I signed up for a bodysex workshop after chatting with one of the facilitators. I chose her specifically because she is a plus sized woman. I figure if she is comfortable in her own skin and being a sexual being then maybe, just maybe, there is hope for me. I like the idea of the bodysex workshop being held in a circle as I have experienced the healing power of plant medicine circles in the past. It is like my soul is calling me to a sacred women’s circle where the rituals give permission for me to bare all, including nudity.
Then the excite-dreads hit me and it feels like I am vomiting terror and sweating beads of shame. The shame and terror feel like they are ricocheting off of my excitement and curiosity. What will it be like to sit in a circle of nude women? Where the soul purpose is to experience pleasure and self love.
I peak into the ceremony space, it is beautiful. I feel surreal, a bit floaty. I find my place and I ground myself. OK, What’s Here? What’s Now? Ok: I can feel my butt on my back jack, I can feel the softness of my towel. I see the light shining through the window and feel the sun warming the room. I feel waves of sorrow as grief also accompanies me on this adventure. I long for those with whom I most dearly want to share in my journey, my mom, long since passed and my beloved mentor.
It is my turn to share. How do you feel about your body? I am definitely squirming in my seat, took a deep breathe and say, I hate having such a fat waist. Surprisingly there was no echoes or concurring voices in my head or in the room. As the other women held space for this critical part so could I. I feel more compassion for my belly and when I find myself criticizing her, I gently caress my belly and send her love.
I rarely share what parts of my body I love, in fear, that I will be judged as arrogant. So now is my chance, somebody is actually asking me about my body. I love muscles and at 60 I still have strong, muscular arms and legs. I feel my confidence and power as I raise my arms in a body builders pose to demonstrate. As I delight in my body, I feel a warm glow radiating from my core filling me.
Next question, how do you feel about your orgasm? I struggled to keep my head up and look around at the women in the circle. Ah, yes, a shaming part has shown up. I know you well. I took a breath. “I love my orgasm.” Truth be told I super love my orgasm and refuse to live without her. So, freeing to share my forbidden secret that I love sexual pleasure. I hear no gasps, no sounds of shock or disgust, the shaming part lifts and all I feel is acceptance. I am an orgasmic woman who enjoys her pleasure.
Out of my head and into my body is so challenging. My mind does what a mind does taking me into the past and into the future, but, rarely into this present moment. The bodysex rituals: guided vulva massage, guided masturbation keeps my mind occupied, and I am able to explore the parts of my vulva that give me pleasure with little or no shame. When a shaming part shows up, I tune into the guides voice and listen to sounds of sexual pleasure in the room. This gives me permission to continue exploring the pleasures in my body.
What I cherish about my bodysex experience is the unshackling of my body from shame. The uncoupling of the shame associated with my desire and enjoyment of sexual pleasure/masturbation. Wow, how marvelous my heart is dancing. So, I am lubing up, turning on sultry music, grabbing my favorite vibrator and dildo for a life time of pleasure.

Grace Oasis
Northern Ontario, Canada
Read Articles by Grace
Born Angry
The earliest emotion I can remember having is anger. Born in the early 1960’s, I had parents that were born in the 1930’s, an age where men and women’s roles were distinctly defined and those roles were upheld in legislation and in religious communities. Then came...
Abortion: A Self-Reflection
As a child born in the early 1960’s the message was simple: abortion is a sin and so is sex outside of marriage. So, I never thought much about abortions or marriage. Then at the age of 12, I remember my teacher asking if there are any circumstances when abortion is...
Tribute to Betty Dodson
I stumbled across Betty Dodson’s life’s work while I was looking for a comprehensive sex program that included nudity. Well, I found that and more. Betty’s books and art work challenged my puritan views of sex and showed me a path to reclaim my sexuality. As I explore...
Is It Hot in Here or Is It Just Me?
Revisiting Menopausal Hormone Therapy When I was a new Nurse Practitioner (NP), the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) evidence-based medicine guidelines scared the sh * t out of many prescribers. I was one of them. HRT went from being the miracle drugs for treating...
Oh the Lies
I was pondering what are myths? I started with google and found Joseph Campbell’s and Wikipedia’s definition of myths and their functions. I never realized there where so many definitions and functions of myths and how my culture is ladened with myth, not just sexual...