‘Lovely vulvas’ workshop takes place in Cork

WOMEN should be able to identify their vulva in a line-up, the same way they would recognise their eyes or their arms.

So says Olivia Teahan, sex-educator, health promotion specialist, and founder of Sx Sláinte, a project designed to provide concise, relevant and shame-free perspectives on sex.

Olivia, who is also training to be a sex therapist, is hosting a workshop called ‘Lovely vulvas: self-pleasure tips,’ on Sunday, April 14, and while the topic might raise a smirk or two, the shroud of shame and insecurity that some women still live under when it comes to their bodies is anything but funny.

Through her work as a sex educator, Olivia, from Grange, helps people understand how they view their bodies, and how they respond to sexual interactions with other people.

“What I do is about providing information and a cultural perspective to help people become more comfortable and confident in their bodies,” she said.

A law graduate from UCC, Olivia has always had an interest on the impact of policy, and also culture, on our wellbeing, including our sexual wellbeing.

“Irish history is tarred with silence and shame around sex, and that doesn’t just automatically go away with changes in law,” she said.

“People have grown up in families where sex wasn’t something that was talked about, where the TV channel was changed if a sex scene came on, that sort of thing.

“So, yes, we’re in a better place now but if you grew up in that environment where it was very ‘hush hush’ and you weren’t allowed to talk or ask about sex, you’re still at a disadvantage and will have insecurities.

“We do talk more openly now about sex, and we are slowly expanding things like our sexual health services, which is positive, but we’re still dealing with the aftermath of this cultural position.”

Many people, she said, feel restricted when talking about their sexual feelings or desires, with their friends, health care practitioner or partner.

“I want to help people not to feel restricted and have confidence to bring up topics in safe and emotionally comfortable environments,” she said.

Knowing our bodies, she said, is important not just for our own pleasure, but also for our health.

“You need to know what looks normal for you so I’d encourage women to get those mirrors out and get to know their vulva,” she said.

“And feeling comfortable, informed and safe with regard to your body can be an important part of helping you feel confident during sex with another person Pornography, while it can be part of a healthy relationship, hasn’t helped people’s insecurities.

“The issue is where you can’t recognise what’s real and what isn’t. This is especially important for lads who are exposed to porn and modified bodies from a young age,” she said.

It can put pressure on girls, she said, pointing to the rise in labiaplasty surgeries in this country.

Her event in Rosie Maddison’s is for “anyone with a vulva”.

“ It’s celebrating the diversity and power of vulvas!” she said, adding that for some people it’s not even a word they use.

“Sex toys have become more popular but in general women have been exposed to a different culture when it comes to enjoying their bodies compared to men. A lot of women view and talk about their bodies in such a negative way and don’t think they deserve pleasure.”

A lot of the workshop will be about learning to be present in your body, noticing your senses, and questioning negative beliefs about our bodies.

There’s no one path to being confident and comfortable in your body, it’s an individual journey, and I remind people of the things that will impact this such as rethinking how they talk about and touch their bodies.

Whatever stage someone is at, Olivia feels they ”deserve to feel supported in exploring their body” and the workshop will include tips for self-pleasure.

“We are inundated with negative ideas about our bodies, and are so used to worrying about appearance, based on other people’s expectations of us. I remind people that all those nerve endings in your vulva are there for you to enjoy,” she said.

Olivia did a private trial run of the workshop a few weeks ago and got great feedback. One of the participants said: “The Sx Slainte ‘Lovely Vulvas’ workshop was the perfect combination of fun and informative. Olivia has a way of making you feel really comfortable about discussing topics that can be considered taboo, particularly in Irish culture.

“The workshop was a completely judgement-free zone and a welcome shift in the tone most of us remember from secondary school sex education! After the workshop, I felt liberated and in touch with emotions I hadn’t explored before.”

The two-hour, clothes-on, no-touch workshop. workshop is run on a donation basis to ensure accessibility. Reserve a space on Eventbrite or see www.sxslainte.ie or @sxslainte on Instagram