Healing Journeys Presents:
Sexy After Cancer
April 21-22, 2012
Rudramandir Center for Spirituality and Healing
830 Bancroft Way, Ste. 101
Berkeley, CA 94710
You know the statistics ~ more than 2 million women are living with breast cancer in their history. This brings up questions about the quality of life for women on the breast cancer journey.
It’s not really surprising that one of the biggest survival issues related to breast cancer treatment is poor sexual function. Studies show that 40-90% of women experience sexual difficulties as a result of treatment, and, even 20 years after they have been treated, 50% continue to have difficulties. The support and resources available are primarily clinical. There’s a need for a bridge for healing and transforming the trauma women experience to their femininity, sexuality and relationships.
Barbara Musser’s passion is helping women to experience breakthroughs in their capacity to experience joy and wonder, to heal on many levels and to learn how to be vibrant, radiant, alive women who love their life and body, and know that they are sexy and desirable.
Facilitator:
Barbara Musser had breast cancer 23 years ago as a young single woman. She married and had a child after treatment. As a sex educator and workshop facilitator for 20+ years, she has supported many women and their partners and families along the journey; interviewed hundreds of women about their experiences and needs; worked with support groups on the subject of sexuality and intimacy; presented to tumor boards and interviewed many surgeons, plastic surgeons and oncologists about the subject.
Barbara was the Stress Management Specialist in Dr. Dean Ornish’s original research study on reversing heart disease, a facilitator for the Human Awareness Institute and the “Love, Intimacy and Sexuality” workshop series for 15 years, and is a frequent speaker on sexuality and intimacy. Barbara is a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. www.sexyaftercancer.com
Who Should Attend:
- Women with breast cancer who want to experience deep emotional, psychological, spiritual and sexual healing
- Women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual difficulties as a result of cancer treatments
At this Retreat You Will Experience:
- An exploration into the roots of our beliefs about how we should look and what our breasts should be like, from their purpose to how they have become sexualized and the source of pleasure and pain, to what breast cancer means to femininity
- The opportunity to tell your breast cancer story in a structured way to feel part of the shared journey and be witnessed in a sacred circle of others on this path
- An inquiry into the nature and elements of inner and outer beauty, to enable us to reveal the truth of who we are and what makes us beautiful
- Processes to forgive ourselves, our bodies and God for the cancer experience, leading to gratitude and appreciation for this journey
- Expanding the concept, definition and experience of sexuality far beyond the genitals and partner sex. We’ll explore sex as Sacred Energy Exchange and learn what that is for each woman; learn about self pleasure and how to ease back into our bodies and our sexuality gently, compassionately and with humor and wisdom.
- Learn Sexercise including tools and exercises to build pelvic floor strength and flexibility. You’ll design your personal plan to develop and maintain strength and pleasure in this area.