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	<title>BodyJoy &#187; Body Joy</title>
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	<link>http://bodyjoy.org</link>
	<description>Enjoy new ways to Touch, Talk &#38; Play</description>
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		<title>Massage on the Edge: Spring Special</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/05/massage-on-the-edge-spring-special/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/05/massage-on-the-edge-spring-special/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 21:28:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Classes & Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1458</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An Odyssey into Sensation
May only -  20% Spring Discount!
What happens when you cross sensual masseuse with a Pro Dom?
An amazing experience!  You sense, savor and surrender like never before&#8211;in timeless suspension&#8211;you enter a deep erotic sub space.
Combining light bondage, sensory deprivation, erotic massage and sensation play, your body becomes a playground for sensual experimentation and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3 style="text-align: center;">An Odyssey into Sensation</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">May only -  20% Spring Discount!</h4>
<p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1463" style="border: 2px solid #660066; margin-top: 0px;" title="Charla-bw-150" src="http://bodyjoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Charla-bw-150.jpg" alt="Charla - spring special" width="111" height="150" />What happens when you cross sensual masseuse with a Pro Dom?</p>
<p>An amazing experience!  You sense, savor and surrender like never before&#8211;in timeless suspension&#8211;you enter a deep erotic sub space.</p>
<p>Combining light bondage, sensory deprivation, erotic massage and sensation play, your body becomes a playground for sensual experimentation and extended Erotic Trance realms.</p>
<p><a title="Massage on the Edge" href="http://bodyjoy.org/massage-on-the-edge/">Find out more and schedule your Massage on the Edge today!</a></p>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Let&#8217;s Talk Sex Teleclass: (4) Weds, 7 pm, June</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/05/lets-talk-sex/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/05/lets-talk-sex/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 18:59:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Classes & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1415</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[June 6, 13, 20, 27, Wednesdays, 7-7:50 pm, series $65
View Flyer [PDF]
Join Charla for some great Phone Sex and enjoy affordable, usable erotic education brought right to your ear.  Find out more about...

Week 1 - Female erections, orgasms and ejaculation, oh my!


	How to heat up her waters, and keep her boiling
	How to massage the internal [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3 style="text-align: center;">June 6, 13, 20, 27, Wednesdays, 7-7:50 pm, series $65</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><a title="Lets Talk Sex flyer" href="http://bodyjoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Lets_Talk_Sex_Now.pdf" target="_blank">View Flyer [PDF]</a></h4>
<p><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1425" style="border: 2px solid #660066; margin-top: 0px;" title="Lets Talk Sex" src="http://bodyjoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/talksex.jpg" alt="Lets Talk Sex" width="248" height="300" />Join Charla for some great <strong>Phone Sex </strong>and enjoy affordable, usable erotic education brought right to your ear.  Find out more about&#8230;</p>
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><strong>Week 1 </strong>- Female erections, orgasms and ejaculation, oh my!</span><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>How to heat up her waters, and keep her boiling</li>
<li>How to massage the internal clitoris and g-spot</li>
<li>Is size is important&#8211;but size of what?</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><strong>Week 2 </strong>- Male potency, longevity and pleasure, oh my!</span><strong><br />
</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>How your Taoist Erotic Massage will make him Superman</li>
<li>Why Doctors no longer massage the prostate, but <em>you</em> can!</li>
<li>How to ride his Hidden Cock for a prolonged cosmic journey</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><strong>Week 3 </strong>- Finding God through Masturbation, oh my!</span><strong></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>How to elevate your solo pleasuring to new heights</li>
<li>How to share masturbation as a hot partner turn-on</li>
<li>How toys and fantasies can get you playing again</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><strong>Week 4 </strong>- Fool proof ways to get desired, pursued and seduced!</span></p>
<ul>
