Your Animal Body

In college, I was a nanny for a 4-year-old boy named Joey.

Once we were riding in the back of his family’s car, his parents up front. Joey leaned over and sniffed me, something we sometimes did as a game - like puppies. It made us giggle.

It did not amuse his parents.

“Stop that Joey, we’re not animals.” his mother said. She had something close to horror in her voice.

I felt a twinge of shame, then sadness. Something had just been taken from him. From us. We never played that game again.

Smell, touch…the impulses of the body…are not just about sex. It’s how we bond, play, and feel safe together. It’s how we know we’re hungry or thirsty or tired.

And, the animal body is the foundation of what becomes our erotic life. But for many of us, we’ve been told in words or non-verbals that we have to put those impulses aside - in order to be human, better than, civilized.

If you’re a man - you’ve probably gotten the message that your primal urges are in fact dangerous to others.

In my personal life and my work as an erotic coach, I’ve seen the reclamation of the instinctual self is actually the key to providing safety for others and one’s self. You can’t offer safety without knowing the power of your body.

When we tap into our animal bodies - together - we can move beyond inhibitions and fears, and revel in our sexuality. This can lead to greater levels of freedom and empowerment, as we allow ourselves to fully express desires and needs. We also experience a greater sense of connection and intimacy, as we allow ourselves to let go and be vulnerable with our partners.

Reclaiming the animal body is a process - one that requires deep respect in all directions. Communication and consent are needed so that everyone involved can safely enter the experience. It doesn’t give license to act without restraint or ignore boundaries.

So - Move. Sniff. Taste. Growl. Hunger for.

We are animals. You are an animal.