In-To-Me-You-See. The word intimacy is often over-complicated and perceived as a New Age buzz word; however, it's far from new. The word intimacy is derived from the Latin word "intimus," which means 'inner' or 'innermost. Simply put, intimacy is about building connection and exploring how that connection shows up in sensual, emotional, sexual, and spiritual experiences.
As human beings we are hardwired for connection. According to PsychCare MD - “Neuroscience suggests that we are neurologically wired to connect with others; mirror neurons in our brains are stimulated when we’re interacting with other people. Literally, when you are talking to someone, pathways in your brain light up to mirror the emotions and behaviors that this other person is conveying.” Resistance or fear around intimacy is a learned behavior that comes from lack of safety. By practicing self-intimacy, you slowly uproot and unlearn past attachment wounds by cultivating safety within yourself. Safety looks like curiosity, openness, unconditional grace, judgment-free containment, compassion, and a willingness to feel. Connecting intimately with yourself slowly re-builds safety and trust between your sensual body, mind, and spirit.
So, what it self-intimacy?
The practice of deepening the connection with oneself is self-intimacy. 'The ancient Greeks called it 'philautia', which literally means 'self-love'. This is the first and most important step in developing the relationship with pleasure, your sensual body, your sexual energy, and your erotic power. It’s very hard ( and nearly impossible ) to truly build a connection with another without a genuine understanding, acceptance, and connection with oneself. Take a deep breath.
Cultivating a deeply intimate relationship with yourself is about being both the subject and the object. Creating a sacred and judgment-free space where you give yourself full permission to show up as the most authentic version of you. Within this space is where true pleasure and joy exists - where you witness, uphold and pour into the full spectrum of your humanness. - Desire’
With self intimacy you observe the full-spectrum of emotions, listen to your desires, prioritize your pleasure, and honor your needs. When you become the center of your YOU-niverse, intimacy will follow.
Although there are many forms of intimacy, here are 5 key dimensions of intimacy:
Emotional Intimacy: Emotional intimacy, often considered one of the most crucial aspects of intimate relationships, refers to the deep emotional connection and openness shared between self and individuals. It involves the ability and willingness to be vulnerable, honest, and authentic on an emotional level. Emotional intimacy is the foundation of most relationships and is a vital aspect of true attunement.
Physical Intimacy: Physical intimacy refers to the aspect of an intimate relationship that involves physical closeness, touch, and contact between individuals. It encompasses a wide range of physical expressions of affection and connection and can vary in intensity and meaning depending on the nature of the relationship. This can include acts of affection, such as hugging, kissing, cuddling, and sexual exploration. Physical intimacy is an important component of all relationships and can strengthen emotional bonds in romantic relationships.
Intellectual Intimacy: Mental intimacy, sometimes referred to as intellectual intimacy, is a deep and meaningful connection that occurs when individuals engage in open and intellectual communication, share thoughts and ideas, and connect on an intellectual level. It goes beyond surface-level conversations and involves a profound understanding and appreciation of each other's minds. Engaging in deep conversations, exchanging ideas, and respecting each other's intellect can foster this type of intimacy.
Spiritual Intimacy: Spiritual intimacy involves sharing one's beliefs, values, and spiritual experiences with a partner or close friend. Spiritual intimacy refers to a deep and meaningful connection that occurs when individuals share their spiritual beliefs, values, experiences, and practices with each other. It goes beyond surface-level discussions about religion and encompasses a profound understanding and appreciation of each other's spiritual dimensions. Engaging in spiritual practices together, such as meditation, prayer, worship, or rituals, can deepen spiritual intimacy. These shared experiences can be a source of connection and meaning.
Sexual Intimacy: Sexual intimacy refers to the aspect of an intimate relationship that involves sexual expression, physical attraction, erotic magnetism, and the sharing of sexual experiences between consenting adults. It is a fundamental component of many romantic relationships and plays a significant role in human sexuality, liberation, and emotional connection.
Why is self-intimacy important? Knowing and understanding more about the complex sensual being—that’s you— will allow you to love yourself more. Love is the requisite to having a nourishing, safe, and well-balanced relationship with yourself and the world around you. Whether you realize it or not, you have attraction power. Self-intimacy is a fundamental building block for magnetizing healthy and strong relationships.
Sensual Yoga As A Self-Intimacy Practice
Because Self-Intimacy is a seemingly unattainable experience for most of us, Sensual Yoga will give you a reference point and a practice that can be drawn from and built upon to support you in cultivating a deeper connection with yourself. Self-intimacy and Sensual Yoga are two concepts that intersect and complement each other in various ways. Sensual Yoga has its roots in Tantra, an ancient Indian tradition that emphasizes the interconnectedness between the mind, body, sexual energy, and spirit.
Sensual Yoga is an embodied yoga practice rooted in sensory play, intuitive movement, body awareness, reflection, tantrism, breath, and true pleasure. - Desire’
Sensual Yoga is a gentle invitation to come home to yourself, honor your cyclical nature, reclaim full autonomy over your body, increase sensory awareness, and tune into your own body wisdom. What’s more intimate than that?
Learning to love, appreciate, and value all of you is an ongoing process. Like any other relationship, it takes time to cultivate intimacy with yourself. No matter how deeply you’ve connected with yourself, the relationship will ebb and flow. This is where practice comes in. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yoga practitioner, Sensual Yoga is a unique, liberating, and powerful practice that can help you to elevate self-intimacy. So, why not give it a try and see how deeply you can connect to yourself?
Ready to feel more connected to yourself? We have an on-demand video library stocked with guided Sensual Yoga, Tantra, and breath-work experiences to support you in cultivating intimacy. Click here to begin your Sensual Yoga journey today!
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As always, I am sending you so much love, hugs, and an abundance of pleasure. - Desire’ ( Sugar and Sage Creator & Guide )