We know what you're thinking: a certain ex-frontman of The Police and his alleged eight-hour sex marathons. Who has the time? That's why the 21st century version of the ancient art of tantra, which doesn't require days stuck in bed, got us thinking om yeah. "Tantra gets the most hits on my website," says Jacqueline Hellyer, sex coach and therapist. Why? Hellyer explains that just as we often look to Eastern traditions of yoga and acupuncture to cure, say, a bad back, there's a growing interest in alternative approaches to sex.

"Much of sex in western society is superficial," says Hellyer. "We're looking for the one move that will make sex fantastic, and so far porn has been our only choice for something different. Porn's designed to visually titillate; it's not necessarily what feels good. And it's not for everyone." Tantra has nothing to do with pneumatic blondes bouncing up and down and everything to do with energies, mindfulness and breathing. The goal is to enrich the sexual experience. "Tantra does have an air of hippiness about it, but my approach - as a busy, modern woman with similar clients - is tantra for busy people. Strip away the flowing robes and chanting of mantras and you're left with the basic elements of a good sex life: extended touching, stroking, massage and exploration."

Tantra practitioners the world over use it as a way to improve a lacklustre sex life, to increase libido, desire and intimacy between couples, and to make women more easily orgasmic and men less like racehorses bolting to the finish line. So we put these couples through a four-hour workshop in which Hellyer taught them the tantric basics: rhythmic breathing, eye-gazing, massage and sensory exercises, plus some very sexy homework. Then we asked them to share what they learnt. Read on...

The long-term couple with kids

The newlyweds

The time-poor parents

Soon-to-be-married couple

The basic elements of tantra

Sure, sometimes you just want a quickie, but adding a bit of poetry into bedroom play will help you both reach your sexual potential, says WH sex expert Jacqueline Hellyer. You know what they say about a couple who plays together...

SACRED SPACE
Your bedroom should be a beautiful environment for love and sex - make it a sanctuary and try to keep the kids out as much as possible.

SENSORY AROUSAL
Add elements to your sex life that heighten all of the senses: music, essential oils, sexy foods, feathers and silk. And try keeping your eyes open.

TOUCH
In tantra, the focus is on the whole body, not just your genitals, so explore each other from top to toe, and resist the urge to direct.

GIVING & RECEIVING
Complete focus and complete surrender makes for better sex. Let go of the need to do things "right".

PRESENCE
To focus on right now, do a quick sensory check: close your eyes and tune into what you can hear, taste, smell and touch. Then open your eyes.

BREATH
Breathe deep into your diaphragm and down into your abdomen - before, during and after sex.