Lately, the gift of vulnerability and body image has been on my mind. I have just returned from coaching the newest class of Somatic Sex Educators to reach for certification. I was there to support their learning, but as it is with all things - I learned a great deal from them. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the experience cracked my heart wide open. It was one of the most vulnerable experiences of my life, and it opened up a brand new place of creation for me. There is a physical and spiritual liberation and power that happens through vulnerability. I was reminded of that this morning from one of the members of my Shameless Community in her blog. It was a great reminder. What I have discovered, is that I am not truly living and not in my power if I don't open to the power of my own vulnerability. If you have never heard Brene Brown talk on "The Power of Vulnerability", do it today! And if you have heard her, please listen again. It's that good and that's important. It is truly our work.
It's the place from where sexy flows.
And my sexy has never been more in the flow. What is that about? Lately, what has been put in my face is what people are saying about me. How my physical appearance has been changing. The shape of my body. The softness of my demeanor. How my secret weapon is my big generous heart. My openness. And it has been a lot of that...holding all of how people are seeing me. And some of it, I don't love either. Folks wanting me to be smaller. Take up less air time. Jealous feelings. But they are all sacred mirrors. Right? It is beautiful and overwhelming. What was I before? Am I really so different or are they just seeing me in a new way? What about me has changed to allow others to see who I am, or am I really any of it at all? It makes me feel vulnerable. And then it occurred to me that I always feel vulnerable, and if I am not feeling vulnerable about something - I tend to go find something to feel vulnerable about! The lack of vulnerability, the lack of a low undercurrent of anxiety in my life is usually an indicator that I am not living to my fullest.
And that apparently is a great big key for living an incredible full and connected life. Being willing to be vulnerable. And I truly believe that this starts with our relationship with our body and our sexuality. Being willing to go deep and be vulnerable with ourselves in ways that you may never have imagined is possible. That has been my secret to living life as a turned on woman. And I want to share it with you. I want to invite you into being vulnerable and letting the sexy flow in your own life and it is never too early or too late to move your feet in the direction of your heart and begin to open more to vulnerability. That is my secret weapon. According to researcher, Brene Brown, " Vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, creativity, and love and whole heartedness". When you can be brave enough to lean into this place I truly believe that you will open to an entirely new level of creativity and sexiness in your life. I have gotten in my heart of hearts, that it is my openness to this that makes me truly beautiful - not my ass, or my tits. Vulnerable is what makes you beautiful. The hard part is recognizing where your fear is. And once you do, putting your feet in that direction. It's not always comfortable, but the results are incredible.
Sometimes it is just about being willing to learn into your fear, and not know if what you are doing is going to work out. It's about not always knowing the script. So here comes my invitation to you! Are you ready to go where the sexy flows inside of you? Are you willing to be open to being vulnerable and have a completely new and extraordinary experience? I hope so! It will forever change your life. It will bring you up close, and lovingly in the place of vulnerability and transformation.
"Back to The Body: A Sensuous Retreat For Women"
Back to the Body is a unique offering created for women to come together and immerse themselves in the pleasure of their own sensuality in a safe structured environment. More than a circle, this is a retreat that has been created to allow you to connect to your own Inner Goddess in the loving presence of women on a similar journey.
Come be held in Her arms, experience the full sensual possibilities that are present in your glorious body. Ride the waves of pleasure deep into the mysteries of the feminine. Dance in your own desire and play in the full expression of your sexuality. This retreat is limited to six women, and will be facilitated by renowned sex, love and intimacy coaches Pamela Madsen (www.bengshameless.com), and Ron Stewart (http://www.skycladyoga.com) as well as another Sexological Body Worker on our team.
Is it time to reclaim, go deeper or celebrate your body? Join us.
A Taste of What You Can Expect:
- Daily Hands on Taoist Sensuous Body Work Provided By Will Fredericks and Ron Stewart, Certified Sexological Bodyworkers
- Additional sessions of one on one touch on various areas of your body such as pelvic floor release, scar tissue remediation, or breast massage
- Spa services including mani/pedi and facials
- Organic Cooking and Tantric Dining Experiences
- Ritual Sensual Bathing Experience
- Hands on workshops and daily practice with yoga, movement, meditation and dance
- Opportunities to be silly, laugh and play
- Group discussions on body image, orgasm, sexuality, speaking desire, understanding boundaries and how to open to more pleasure in our daily lives.
- Surprise Events!
- Fun Goody Bag (and I do mean FUN)
All participants will receive one additional coaching session with Pamela after the retreat completes.
This retreat is being held on a property known as Deer Leap. This place is a true sanctuary which will allow you to completely release yourself from daily obligations so that you may fully engage with your own present self, and nourish your body, mind and spirit. To fully immerse yourself in your Back to The Body journey, consider this space a getaway in our beautifully furnished suite.
The living area is a 800 square-foot studio apartment which boasts vaulted ceilings, a wood burning stove, eclectic furnishings, private deck, and laundry services. This cozy yet spacious suite sleeps 6 people. We are going to have a fabulous sexy pajama party under it's cozy and restful roof.
The well-equipped kitchen and rustic dining table will show case our amazing organic and communal meal which will sometimes feel like intimate dinners and at other times feel like sumptuous feasts!
The suite has Internet access and TV with DVD player, sound system with iPod connection. The studio/spa is connected to our suite and we have two full bathrooms. The retreat also offers infrared sauna, and a large soaking tub where we will have our bath ritual.
The property is called Deer Leap which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014. A beautiful and majestic reminder of life in simpler times. The suite is located on a seven acre private landscape of trees, mountains and a hike up the hill will be rewarded with views of the ocean.
Originally built as a summer house for a shipping family, Deer Leap has passed through many ages and incarnations and now rests peacefully once more as a gracious home for a thriving family. Our hope is that your time at Deer Leep will welcome in the processes of healing and transformation that will take place through practices of sensuous massage, body scrubs, infrared sauna, dance, yoga, intimate conversations, and a spirit of play.
The Back to The Body Retreat is the event that will take place as you leave the city and arrive in this quiet part of the world surrounded by natural beauty.
Important Details:
Dates: July 3rd through July 7th. Cost: $4,000 inclusive of lodgings, food, pick up and drop off at airports and ferries, all services and special events
If you would like to set up a time to chat about coming, please send me an email at Pamela@beingshameless.com. xoxo Pamela
