“Zentoy as a product is more than a vibrator.”

The ideas embodied by Zentoy are very old: The tenets of yoga spread throughout India more than 2000 years ago, long before they also swept the western world. On the other hand, the technology used in Zentoy is as modern as anything the market has to offer. But as Theodore Kyrios tells us, Zentoy is much more than just another sex toy with app connectivity and teledildonics features. In our interview, he explains how yoga, technology, and sex amalgamate in this new product.

Zentoy is a vibrator that is “inspired by yoga and meditation.“ How is this philosophy reflected in your product?
Theodore Kyrios: Having great sex is not just about the act of sexual intercourse or having orgasms. The sexual energy that is built up is the rocket fuel that moves forward everything in our life; it is a source of joy, balance, fulfilment, vitality, and creativity! We have realised that when our choices and actions satisfy all soul, mind, and body, everything multiplies in intensity and effect, thus leading to the ultimate pleasure; and this is true for any kind of pleasure, not just sexual pleasure. Yoga and meditation can help achieving this soul, mind, and body alignment and ultimately lead to pleasure, to ecstasy.

So, Zentoy as a company is more than just sex toys, and Zentoy as a product is more than a vibrator; it’s a complete world with yoga and meditation principles integrated. Yes, our first product release is indeed a vibrator, but it is just the beginning. Our product line will go way beyond that. We are bringing forward something new, something you haven’t seen before. We are in the implementation process. At this moment, I can only say that our goal is to both inspire and facilitate people into soul, mind, and body pleasure experiences.

Yoga and meditation can help increase sexual pleasure. Was that why you turned to these techniques for inspiration? How can they help people have better sexual experiences?
Definitely yes, yoga and meditation can help increasing sexual pleasure and yes, that got our attention. We do not want to bore you with numbers and statistics, but studies repeatedly show that women who practice yoga not only have more desire for sex but also experience better orgasms. In Yoga Sutra [editor’s note: one of the origin texts of the yoga teachings] , there is the ashtanga, a path of eight steps, that basically acts as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Meditation is one of the steps. Breathing is another one. First seven steps progressively lead to the 8th and final step, which is a state of ecstasy. Understanding the ashtanga, is impossible to miss the correlation with the path to female pleasure. There are so many things we want to share with the world as to how yoga and meditation can practically enhance our sexual experiences.

We will keep it short though and share some important key points in a nutshell:

• Enable being present in the moment. Meditation creates this enhanced ability to tune in with your body and feel what is taking place, away from the thoughts in your mind, allowing yourself to enjoy every second. Know exactly what you want, when and how you want it delivered.
• Higher energy levels. Because you have more energy running through your body and an uplifted mood, arousal comes easier. And that extra energy helps you be more active and thus reach out for your partner or those toys in the drawer much easier.
• Stronger muscles deliver stronger orgasms. Yoga tones and strengthens your entire core and increases your blood flow. This means two things. Stronger muscle contractions and Increased blood flow to the genitals; that naturally lead to more intense orgasms.
• Increased flexibility and confidence. All those body poses being practiced during yoga add to your flexibility and create the opportunity of trying new sexual poses with your partner. Also, it allows you to become more comfortable in positions that made you feel more vulnerable.
• A healthier and happier pelvic floor. Yoga can help reduce pain and tension in the hips, allowing your pelvic floor muscles to move with more ease. Also, it helps increasing both strength and awareness of the muscles involved in pleasurable sexual sensations, thus allowing for more intense orgasms

So, yoga came to us as a natural path to follow and seek inspiration from, allowing us to create products and experiences different from what you have seen so far. Zentoy experiences are not about vibrators. Is about providing the means for every woman to create her own personal fulfilling and satisfying intimate path to pleasure; and by doing so, allow her to master the Art of Female Orgasm.

The user can customise her experience with Zentoy via an app. Which possibilities of customisation does this app offer?
Our first Zentoy is fully functional as a standalone device, which means you can use it without the app. By using the Zentoy Play mobile app, you can further customise your Zentoy just the way you like it. Zentoy has nine vibration positions. Five of them are fully customisable through the Zentoy Play mobile App. You can create unique vibes in terms of intensity and pattern and then transfer them to your Zentoy.

It’s like creating vibrating songs and playlists. You can keep your vibes forever in the App, even If you buy another Zentoy in the future. To give you an analogy, the Zentoy PLAY app does what iTunes does for iPhones. Zentoy can also be remote controlled in real time using a second app, the Zentoy REMOTE application over the Web. Remote connections are safe and completely anonymous. It’s a perfect option for remote relationships. Currently we have released the Zentoy PLAY application for iOS and Android. Zentoy REMOTE will be available in December 2016.