<li>Offer the love &#8216;sandwich&#8217;&#8211;yummy (and easy)</li>
<li>Flirt&#8211;because you can! (and more so after this call)</li>
<li>How to escalate his/her &#8216;string of yeses&#8217;&#8230;oh my, yes, yes, yes!</li>
</ul>
<p>Find a cozy, private spot for your 50 minute rendezvous with Charla, your savvy sexologist. She’ll give you lots to chew over the first 20 minutes (outlined above), then you’ll have 30 minutes more for questions, experiences and homework. Learn the fun way, at home, with ease, and confidentiality&#8211;and you&#8217;re gonna LOVE your homework!  If you miss a call you can listen later.  You’re going to be Charla&#8217;s next honor student&#8211;move to the ‘head’ of the class!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Warning</span> <span style="color: #ff0000;">&#8211; if you plan to be on this call while taking your evening walk, you may attract a following and coyotes may howl.</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href=" http://letstalksexnow.eventbrite.com" target="_blank">Register here</a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em><strong>Testimonials:</strong></em></p>
<p><em>&#8211;&#8221;I love the incognito part of phone sex learning&#8211;I didin&#8217;t even have to use my real name, though Charla is so easy and positive to learn from.&#8221;</em></p>
<div><em>&#8212;&#8221;Charla crafts a safe haven for us to come together and learn. She models amazing tools for healing, growth and pleasure. Heck, the first call alone was worth the tuition.&#8221;</em></div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>&#8211;&#8221;I call Charla my Sexual Godmother; she&#8217;s like an ancient Priestess ushering me into a richer, fuller sexuality.&#8221;</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Female Ejaculation Lecture for Men &amp; Women: 6/7</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/04/feminine-fountain-the-goddess-spot-67/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/04/feminine-fountain-the-goddess-spot-67/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:31:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Classes & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1398</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[w/ Deborah Sundahl, June 7, Thur. 7-9pm, $25 or $20 w/ friend
The G-spot is the female prostate. All women have one, as do all men. Therefore, all women can ejaculate. Learn how to get this wonderful feminine fountain flowing! World renown expert and author, Deborah Sundahl, will teach you all you need to know about [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3 style="text-align: center;">w/ Deborah Sundahl, June 7, Thur. 7-9pm, $25 or $20 w/ friend</h3>
<p>The G-spot is the female prostate. All women have one, as do all men. Therefore, all women can ejaculate. Learn how to get this wonderful feminine fountain flowing! World renown expert and author, Deborah Sundahl, will teach you all you need to know about female ejaculation and the G-spot and how men can support women&#8217;s expanding orgasmic joy.</p>
<ul>
<li>The G-spot is the Female Prostate &#8211; What it looks like</li>
<li>The G-Spot’s Location</li>
<li>Female Ejaculate’s Ancient, Cross Cultural Herstory</li>
<li>Female Ejaculate’s Taste, Smell, Chemical Make-up and Quantity</li>
<li>Why some Women Don’t Ejaculate and Others Do</li>
<li>How to Stimulate the G-Spot to Create Ejaculate</li>
<li>The G-spot has a Different Nerve than the Clitoris</li>
<li>The Nature of the G-spot Orgasm</li>
<li>Good Sexual Positions for Stimulating the G-spot and Creating Ejaculate</li>
<li>Men’s Role in Helping Their Partners to Ejaculate</li>
<li>What a Flowing Feminine Fountain Looks Like (QuickTime movie 2 mins)</li>
</ul>
<p><a title="register for this event" href="http://conta.cc/K4UstR" target="_blank">View more information and register for this event</a></p>
<p><em><strong>DEBORAH SUNDAHL</strong> is an author, lecturer, seminar leader and sex educator. Her seminal book, Female Ejaculation and the G-spot, and her line of videos created for her Female Ejaculation Sex Education Institute, have taught thousands of men and women about the G-spot and female ejaculation. Through her workshops, lectures and instructional media, Deborah has spread the good news internationally about the G-spot and female ejaculation since 1991. </em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Women&#8217;s Workshop: The G-spot &amp; Ejaculation: 6/9</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/04/the-feminine-fountain-experience-69/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/04/the-feminine-fountain-experience-69/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:16:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Classes & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1390</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[w/ Deborah Sundahl, June 9, Sat. 10-4:30pm, $85, central Austin
Immerse yourself in the fascinating knowledge of the G-spot: The "hidden gateway" to deeper love and intimacy. 

