Although I have received great massages from both therapists & amateurs, I must say some of the BEST massages I have ever received were from women who were not professional massage therapists but real enthusiasts!!

Could just be what I have experienced, but I find that Therapists are usually fried from giving the standard massage and many want to rush the standard massage moving into the sensual part of the massage since it is out of the ordinary for them. As far as a true massage turning sensual as it progresses I find that I get much better from a true Amateur Enthusiast.

As long as I receive an equitable massage in exchange I have no problem with a professional vs. an amateur.  It's unfortunate that most professional exchanges i receive don't turn out that way for me; no, I am not that critical either.

There a 2 things needed for a good exchange, the skills and experience to give a good massage and the personality and likeability of the person you meet, both are needed for both people to exchange an enjoyable massage.Professional or amateur status is not really important.

I will say that sometimes amateurs make up in enthusiasm and energy what they lack in formal training, and I've met some pros who were formulaic rather than intuitive. I've also had unpleasant experiences with amateurs who somehow didn't understand that I wanted a massage, not a FWB. In the end, it all comes down to intention and execution.

So far I can confidently say I have enjoyed all the amateur massage exchanges which so far have only been with males. Each have had varying degrees of skill but all have been enthusiastic and enjoyable. I have only had one professional massage exchange with a male and he was extremely helpful however all other massages have been from females and my most enjoyable ones have not involved intimate areas. There are a few times I will agree that some of the ladies have clearly been weary or bored and the human connectivity missing. I think massage exchange really changes the whole dynamic because each person is doing something intimate and personal to relax and pleasure the other, and that pleasure is in my view as good or better than sex!

The advantage of an amateur is that you know that person and are automatically more relaxed in their presence. The advantage of a pro is that they know which buttons to press and often deliver a more coherent session

I think a lot depends on the attitude of the person giving the massage. We all have off days at work and it can easily show here.

Most of the therapist I have seen have a strict schedule so they tend to be clock watchers. While the amateurs have more flexibility.

My greatest massage experience has been from my two massage therapist who are both instructors. I've yet to find an amateur with the same intuitiveness and overall massage experience. I certainly welcome the future experience with an amateur, that's why I'm here.

Therapist are frequently kind of mechanical, amateurs seem to be more intuitive and enjoy the process