Introduction to Bodysex®
Bodysex® was created by NYC feminist icon Dr. Betty Dodson® in the 1960s and 70s. It was based on feminist consciousness raising groups used at the time. Betty saw a gap in the conversation when it came to women’s sexuality and liberation. Women were sharing about inequality in the home and office, but no one was talking about the huge disparities in the bedroom. Pleasure, connection to body and self, orgasm… these were all disproportionately inaccessible to women compared to men. In response, Betty created a program based on first person sharing, self-love, sex-positive female-focused sex education, and bold sisterhood.
This program includes a personal sex essay, pleasure anatomy, genital show and tell, masturbation technique, erotic recess and optional laying on of hands, fantasy and more.
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I did this program in 2020 and it changed my life so profoundly, on sexual levels and beyond, that I asked Carlin (President, CEO of Betty Dodson Foundation®) if I could become a practitioner. She generously welcomed me into the inner circle and I met powerful women of all ages who changed my ideas of aging, sexuality, choice, consent, and self-love, to name a few.
In 2020 this beloved “coven” was saying goodbye to Betty in her last months and days. She was 91. Betty passed away on Halloween night during a full moon and I feel very honored to have been a witness to the group’s coming together in her honor. It was beautiful to see the impact of a life fully lived, fully expressed and how her work changed so many lives despite the incredible challenges she faced herself.
A vial of her ashes (a gift from Carlin upon completing my certification) sits on my front hallway desk, one of the first things I see when I enter my home. Although I never met her, her work changed my life and I’m forever grateful to her and Carlin for giving me what traditional medicine and therapy could not… self-love, pleasure, sisterhood, and equality.
What is Bodysex®
Bodysex® is for all vulva-owning, female-identifying people who want to increase their self-love, sisterhood and pleasure through a foundation of feminist sex education.
I offer 1:1 virtual and in-person coaching, and host group retreats.
Overall, Bodysex® is an incredibly powerful experience both individually and in group settings. Individually, you will get to know yourself on deep levels that extend far beyond sexuality itself. On a group level, the power of authentic sisterhood is unlike any other with some of our participants even comparing it to shamanic journeys. Consider our workshops as “mothering” amplified.
While Bodysex® is for women, I also offer feminist sex education for men and couples on a case by case basis. Please contact me for more info.
FAQs
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I personally recommend starting with 1:1 coaching and moving into the group experience afterwards. However, there is no right or wrong way to join Bodysex®. Further, Bodysex® is about learning to trust yourself! Whatever feels right to your body, heart and mind, is the right answer. If you are still conflicted, feel free to reach out and I can help navigate your next right step.
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All participants must be at least 18 years old. My clients have ranged in age from 20s-60s and above. There is no upper age limit. In fact, learning from each other’s generational experiences is one of the most potent aspects of the circle.
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Bodysex® is a vulnerable process and program. Courage is key, but trust and safety are utmost!
Below are some personal stats so you can get to know me as a facilitator. If after reading you still have questions, simply reach out :)
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I currently identify as a cis woman, open to all pronouns but most people use she/her as I am femme presenting.
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I’m 37 years old falling squarely in my millennial generation (1987). The ages of attendees in my workshops have ranged from 20s-60s. I’m honored to work with women of any age, and find the generational lessons are some of the most potent aspects of the circles.
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My sexuality is constantly evolving so I don’t feel tied to a strict identity however most people would say I’m “a semi-demi pansexual, but lean lesbian” when it comes to relationships.
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I am a white woman in the USA, ever learning more about how to be a better support, advocate for, loving sister towards, and ally to BIPOC women. Though I will always be limited in my experiential understanding, I always seek to increase my awareness and knowledge so I may better serve all women.
It’s one of my aspirational values (my own code of ethics) to create a “Sisterhood for All.” I have committed to taking one program per year that expands my abilities to support all women. This year, 2025, I’m enrolled in the AnteUp! A Virtual Freedom School certification program focused on healing, justice and liberation in the sexuality field. It is founded and run by Bianca I Laureano, PhD h.c., MA, CSE, CSES, “co-foundress of the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WOCSHN), The LatiNegrxs Project” and award-winning educator, curriculum writer, and sexologist. I’m grateful for her work and to be studying with her soon (commencing April 2025). -
I love my trans sisters and will do everything I can to support you. You are more than welcome in my workshops and circles. In order to best support you, I share honestly that I lack personal trans experience (I’m a cis woman) and professional training in regards to trans womens’ issues. If you need specific support please let me know so I can ensure you have what you need.
It is my goal to receive education after completing my AnteUp! work so I may better support all trans women and female identifying people. In the meantime, you are most welcome in my sisterhood, but if I am not the right fit for you, I’m happy to support finding the right coach or resources to suit your needs.