The G-spot orgasm and its elixir of female ejaculate offer a deep physical release and emotional bliss. Learn how to get this bliss working in your love life. When you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3 style="text-align: center;">w/ Deborah Sundahl, June 9, Sat. 10-4:30pm, $85, central Austin</h4>
<p><strong>Immerse yourself in the fascinating knowledge of the G-spot: The &#8220;hidden gateway&#8221; to deeper love and intimacy. </strong></p>
<p>The G-spot orgasm and its elixir of female ejaculate offer a deep physical release and emotional bliss. Learn how to get this bliss working in your love life. When you participate in this workshop, you will explore the truly physical, emotional and spiritual source of the Sacred Feminine</p>
<p>You&#8217;ll learn how to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Find, see and feel your G-spot, what a G-spot orgasm is and how to have one</li>
<li>Feel more variety of orgasms and sensations of pleasure, including female ejaculation</li>
<li>Experience greater presence, openness and satisfaction in your sex life</li>
<li>Develop more sexual self-confidence as a result of knowing yourself better</li>
</ul>
<p>Discover why the physical, emotional and spiritual heart of women&#8217;s sexuality and a women&#8217;s erotic being resides in her G-spot. Understand why integrating the G-spot and female ejaculation into your love life will activate the intimacy that you crave. The G-spot&#8217;s unique ability to express love serves as a signpost toward more loving connection with Self and partner.</p>
<p><a title="register for workshop and view testimonials" href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Feminine-Fountain-One-Day-Austin--TX.html?soid=1101172118996&amp;aid=h0aS8xjZfZw" target="_blank">View registration information and testimonials from past attendees. </a></p>
<p><em><strong>DEBORAH SUNDAHL</strong> is an author, lecturer, seminar leader and sex educator. Her seminal book, Female Ejaculation and the G-spot, and her line of videos created for her Female Ejaculation Sex Education Institute, have taught thousands of men and women about the G-spot and female ejaculation. Through her workshops, lectures and instructional media, Deborah has spread the good news internationally about the G-spot and female ejaculation since 1991.</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Touch Me: The Sense that Grows more Acute with Age</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/04/touch-me-the-sense-that-grows-more-acute-with-age/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/04/touch-me-the-sense-that-grows-more-acute-with-age/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:35:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Charla's Musings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1373</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[


This article first appeared in LIV FUN magazine  and appears here by permission.



I may not remember what you told me or even your name, but if you touched me, I’ll remember that moment forever.
