Authors: Jon Hanauer
The Ear
As far as erogenous zones go, the ear is a classic. According to Chinese medicine, the ears contain over 120 acupressure points that are connected to all areas of the body. That means that by firing up the
ears, you’re essentially stoking the coals everywhere at once. To kickstart this sexy chain reaction, use the tip of your index finger to lightly trace the outer ridge of the ear from the top where it meets the skull on down. Once you reach the earlobe, take it between thumb and forefinger and gently massage the area in tiny circles. Given that the center of the earlobe is linked to the heart, this massage could subtly stir up some lovey-dovey feelings.
Next hold the earlobe between thumb and forefinger and gently pull, then slowly swing it back and forth like a pendulum. This isn’t so much for your earlobe’s enjoyment as it is to stretch and stimulate the nerves
inside
the ear canal that your fingers can’t reach (nor should they try, either). This virgin territory is an untapped cavern of sensitivity.
The Nose
Most people generally don’t think of their schnoz as an erotic area, but it
is
an orifice (which is inherently erogenous), has the second highest number of nerve endings on the face (next to the mouth), and last but not least shares one striking similarity with your genitals: erectile tissue. Don’t worry, the effects occur
inside
the nasal passages, so no, turning it on won’t make your partner look like Bozo the Clown. All we’re saying is that your sniffer is designed to respond to a whole lot more than a whiff of perfume or a pot roast.
So how exactly do you stimulate the nose? Bear with us, since this is going to sound weird: While jamming your finger up someone’s nostril might sound more like a toddler’s prank than a turn-on, it’s worth a shot. According to Taoist traditions, the body is full of “energy circuits” that cycle
chi
, or life force, through the body. One such circuit passes right through the nostrils, and by gently inserting one finger and squeezing the outside of the nose between thumb and finger, you can tap into this loop and feed off each other’s energy. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, try this with your tongue instead of your finger. You can jack into this same energy circuit one story down by touching the roof of the mouth about an inch back from the teeth.
BONUS TIP TO TRY
If your partner has a headache or earache, pinch the tragus—the nub of cartilage in front of the ear hole—and pull laterally. According to Chinese medicine, this will alleviate most noggin-related ailments, which means you have the perfect solution to that old “not tonight I have a headache” excuse.
The Lips
Using just the tip of your index finger, trace a trail around the outer edge of your partner’s pout. It may not seem like much, but less is often more when you’re trying to titillate this extra-sensitive area. For extra passion points, linger around the philtrum, that cute little indentation above the upper lip. The ancient Greeks deemed this spot the most erogenous zone on the body, and modern science seems to support this claim. Two major cranial nerves lie close to the surface here, making this tiny area a hothouse of sensitivity.
Cute as that kisser is, though, it doesn’t always need to be treated with kid gloves. To up the intensity, pinch your partner’s bottom lip between thumb and forefinger and roll it between your fingers. Sure, it may seem cheeky (and probably isn’t something you’d want to try on a first date), but doing so brings blood flow to the area and gets those nerve endings buzzing anew.
BONUS TIP TO TRY
Since it’s hard to feel sexy when you’ve got the sniffles, here’s what to do if your partner’s stuffed up. Place your index fingers on each side of the bridge of the nose between the eyes. Massage three tiny circles here. Then do the same on the divots on each side of the nose above the nostrils. Stimulating these four pressure points can help relieve sinus-related woes.
Finally, insert your index finger into your partner’s mouth and run the tip along the teeth and gums. Twist your finger around their tongue, playing a game of cat and mouse. Voilà, you’re French-kissing with your finger. You can top off all this lip teasing with a long, deep mouth-to-mouth kiss to whet your partner’s appetite for more.
The Chest
The chest is an erogenous zone extraordinaire. You don’t even have to touch it to turn it on. Just hover your hand about a millimeter above the skin and let it drift over these peaks and valleys. It’s okay if you sometimes lightly brush the skin, but even without direct contact your partner will
definitely
feel it.
Once you have titillated those nerve endings, it’s time to stretch the area. Cup a breast or pec in each hand (hold the nipple between index and middle finger for added maneuverability) and squeeze the breasts or pecs together for three seconds, then spread them apart, then move them in circles. While you have probably never considered stretching the chest/breasts, it’s an incredibly relaxing sensation that can expand your partner’s pleasure potential.
Now that you have turned that bosom to butter, pour massage oil on the area and treat it to a massage. Place your hands between the
breasts and stroke down, around, then up the sides in circles. Not only will this massage feel amazing, but it will improve the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid to the area. And over time it can lead to even more eye-popping results: According to Taoist beliefs, massaging the breasts in this manner will make them grow in size. We’re not talking Dolly Parton proportions overnight, but if you keep at it (Taoists say 108 rotations per day is optimal), you can increase that bust by up to two inches. This technique is equally effective on men or women, although women may find the size-altering effects of particular interest. If, on the other hand, your goal is to shrink that bosom down a bit, perform the massage described above in the opposite direction. This will stem the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid to the area, and while it won’t turn melons into apples, it may make a difference—and feel really good to boot.
You can caress, stretch, and massage the breasts in just about any position, but we highly recommend that you do these moves straddling your partner’s pelvis. Why the heck not? Just because you’re holding off on lavishing attention on the genitals until the very end doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun rubbing against each other while you wait.
