchell.ginsberg@gmail.com) received his Ph.D. from the U. of Michigan and has also taught at Yale, the American Institute of Buddhist Studies, IUPS, and elsewhere. As a licensed psychotherapist and expert on the subject of emotional traumas, he offers private consultations for individuals and couples. He has been a teacher in the Thai-Buddhist Vipassana Meditation Tradition since 1975, and is the author of several texts in psychology and psycho-spirituality, such as The Far Shore, The Inner Palace, and, in preparation, Calm, Clear, and Loving.


The Far Shore (1980; 4th edition, 2009) contains many illustrations of the application of mindfulness or self-awareness to the many emotional states that we go through, clarifying this path to clear and compassionate interaction with our world and those most dear to us. For more, see the reviews and other files listed at The Far Shore directory.



The Inner Palace (2002; 5th ed., 2008) is an in-depth examination of the roots of the world's major spiritual and religious traditions, in their various understandings of our path to wholeness (or awakening, spirituality, purity, divinity, wisdom-compassion, bodhisattvahood, or by still-other names). For more, see the reviews and other files listed at The Inner Palace directory.



Calm, Clear, and Loving: Soothing the Distressed Mind, Healing the Wounded Heart is in preparation at this time. More information will be available here later. At this time, there is information available in other files listed at the Calm, Clear, and Loving directory.



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PRIVATE CLASSES WITH FRANCOISE AND MITCHELL

Private Classes with Francoise

Private Puja Tutoring
$150 for 90-minute session.

Tantric Consultations for Women
$75 for one-hour session.

Special Private Program for Couples
$160 for the 2-hour session.

To contact Francoise directly, e-mail: tantra.francoise@gmail.com.


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Psychotherapy or Mindfulness Training with Mitchell

Psychotherapy or Mindfulness Training (Self-awareness practice) for individuals and couples
$120 for 60-minute session (longer sessions can be arranged). Fees for financial hardship an option.

For more information on my orientation, inspiration, and focus of work, along with more general discussions about the field of psychotherapy, see Health and the Mind and Professional Links, and the many further links given at those two web pages.

As a preview to this fuller information: I have been strongly influenced by the perspectives of Hellmuth Kaiser, Friedrich Nietzsche, Ronnie (R.D.) Laing, Louis B. Fierman , Loren Mosher, Israel Charney, and Maurizio Andolfi, in the Western psychotherapeutic tradition, and by V.R. Dhiravamsa, formerly Chao Khun (Abbot) Sobhana Dhammasudhi, in the Thai Theravada Buddhist Vipassana Meditation tradition.

To contact Mitchell directly, e-mail: mitchell.ginsberg@gmail.com.


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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY

Sunday, February 7th, 1 pm - 7 pm in La Jolla.

Special Valentine Tantra Day Workshop

Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced Levels ... all in one workshop.
(The advanced level is taught in lecture format.)

Specifically designed for couples, a perfect gift to prepare Valentine's day, a pleasure which will exceed chocolates and will last longer than roses.

This is a 6 hour training for couples who want to understand the foundations of Tantra and want to become familiar with the large menu of practices.
You will learn about the 5 modalities of touch and how to create rituals.
Men will study a sacred tantra ritual (lecture format in a separate room) while women will share valuable information about pleasure.
Couples will reunite to experience the bliss of a puja : a ceremony of love filled with short guided exercises including eye gazing, words of appreciation, various ways of touching, slow dancing and romantic embrace.

Great for beginners, refreshing for tantra students. No sexuality, no nudity.
$120 per couple. (Half price for those who have attended our "Tantra-Day for couples" before)
Includes healthy snacks served at our 2 intermissions. You will leave with delicious home work and enough material to celebrate the spirit of Valentine's day all year long!

To register, email: Tantra.Francoise@gmail.com.



Friday, February 12th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th in Los Angeles, 8th annual Conscious Life Expo.

I'll be offering a romantic-sensual puja in honor of Valentine's Day on Sunday the 14th 7:30PM-9:30PM.

Come and meet a national and international audience and famous keynote speakers.

Enjoy many wonderful workshops all weekend long ... and end with Francoise's special Valentine's Puja!