Besides the software, the physical design is also an important aspect of a sex toy. What were your guidelines when you designed Zentoy?
We believe that a good application complements an already exceptional toy. Have a toy that under-delivers, and even the best of the apps cannot save the day. So, we always start with an awesome product design that can deliver an equally awesome experience. Then, we build the application around that. We always look for simplicity and elegance in our designs. And we always look into satiating a need or desire.

Inspiration might come from nature, from a habit, from a need that is currently not being met. Take Zentoy. Hold it in your hands and see how it feels. Curvy, comfortable, pleasant to the hand, nearly addictive; most women report that they want to just hold it and not put it down. Now project that to the vulva area. This is how it feels there too. Curvy, with a spinal internal structure to follow body contours and deliver variation in sensations. It features a Zenball – a metallic sphere on top – designed to balance the vibrations and offer a clitoral numbfree experience.

Combined with a lower frequency motor, it replicates the vibration frequencies of a Singing Bowl, delivering more balanced sensations. At the time of pleasure, we want you to focus on what matters the most. So we have removed unnecessary buttons. You can use the application to customise as needed, if and when needed. Lastly, we designed Zentoy to look nothing like a sex toy, making it ideal as a personal gift.

With more and more toys being able to connect to an app, the question of data security is becoming increasingly important for users. Does Zentoy collect data about its user? Which measures did you take to keep the personal user data safe?
For Zentoy, security and transparency have a primary focus. We made a commitment on this right from the beginning. Everything was designed and developed so that Zentoys DO NOT collect any user information nor require any kind of login. Some technical information: Every connection is anonymous. We even developed a unique secure authentication system for remote connections that neither us nor the remote users know who each other are. Even the unique remote authentication keys that allow the connection to take place, expire after use.

We put long hours in testing our applications in multiple user scenarios and multiple devices so user experience is smooth and flawless. In the rare case of technical issues, we do collect the typical data from the application and device so we can apply changes and fixes. Zentoy users can find more details at the terms of use and privacy policy. Everything is transparent.

You announced that there will be additional apps for Zentoy. What can your users look forward to?
Yes, we are excited to have many new applications planned to be launched in the next two years. Applications that will either complement or facilitate existing behaviours and habits, not relating just to our sexual behaviour. We are all about enhancing experiences, from the way we do Self-Love or Connect with a partner, to the way we do Shopping. At this point, we can only share the keywords Rituals and VR. We encourage you to look on our website for updates, or subscribe to our Newsletter where we will be sharing more as the launch of each app approaches.

What can you tell us about the company and the development team behind Zentoy?
Everyone at Zentoy is an expert in something unique. We love combining our expertise and diverse perspectives into creating new ideas and products. We value Innovation and Design, Good Cooperation and Partnerships as much as we value Ethics, Women and Sexuality. From Experience Designers, Sex and Zen Life Coaches to Industrial Designers, Hardware Engineers, Hardware Engineers, Art and Brand Experts, all of us here at Zentoy, we are passionate with one thing; The Art of Female Orgasm – how can we help people talk about it, how can we help women experience it, how can we help women master and own it.

We are being diverse, not only in our background and perspectives but also in our nationalities and countries we are living in. US, Italy, Greece, Tokyo, Albania, China. Multiple languages and multiple time zones are never a problem for us. And of course traveling is an essential part for our team, either it being for bonding and brainstorming or for RnD and production.

Packaging is also an important aspect of a sophisticated toy. How do you make sure the user is drawn to Zentoy in the store?
We are glad you are asking this question because packaging is indeed an important aspect of the user’s experience and we have put both a lot of thought and testing into it. We made some very important decisions right at the beginning. We decided that our packaging choices will reflect our love for design and innovation, will remain functional and practical, will promote body safety and hygiene, and will have as less impact on the environment as possible; all complementing the Zentoy experience. We believe we have something unique to share. Zentoy comes in an elegant, minimal and practical case, exclusively designed for Zentoy. It is washable and hygienic and holds all necessary accessories, ideal for both storage and traveling.

Are you working with distributors? Where can European retailers get the toy if they want to sell it in their stores?
It’s really easy to get your hands on your own Zentoy. You just go to our website www.zentoy.com. Note that we offer free shipping and returns in USA and EU countries. We’ll also be at selected online and physical stores by December; list of available locations will be listed on our website. Retailers can get in touch with us at world@zentoy.com.

What will be the next steps for Zentoy?
There are so many things we want to bring forward to the world. We are working hard on them. There is a short-term plan and a long-term plan. I am sharing the first with you. The latter we will reveal as we move forward. Along with the Zentoy product, a special line of personal lubricants and intimate accessories will be available by the end of the year. In the following months we are planning to release a video series hoping to inspire people into soul, mind, and body pleasure experiences. Will they include yoga and meditation elements? You bet they will! Finally, we are planning the production of a unique product, hoping to revolutionise the Vibrator Market. Unfortunately, we cannot share more at the moment as we are waiting for the patent filing. It will be ready by September 2017 though, so stay tuned!