“To be sensual, I think, is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the breaking of bread.”
Almost a decade ago I attended a somatic workshop. At some point, a facilitator gave the instruction to “make love with the floor.” While others, fifteen to twenty years my senior, began to move, I stayed at the least informative place for an experiential learner - in my mind, occupied by ideas and thoughts about those ideas…
Often the term sensual is perceived as pertaining to sexuality. But it “simply means ‘of the senses’- sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch,” says Dr. Richard M. Siegel.
My interest in this subject goes way back to my college thesis on sexual behavior and personal values. Sexuality can make up a big part of some people’s self-image, but not for others. It transforms throughout life and is influenced by many factors. Aging and physical changes are probably the most significant in terms of affecting our body-image and attitudes towards sex.
Sensuality, on the other hand, is not as conditioned or limited. It's part of our design to be able to enjoylifevia the senses. If we make this a conscious choice, sensuality can become a personal resource for healing. Otherwise, it remains underutilized.
A survey by Rebook found that the average human will spend
6.8% of their life on socializing with loved ones
0.69% on exercising
0.45% on having sex
According to the same survey, your reading of this page contributes to the 41% on “engaging with technology.” There is nothing wrong with being a part of the technologically advanced world, it helped us tremendously during the pandemic years.
Here is the challenge:
how do we remainattuned to our bodies in an environment which shapes us to favor the mind?
I still remember that dark wooden floor which I eventually “made love with” almost a decade ago: its uneven but pleasant-to-touch surface, the piney odor from a few of the needles that sneaked in from the forest just outside the door, the hushed crackling sound it made as I moved, and all its crevices and ridges, emphasized by the afternoon light.
But more than anything, I remember the feeling of connectedness. As soon as I accepted my body’s simple invitation - “Notice me”- the ideas and thoughts faded, the movements came naturally, the floor and I became one, and the enjoyment followed.
“Being sensual is a powerful life force that helps create a deeper connection with both ourselves and others. It’s about allowing “feel-good time.”
This course is about allowing a “feel-good” time for yourself— it’s healthy and healing. There will be No instructions to make love with the floor— but plenty of opportunities to explore your sensual presence and say Yes to connectedness.