Tickets are only $20 or the puja (in advance, and you need to buy a day pass).

For all information: www.consciouslifeexpo.com.



Sunday, February 28th, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm in Encinitas, at the Well within Center.

Ancient secrets for modern women.

A dynamic workshop regarding women's health with effective remedies weaving 3 ancient practices to enhance well being in women.

HERBS, QIGONG, TANTRA ... with 3 remarkable teachers:
Dr. Valencia Parker : Director of Women's Health at the Chopra Center.
Fay Mc Grew : Qigong master and specialist in women's qigong.
Dr. Francoise Ginsberg : Teacher of sacred sexuality.

Lecture format and practical exercises with time for questions and answers. You will leave with a folder filled with secrets to try at home!

$95 per person, $150 for 2 women signing up together!
Check details at Ancient Secrets for Women.


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MARCH

Saturday, March 27th, 1 pm - 7 pm in La Jolla.

Brazilian Carnival Puja

Dance, connect, embrace.
All exercises are following the tantric principles and accompanied by Brazilian music. It is a festive puja with joyful and contagious rythm. You do not need to be a Sambista to attend but you need to know about tantra.
You will practice your skills of touch and your ability of connecting with everyone with an open heart.
It is an intermediate level Puja, which means you are comfortable with eye gazing, soft and respectful touch, you are a good body language listener and you know your boundaries; at the same time you are willing to follow instructions and stretch your experience.

$39 per person, $60 per couple.
Singles are encouraged to sign up with a friend.

To register, email: J@JLowell.com.


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APRIL

Saturday, April 10th 6PM to 11PM in La Jolla.

Puja for singles : theme : deites from the East

A beautiful ceremony with heart centered exercises including sharing words, nurturing touch and playful dancing. You will smile, you will shine and feel cherished. Open to 16 women and 16 men.

$39 per person .To register, email: Tantra.Francoise@gmail.com.



Friday, April 16th to Monday, April 19th in los Gatos (Santa Cruz area).

Spring Camp

For the adventurers at heart.

This 4-day event will stretch your mind and your body... NVC, Tantra, massage, ... all in the beautiful nudist camp in Lupin.

To register, email: Kelly@langageofcompassionnate.com.


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MAY

Saturday, MAY 15th, 6 pm - 11 pm in La Jolla.

Tantric Touch.

A delicious evening of sacred touch, intermediate level.

Touch is not only for sexual pleasure, it is a primary need. As adults we rarely get enough touch, enough love, and enough hugs. In this sweet and nurturing workshop, you will refine your skills in the five modalities of touch. This touch is non sexual, it brings deep relaxation to the body and soul.

Part 1 : Puja. Guided exercises to practice the various ways of touching.
Part 2 : Men lie down blindfolded and receive. Women are the angels of touch, and rotate every 3 min., a theme is given each time, romantic music will help your inspiration.
Part 3 : Women lie down and receive. Men are the wise enlightened gods, and rotate every 5 min., a theme is given, different music will guide your inspiration
Part 4 : A light supper will be served while we exchange feedback.

$39 per person, $60 per couples or paired friends, includes snacks and supper.

To register, email: Tantra.Francoise@gmail.com.





Saturday, May 22nd, 7 pm - 9 pm in Santa Monica.

Greek Puja

Inspired by the legends of Greek gods and goddesses.
Come and embrace the attributes of a dozen deities including
Terpsychora, the goddess of dance,
Kratos, the god of strength,
Aphrodite, the goddess of love,
Hypnos, the god of dreams,
Iris, the goddess of rainbows,
Poseidon, the god of the sea
....and meet your partners through creative and nurturing exercises, clearly and elegantly guided
and all following the tantric principles.

Wear a toga or something reminding you of Greece

Intermediate level, beginner friendly.

$39 per person, $60 per couple.

To register, email: DalyJoy@gmail.com.


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END OF EVENTS


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Click here at
The San Diego Tantra Connection for a calendar of events, featuring important tantra events in San Diego.



SDTC



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All contents, Copyright Anatole Ginsberg 2003-2010
Web design, Copyright Etienne Jambou and Mitchell Ginsberg 2010