Harnessing Mindfulness: The Power of Bringing Attention to Sensations

One of the things I tell clients who come in for the Tantric Experience massage — apart from involving breath, sound and movement — is to bring attention to sensations. Bringing attention to sensations basically does two things: it heightens the experience of these sensations, and it also keeps you present. This would apply to other sensual or erotic sessions as well.

Understanding Mindfulness and Sensate Focus

Let's start with the basics. What is mindfulness and what is sensate focus? Mindfulness, in its simplest form, is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, without judgement, with an open and accepting attitude. It's about being aware of your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and the environment around you. This conscious awareness can help us to cope with everyday stress, improve our mental health, and boost our overall wellbeing.

Sensate focus, on the other hand, is a term used in sex therapy that involves focusing on touch and the experience of sensation. It's a type of mindfulness practice that emphasizes the importance of being fully present and attentive to our body and its sensations. By bringing attention to sensation, we can learn to be more in tune with our bodies, our emotions, and our thoughts.

Mindfulness and sensate focus go hand-in-hand. Both practices encourage us to tune into our bodies and our experiences, to slow down, and to be present in the moment. Both practices also encourage us to let go of judgement and to accept things as they are.

What is Sensate Focus? Understanding the Steps

Sensate focus is a step-by-step process that begins with non-sexual touch and gradually progresses to more intimate touch. The first step involves touching your own body, paying close attention to the sensations you feel. This could involve touching your arms, legs, stomach, or other parts of your body. The goal is to become more aware of your body and the sensations you're experiencing.

The second step involves touching a partner's body, again paying close attention to the sensations you feel. This could involve touching their arms, legs, stomach, or other parts of their body. The goal is to become more aware of your partner's body and to deepen your connection with them.

The final step involves more intimate touch, but the focus is still on sensation and not on achieving any particular outcome. The goal is to enjoy the process of touching and being touched, to be fully present in the experience, and to savor each sensation.

The Neuroscience of Mindfulness and Sensation

From a neuroscience perspective, mindfulness and bringing attention to sensation can have profound effects on the brain. When we practice mindfulness, we activate the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with attention, awareness, and executive function. This can help us to regulate our emotions, make better decisions, and improve our cognitive function.

Similarly, when we bring attention to sensation, we activate the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain associated with processing sensory information. This can help us to become more aware of our bodies, to tune into our sensations, and to be more present in our experiences.

Together, mindfulness and bringing attention to sensation can enhance our brain function, improve our mental health, and boost our overall wellbeing.

The Science Behind Mindfulness and Sensate Focus

Research has shown that mindfulness and sensate focus can have a variety of health benefits. For example, mindfulness has been found to reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance quality of life. It has also been shown to improve cognitive function, increase attention and focus, and boost mood.

Sensate focus, too, has been found to have numerous health benefits. It has been shown to improve sexual function, enhance body awareness, and increase sexual satisfaction. It can also help to reduce sexual anxiety, improve relationship satisfaction, and boost overall wellbeing.

In short, the science behind mindfulness and sensate focus is clear: these practices can have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing.

The Power of Bringing Attention to Sensations

Bringing attention to sensations can be a powerful tool for enhancing our mindfulness practice. By focusing on sensation, we can become more aware of our bodies, our emotions, and our thoughts. This can help us to be more present in the moment, to slow down, and to savor each experience.

Sensate focus can also help us to deepen our connection with others. By focusing on touch and sensation, we can become more in tune with our partners and their bodies. This can help us to build intimacy, enhance sexual satisfaction, and improve relationship quality.

In short, bringing attention to sensation can enhance our mindfulness practice, deepen our relationships, and boost our overall wellbeing.

Sensate Touch and Its Role in Mindfulness

Sensate touch plays a crucial role in mindfulness. It helps us to tune into our bodies and to be more present in our experiences. It can also help us to deepen our connection with others and to enhance our sexual satisfaction.

Sensate touch involves focusing on the sensations of touch, rather than on the goal or outcome of the touch. This can help us to slow down, to be more present, and to savor each sensation.

By practicing sensate touch, we can enhance our mindfulness practice, improve our body awareness, and boost our overall wellbeing.

Sensate Focus Exercises for Mindfulness

Sensate focus exercises can be a great way to enhance your mindfulness practice. These exercises involve focusing on touch and sensation, and can be done alone or with a partner.

One simple sensate focus exercise involves touching your own body, paying close attention to the sensations you feel. This can help you to tune into your body and to be more present in your experiences.

Another exercise involves touching a partner's body, again paying close attention to the sensations you feel. This can help you to deepen your connection with your partner and to be more present in your experiences.

By practicing sensate focus exercises, you can enhance your mindfulness practice, improve your body awareness, and boost your overall wellbeing.

How to Practice Mindfulness: Techniques and Tips

There are many different ways to practice mindfulness. Here are a few techniques and tips to get you started:

• Practice mindfulness meditation: This involves sitting quietly, focusing on your breath, and bringing your attention back to your breath whenever your mind wanders.

• Use a mindfulness app: There are many mindfulness apps available that can guide you through mindfulness exercises and meditations.

• Practice mindful eating: This involves eating slowly, savoring each bite, and paying close attention to the taste, texture, and smell of your food.

• Practice mindful walking: This involves walking slowly, paying close attention to the sensation of your feet touching the ground, and focusing on your breath as you walk.

• Practice mindfulness meditation: This can help you to focus on the present moment and to tune into your body and your breath.

• Practice mindful breathing: This involves focusing on your breath, noticing the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body.

• Practice mindful movement: This can involve yoga, tai chi, or any other form of movement that encourages you to focus on your body and the sensations you're experiencing.

• Body scan: This involves lying down and slowly moving your attention through different parts of your body, noticing any sensations or feelings that arise.

By practicing these techniques, you can enhance your mindfulness practice, improve your mental health, and boost your overall wellbeing.

Conclusion: The Positive Impacts of Mindfulness and Sensate Focus on Overall Wellbeing

In conclusion, mindfulness and sensate focus can have a profound impact on our overall wellbeing. By bringing attention to sensation, we can enhance our mindfulness practice, deepen our connection with others, and boost our health and wellbeing.

Whether you're new to mindfulness or an experienced practitioner, I encourage you to explore sensate focus and to incorporate it into your mindfulness practice. The benefits are clear: improved body awareness, enhanced sexual satisfaction, deeper relationships, and improved overall wellbeing.

So why not give it a try? Start bringing attention to sensation today, and see the positive impacts it can have on your life.