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Tantric, nuru, body to body — the words get used loosely, and it is not obvious from a listing which is which. Here is what each actually involves, so you can ask for the one you want.

Tantric massage

The slowest of the three and the least like a conventional massage. Full-body, unhurried, with the emphasis on drawing things out rather than reaching a conclusion quickly. Sessions usually run ninety minutes or longer because the pace is the point.

Choose it if you want something closer to an experience than a service. See tantric massage in London.

Nuru massage

Japanese in origin and immediately distinctive: a thick, odourless gel is used, and she uses her whole body rather than just her hands. It is slippery, close, and there is no mistaking it for a back rub.

Practical points: it needs a prepared space, usually a mat rather than a bed, and a shower afterwards is part of it. See nuru massage.

Body to body

The broadest of the three — she uses her body as well as her hands, with oil rather than nuru gel. Less specialised than nuru, less ceremonial than tantric, and the easiest to arrange at short notice. See body to body massage.

Side by side

Tantric Nuru Body to body
Medium Oil Nuru gel Oil
Pace Very slow Moderate Moderate
Typical length 90 min + 60–90 min 60 min
Setting Bed or mat Mat, shower after Bed
Easiest to book Yes

Booking one

Ask on the telephone rather than assuming from the profile. Nuru in particular needs the right setup, so not every companion who lists massage can do it in every location — and almost none can do it at your hotel.

Ninety minutes is the right length for tantric or nuru; an hour is fine for body to body. Rates for both durations are in our prices guide, and the abbreviations you will see on profiles are explained in the glossary.