If you've been to a movie theater recently, you probably noticed that films about open, or "no strings," relationships are very hot right now. These flicks are usually typical romantic comedies in which two people who initially began an affair with no plans for commitment eventually - usually after many comically choreographed disasters and challenges - end up realizing that they are soul mates and live happily ever after.
While it's great that non-traditional relationships are getting attention in mainstream media, these depictions are not very close to reality. Your experience with an open relationship will depend on many factors, but it's smart to take these factors into consideration before making a decision about the kind of arrangement you ultimately choose. Before you hang an "OPEN" sign on your relationship, keep this in mind. {relatedarticles}
Dispelling Myths and Setting Boundaries
There are many common myths and misunderstandings when it comes to open relationships. It's best to get these cleared up before exploring this lifestyle further.
Myth 1: Open relationships are a recent trend. The reality is that people have been having mutually agreed-upon, non-monogamous relationships for thousands of years. The only difference is that contemporary attitudes about sex and relationships have made it easier for people to be honest about their arrangements.
Myth 2: People in open relationships have lots of sex with lots of people and take sexual risks. Not necessarily. For most couples, the reality of non-monogamy does not involve orgies every weekend. People in open relationships have jobs, families and other responsibilities like everyone else and aren't focused on finding sex partners all the time. The only difference is that if and when they do meet someone they are attracted to, they have the option of following the attraction without guilt. Interestingly, studies show that people in mutually agreed-upon, open relationships have lower rates of STDs than those who are simply cheating behind their spouses' backs.{relatedarticles}
Myth 3: There must be something wrong with your partner or the relationship if you want to open it up. Many couples who choose non-monogamy are satisfied with their partners and value their primary relationships. However, they may feel that humans feel sexually attracted to many people in a lifetime and sometimes may want to explore their desires.
Myth 4: Opening up a relationship dooms it to fail. Occasionally, couples who are unhappy but reluctant to end their relationship may sometimes try and "open up" the relationship in order to shop around for a new significant other from the comfort of their current arrangement. This is a symptom of an already troubled bond and a misuse of non-monogamy. Many couples have found that an open relationship works fine for them when practiced correctly. That's not to say it's easy; jealousy, insecurities and dishonestly can wreck an open relationship easily, which is why you should choose to embark on one only if you know the risks. It's very important to have a solid, healthy relationship between you and your partner before venturing into non-monogamy.
There are many types of non-monogamous relationships. Most dating relationships technically begin as open, when both people are still determining their compatibility. Some couples choose to keep their relationships casual longer than others. This can work as long as both people agree and one does not end up falling hard for the other and secretly wanting a commitment. This can (and often does) get tricky! In more established, committed couples, an open relationship is one in which there are two primary partners, and they have an agreement that allows each to have outside affairs, but share a commitment to remaining with their primary partner in a loving relationship.{relatedarticles}
There are other, alternative versions of open relationships that are more unconventional. For example, polyamory, in which the relationship involves 3 or more people in a loving, committed bond. This is much like the plural marriage found in some sects of Mormonism and other cultures around the world. In other kinds of arrangements, some couples choose to have their sexual adventures together, whether among friends or at swinging clubs. Scared yet? These alternative lifestyles are definitely not for everyone, and nobody should be pressured into sexual arrangements that go against their faith or morals. Ultimately, it's up to you. But whatever you choose, be sure to set ground rules.
Having ground rules is a must if you want your open relationship to be successful. Some couples may have rules limiting what sexual acts they choose to do with non-primary partners or have other ways of ensuring that the alternate lover does not usurp the primary's position. If you're the alternate sex partner in a non-monogamous relationship, understand that you have rights and that your position differs from that of being the "other woman" in a cheating situation. Don't be afraid to speak your mind and discuss your concerns if you feel you're not being respected.{relatedarticles}
Jealousy
One of the first objections raised by critics of open relationships is that it's impossible to share someone you love with another person. The jealousy would drive you crazy and eventually lead to the end of the partnership. It's not surprising that this is the first thing that comes to mind; jealousy is often seen as an expression of love and is celebrated and encouraged in popular media. The truth is that jealousy is not a sign of true love, nor is it a healthy, positive emotion. The 1960s counterculture preached sexual openness as the root of peace and social reform because it requires selflessness and logical thinking rather than possessiveness and raw, destructive emotion. In many ways they were correct.
