Country specific information

Germany: Statement Prostitute Protection Act – ProstSchG

We, the European Association of Sexological Bodyworkers (EASB), are an association based in Switzerland.

Our goal is…

  • the promotion of Sexological Bodywork as a profession and the cultivation of the reputation and recognition of Sexological Bodywork in the public
  • the promotion of the exchange of information and cooperation among Sexological Bodyworkers* and with other professional groups
  • the protection of the interests of the profession
  • the promotion and assurance of quality and ethics in training and professional practice by setting training standards, recognising training institutes, organising further training courses and issuing ethics guidelines

Sexological Bodywork is a method to accompany people in making new experiences with their bodies, sensations and sexuality. In comparison with traditional sex coaching, Sexological Bodywork may also include full body or genital massage. Learning is enhanced through embodied experiencing. Embodied learning can expand and enhance the emotional and erotic potential of our bodies.
In accompanying people on their way towards embodiment and a feeling of being connected with their bodies, Sexological

Bodywork practitioners apply a variety of:

Somatic sex coaching:
• Examination and reflection about clients’ own sexuality and their sexuality in partnership
• New impulses and experiences through counseling discussions and bodywork

Dissemination of knowledge about sexual matters:
• Gender-specific anatomy
• Forms of arousal, sex drive, orgasm …

Body-focused sexual coaching:
• Training of body perception
• Mindful touch with various massage techniques
• Genital massage
• Pelvic and anal massage
• Orgasmic Yoga (mindful self-love)

For whom is Sexological Bodywork

Sexological Bodywork is for people who wish to have a fulfilling and enriching sex life, who regard sexuality as an on-going opportunity for learning and development, who take new directions in their sexuality and intimacy and expand their erotic potential.

Reasons why people employ Sexological Bodywork

• Difficulties in becoming aroused
• Lack of sex drive
• Orgasm training
• Erectile dysfunction
• Premature ejaculation
• Pain during intercourse
• General physical blocks or pain
• Regaining sexual function and the ability to feel pleasure
– after birth
– after surgery
• Understanding anal health and genital pleasure
• Couples interested in enhancing their sex life
• Wishing to learn how to give and accept sensuality and touch
• Self-acceptance of one’s own body and gender
• Learning to accept and love sexuality

 

Structure of a Sexological Bodywork Session

A session normally lasts between two and three hours and includes a counseling discussion and bodywork.
As somatic learning also requires an integration phase, it is advisable to work with a Sexological Bodywork practitioner for a certain period. This period may last between 3 and 6 months or longer.

The history of Sexological Bodywork

Sexological Bodywork was developed in California by Dr Joseph Kramer and is, in its origins, a method combining Taoist and tantric bodywork and resource-focused coaching. Clients learn to use their strengths and to integrate them into their lives. Kramer developed these methods in order to enable homosexual men to live fulfilling sensual lives against the backdrop of AIDS concerns in the 1980s. Previously, the method was called Body Electric School and Taoist Erotic Massage. Together with Annie Sprinkle, a leading figure on women’s sexual liberation, Sexological Bodywork was expanded further. Today, professional training in Sexological Bodywork takes place in the United States and since 2009 in Switzerland at the International Institute for Sexological Bodywork IISB®. Sexological Bodywork is a profession recognized in the State of California. The training is continually updated to incorporate new insights.

http://www.euro.who.int/de/health-topics/Life-stages/sexual-and-reproductive-health/news/news/2011/06/sexual-health-throughout-life/definition

Sexual and reproductive health

Definition according to the World Health Organization (WHO)

Sexual health is inextricably linked to overall health, well-being and quality of life.

It is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality and not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity.

Sexual health requires a positive and respectful attitude towards sexuality and sexual relations and the possibility of having pleasant and safe sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination and violence. Sexual health can only be achieved and maintained if the sexual rights of all people are respected, protected and fulfilled.

Obviously, legislators have not yet realised that this human right requires the possibility of learning it – and that this learning is only possible through the body. Sexological Bodywork is one of the few methods of doing so to date. There is still much to be done to ensure that health policy and legislation recognise and reflect this. 

We, the European Association of Sexological Bodyworkers (EASB – European Association of Sexological Bodyworkers), cannot recognise ourselves as an association, nor can our members who have obtained the IISB Sexological Bodyworker Training Diploma or are in training, in legal definitions of prostitution (e.g. in Germany’s Prostitute Protection Act – ProstSchG). We do not see ourselves as an association, nor do our members as sex workers/prostitutes.

The Board of Directors