Tantric massage in Prague: An expert explains what first-timers should know

Prague has a reputation for providing travelers (and I suppose locals, too) with experiences they can’t get anywhere else, and this includes rubbing parts of the body that rarely see the light of day. It’s so prevalent in fact that I once considered living in an apartment with a tantric massage studio across the hall. The idea of having neighbors who specialized in this kind of bodywork piqued my interest, but ultimately I chose a flat above a Georgian restaurant that hosts weekend karaoke parties.

That tantric studio continues to sit in the back of my mind, though. Is the practice spiritual, or awkward? Is it secretly code for something else? To help educate me, I spoke with Hana Perglerová from Harmony Spa, one of the longest-established tantra studios in the city. 

She shares what actually happens in a session, how to tell a professional studio from a red flag, and why this form of bodywork is a calmer, structured, and more grounded experience than performance. 

According to my research, tantric massage as it is practiced today is a modern form of bodywork with its roots in Western neo-Tantra, which drew inspiration from classical Hindu and Buddhist Tantra. Perglerová’s experiences incorporate these practices, working from the understanding that the body, emotions, energy, and consciousness are all deeply interconnected. 

One of the biggest misconceptions, she says, is that tantric massage is all about erotic touch. “Its purpose is not sexual gratification, but the awakening of sensitivity,” she explains. “It’s the release of tension, the restoration of connection to the body and to ourselves, and the support of emotional and energetic balance.”

Touch is central, but never automatic. Clients can define any area as off-limits, including intimate areas. “These are only included with explicit consent and clear intention,” Perglerová elaborates. It is also possible to focus purely on relaxation or grounding without touching certain body parts at all.

Probably the most significant difference between tantric and erotic or sexual massage is that tantric massage is not aimed at arousal or orgasm, and what does not happen is just as important. There are no sexual services, no intercourse, no mutual touching, and no pressure to experience anything specific. 

While there’s more to discover during a tantric massage, it’s clear that this form of bodywork is not suitable for people seeking sexual services, those unwilling to respect boundaries, or anyone in acute psychological crisis. If you’re still not clear on what is and is not included, booking a consultation is the best first step.

Perglerová emphasizes that the first session should always start with conversation, not touch. It’s one of the ways her company differs from businesses that market erotic services (you know the ones, radiating from Wenceslas Square).

At Harmony Spa, practitioners explain the process, answer questions, and clearly agree on boundaries and intentions before anything begins. This is followed by what she refers to as a “ritual of arrival.” Practitioners use various grounding and breathing techniques to help clients slow down and create a sense of safety in the body.

Once begun, the massage itself adapts to the client, not the other way around. “It can be slow and nourishing, deeply relaxing, but also intense, dynamic, or even ecstatic, depending on what the body needs in that moment and what the client wishes to explore,” Perglerová elaborates.

You might think that involving yourself in tantric massage makes you completely vulnerable at the hands of the masseuse, but Perglerová states that boundaries are discussed clearly before the session and are not renegotiated once the massage begins. 

Clients always have the right to stop or pause at any time, without explanation. This protects both the client and the practitioner, especially since deep relaxation can make verbal communication harder in the moment.

If you’re browsing for a reputable studio, the most important step is to read the information carefully, reflect on your intention, and choose a studio that feels trustworthy. Perglerová assures that the right place will be transparent, unhurried, and clear about what is and is not offered. 

“If a place feels rushed, unclear, or focused on sexual performance, that is a red flag,” Perglerová adds. Harmony Spa outlines this information on its website, which includes training and certifications of its practitioners and specific descriptions of its services.

Feeling nervous is normal, especially for people who have never experienced body-focused work. “Come without performance expectations,” Perglerová encourages. “Be honest about your fears, wishes, and limits. Allow yourself to be a beginner.”

Practically, clients are advised to arrive rested, avoid alcohol or heavy meals, and trust that everything needed is provided, including towels, slippers, etc. Clients typically take a shower after their consultation, but don’t need to shave or prepare their bodies otherwise. 

For all clients, practical details are kept simple, from discreet payment options to straightforward online booking.

Alongside classic tantric massage, the studio offers several specialized approaches, including intention-focused transformational bodywork, partner-based sessions where couples learn conscious touch together, and slower meditative styles such as Kashmirian and Taoist tantra, which place greater emphasis on nervous system regulation and whole-body awareness rather than stimulation.

Harmony Spa currently has two locations in central Prague, and services are provided within these studios exclusively. For those approaching tantric massage with curiosity, honesty, and clear intentions, Perglerová says the experience often feels far more grounded than expected. The work is not about pushing limits, but about listening to the body and letting it respond in its own time.