IT'S AN Eastern philosophy that's more usually associated with the sexual exploits of rock stars but the community of Shap is about to get a first-hand taste of tantra.

The spiritual belief system is next month due to come under the spotlight in the village where residents are more used to Mothers' Union meetings than mystical teaching.

The event is being organised by Helen Dziemidko who has been involved in tantra for four years, and who wanted to bring a weekend class to her home village rather than having to venture as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall where she is an assistant in other courses. The memorial hall weekend is believed to be only the second such tantra course to be held in the county.

Tantra became infamous after the pop star, Sting, who has a home in Grasmere, claimed that he and his wife, Trudie Styler, were advocates of tantric sex, although he has since said that the story sprang from a drunken joke.

Although the Shap weekend, which is for singles and couples, promises to "reawaken your capacity for passion", Dr Dziemidko warned it would be introductory and would not feature the sexual elements of tantra.

Anyone who was looking for a sexual-based experience would be disappointed: "Sometimes we get men who, I think, are looking to find a woman to play with. They don't tend to last very long in tantra and we don't encourage those kind of men."

Dr Dziemidko believes that people's attitudes to tantra are similar to those held about yoga before its surge in popularity.

"Everybody's doing yoga now and yoga is now accepted, but tantra is probably like yoga was ten or 15 years ago people go "what is it, it sounds a bit weird".

"It's been around as long as yoga but it's only been opened up to the west recently."

Participants will be asked to wear loose clothing, and the sessions may involve dance, massage, breathing and chanting. The event will also include two "rituals" called awakening the senses, and the journey of the heart, which will each last between two and three hours.

However, Dr Dziemidko said she would prefer people to come along and experience the day than have preconceived ideas of what would happen.

Directing the Taste of Tantra weekend will be John Hawken who ,Dr Dziemidko said, was the UK leader in his field.

l For details contact Dr Dziemidko on 01931-716816 or by e-mail at hdziemidko@yahoo.co.uk