“Viewing the Nudes Nude” is what members of our Hill Country Nudists Club 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, “You’re allowed to change your mind.”

Unfamiliar with George’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

Krause's Sfumato photographs of nudes

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–tattooed, transgendered, sensual, young, old, scarred–and some with missing parts.

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.

I was out there. Exposed. What happens next? I gingerly glanced around and sensed some ‘textiled’ 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’t blush easily, and they step up to new experiences with a sensitive curiosity. The Clothed and the Naked viewed the nudes together, circulating and conversing with ease. I love this town.

A fully dressed woman approached me, “Oh, I love your shoes!” 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.

“That’s me,” I heard a small voice from behind. I turned to see the same woman as in the photograph, now clothed and in real life. “I wanted to give others the courage to be who they are, whoever that is. Do you think it works that way?” her eyes begged an honest response. “Yes,” I said without hesitation, and we hugged.

When we offer small acts of courage–who knows how they may land. Who knows, by being brave and taking a risk, we may encourage another to do the same.

10 Sex Mistakes Men Make

1) You kiss her too soon

2) You kiss her too hard

3) You kiss her too wet (mouth mauling)

4) You go for the nipples, not the breasts

5) You go for the ‘goods’ not the whole body

6) You try ‘to do’ too much instead of ‘be’ with her

7) You have an agenda

You don’t ask for directions or permission

9) You forget to be vulnerable

10) You talk about yourself and forget to ask questions about her

10 Sex Mistakes Women Make

1) You expect him to read your mind

2) You resent him when he can’t

3) You don’t tell him what you want

4) You don’t trust your own desires, timing and rhythm

5) You say yes when you mean no

6) You say no when you mean yes

7) You avoid sex because you’re afraid it won’t go your way

8) You are afraid to lead, initiate and pursue

9) You’re at war with your inner slut

10) You think sex is about him, not you

Type

Singles $25.00 USD Couples $40.00 USD

Enjoy an evening of adult play with intimacy coach, Charla Hathaway and Jeremy Feigenbaum, who lead you in simple, joyful encounters with others that feel safe and inviting. Their guided play activities will inspire you to share your natural attention, curiosity, and spontaneity.

Pujas come from a timeless tradition where a celebrant is encouraged to see past the personal and the Divine. Sensual encounters spark your innate ability to enjoy the moment, experience your body as wholesome, and be turthful with others.

You’ll explore your divine nature in play that feels safe, respectful and sensual (not sexual).  Invite your inner child to come out and play in group setting that will open your senses, nourish your soul, and connect your heart to others.

Charla and Jeremy weave a sacred, safe place where you practice staying present and transparent with whatever feelings come up.  Pujas are a great place to meet others in a conscious and nurturing setting, and deepen the bond between couples.  Wear comfortable clothes that express your love for life and sensuality.  Arrive with an open mind and soft heart.

Register using the PayPal Buy Now button above.  Entrance at the event is $30/person, $50/pairs, if space is available. Register today to avoid a sold out show.

Charla Hathaway, CBS, ACS, certified Tantra educator, intimacy coach, and best-selling author of 8 Erotic Nights and Erotic Massage, helps people learn new ways to touch, talk and play that feel safe and relaxing. Sign up for her free monthly BodyJoy intimacy tips, erotic news and classes at www.bodyjoy.org

Jeremy Ashton, aka Shimmer, is a CMT, Certified Conflict Mediator, and Heart-Centered group facilitator. He founded a Lovetribe chapter in Austin and facilitates Lovetribe events such as snuggle parties, Tantric Temple Pujas, Heart of Now encounters, and Empathic Listening Skills Trainings.   www.lovetribe.org & www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Heartspace-Facilitation-Conflict-Mediation/ 

Monday, Feb. 13, a FREE evening intro

7 – 10 pm. Register for Free evening.

Saturday, Feb. 18, a 1-day playshop

10 am – 6 pm, $86 per person or $156 per couple.
Register for 1-day Playshop

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The secrets to receiving and giving

Learn the 3 keys that open your heart ~ and your skin ~
to sensuality, play and deep connection.

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At this workshop, you will:

~ Get crystal clear on Receiving and Giving – what the difference is and why it matters
~ Fall completely in love with both or them, equally
~ Find the surprising source of your confidence and creativity
~ Bring a new level of presence and sensuality to all your touch
~ Learn the Circle of Consent and the 4 Quadrants, a sensual practice that will clarify your relating on all levels
~ Learn real, tangible skills to ask for what you want, with ease and generosity

Who takes this workshop?

