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We never know who is going to show up at Betty's for our Bodysex workshop. All our enrollment is done over email - I don't ask the women any personal questions. We don't know what part of the world they're traveling from, their age, their race or their personal story. Betty loves the surprise and I know that any woman who ends up at our door is special.

And this group was special. Several of the women in the circle were there because they plan to do workshops of their own. That's always been our goal: we want women to have the experience and go out and continue Betty's work. Whether you're a housewife or an OB/GYN you can hold your own groups. It's about women coming together, sitting in a circle, and talking about their experiences first person. This is how feminism started with what they called "consciousness raising" groups where women just shared their stories. Betty decided to take it one step further...before "bodysex" she called it "sexual consciousness raising".

As we went around the circle answering the two questions - how do you feel about your body/how do you feel about your orgasm - I was overwhelmed by how each woman's experience was distinct but the same. Whether we're talking about breast cancer, eating disorders, bad marriages, sexual abuse or repressed desires it all boils down to body shame and sexual guilt.

Several of the women shared how finding their father's pornography affected them...how it shaped what they believed was the feminine ideal, what would be expected of them sexually. I'd never thought about the unspoken messages fathers send their daughters with the simple act of viewing adult content.

It's in these moments that I want to right the wrongs, to make the world a better place for women and girls.

We moved on to genital show & tell which is my favorite part of Day 1. Displaying your vulva and looking at the range in genital styles is the healing. In less than two hours you see women transform before your eyes...their body shame is gone. You realize we're all beautiful and our vulvas are extraordinary. The power of the female form just astounds me. Orgasm...life...it all starts in this wonderfully complex sex organ.

Day 1 is the healing and Day 2 is the celebration. As I sat in the back of my cab on the way to Betty's, all these thoughts rolled through my mind from group share the day before...I smiled knowing that erotic recess was right before us. I looked out the window and snapped this pic.

There's so much to process mentally Day 1 that I want to get back in my body...and I love the sounds of women experiencing orgasm. As soon as I started to hear the sighs and the moans, I felt my clit tingle. The woman next to me started to orgasm and I followed right behind her. At one point her foot touched mine and it was like an electric current ran up my leg to my clit. I grabbed my cell phone and took this pic. This is what a woman looks like when she orgasms.

Then I heard another woman on the edge of a huge orgasm. I rolled up to watch. To see the waves of orgasm course through her body...building...receding...building up again...her body was shaking and she was screaming out "yes" "yes" "yes". It was majestic.

I wish every woman could share orgasms in a group. You're together but alone. It's not about pleasing anyone but yourself. Romance is replaced by sisterhood. The energy...the sounds...the smells...the visuals are so healing. A woman shared how great it would be if young women had this experience with their aunts, cousins, mothers. When they started menstruating - before becoming sexual with another person - they could be ushered into the sisterhood learning about their bodies and sharing orgasms *sigh*

We moved on to group massage which is another favorite moment. Nonsexual touch is so important. Feeling four sets of hands course over your body ruins you for regular massage. Naked...almond oil from head to toe...laughing...sharing...there's nothing better. I've learned to appreciate all body types from group massage. Flesh is beautiful.

No one wanted to leave but it was time to end the day. We took pictures and a fabulous group shot vibrators in hand. These women are truly remarkable and I can't wait to hear how they incorporate this experience into their lives and make it their own.

Thank you to

Cyn
Infinita
Willow
Athena
Pearl
Jasmine
Stella
Selma
Soledad