Pleasure worth Practicing
“WTF is a pleasure practice?”
A recent client asked me right away on our first call.
“Well, what do you want it to be?” I asked her, encouraging her to create her own definition of the phrase
She rattled off something about masturbating and using lots of lubes and toys and taking too much time (which she explained she didn’t have) and told me it felt inaccessible.
What she didn’t know is that I’ve heard that A LOT
Sometime these terms make pleasure feel really far away, like its something we have to have tons of time and fancy toys for.
The truth is, pleasure practices can be WHATEVER THE FUCK you want them to be
a meditation at your favorite park
a trip to the beach
sitting on your couch sipping your favorite tea
a bubble bath
cuddles with your pup or kitty
Whatever you need to slow down. Whatever you can do with intention and what ever brings you pleasure!
So, I’d love to share one of my most favorite and most often reached for pleasure practices. It can include self pleasure/masturbation if you want, but it doesn’t have to and it is centered around something you’re probably already doing on a regular basis. Enjoy 🧡
Set aside time (potentially up to 45 minutes) to connect with your body. This practice can be challenging for you if you are too time conscious so be sure you have ample time to settle in and indulge, it also works well if you have just had a shower (bonus points if you create space for a shower meditation before this practice) This is an opportunity to luxuriate yourself and deeply feel the sensations in your body.
What You’ll need
Mood music (something slow and soothing)
Low lights/candles if it calls to you
Body lotion/oil
What to do:
Begin by turning off your phone and putting away anything that may distract you.
Lay on your back with as many pillows as you need to support you. I recommend finding a supported “easy” pose if that feels good to you, but go with what works for your body and comfort level. In the linked video she is using a mat, you can easily duplicate this with pillows and blankets.
Grab your lotion/oil and slowly begin massaging one foot
Experiment with different types of touch as you massage: tickling, light grazing, deeper pressure, light scratching, pulling kneading ect
Take your time experimenting with different sensations and pressures and the do the same with the opposite foot
Once you have massaged both feet, return to a reclined position and focus on the area that you just explored in both feet. Remember to remain connected with the breath as best you can.
Do the same with one calf: Experiment with different types of touch as you massage: tickling, light grazing, deeper pressure, light scratching, pulling, kneading ect. Take your time experimenting with different sensations and pressures. Repeat on the opposite calf.
Once you have massaged both calves, return to a reclined position and focus on the body parts you just explored. Remember to remain connected with the breath as best you can.
Continue this practice all the way up the body: Thighs, hips, belly, arms, chest shoulders.
Breath is important here. We are creating a meditative experience with this exercise.
As always, there is no need to judge how you feel in this practice, if you find there are moments where you feel awkward, that's fine, you may cycle between feeling very present and very detached. Just observe and try to connect. Stay with the breath.
You’re welcome to wrap up this practice with self pleasure if it calls to you, or, you can close with a meditation and expressions of gratitude. and thats it! You’ve creates your own pleasure practice! Feel free to build on this and expand it in anyway that makes you feel affirmed! Let your intuition and your body guide you! Be patient and have loads of compassion for yourself if judgement comes up, this may be a new practice for you, so make room for all emotions!
I hope this blesses you!