Breaking through blocks with childhood trauma and gender
"I had been on a long process of embodiment, but had hit a point where I couldn't really move that process into the sexual realm without help. Specifically, my sexual relationship with my partner wasn't what we both wanted it to be - we had hit an impasse, and we both were feeling pretty hopeless.
We investigated a number of avenues and options, and our initial talk with Pavini convinced both of us that they were the right fit for our needs. Further on, it was clear that I specifically had to work more deeply with Pavini to break through many of the stuck places I had.
Working with Pavini has been nothing short of transformational. I identified and broke through a number of blocks related to childhood trauma and gender identity. I feel like I'm inhabiting my body more, my sexual relationship with my partner has changed dramatically, and we don't have that same feeling of hopelessness. The work isn't fully complete, but I have a set of tools and practices that I can draw on when I need to. And I'm sure that both I and my partner will be drawing on Pavini's expertise in the future.
Pavini is intuitive and thoughtful, and a compassionate witness and guide. Working with them has been challenging and playful, deep and full of life."
~Michelle Murrain, Sonoma
Reconnecting as a couple
Pavini is a seriously awesome human who has provided invaluable support to me and my husband both individually and as a couple. We were in a marital crisis when we started therapy, and I'm happy to report that we are now not only on solid ground but thriving and opening in so many unexpected & delightful directions ~ just 6 months or so later.
Like a trusted & level-headed best friend who's always completely real and calls you on your bullshit in a totally compassionate and loving way, Pavini radiates a deep psychic, somatic and spiritual intelligence. We've learned so much about ourselves through this therapeutic process ~ thank you for everything! -S&A, Berkeley, CA
I get to be sexual!
"I have been working with Pavini for almost 2 years. I asked Pavini to open my mind about sexuality and share their passion with me. As a therapist myself working with sexually traumatized women, I thought this experience would benefit my clients.
It didn’t take long to realize that I would be the first one to benefit from the exploration. Deep questions started to pop up in my mind: How many times do I make love for me and how many times do I make love for my partner? Why do I refuse to feel in my body by keeping myself super busy? What is that discomfort about receiving oral sex? Why do I tell myself that I don’t need masturbation? And many other questions.
Facing each one of these questions has helped me understand that my true nature was “a giver” not “a receiver.” Nobody had given me permission to be selfish in my sexuality. And Pavini did a wonderful job changing that.
The shift comes with a price. I felt my limitations, my frustration, my shame and a lot of sadness and anger for the lost time. Pavini invited me to talk to each one of these nasty feelings like visitors that won’t stay long in the house. We would wave at shame and say “Hi Shame, I can see you, now you can go. “ It was an amazing experience to let go with so much ease, while receiving compassion and caring from Pavini. At times, while crying or being silent, I would feel completely wrapped in Pavini’s understanding and empathy.
There is no sexuality/intimacy without being vulnerable. And that’s a jump that scares every one of us with no exception. When I entered Pavini’s room, I wanted to become smart about sexuality. Pavini taught me to work and connect with my soul, my heart and my body. May we all connect with our own struggle while at the same time feeling the passion and the faith in our potential. That’s what I have learned from Pavini. ~Cat M. San Mateo, CA
Study with Pavini!