While the flower children may have had a point, their ideals do not always translate easily to our modern relationships. Jealousy can be an extremely difficult emotion to overcome. It's rooted in fear of loss, insecurities and many other deep primal anxieties that are not easy to get rid of overnight. Ideally, people who are in successful open relationships usually are a) not very prone to jealousy and b) able to confront and deal with jealousy by talking extensively with their partners and setting boundaries so they feel more in control of the non-monogamous arrangement. Couples' therapy can be a valuable tool for helping overcome jealousy.
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If you are looking for a fun and exciting way to spice up your bedroom when the most romantic night of the year rolls around, why not start with your five senses? Creating a sensory, romantic ambiance with your five senses is sure to put an exclamation point at the end of your Valentine's Day.{relatedarticles}
Smell
Let's start with your sense of smell because this is usually the first thing we are aware of when we enter a room. It's really easy to create a romantic aroma in our bedroom because there is an endless array of aromatherapy candles and incense.
So pick your favorite scented candle(s) and light it up! We are, after all, still mammals, and our sense of smell triggers all sorts of chemical reactions in the brain that arouse our sensuality.
Sight
As we enjoy a romantic aroma in our bedroom, we (almost) simultaneously take in the sights of our surroundings. When you are creating a romantic setting, romantic lighting is an absolute must! My preference is to keep all electrical lights off and use only candles. But you might prefer the effervescent glow of a salt crystal lamp or the dimness of light provided by putting a pink shade or scarf over your lampshade. {relatedarticles}
Touch
Tactile stimulation, more commonly referred to as touch, is essential for putting us in a romantic mood. Therefore, I suggest cozy pillows, soft silky sheets, and maybe a fuzzy throw rug. But the crown in the jewel here is rose petals sprinkled on and around the bed!
Sound
Now who doesn't love a little music to create a romantic ambiance in your bedroom? It doesn't matter who your favorite recording artist is, have background music playing in your bedroom at a soft low volume. Remember, you don't want to have to yell over the music to have a conversation with your partner. If you are not a music lover, try having the sound of ocean waves breaking on the shore - or anything that relaxes you and gets you in the mood.{relatedarticles}
Taste
Have a bottle of wine and/or champagne chilling by the bedside along with some chocolates and/or chocolate covered strawberries - you get the idea. Chocolate is known to be an aphrodisiac so that is why I suggest it, but any type of your favorite food and/or drinks will do.
There are plenty more ways you can use your five senses to create a romantic bedroom ambiance. Whatever puts an exclamation point on the end of your Valentine's Day (night) is a go!About The Author
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Can sensual massage break the barrier of silence between couples? Silence or lack of communication is attributed as one of the reasons for breaking up a marriage. The increasing cases of separation and divorce point to lack of bonding and communication between couple which earlier generations had. It wasn't a lack of time that previous generations had, but the will to explore the partners with massage techniques that kept the marriages alive. {relatedarticles}
What is a sensual massage?
It isn't just kneading muscles and pressing those joints, it's an art and science being practiced from times immemorial to forge closeness between partners. Of late it has evolved into more of an art embodying passion and lovemaking.{relatedarticles}
It is actually not just a massage but much more than that - and was practiced since long times by kings and the queens and even common people for many reasons. The art has been followed in many lands and followed by people of several cultures and races, from Africa, India and China to the Celts to the Greeks, for centuries.
While a general masseur gives a massage that can help release from bodily pains and aches, a sensual massage can be given by a loved one and can build stronger bonding between couple while it can also relieve stress.
Why was sensual massage popular with people of many cultures and races?
The massage offers innumerable benefits for those that give, likewise that receive. The benefits immensely bolster the connection the partners share.{relatedarticles}
It should be remembered that the sensual massage doesn't merely involve kneading the muscles; it's an experience and involves perfect blend of several elements from preparation to the pressure points. Then coming to the massage part, which is about how to touch and where to touch -- it's more than just that physical touch.
It doesn't have to start with a preparation according to some; the massage can start incidentally as some pranks, jokes and play but transition to serious sensual massage and then end in sex.
Benefits of this type of massage
Sensual massage can be erotic. It kind of evokes the sleeping senses. The massage can deliver message of promise from the giver that they are bound to them and it can help in shedding of inhibitions during the process of lovemaking.
The massage can release a person from joint aches and pains and releases the knotted nerves.
It gives the recipient a sense of emotional security that no other massage can give.{relatedarticles}
The massage acts as a precursor to romantic adventures for couples.
Sensual massage acts as another mode of communication without words but conveying the language of hearts.
There are many types of sensual massage such as lingam massage, tantra or the tantric massage, yoni massage, etc.
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