Why care about embodying the sensual woman within? Because you incarnated into physical reality for a reason, and one of those was to enjoy the physical and all it has to teach you.
In this article, I'm going to share what it means to be a sensual woman, the benefits of embodying her energy, and seven habits that will bring her forth.
What does a sensual woman mean?
A sensual woman is someone who is in tune with the senses of her physical body. She's grounded, present, and aware of her physical surroundings and sensations.
"Most people equate sensuality with sexuality; and indeed, it is the woman who is in touch with her senses who can experience most fully her sexuality. The more you can experience another person through your senses, the more total is your union with that being. However, as you expand your senses, not only your sexuality but all areas of your life will be enhanced." - Denise Linn, Secrets & Mysteries; The Glory and Pleasure of Being a Woman
For all intents and purposes, this post is speaking to both definitions of sensual and sensuous. Sensuous was a term coined by John Milton in the 1600's so he wouldn't have to use the word sensual, which has a sexual connotation to it.
Western societies have long been plagued with negative associations towards anything physical or "fleshy" due to religious and moral beliefs. The fact that we have to have two words which essentially mean the same thing, except one implicitly does not mean sexual, shows just how misunderstood sexuality has been in the first place.
Sexuality is only one faucet of embracing your physical senses. There is so much in physical reality to enjoy, learn from, and appreciate. Too many women are disassociated from their bodies, but we can begin to heal that slowly. It's really quite thrilling to wake up to our senses and all that they have to show us.
Benefits of embodying the sensuous woman
A few benefits of embodying the sensual self include:
- increased levels of self-love and confidence
- reconnection with feminine energy
- more in tune with emotions
- deeper intimacy and improved sex life
- heightened radiance and energy
- expanded perception of the world
- inner peace from being present and surrendered
- improved relationship with the body
- enhanced levels of creativity
- learning to step outside your comfort zone
Imagine you're an eternal, non-physical being with the opportunity to incarnate on a beautiful place like Earth. What physical pleasures would excite you or bring you back again and again for more?
Maybe a cold popsicle on a warm summer's day, or a blanket by the fire on a chilly autumn night. The tender kiss from a lover's lips, or the scent of the ocean in the nearby distance. A bubble bath after a long day, or the feel of a cashmere sweater against your skin.
When we awaken our senses, we come fully into the present moment and are able to enjoy all that we are given. So much goes on that most of us are unaware of because we live in our heads. Here's 7 of my favorite ways to embody the sensual woman within.
1. Drop into your body
To drop into our bodies means to fully embody and embrace them. What does your body feel like in this moment? How would it like to move, to be adorned, to be touched? Come into the present moment with your body. Be here, right now.
Put on that dress or sweater that feels so good against your skin or hugs your curves in all the right places. Go outside and revel in the crisp air on your face, or the cool grass under your feet. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee warming you up, or the beautiful sound of music and the way it makes you feel.
Let your body and all its brilliant senses wake your soul up!
Some ideas for dropping into your body and awakening to its sensations:
- get a massage and really enjoy it without worrying about anything
- dance to your favorite song and move in ways that feel good
- practice yoga to awaken the body and silence the mind
- use perfumes that make you feel a certain way
- pay attention to the way textures feel, such as your clothes and bedding
The sensual woman is friends with her body and checks in with it all throughout the day. She doesn't rely on expert opinions for what her body needs, because she goes straight to the Source that lives in her cells and can feel what is right for her.
She recognizes the wisdom that is her body, and trusts it fully like the best friend that it is.
2. Be in the present moment
Did you know you can feel the inside of your body and that it's incredibly grounding? Look at your hands and then see if you can sense the inside of them. Once you can sense them, try to sense inside your forearms, upper arms, chest, and so on.
I learned how to do this from Eckart Tolle's book The Power of Now. At the time I was experiencing intense anxiety, which is a symptom of living too much in the mind. Learning how to sense my body brought me into the present moment where I was always perfectly fine.
