What do people need to bring to be prepared?

Please bring any blankets or pillows to create a comfortable space for yourself. Mats provided unless you desire to use your own. Wear comfortable clothing.

What is the practice?

Self Pleasure is nervous system regulation practice and is done by connecting to the body through sound, breath, movement and touch. Different from masturbation, Self Pleasure invites us to slow down and let go of any goal of how we want to feel. It allows us to be more in the moment and be honest with ourselves, creating more self awareness and self-intimacy. Think of it as a moving meditation practice.

If we are open and curious, it can be a very expansive and enlightening experience. Sharing the practice in a space with others who are open as well, it can create a shared healing experience through co-regulation.

During our circle, each person will have their own space (marked by a yoga mat) where they can create a personal, comfortable place to get settled in. We will start by introductions, intentions, and how the rest of the night will go. At that time we invite you to share any concerns or fears you may be experiencing and any needs to create a safe space for everyone. From there, Liz will take you through the practice (perhaps you will draw a tarot or oracle card if you feel called to pull one from the alter). Afterwards there will be sharing, debrief and aftercare.

Why is it important?

Much of our culture is very fast paced and we spend so much of our life in our head. Anxiety, depression, and stress are becoming more common and a lot more people have been experiencing this since the start of COVID. When we live out of these places we can fall away from our life force and can feel that we are stuck or living inauthentically. By listening and connecting with the sensations of the body we can tap more into the subconscious and through any blockages, fears or shadows. We can also come more into the aliveness and experience life in a much more freeing way.

Who is it for?

Though this is a physical practice, this also can take us beyond the physical. This is also a vulnerable space. This is for someone who is open to get a little out of their comfort zone to experience more expansion between them and the community around them. Liz loves to invite people to integrate parts of themselves that may be uncomfortable or that they’ve never thought to embody. Please, feel free to come with your own intention for healing but also understand that the collective energy of the group may also ask for something else (and trust that it will also apply to you too).

Who is it not for?

Someone who has experienced severe trauma (sexual or other) that has not sought out any other form of talk therapy or other professional counseling.

Someone looking to just “get off.” Please come in with the intention to be curious and open to more than just a sexual experience. We also desire to create a safe container for all parties involved so please also be respectful of boundaries.

Facilitator Bio:

Liz Nygaard

Liz is a Self Pleasure Practitioner, Empowerment coach, and mystic and has been in the field of teaching self development and nervous system regulation for 3 years. Starting with working for a non-profit helping children and their families build a new, healthy way of relating to one another, then moving into the intimacy realm as a Self Pleasure Practitioner. Liz’s message is the best way to relate to the world around you is by developing a strong intimacy within. By coming back to the body and having a healthy relationship to the light and dark parts of ourselves, we can create the life we desire feeling empowered. When we create the life we desire, it inspires a ripple effect to the rest of the world. Liz loves getting people out of their comfort zones in the name of expansion and empowerment.

You can reach out to her about her 1:1 coaching or other courses/services by contacting her email the.embodied.realist@gmail.com or check out her Instagram @the.embodied_realist