Your Somatic Intimacy Educator
Your Somatic Intimacy Educator
Hello, I am Makayla Anderson (she/her/hers). I identify as a cisgender, heterosexual, biracial, Christian female who loves to dance.
My journey has not been a straight line. I went to school and became a certified speech-language pathologist with an immense amount of knowledge in communication, both verbal and social. However, for years I have been drawn to this specific work for others and myself.
I have always been fascinated with people and how they think, feel, and interact. Due to my own history, I've struggled with intimacy with others and myself, setting boundaries, keeping my life and aspects of myself (mind, body, and spirit) balanced, and exploring and allowing myself to feel all types of pleasure.
Due to this, I decided to follow my passions and seek knowledge and healing for myself through the Institute for the Study of Somatic Sex Education in the pursuit of a certification as a Somatic Intimacy Educator. Through my studies, I have felt more aligned than ever with my purpose. I want to help others, especially individual women and couples, as I have helped myself, live a more full, balanced, empowered, and pleasurable life.
Memberships & Training:
Institute for the Study of Somatic Sex Education: December 2020- March 2024
Somatic Sex Education Association- March 2025- Present
*Although I have associations and education from both organizations, I do not agree with or practice all of their teachings.
What is Somatic Intimacy Education (SIE)?
Somatic intimacy education is an approach to sex education that focuses on the exploration and understanding of the body, pleasure, and sexuality from a somatic or embodied perspective. It goes beyond the traditional methods of sex education that primarily focus on reproductive anatomy, contraception, and disease prevention. It is commonly offered by certified somatic sex/ intimacy educators, therapists, or sexuality professionals who have undergone specialized training in this field.
Somatic intimacy education acknowledges that our bodies hold valuable information and wisdom about our own sexuality and pleasure. It encourages individuals to develop a deeper connection with their bodies, their sensations, and their desires. This approach recognizes that sexuality is a holistic experience involving not only physical aspects but also emotional, psychological, and social dimensions.
Somatic intimacy education aims to empower individuals by providing them with knowledge and skills to explore and understand their own bodies and sexual experiences in a safe, non-judgmental, and consensual manner. It encourages self-exploration, body awareness, and the development of healthy boundaries and communication skills.
Somatic intimacy education often incorporates experiential learning methods such as mindfulness practices, breathwork, body movement, touch exercises, and guided exploration of the body. These activities are designed to enhance body awareness, promote relaxation, cultivate pleasure, and foster a positive relationship with one's own body.
In somatic intimacy education, consent and boundaries are emphasized as fundamental aspects of healthy sexuality. Participants learn how to communicate their desires and boundaries, as well as how to respect and honor the boundaries of others.
This approach also addresses topics such as consent, pleasure, arousal, orgasm, body image, and sexual diversity in an inclusive and non-normative manner. Somatic intimacy education is often provided in a supportive and inclusive learning environment, where participants can ask questions, share experiences, and receive guidance without judgment or shame.
Overall, somatic intimacy education offers a holistic and empowering approach to sex education, promoting self-discovery, body acceptance, and the cultivation of healthy and fulfilling sexual lives. It recognizes that sexuality is a deeply personal and individual experience, and seeks to provide individuals with the tools they need to explore and navigate their own unique sexual journey.
Common Concerns SSE and I Addresses
Difficulty Setting and Keeping Boundaries
Difficulty Expressing Desires
Discovering Desires/ Pleasure
Communication
Relationship Issues
Low Desire
Anhedonia (Reduced Motivation or Ability to Experience Pleasure)
Genito-Pelvic Pain
Pain with Penetration
PTSD/ Sexual Trauma
Age and Sex
Sex and Disability
And More...