~ Women, men, singles, couples, all genders and orientations
~ Inexperienced, wildly experienced or anywhere in between

For more about Betty: www.bettymartin.org

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Show: Dr. Paul Show
Host: Dr. Paul VeHorn
Date: 10/24/2011
Length: 25 Minutes

It is not the place of government to regulate how, when, where or with whom people have sex. It is not the place of government to regulate how, when, where or with whom people practice religion. Sexual and religious freedom is our birthright–as long as we are consenting adults and don’t hurt anyone (no religious wars, please).  And how we spend our money, whether it on sex or religion, is our call. We get to decide how we spend our dollars on education, training, healing, and enjoyment. Hallelujah! Our body; our money; our choices.

When do Americans grow up and admit that prostitutes—willing, grown-up working girls, not trafficked sex slaves—have great value in a civilized society?  We need to recognize that those who willingly work with human sexuality–whether it be to heal, empower, pleasure, teach, or find God!–are doing valuable, life-changing work.  Sex workers deserve respect, protection, benefits, taxation and dignity just as any other career.

We are a nation tormented and conflicted over sex. Think of all the wasted production caused by lies, worries, and unfulfilment over sex. What if sex workers were the modern day mystics who could save us from silence, isolation and shame, and usher us into a new era of freedom, connection and wholeness?  Erotic Entrepreneurs–the new intimacy coaches and relationship gurus–could be credited with saving marriages and building a strong nation.  Sexual wellness and wisdom–a world peace issue!  Whores could be our heroes!

Let’s hope the arrests of sexual healers at the Phoenix Goddess Temple will spur a sex positive social movement. Let’s open dialogue and further define the need for people to experience and learn about sexuality in safe, consensual and transformational ways. Let’s legalize prostitution and the myriad of sex hands-on practitioners so we may get down to the business of healing, pleasing, educating and serving to make the world a safer, better place.   Legalize prostitution.

My experiences at Network for a New Culture  Summer Camp is a remembering of this natural human state.

In the lush, cool Oregon woods, about a hundred people camp for ten days every August.  NRNC camp is modeled after the Zegg Community in Germany. Camp is about expressing your authentic self and exercising choice. Each day starts with Forum, a magical hour, masterfully facilitated, which celebrates our communal human experience.

After Forum, the camp day slides into chatting, cuddling, reading, eating together in the make-shift Lounge under a huge oak tree–complete with couches and rugs. Campers often shed clothes as the day warms (sometimes all of them!), hike in the woods, swim in the stream, and take hot outdoor showers. People can attend a multitude of workshops offered by their talented peers such as contact improv, compassionate communication, Thai massage, etc.  Or, you can choose to do nothing.

In the Transformation Tent campers may dress up in costume clothes, wigs and props, which adds to the zany and playful atmosphere.  Some campers play with ‘gender roles’ for fun and frolic. Before evening events the tent is often full of ‘transforming’ campers busily zipping up each other and playing ‘dress up.’

The Aphrodite Temple of Love, situated in the woods close to camp is decorated with flowing silks, satins, and sexy lighting. The new culture camp invites sexuality to be a natural, shared part of the whole community experience–for those who choose. People who choose to go to the Temple attend an orientation where we acknowledge our natural desire to witness and be witness by others as sexual beings, and our desire to participate in exploring our sexuality in the presence of others. Temple orientation covers taking care of yourself with a working yes and no, how to have safer sex, hygiene protocol, how watching and being watched can be done respectfully, and rules for inviting or being invited into sensual/sexual play with others.

The Temple taught me that we’d all be better lovers if we could learn sex the way we learn everything else–by watching, experimenting, being witnessed, failing, laughing, and being together in a supportive environment.  I had no idea how much my Temple experiences would transform me.  I no longer saw my tribe in the same way–friends who share safe and conscious sexuality together, experience a deep communal bond. Hearing the sounds of others, so like my own, seeing others, so like myself–made me feel natural and good.

My shame, isolation and separateness shattered.  I was hurled toward a new astonishment. Being alive and human was a thousand times more fascinating than I’d ever expected. The integrity, attention and care people exhibited for one another astounded me. Sexual communities bond on a deep level by sharing their most fragile, transparent, vulnerable and celebratory moments together.

So you can see why NFNC Summer Camp is way more fun than camp was as a kid–more consciousness, compassion, hugs, communication, touch and LESS drama. And can you believe that I was the only one there from Texas?  We got to change that.  Maybe if some of you experience camp, someday we’ll have our own Texas Summer Camp and do it even bigger and better.  See you can’t squeeze all the old culture out of the girl!