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:
Saturday, May 2nd, Greek Puja for Singles.
Sunday, May 17th, Tantra Workshop for Couples.
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.
.
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.
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 in sexology. 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
Calm, Clear, and Loving, in preparation.
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
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
| MAY | ||
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Saturday, May 2nd, 7 - 11 PM Greek Puja for singles in La Jolla. This double puja is designed for singles who wish to meet other singles interested in tantra. Exercises are inspired by the Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddesses from Athens and Rome. You will become Aphrodite, Atlas, Zeus, Terpsichora, Apollo, Pan, Athena, ... New people and advanced practitioners welcome. Wear a toga if you wish. $49, Greek food included. To register, email: tantra.francoise@gmail.com. 
Sunday, May 17th, 1 - 7 PM
in La Jolla. Our popular Tantra Day Workshop (especially designed for couples)
Understand the philosophy of the tantric practice. Enjoy the guided 5 modalities of touch. Gather in men's/women's group and learn a tantric ritual. Discover the bliss of a tantric Puja. Great for beginners, refreshing for tantra students. More information available by clicking
here.
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| JULY | ||
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Saturday, July 11th, 7 - 11 PM, French Puja in Hillcrest. "le tour de France" refers to a famous bicycle race, happening every year in July, and following the most gorgeous scenic routes. Allow me to be your tantric guide and take you on a private tour of France with many delicious and sensual encounters. All exercises will follow the tantric guide lines of respect, sacredness and boundaries. French music will fill the air! This puja is offered to all levels, some options will be given for a same exercise. $35 per person; $60 per couple. For details and registration: contact Jacquie at 858 581-0050, or email: j@jlowell.com.
Saturday, July 18th, 7 - 11 PM
Island-dream Puja in Santa Monica at Church in Ocean Park (235 Hill St., 20405). Discover the polynesian islands: tikis, morgalas, vahines will offer their imagery to help us indulge in the dreamy, safe and tender moments of this tantra puja The group is gender balanced, and open to all levels. Bring a sarong. Add flowers to your hair.. All exercises are respectful of boundaries. Creatively and tastefully choreographed by Francoise. Authentic tahitian music. $40 per person; $70 per couple. Exotic fruit will be served For details and registration: call 310 600-6639 or visit L.A. Tantric Pujas -- Island Dreams or email: LiLibration@gmail.com.
Saturday, July 25th, 7 - 11 PM, in La Jolla. Body Painting Extravaganza where tantra meets body art. Puja, dancing, body painting, washing up, coconut oil puja around the fire. This is the program for this once-a-year event. Each segment is guided with the same sacredness as a tantra event. The painting adds a dimension of playfulness and sensuality. You will smile, laugh, feel child-like, experience some quiet, deep connecting moments, and feel blissful for days. $49 per person, includes paint, brushes, pictures, hot tub, soap, and coconut oil. $10 off for returning body painters. To register, email: tantra.francoise@gmail.com. | ||
| AUGUST | ||
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Saturday, August 29th, 7 - 11 PM, in La Jolla.
Tantra puja for singles
A gender balanced event.
This gathering is designed for singles who wish to meet other singles interested in tantra.
The theme is native american legends :
Blue horse, white buffalo, owl woman, deer dancer, wise crow, wolf warrior and snake people will lend us their symbols and images to enjoy an interactive sensual evening.
New people and advanced practitioners welcome. All instructions are clear and gentle. All exercises are respectful of boundaries, no nudity, no sexuality, lots of tender and nurturing moments.
Dress "indian" if you wish.
$49 , includes ethnic dinner.
To register, email: tantra.francoise@gmail.com.
| SEPTEMBER | ||
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Sunday, September 27th, 1 - 7 PM in La Jolla. Our popular Tantra Day Workshop
Understand the philosophy of the tantric practice. Enjoy the guided 5 modalities of touch. Gather in men's/women's group and learn a tantric ritual. Discover the bliss of a tantric Puja. Great for beginners, refreshing for tantra students. More information available by clicking
here.
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| OCTOBER | ||
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Saturday,October 17th, 7 - 11 PM in San Diego. Sexy, Hallowe'en Puja. Dress as sexy as you wish for this advanced puja. You will be invited to embody different characters using all of your skills of creativity and tantric touch. Not for beginners. For details and registration: contact Jacquie at 858 581-0050, or email: j@jlowell.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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| About Tantra | About Us | Calendar of Events | Private Classes | Group Classes |
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All contents, Copyright Anatole Ginsberg 2003-2009
Web design, Copyright Etienne Jambou and Mitchell Ginsberg 2009