If you’re looking for basic information on masturbating, check out masturbation techniques for men and masturbation techniques for women.
Think back to the last time you masturbated. If you’re sighted, are your eyes usually closed? If you like to read erotic fiction, watch adult films, or look at magazines or comics, when you’re nearest to the point of release or orgasm, where are you looking? For those of us with low or no vision, the question is similar, but where is your attention drawn to?
There’s no research to guide us here, but there are many who don’t take full advantage of the emotional, psychological, and even spiritual possibilities of masturbation. The fastest way to do it, is to start watching yourself.
Next time you masturbate try to have a mirror nearby. If you’re not comfortable looking at your whole body, just have a mirror you can see your face in. Look at yourself in the mirror while you’re masturbating. You don’t have to stare yourself down, but consider it a way of checking in, and discovering masturbation from a new angle The effects can vary:
- You may get extra turned on just by seeing yourself all hot and bothered
- You may find that seeing yourself helps you tune inward, becoming aware of thoughts and feelings that are floating through your mind and body as you self-pleasure
- You may notice things about the way your body moves when you masturbate, that you can play with or accentuate which can change the way masturbation feels
- You may feel silly at first, and find yourself criticizing your body
If your reactions fall into that last category, don’t force the mirror exercise. But this technique can be a great way to work on negative body image too. It means you need to go slowly and make a serious effort to stop being self-critical and start telling yourself positive things about yourself.
Another way to take masturbation to a new level is to start masturbating in front of your partner. Starting by watching yourself is always a good idea, and can make it feel less risky when you try to bring masturbation into your partner sex.
Published April 28, 2006.
