Laurie Handlers: Tantric Goddess
Remember Dustin Hoffman in Rainman, when he and Tom Cruise were in Las Vegas? In one scene, an attractive woman walks by and Cruise asks Hoffman what he thinks. Hoffman’s reply was something like, “Sparkley, very sparkley.”
Well, that’s how I would describe Laurie Handlers, who sparkles with LIFE! (Just look at the photo above!) Then again, she is a Sagittarian, as I am, and every Sag knows we all burn inside!! So I would not expect anything less from Laurie or myself.
Like most women over 50, Laurie uses every previous experience to create her own form of Tantra. Her workshops are called Butterfly Workshops, because she says that she wants her participants to fly…perfect title. Besides a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology, Laurie has worked in the relationship field for years, and since 1999 has been focusing on Tantra Workshops for singles, couples, and groups.
In her Tantra & Bliss Workshop, which I attended with my (then) fiancé in February 2004, Laurie’s enthusiasm was contagious and we were all energized by the different exercises that brought awareness to our bodies, minds, and spirits.
By now you are probably wondering if the workshops are all about sex. So, let’s clear the air about Tantra. Although it is considered sacred sex, it’s more than that. After taking one of Laurie’s Butterfly Workshops, I would say that Tantra Yoga is about body awareness and about the joining of body, mind, and spirit to transform your life into orgasmic living; that is, living life to its fullest, having a beginner’s mind, allowing yourself to surrender to loving yourself and those with whom you form loving relationships. Tall order! But Laurie is up for that with every word, every gesture, every act, and every exercise she leads us through.
Let’s be clear. The workshop was not an orgy. It was not even that much about sex. It was about using sexual energy to feel great all the time. I left the workshop feeling a deeper connection between my inner and outer selves, and feeling empowered to express that out loud, in word and deed. Her workshop gave me a strong sense about how loving relationships could make a better world. Perhaps Tantra may even help stop wars, because people release their anger before it reaches the warring stage. After all, loving yourself and those around you isn’t a bad first step to peaceful coexistence.
Because I don’t believe in re-inventing the wheel or being unnecessarily repetitious, I sincerely request that you go to Laurie’s website: www.butterflyworkshops.com and check out all the wonderful categories on her site, including her calendar of workshops that will be offered in the coming months.
Also, please click on my Review button so you can see a few excerpts from Laurie’s soon to be released book: Sex and Happiness: The Ten Tantric Laws of Intimacy. You will be able to purchase an advance copy through her website. I read it and loved it!
Finally, click on Kitchen Nutrition with Recipes for information on chocolate. When I asked Laurie what food is associated with Tantra, her immediate response was “chocolate.” Can it get any better than that?
In sum, Laurie Handlers is my goddess guru. (My Israeli name is Elah, which means female goddess, so I think I am in good company.) Her approach to life and to love is refreshing, bold, and exciting. While Erica Jong may have had a fear of flying, Laurie Handlers will help you move past your caterpillar stage of fear to become a butterfly, flying into the wonderful unknown parts of yourself. So please visit her website www.butterflyworkshops.com and attend one of her amazing courses. You’ll love flying!