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.
.
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
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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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