&#160;
Touch captures us at the deepest level, more profound than words.  Remember when someone touched your shoulder while asking you, “How’s it [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<div lang="EN-US">
<div>
<div>This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.leisurecare.com/uploads/pdf/LivFun/LivFun.pdf" target="_blank">LIV FUN</a> magazine  and appears here by permission.</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I may not remember what you told me or even your name, but if you touched me, I’ll remember that moment forever.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Touch captures us at the deepest level, more profound than words.  Remember when someone touched your shoulder while asking you, “How’s it going?” Or, a time when someone  thanked you and placed their warm hand over yours&#8211;even for a few seconds? Casual, non-sexual touch, is a powerful connector&#8230;and we’ve lost the art of it.  With our busy lives, important jobs, and endless stuff&#8211;we all are touch-starved.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Touch is our most treasured, yet least utilized sense. Loneliness is rampant, and most of feel isolated and shameful. We know babies need constant touch, or they fail to thrive. Have we forgotten we are just grown up babies? Do we think we out grow our need for touch? Somewhere after childhood touch gets confused with sex (and shamed) and we stop casual touch within families and between friends. We don’t learn how to offer and receive non-sexual, mature touch.  We forget to make casual touch can feel safe, comfortable, and consensual.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Our skin is our body’s largest organ.  Of the five senses, touch is the only one that grows more <em>acute and heightened </em>as we age.  We may not see, hear or smell as well, but our skin&#8211;thinned, transparent and translucent&#8211;drinks in more sensation than ever.  We can actually feel more than when we were younger because we are willing to slow down, notice more, and live with more gratitude and appreciation for life.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Introducing casual touch into family visits.</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Since a touch is worth a thousand words, why not include more of it in visits with family and friends? Your visits will feel more empowering and endearing. Start small if touching is not a habit in your family.  Use good eye contact, focus your attention, smile and when you compliment someone, reach out a place a hand for a few seconds on their upper arm or shoulder.  Feel how your hand is an extension of your heart, and see how your touch open both hearts.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>You may want to tell an aging parent (or spouse!) you are experimenting with touch and would like to hold their hand for a few minutes while you talk about your day,<em> if it’s OK with them.</em> Notice how getting permission and giving a time frame makes it feel safer. Notice how this simple gesture effects what you say and how you say it. Or, you may ask if you may gently rest your hands on their knee while they tell you a story&#8211;such as about a time they felt loved. Treasure the warmth of their knee under your hands as you quiet yourself and feel the fragileness of life pass between you.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Make your hello and goodbye hug more ‘user friendly’&#8211;not a quick habitual gesture.  Move into the hug more slowly, refrain from patting them on the back, instead hold still, notice your breath&#8211;notice their breath&#8211;notice the warmth and ‘inspiration’ moving between you.  Allow your body to be aware of their presence without trying to change anything.  Hold the hug loosely for several breaths, if they pull away fine, but refrain from doing it first, and slowly your hugs will grow.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Your Touch will lingers past your words.</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>We are touched with love so rarely that small gestures take on gigantic proportions.  Routine medical touch does not count, we all need heartfelt touch that’s volunteered by loved ones. Here’s some ideas for simple touch you may try on your next visit: brushing hair, massaging feet (even with socks on), putting lotion on their hands, rubbing their back, shoulders or neck, giving a face caress resting their head in your lap while you lightly explore their face with your fingertips. Ask for permission first, make a time frame like a couple of minutes, and only offer what you can give with a full 100% heart.  And be ready to receive some touch too!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>If someone doesn’t want to be touched remember we’re creatures of habit and all quite shy. We are breaking a mold here and need to go slowly.  Being vulnerable about your own insecurity may help, you could say, “I’m on new ground here, but I know I want more touch in my life and hoped I may practice with you.”</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>At the end of life, our sense of touch becomes the most poignant of all.  My girlfriend actually crawled in bed with her dying mother. It must have felt very much like the beginning of life when we ate, slept and breathed within the heartbeat of others, bathed in touch&#8211;instead of being isolated and alone.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Faking Orgasm or Conversation</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/03/faking-orgasm-or-conversation/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/03/faking-orgasm-or-conversation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:38:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Podcasts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1348</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c-bPBZLcM0
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c-bPBZLcM0">httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c-bPBZLcM0</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Your Most Powerful Stroke &#8211; Stillness</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/02/your-most-powerful-stroke-stillness/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/02/your-most-powerful-stroke-stillness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:52:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Podcasts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1340</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOBa8CT2wE0
