Screening about Vulva Massage~!

Feeling full of love and passion, I invite you to join me at my home, Templo Xochipilli. We will be sharing a moment together on VULVA loving, munch on chocolate, taking deep/loud breaths, and perhaps get a special screening of a Feminist Erotic Film I made in college...let's share the excitement of sending me off to AUSTRALIA! Soon I'll post the outcome of this event.

Heart Pleasuring

One of the first assignments I had during Sexological Bodywork training, I had to dedicate time everyday for at least seven days to masturbation/meditation. I chose one simple exercise called heart pleasuring which is a Cherokee practice taught to youth as they begin to tap into their sexuality. It goes like this- as you inhale, you squeeze your pelvic floor muscles (like a kegel/like squeezing your bootyhole real tight)and the same time visualizing your heart pulling up the sensation of the squeeze (your erotic energy) pulling it right up into your heart. When you exhale you relax your pelvic floor. Do this with each breath, consciously for at least 15 minutes and notice how your body feels and what goes through your mind. The idea is to do this style of breathing and masturbate. The following is a description of my experience.

It took me 4 sessions of heart pleasuring before I actually touched myself in an erotic way. Once I did, I felt impatient, bored, and frustrated with the realization that I indeed have self-hatred deep inside. My practice changed in that I was dreading setting aside the time to be with myself as opposed to the initial excitement in the first few days. Facing myself has been unnerving; I can sense my unwillingness to change. Intellectually I understand what is happening, and as I process the topic of self-loathing, then I begin to consider the possibility of continuing the practice with a little more enthusiasm. It’s strange to feel like I’m still negotiating with myself if I truly deserve to feel this amazing.

When I describe heart orgasms as a possibility, people are more receptive to the concept of medibation. As I hesitate to continue the practice with same ambition I entered into it, I realize that as a bodyworker I would stress the importance of feeling safe, privacy, calm, quiet environment, and to give ourselves the patience you would give a newborn.

I had feelings of remorse, anxiety, and regret over my past sexual experiences. There was profound sadness for people not having access to this information. I was questioning my privilege in getting this information. I felt guilt for acquiring this information, knowing that it is indigenous, yet coming to it through “higher education”, there was embarrassment.

I began this practice in February 2010 when I was going through my first round of Sexological Bodywork Training.

Sexological Bodywork Training in Australia

I have the wonderful opportunity to intern/mentor a group of Sexological Bodywork students in Australia with Joseph Kramer and Ellen Heed. I am continuing my education by adding another layer of sexological bodywork, including pelvic floor scar tissue remediation, bringing feeling back to scarred/numb areas due to body dysphoria, birth trauma, sexual trauma, cesareans, etc. I am integrating this style of bodywork into my birth doula practice offering pre-natal and post-partum sexological bodywork sessions to my clients. I know that it is essential to address sexuality and pleasure as a source of power and comfort. Also, I'm sharing ejaculation education as a means to ensure women a more tangible practice in "pushing" their babies out. I'll be blogging about my experience in Australia and soon will post up my experiences from my first round of training this past Spring in San Francisco. If you'd like to contribute to my revolutionary efforts in body autonomy and pleasure please send a donation via my PayPal: garcia.pati@gmail.com
Mil Gracias!

Women of Color Conference, Spelman College ATL

Chula Doula Bodywork and Birth Services has the opportunity to attend the Women of Color Conference in Altlanta, Georgia from October 09-10th, 2009. I've been fortunate enough to have met Carol Downer back in June and have since developed a an even stronger connection to the Feminist Health Movement that began long before I was born. Since I've met Carol, she's been an unwavering support in my journey as a bodyworker, birth doula, assistant midwife, abortion counselor, and more than anything D.I.Y. Gynecology and Self-Examination Workshop leader. We recently went on a road trip to the bay area where I was able to teach a workshop to night in a row! Thanks to Riyana, a wonderful bodywork sister, we had a comfortable and beautiful space to learn and discover our cervix! Also, I toured the Women's Health Specialists in Sacramento and witnessed Feminist health workers in action. Total inspiration. So thankful for woman led health care.

Coming to Boyle Heights this Month

D.I.Y. Gynecology for your Wombspace Workshop Series

THURSDAYS June 11th, 18th, 25th  2009

at Liliflor's Studios

2026 E. 1st. Street

Boyle Heights, CA 90033

$10 at the door

7:30pm-9pm

With precise anatomic self-awareness we are able to take control of

our bodies, let go of fears, reclaim our uterine power, and live

confidently. From natural birth control using non-hormonal methods to

reaching pregnancy naturally to P.M.S. intervention and prevention

this workshop will provide simple home remedies and practical

fertility awareness information. We will discuss the function and

tension within our pelvic floors and how that affects our lives in

respects to sexual pleasure, menstruation, and birthgiving. We will

discuss the concepts of potential space, sexual boundaries, and

honoring our true selves.

We will be learning from the book "A New View of a Woman's Body" $20 and

"Hot Pants" $5 both will be available at the workshops for purchase.

Self-exam kits including, speculum, flashlight, mirror and instruction booklet in a cute Japanese drawstring bag will be available also.

June 11th- Precise Anatomical Self Awareness for Sexual Empowerment

June 18th- DIY Gynecology- Herbal and Natural Remedies and Self-Examination

June 25th- Doulas and Midwives oh my! Birth Choices

Please contact Pati Garcia (workshop presenter) to register at chuladoula@gmail.com or 323-660-3279

Workshop Tonight, Thursday, May 28th 2009

Please join me for this great workshop where you'll meet two wonderful doula's, learn about your birthing choices and have the opportunity to connect with other women and share your experiences. Don't miss out and please spread the word!