What comes to mind when you think of the word pleasure?
Is it taboo, dirty, awkward, foreign, or evoke images of seedy porn scenes?
Pleasure is a heavy word. It’s laden with meaning from all of the patriarchal/purity culture baggage we carry around within us.
Let’s reclaim pleasure.
I define pleasure as the sensory experience of delight.
Whatever is pleasurable is whatever is delightful.
*Pleasure does not have to be sexual.*
What are the benefits of pleasure?
Pleasure takes us deep within our experiences and to connect with our sensations
Pleasure calls us to be present
Pleasure supports our nervous system repair and resilience
Pleasure helps us to be available to connect with our people
Pleasure is fun
Where do you start?
Create an intention for your practice.
-What do you want more of? Connection, love, safety, belonging?
An intention creates a container/context for an experience and supports us in creating meaning.
For example: my intention is to connect to my womb
Gather supplies/materials.
-What do you need or want?
-What makes you feel good? candles, privacy, a tasty treat, water, a sex toy, lube, crystal wand, jade egg?
Set aside time.
-It can be a whole day, week, 5 min, whatever you have time for.
Play some juicy tunes and create the atmosphere
Helpful Hints for your practice:
Work with whatever is alive in you. Connect to your breath and feel the sensations in your body.
Journal, scream, yell, be with your thoughts and feelings, move the energy through you
Ask permission; before you pleasure yourself through masturbation, ask permission from your body.
Does your vulva want penetration, does she want to be stimulated?
Do you feel blocked or unable to focus? Connect with that part of you and offer compassion and acceptance.
Have fun!
End with gratitude, meditate on what you discovered about yourself, visualize the pleasure soaking into every part of your body, and journal about your experience!
What is your favorite pleasure practice?