Do not pass up the opportunity to study with Pavini. Just sign up. Now. I'll wait. Done? Ok, here's what you're in for. This workshop will will transform your life in unexpected and amazingly magical ways. I feel changed on a cellular level. Pavini is a master teacher and healer and a gentle, humorous and wise guide into the really vulnerable and deeply powerful territory of eros. The material is beauitfully balanced between knowledge and self-inquiry, experiental explorations, and body-based work. Truly a holistic approach. No part of you will be left untouched. The community that develops over the course of the work is truly beloved community. I LOVE these people. I am so grateful to have been a part of their lives and their journey and hope to stay connected. (Alumni class Pavini???) This work is about unlearning the beliefs that shape our bodies and their responses to the world and re-membering ourselves. It is about finding freedom and pleasure and safety in your body, and among other bodies. It is about building community with the shared goal of developing full erotic aliveness. SO POWERFUL. I am a survior of childhood sexual trauma and sex and self-pleasure and pleasure in general has been something that while I longed for it, was scary and complicated, and just so....all the things. Now I look forward to for my daily date with myself where I light my red candle and spend at least 30 minutes giving myself pleasurable touch wherever and however I want. I look forward to sexual exploration, with myself and in relationship. I know what I want and how to ask for it. I know how to recieve it, and how to say no. I nkow it's ok to forget these things because that's just what happens sometimes. I know that I can remember. Becaue of this work, I feel the excitement and freedom of knowing that eros and desire can flow freely through me and lead me where they want to go, and I can trust that and lean into it, instead of shutting it down and running the other way. I love and embrace my unique erotic expression in the world. The more I do this, the more my life unfolds in amazing and magical ways that I never could have anticipated. Do this workshop. It will unleash life force within you that will change the shape of your life, it will become more you-shaped. ~Emily S., Marin, California
The biggest impact studying with Pavini has had on me is giving me hope and trust in the process of daily pleasure practices. I have more vocabulary now for all sorts of things I have never dug into before, and I also have greater resilience and capacity in being with and experiencing those things without it needing to be re-traumatizing or causing endless thought cyclones. I have more power now to return to my body, listen to it, and trust its ability to process and move through things with vulnerability and grace. -Natalie, Oakland CA
I've developed so much confidence studying with Pavini. There are tools to get through the hard stuff; it takes practice; a community of support makes a HUGE difference; there isn't an end destination - it helped to hear personal anecdotes and transparency from Pavini about their own process and evolution with the work; going slow and being easy with myself is more likely to get me where I'm going. ~Adrian S. Dallas, TX
I loved your teaching and it was one of my favorite parts of being in the course. I found your presence so grounding, relaxed, judgment-free, and warm. I really enjoyed having the individual sessions and getting to feel your encouragement and accompaniment. It was a real gift to be guided and witnessed by you. I will definitely be returning to the modules, what you taught me is so helpful. ~Julian, Portland, OR.
Jess here, from Jess and John in your Well Couple course last year. I just wanted to send a little note of appreciation. John and I are doing really well, been checking in every week and working on helping one another live our sweetest lives. We are the happiest we've been since the honeymoon phase and life together is filled with so much more ease. We recently decided to move to Mexico for a year, possibly longer, depending on how things go. As you can imagine, this is requiring a lot of teamwork and listening to one another's needs and dreams. We definitely would not be where we are without you and the course, so thank you, thank you, thank you!
~Jess D. Boise, ID
New Ways of Being, from the beginning!
"Even my free initial conversation with Pavini left me thinking about my erotic life in a whole new way. Their capacious, gentle presence and depth helped me really feel the possibility of going further. They are respectful, compassionate and skilled at providing somatic coaching. I am a healer myself and have often had a very hard time finding someone who can hold space for me as well as I hold it for others - so I am deeply appreciative. " ~Rachel S. Sonoma, CA
I'm comfortable having sex!
"I've been working with Pavini as my sex coach for almost two years. When I came to sex coaching, I was completely shut down. I wasn't even having sex with myself. In my work with Pavini, I've learned to set boundaries with my partner, and also to ask for what I really want without being afraid of how she'll respond. Pavini's walked with me through my past in such a gentle and nourishing way; I never thought I'd be able to feel comfortable with sex, and here I am, two years later. I chose Pavini because they work mostly with queer people, and I wanted to not have to explain what "stone" meant. I highly recommend Pavini as a somatic coach, and am so glad I took the chance on myself." ~Hannah R. San Francisco, CA
I'm doing my homework!?!!
"Pavini is a rockstar. I mean really. They are warm, funny, accepting and supportive in ways that I didn't even know that I needed.
The work we've been doing together is changing my life. It's a deep dive into exploring what's working and not working - in my body, my sex life and relationship world and my life.
