Erotic massage glossary: the words of sensual massage, A to Z

How to use this glossary

The vocabulary of massage can be confusing, especially when you are searching in a language that is not your own. Some words come from Thai, others from Japanese, Chinese or Sanskrit, and many are used loosely online. This glossary gives you a short, clear definition of each term, in alphabetical order, and tells you whether it is part of what we offer.

A to C

Asian massage

A general term covering the massage traditions of Asia: Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Balinese and more. In Paris, it is often used for salons run by Asian masseuses. Ours are Thai.

Body to body massage

The signature technique of our salon. The masseuse massages with her whole body, not only her hands, gliding over the guest’s oiled skin. Also written body-body, body 2 body or body slide. Discover our body to body massage in Paris.

Candle massage

A massage using a special candle whose melted wax becomes a warm, fragrant massage oil. Deeply comforting in winter. Offered as our hot oil candle massage.

Chakra

In Indian traditions, a centre of energy located along the spine. Classical systems usually describe seven main chakras. The concept is often referred to in tantric massage.

E to H

Effleurage

A light, sweeping stroke with the palms, used at the start of an oil massage to spread the oil and warm the skin.

Erotic massage

A broad umbrella term used by salons for sensual massages such as body to body, nuru or tantric. In a professional salon, it describes a wellness massage that awakens the senses, performed within a clear framework. See erotic massage in Paris.

Four hands massage

A massage given by two masseuses at the same time, in synchronised movements. An experience of total immersion. At our salon, it costs €250 for one hour.

House rules

The written framework of a salon: hygiene, punctuality, courtesy and expected behaviour. A sign of a serious establishment. At our salon, every massage is professional, performed by trained masseuses by the book, and an indecent request or inappropriate behaviour, or the masseuse’s own decision to stop, cancels the session without refund.

L to N

Lingam

A Sanskrit word meaning sign or symbol, designating the sacred representation of the god Shiva in Hinduism. In Western neo-tantra, lingam massage refers to a tantric massage of the intimate area, in the Indian tradition. Not offered at our salon. See our article on lingam massage.

Naturist massage

A massage in which masseuse and guest wear light or no superfluous clothing, so that the contact is skin to skin. It is the natural setting of the body to body massage.

Nuad Thai

The Thai name for traditional Thai massage, also called Nuad Boran. Given on a mat, clothed, with stretches and rhythmic pressure along the sen lines. Inscribed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2019. Our masseuses are trained in it.

Nuru massage

A body to body massage performed with a colourless, very slippery gel traditionally based on seaweed. The name comes from Japanese and evokes something slippery. Explained in our guide to nuru massage and its gel. Not offered at our salon, which suggests the oil body to body instead of nuru.

O to S

Oxytocin

A hormone often called the bonding or well-being hormone. Research on touch suggests that warm, gentle skin contact is linked to its release, one reason why body to body massage feels so soothing.

Prana

In Indian philosophy, the vital breath or life energy. Breathing exercises in tantric massage are often described as a way of working with prana.

Sen lines

In traditional Thai massage, the energy pathways running through the body, along which the masseuse applies pressure.

Sensual massage

A massage focused on softness, warmth, slowness and the awakening of the senses. Close to erotic massage in everyday language.

Shiatsu

A Japanese massage method whose name means finger pressure, formalised in the twentieth century. Given clothed, without oil, with steady pressure on specific points. Not offered at our salon.

Shower massage

A body to body massage that begins with a shared shower between the masseuse and the guest, before continuing on the table.

Soapy massage

A body to body massage that begins with soap foam and warm water. At our salon, the foam glide takes place under the shower, on request, followed by an oil body to body on the table. Playful and refreshing. See our guide to the Thai soapy massage.

T to Y

Tantric massage

A slow, whole-body massage inspired by the philosophy of tantra, combining conscious breathing, feather-light touch and enveloping strokes. Read about its origins and benefits.

Tui na

A vigorous therapeutic massage from traditional Chinese medicine, working on the meridians. Not offered at our salon. Compare the traditions in Thai vs Chinese vs Japanese massage.

Yoni

A Sanskrit word evoking the source or the womb, representing Shakti, the divine feminine energy, in Hindu and tantric thought. Often depicted as the base of the Shiva lingam. In neo-tantra, yoni massage is the counterpart of lingam massage. Not offered at our salon.

At a glance: what we offer

Offered at our salon	Not offered
Body to body massage	Nuru massage
Soapy massage	Lingam massage
Shower massage	Yoni massage
Tantric massage	Chinese tui na
Four hands massage	Japanese shiatsu
Hot oil candle massage	Hotel or home visits

Every massage costs the same: €100 for 30 minutes, €130 for 45 minutes and €150 for one hour, with the shower included. The salon is at 42 rue de Bruxelles, Paris 9th, open every day from 11am to 8pm.