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOBa8CT2wE0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOBa8CT2wE0</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>FantaSea Slideshow</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/02/fantasea-slideshow/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/02/fantasea-slideshow/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:05:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Podcasts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1335</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Charla&#8217;s slide show of the body painting, Key West&#8217;s FantaSea Festival, Oct 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8f8_xLZ_0c
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Charla&#8217;s slide show of the body painting, Key West&#8217;s FantaSea Festival, Oct 2011</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8f8_xLZ_0c">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8f8_xLZ_0c</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Empathy is Erotic</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/01/empathy-is-erotic/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/01/empathy-is-erotic/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:58:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Podcasts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1276</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xm6_jSJYQYo?fs=1&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Viewing the Nudes Nude: Stripping for Art</title>
		<link>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/01/viewing-the-nudes-nude-stripping-in-public/</link>
		<comments>http://bodyjoy.org/2012/01/viewing-the-nudes-nude-stripping-in-public/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:24:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Charla</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Charla's Musings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bodyjoy.org/?p=1271</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How often do you get an invitation to strip in public and call it art? So when my local nudist club suggested to artist George Krause that we attend the wine and cheese opening of his life-size nude photographs and strip naked while we do it, he jumped at the chance. Performance art. We were making history, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How often do you get an invitation to strip in public and call it art? So when my local nudist club suggested to artist <a href="http://georgekrause.com/index.shtml" target="_blank">George Krause</a> that we attend the wine and cheese opening of his life-size nude photographs and strip naked while we do it, he jumped at the chance. Performance art. We were making history, people stripping at a public art opening!  Well, NYC and LA eat your heart out, come to Austin if you want <em>weird</em>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&#8220;Viewing the Nudes Nude&#8221; is what members of our <em><a href="http://hillcountrynudists.com/" target="_blank">Hill Country Nudists Club</a> </em>called it. I had butterflies all day about my performance. I was excited about attending the show and reserved the right to change my mind about stripping, ha!, just like I teach intimacy students, &#8220;You&#8217;re allowed to change your mind.&#8221;</p>
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<p>Unfamiliar with George&#8217;s work, I was amazed upon entering the exhibition how the beauty of his life-size photos effected me. Dozens of photos, tastefully hung in a maze pattern, allowed you to view the photos</p>
<div id="attachment_1297" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://bodyjoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Screen_shot_001.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1297" title="George Krause's Show " src="http://bodyjoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Screen_shot_001.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="210" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Krause&#39;s Sfumato photographs of nudes</p></div>
<p>in a random pattern, connecting eye-to-eye with human nakedness. The free hanging, suspended nudes looked right into you, though your clothes and into your soul. George photographed all kinds of models&#8211;tattooed, transgendered, sensual, young, old, scarred&#8211;and some with missing parts.</p>
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<p>At the appointed time, about eighteen of us ceremoniously took off our clothes while standing eye-to-eye, heart-to-heart and genital-to-genital in front of our chosen nude photograph. I picked a saucy, sexy, tattooed girl to strip in front of; I knew she would approve. I left on my high heels though, the cement floor was just too cold.</p>
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<p>I was out there. Exposed. What happens next? I gingerly glanced around and sensed some &#8216;textiled&#8217; folks with a hint of a smile. I read camaraderie and  approval into their polite, striving-to-be-natural faces. This was no time to sit down and hide. Naked and tall, I initiated conversation with folks about the show and how it bared the human soul. I found that Austinites don&#8217;t blush easily, and they step up to new experiences with a sensitive curiosity. The <em>Clothed</em> and the <em>Naked</em> viewed the nudes together, circulating and conversing with ease. I love this town.</p>
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<p>A fully dressed woman approached me, &#8220;Oh, I love your shoes!&#8221; she exclaimed. I looked all the way down my naked body to my feet, and we shared a good laugh!  One particular photo captured me. It was an older woman with only one breast and a scar where the other had been removed. Her expression exhibited such dignity and acceptance for the remnants of life we courageously hold together.</p>
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<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s me,&#8221; I heard a small voice from behind. I turned to see the same woman as in the photograph, now clothed and in real life. &#8220;I wanted to give others the courage to be who they are, whoever that is. Do you think it works that way?&#8221; her eyes begged an honest response. &#8220;Yes,&#8221; I said without hesitation, and we hugged.</p>
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<p>When we offer small acts of courage&#8211;who knows how they may land. Who knows, by being brave and taking a risk, we may encourage another to do the same.</p>
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