No matter where I was, I could come into the present moment by sensing my body, and from there my senses became aware of what was around me. The breeze in my hair, laughter from my children in the distance, the purring of my cat next to me, the comforting sound of the lazy fan clicking and clacking on the ceiling.
Try walking more slowly and deliberately instead of rushing everywhere. Practice noticing whatever is in front of you and enjoy it. BE with it, whoever or whatever it is. Gift them with your full attention. Don't be afraid to be with things that feel hard, either. This is how we surrender and stay present, allowing emotions to rise and be released.
The sensuous women is present, fully in her body, giving her curious attention to whoever or whatever is in front of her. Those in her presence feel fully seen, heard, and adored because she there, taking full enjoyment of them as they are.
3. Let go of societal ideals & the "nice girl"
Age and body shape have no meaning when we are fully embodying the sensual woman within. Society is hung up on outward appearances, whereas sensuality is a sense, an energy.
That's why a beautiful person can turn unattractive, because their energy is what's truly projecting their physical appearance. It's also like when someone at first glance may not be very attractive to you, but as soon as you're in their energy for any amount of time, they can become the most attractive person you've ever seen.
Society has long told us that we are only valuable if we're young, thin, and nice. How miserably boring. It's especially inaccurate due to the fact that our awareness only expands as we age, making us more comfortable with ourselves and others. And yet we're told this is the time of our lives we should forfeit in order to try and maintain youth?
The sensual woman awakens to and owns her unique energy. She lets go of the people pleasing aspect of her maiden days. You can trust her when she says she likes something, and she's not afraid to let you know when she doesn't.
She surrenders and embraces aging, letting go of the fear society tries to push on her. Each year she ages, she realizes there's so much more to revel in than ever before. More confidence, deeper love, expanded awareness, and increased inner stillness and knowing.
4. Practice regular self-care
We truly come to know ourselves through consistent self-care practices. And what is self-care? It's simply spending time with oneself, getting to know yourself on deeper and deeper levels.
Through self-care we heal our shadows, which allows us to be more fully in our bodies and present for those around us. Self-care requires a certain level of awareness that recognizes the importance of your own well-being. We can't give to others what we don't give to ourselves first.
Journaling is great way to begin that will heal all sorts of things, from your body to your sexuality. Many of us live just above our bodies due to sexual abuse, shame, trauma, and sexual experiences we regret. Journaling can bring insights to the surface that slowly release these energetic blockages.
Some self-care ideas to awaken the sensual woman within could look like:
- silent baths
- going for walks or sitting in nature
- reading books that help us unravel our pain points
- journaling to process and release emotions
- taking care of your body in whatever way feels good to you
- making nice meals for yourself and really enjoying them
- wearing clothes that make you feel good
- getting enough sleep and hydration
5. Allow yourself to receive
Feminine energy receives, but most women don't allow themselves to receive very often. They give and give, because we're told that good women and mothers are self-sacrificing. Only this logic doesn't really play out to anyone's benefit since an empty well has nothing to give.
We also deny others the pleasure of giving to us when we haven't learned to receive. Doesn't it feel good when you give something to someone and you can tell they are so full of joy and appreciation? When you let yourself receive, you give a gift at the same time to someone else.
The world around you is like a suitor holding a bouquet of flowers that it wants to give you in every moment, sometimes literally. It once again requires coming into the present moment, opening yourself up, and allowing yourself to be loved. Easier said than done, but something we can practice every day.
Let someone hold the door for you, make dinner for you, or clean up for you. Allow the universe to gift you with beautiful weather, a special feather right where you walk every day, or your favorite song to come onto the radio.
Allow the universe to give to you, through nature, special moments, and through other people. Practice receiving until it feels natural, and watch how often the universe will knock itself over to delight you.
6. Tap into the Divine Feminine
A sensually awaken woman is rooted in Divine Feminine energy, which can be found in the magic of intuition, cycles, stillness, boundaries, creativity, groundedness, trust, and surrender.
All of these things naturally feed your energy and what you are expressing here as a woman. Learning about Divine Feminine energy can bring a level of presence and peace to your reality that you haven't known before.
