Originally printed in 2004, in French, this translation is a very interesting read. It begins, in the preface, with an unsubstantiated description of primeval  life in which sex was as natural as breathing, shared spontaneously after a long period of training by older members of the tribe. Two crucial points emerge: "The people of the tribe experience little jealousy as each of them had sex with all of the others (both men and women) during the sexual apprenticeship period." As well, the author has training in tantric love practices but decided not to teach them in a direct physical manner. Instead he decided to teach the things that are most essential for modern couples to learn. Villecroix contends that the sacred has been lost in our relationships. To regain it, we must reopen our energetic channels to the divine, channeling and controlling our energies, thereby transforming ourselves and our partners.

In many ways, I agree with Villecroix, particularly that modern sexuality is fraught with wrong turns and misguided expressions. It is too easy to take the pleasure of sex and ignore the deep passion of sacred union. He is not alone in contending that taking care of one's relationships leads to deep unions and glorious pleasures, physical, mental, and emotional.

That said, I didn't find the exercises all that useful. I suspect that they are just not my cup of tea as opposed to being genuinely not useful. The descriptions of the movements is clear and direct, the accompanying images are useful. Many of the exercises can be done whether you have a partner or not, and that can be very valuable.

In the end, I would say that Sex Mudras is recommended, with the caveat that your mileage may vary.

~review by Lisa Mc Sherry

Author: Serge Villecroix
Destiny Books, 2013
pp. 128, $14.95