The Nipples
The chest may be fun, but the nipples are party central. To turn on those high beams, spread your five fingers out on each breast as if they were the spokes on a wagon wheel with the nipple at its center. Then slowly draw your fingers in toward the nipples and release
just
before you hit nipple territory. Even though you’re not stimulating the nipples directly, the sense of anticipation alone will get these two hot spots humming.
Next lightly stroke the nipples with your fingernails. Once your talons have gotten their attention, switch to rubbing the nipples with the palms of your hands. The stark contrast between these two sensations will heighten the impact of each, making those scratches seem even more devilish, those palm strokes more soothing. Finally, try pinching the nipples, then slowly pulling them away from the body as far as your partner likes it. Ask your partner to inhale and exhale deeply while you hold the stretch. In doing so you increase blood flow to the area, resulting in stronger, harder nipple erections.
The Armpits
They sweat and often smell, and yet buried in their depths lies a reason to brave the trip: polarity points—nerves that, according to Chinese medicine, are associated with certain types of energy that travel up to the brain and affect your outlook. Press on these spots (just ask your partner to lift an arm then press your thumb in dead center for ten seconds), and you can “block” that energy and change someone’s attitude toward many things—including how he or she treats
you
in bed. Which pit to hit depends on your partner’s current mental state. For people who are stressed and “in their head,” press on the right pit. This will block the passage of “masculine” energy, the result being a more sensual, emotional lover. If, on the other hand, your partner tends to be too shy or overly sensitive, press on the left pit. This will block the passage of “feminine” energy, and turn timid sorts into tigers.
The Arms
These limbs are like the wallflowers at a high school dance: They rarely get much attention, and yet if you give them a chance, you’ll
find it doesn’t take much to get them smoldering. To rouse them, stand or kneel at your partner’s side, then take his or her hand nearest you and tuck it under your armpit. That way, it can stay raised but relaxed at the same time. Then, using lots of massage oil, wrap both of your hands around the forearm and slowly slide your way up. Once you reach the shoulder, circle back down. Next do the same stroke only switch to using just your fingernails. In particular, the extra-sensitive inner arm will find the feel of your nails a turn-on.
The Hand
Take your partner’s hand in yours and, using the index finger of your other hand, lightly trace circles on the palm. Then go a little deeper by pressing your thumb into the palm and massaging in dime-size circles, moving the skin with your hand so you’re kneading the muscles underneath. The palm is packed with not only nerve endings, but acupressure points that can send pleasure rushing to other parts of the body.
Next up: the fingers. Interlace your digits with your partner’s so the webbing between your fingers is snuggled up against theirs. Then, squeezing tightly, slowly inch your hand upward and off the fingertips. By doing so you’ll increase blood flow to the fingertips and make them tingle (try this with massage oil and it will feel especially sensual). Last but not least, the outer edge of the pinky is a point of special interest, since it is considered a tertiary erogenous zone that feels pleasure once someone is already aroused. So if you have already kindled some heat (which will definitely be the case if you’ve been following this chapter step by step), head to the pinky to add fuel to the fire. Use the edge of
your
pinky to rub the side of your partner’s in a soft, light sawing motion.
The Stomach
Whether it’s a six-pack or a little soft around the edges, the stomach is a sexy, and sensitive, area of the body that will appreciate what you’re about to do next. Using the flat of your palm, rub wide circles around the navel in a clockwise direction (up your partner’s right side and down on the left). This is the same direction food travels in the intestines, so in essence you’re helping move things along, which can help alleviate cramps, constipation, gas—and, in the process, clear this person’s dance card for more erotic endeavors.
One spot on the belly worth a second visit is the Sea of Tranquility—a set of three reflexology points a few inches below the navel, so named because this area is considered the epicenter of your sexual and creative energy. Lightly caress it with your fingertips or place the flat of your palm just below the navel and undulate your hand in a wavelike motion. This will boost blood flow to below-the-belt areas—and a good thing, too, since that’s where you’ll most likely be heading next.
Now that you have induced a state of relaxation and revved the arousal levels, your partner will probably be very, very ready for you to take things further. The next four chapters will help you do just that, showing you how to put your hands on that pièce de résistance in your partner’s pants with mind-blowing results.
HOW TO GIVE HIM A HAND
God gave man a penis and a brain, and only enough blood to run one at a time.
—ROBIN WILLIAMS
N
othing—and we do mean nothing—turns a man’s mind to mush like a few strokes on his genitals. In fact, many of you may find it so easy to make men speechless with lust that (admit it) you take your powers for granted and have gotten a little lazy. Like straight-A students who never study, you coast through your sexual experiences never really learning in detail what makes his twig and berries truly tick. After all, if what you’re doing already puts a smile on his face, what more is there to know?
We won’t argue with the fact that a man’s genitals are amazingly user-friendly. Still, guys
do
know the difference between good sex, great sex, and an
oh-my-God-I’m-in-heaven
erotic encounter, and the
only way to pull off that third steamy scenario is to ditch your usual mattress moves and broaden your horizons a bit. There are countless ways to “spice things up” in bed—dirty talk, chocolate sauce, or greeting your honey at the door dressed in Saran Wrap, to name a few. Sure, men may find these prospects titillating. But let’s face it: Far more essential to a satisfying sexual experience is how well you’re stimulating his privates. This is one area where your hands excel. Combine their deftness with a little knowledge of his anatomy below the belt, and you’re armed and ready for one helluva hot night.