Most of us attempt to embody masculine energy, valuing accomplishment, doing and logic over reflecting, pausing, and utilizing intuition. There's nothing wrong with these things, especially since we all embody both energies. The issue that I have found is that because our society honors masculine energy and devalues traits found in feminine energy, most of us are not balanced with our energies.
Feminine energy knows when to rest, retreat, and reflect. It tunes into the body to heal rather than cutting out parts that need healing, creates healthy boundaries to protect its energy, and trusts life, surrendering to its flow.
Our physical reality and bodies thrive when we honor the Divine Feminine energy flowing through us. Learn more about feminine energy and practice cultivating it into your everyday life.
7. Know your worth
I have found that for me personally, recognizing my worth has come slowly with age and life experiences. It may be different for you, of course. But either way, if you haven't already, begin moving in a direction where you practice acknowledging your worth. Whatever that means to you at the current level that you're at. I say that because my perception and awareness of my worth keeps growing with time.
Learn about your astrology and numerology. Here you'll find so many of your strengths and interesting things about yourself that you may not have yet realized to be true.
Meditate and pay attention to the images and thoughts that come in that space between wakefulness and sleep–you'll learn how infinite and vast you truly are.
Stop putting yourself down, even in a joking way. Your words are powerful, and you deserve only the most empowering ones.
Give yourself just as much grace as you give to others. We all need grace multiple times a day.
Practice not taking on the responsibility of another's emotions, thoughts, or behavior, no matter how close they are to you. We are all free agents, acting on our own accord. You aren't the cause of anyone else's issues.
A sensually awake woman owns her energy, her body, and her life. She knows her worth and that of others as well, respecting and honoring all.
She knows she is worthy of all good things, and opens herself to all that life has to offer her, teach her, and show her.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this article and found something to take away with you.
To receive weekly inspiration from me, you can sign up for the Self-Care Sunday emails.
With love,
Jessica
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Kate
Your article is quite informative. I also believe that most women might benefit from understanding their sexuality as another way to awaken and open themselves up to our deeper selves. For example, I read the Sensuous Woman by J. And it was a lovely revelation to my own inner awareness and happiness. It echoes some of your comments in this post. I found it to be the beginning on a new lease on life that I wasn’t able to know before reading this book. Best regards, Kate
Jessica Dimas
Thanks for mentioning that book, I just added it to my Amazon cart. I'm excited to read it as it's not a common topic to come across or find. I'm glad you liked the article, I plan to be writing a lot more on this topic as I've also found it to be like a new lease on life that I didn't know about or understand before.
Kate
Hi Jessica,
I would love to get your thoughts on the book. It is a quick read. A small book that packs a powerful punch, in my opinion.
Best to you,
Kate
Tamara
Being in the body, unfortunately, is especially hard for people with physical illnesses. It's easier to do when your body is not a source of suffering, day and night....especially in case of physical pain. That means that SAFETY is an important issue to address when you are trying to get in the body. If someone has not suffered physical issues (be it illness or trauma that involved in the body) it is difficult to imagine how unsafe it feels like to be in the body. It is truly terrifying and horrible to experience. Your body becomes your prison, and when you escape in your mind you find another prison because the mind is terrified. That is why it is so important to cultivate a sense of safety while you undergo the process of "being in your body". It is so essential. It should come first and before anything else. I'm actually amazed that not many people mention it when they speak of how to be more in the body. I thought of sharing my experience to help others see the issue in another way, to help shed light on something that not everyone is aware of and perhaps we can collectively help each other feel more safe in our bodies.
Jessica Dimas
Hi Tamara, yes you're absolutely right. I have experienced what you're mentioning here, terrified of both body and mind, and I know a lot of people experience this. There's only so much room to write in one article, but perhaps I'll write an article specifically about coming into the body since it's definitely a process when you're dealing with physical issues/fear/trauma. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Tamara
Thank you for your reply Jessica and thank you for creating a safe space where people can share their stories. I loved reading your article by the way, it was very helpful and enlightening for me. I look forward to your next ones 🙂