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“We’re here for your pleasure, not your pain.” - Carlin Ross
I experienced incestuous childhood sexual abuse by my grandfather that I didn’t remember until my early 20s. For years I sought help, but responses from therapists, psychiatrists and healers alike were on two extreme ends of reduction or victimization. “Buy a dildo” and “you need to quit your job and go into victims counseling” were the main messages I received. Thanks to loads of spiritual work I had done, I felt I was largely past the horror, shock, anger, and unforgiveness that plagued me on the mental and emotional level. However, I still couldn’t orgasm and felt extremely disconnected from my body.
At age 33, I got myself out of a toxic/abusive relationship, and was working on myself spiritually and sexually. I still had not had a full body orgasm and carried a lot of shame about this, sometimes enough that my mind would go into suicidal ideation. It felt like a punishment that I didn't have access to the birthright that is pleasure from my own body. I confided in a friend about this and she recommended I watch the newly released Goop episode, Pleasure is Ours. Watching Betty and Carlin, I thought, “this is the answer to my prayers. I can’t believe this exists!” Without thinking twice, I contacted Carlin on April 18, 2020, a date I still have in my calendar because of the “before and after” effect of our work together.
The things that changed my life and gave me immediate faith in this program, were those words by Carlin above. She shared, “it’s the trauma that bonds us. You are not alone. Every woman on the planet lives in rape culture.” I had felt so isolated and broken for so long. With these simple words, I felt I belonged and had a path forward. Finally!It is with this love, energy, empathy, and care that I work with trauma. I’m very proud that one of my workshop attendees stated in her feedback:
“Morgan fostered a safe environment and encouraged full participation. I imagine it's a very difficult thing to do, but it seemed to come naturally to Morgan. I imagine she has some sort of trauma informed care training.”To be honest, I don’t have this formal training, but I’ve experienced first hand the process of walking through painful awakenings, and the balance of tenderness and courage. In short, I’m here to support you in cherishing your pleasure while letting go of your pain.
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I’m able bodied and will be learning through AnteUp! how to best support my sisters with disabilities. Thanks to Carlin’s leadership and proof that every woman is capable of endless pleasure, I know Bodysex® can support every woman and I’m here to ensure any woman with disability can feel the bliss of endless self-love and pleasure.
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I had my first full body orgasm at the age of 33, on a zoom call with Carlin during Covid. It was my 4th virtual session with her and I couldn’t believe it! Miracles! I had carried so much shame, frustration and grief for years for not knowing my own body well enough to have access to my birthright of self-pleasure. It felt like a punishment from God. Yet, voila! The Bodysex® formula worked. It was just a matter of education, self-love and support. Yes it took work, effort and patience, but it was a joyous occasion, and just the start of so much good to come.
Having access to my body’s pleasure on this level, opened the doors to my self-worth, higher standards for my relationships, increased ability to speak up for myself at work, and more. I found myself advocating more than ever for myself and other women in my workplace and was able to get us all significant raises in order to equalize our salaries to our male counterparts. I suddenly cared less what others thought about me. My mind was consistently blown by how access to my pleasure organs affected everything else - spiritual, mental, emotional, social…
A few years later, after getting certified(!), I hosted my first Bodysex® workshop in NYC. As a new facilitator I wanted feedback from my trusted helpers - a couple of women who had attended the Menla retreats, hosted by Carlin and Laura, and supported the logistics of my event (set up, break down, etc.). One woman said, “the only constructive feedback I have is that you came too much during erotic recess.”I said, “you have no idea what that means to me.”
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As mentioned above, Bodysex® is about so much more than orgasm or even sex, even though it’s the primary focus of our workshops. At the end of the day, the main thing I receive from Bodysex® and see time and time again in participants, is that the safe container of sex-positive, authentic, vulnerable sisterhood brings out the best in us. We are free to be ourselves, to play and to bring to light that which has burdened us. In so many ways, Bodysex® is the beginning of an end - a time of great transformation - and end of beginnings - having to constantly start over to find the thing that will finally free us. It’s a true lasting tonic, that only builds the further we go.
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While my spiritual work is not a direct aspect of the Bodysex® formula, some participants have shared that it was an important part of why they chose to work with me. For your reference and knowledge, I’m an intuitive who provides spiritual coaching that empowers women to trust their intuition first and foremost and how to implement miracle driven results into your everyday life - all based on your own belief system. One of my favorite quotes is by Paramahansa Yogananda, “It shows more spiritual fiber to live a godly life in the jungle of civilization…” This pretty much sums up my approach. I aim to provide a bridge between the spiritual and practical, while leading with empowerment. For more information on my spiritual offerings and practices please visit “modalities” on my website.