I found pieces of myself that Pavini dusted off and showed me in the full light of day, that in their care look beautiful where I've often only seen pain, misery or upset. This is the best of coaching and healing work combined.
And somehow I've been able to start doing the homework that Pavini recommended. I've been able to be present with myself and the pain I have experienced in my body, in the scarred and hurt places. It's happening that I'm able to turn my attention more towards loving and accepting myself.
If you want to be supported no matter what you're body is like, give Pavini a shot. Really. You'll be glad you did." ~Briana C. Oakland, CA
LGBTQ Competence
"Pavini is a knowledgeable somatic coach who has the infrequent expertise and cultural competence to work with LGBTQ clients. Pavini met me where I am, and then supported my own goals and healing processes with compassion and a great range of skills. I was able to integrate a new way of being in my new trans body thank to our work together. I could not recommend their work more highly. " ~ Alex I. Minneapolis, MN
Healing and Transformation
"The somatic coaching work I have begun in such a holistic way with Pavini's guidance and support is deeply powerful. It ishealing and transformative, starting at the cellular layer and spiraling through my body, my sex, my emotions, my brain, my actions and relationships -- all of me. I am so grateful for the wonderful sex education and guidance, sex coaching and loving whole-hearted support Pavini has given me." ~ Mel G., San Francisco, CA
Loving my Trans Body
"You are a fabulous somatic coach who helped me get through some personal blocks and find release from my unreasonable expectations. I'm glad to discover how well my new lady bits work! I highly recommend you to anyone who is open and honest and willing to change their belief patterns to find wholeness and peace." ~Eli M. Walnut Creek, CA
Group Transformation for Trans Guys
After the Geography of Pleasure Embodiment for Trans Guys workshop, I feel more confident and more sure of myself. I've grown to love my body over the years, though I always could use a tune-in or check up to question just how comfortable I am. My confidence was raised, I become more sure of myself (and my boundaries) as a trans person and how I treat my body and how I'll let others treat my body.It was pretty fucking awesome. It could not have come at a better time. I'm so glad I got to meet so many rad people and work through a lot of trauma in a very safe space." ~James P. San Jose, CA
Sex Education YEAH!
"Pavini, thank you so much for your sex educators training. I love your unique combination of the Montessori approach and your training. It has been invaluable to me on many levels. I had started running my own classes and I knew they could be better but didn't have the skills or knowledge to understand why.
Your training filled that gap, not only that it gave me a set of tools and approaches which I use regularly. Doing the course has helped my confidence as a teacher grow and really inspired me. I am now running regular classes which I am loving and continuing to develop. If your in the sex education field, this course is an absolute must. " ~Sarah Rose Bright, UK
Welcome for large bodies
"You are loving and generous as well as a skilled somatic coach. You hold space especially well for large sized bodies, which is a challenge to many practitioners. I felt easy and at home while we were working, even though we were working on self -image stuff. You are of very high integrity and obviously both in love with the work and driven to high standards." ~Brenna L. Berkeley, CA
Solid container for going deep
"Pavini is very insightful and has a warm and generous spirit. They hold a solid container for me to go deep in somatic coaching and explore my own joy and pleasure, which enables healing and freedom to be more than you ever thought was possible." ~Ness R. San Francisco, CA
More confidence and pleasure
"I highly recommend Pavini as a coach and the skills they bring to our sessions. I felt empowered to talk about the issues I'm wanting to shift with this work. And I trusted that no matter what I said, Pavini would receive my desires with full acceptance. Thanks to Pavini's confidence within this work, I was able to feel more pleasure than I ever thought possible. I would not hesitate in recommending Pavini to anyone who is curious." ~Julie D. Portland, OR
More access to Joy
Pavini is a creative and skillful facilitator of personal growth and transformation. I know that they hold their students with respect, love, and dignity as they move through tricky and challenging material. As a co-facilitator of workshops with Pavini, I have seen first hand how they eloquently dance with fear, trepidation, and ecstatic pleasure. It is such a joy to work and play with Pavini."~Eva Blake, Portland OR