Standing, or sitting, it didn't really matter, upon a raised platform in front thousands of faceless figures, Eden could feel their energy warm her skin. The mass of people extended up a hillside, surrounding her on all sides, focussed completely on her body that glowed in the dusk light. Though faceless, there were still the eyes, and that is what Eden felt keenly as she caressed her naked body from her collarbone, down over her breasts, across her soft tummy and circled gently over her mound. She felt the audience tighten as her own pleasure increased exploring her private regions, and she knew their pleasure was inextricably linked to her own. Their attention was the warmth she felt from the prickly bumps on her skins surface, to the warmth that began to radiate through her groin. She surveyed the crowd in an unfocused way, taking in the mass of humanity that trained their desire on her. And one face in the crowd gained some texture, it's outline becoming coherent, and recognisable, and Eden saw her husband, Louis, half smiling in the sea of shapes that began to fade around him. He was holding two cups - coffee - and leaning against a door frame. And the fantasy melted into the reality of Edens bedroom, and Louis' morning routine.
"Morning my love"
Eden stretched her arms up over her pillow, and sighed.
"Morning."
"I would love to know what kind of reverie was going on inside that fantastic head of yours."
"Just a little something the therapist recommended. Trying to use my imagination. You spoiled it."
"Sorry. But coffee waits for no one. Care to share?"
"Hmm. Not now. Maybe later. I'm still... processing I guess."
Louis smiled, and bent down to kiss his wife gently on the cheek. While his mind raced with the possibilities of Edens fantasy.
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"There's a weekend workshop you could try?"
"A workshop?"
"Yes. For people to spend some focussed time learning about their bodies. It's run by a therapist similar to me, but has done more of the... I guess you would say 'hands on' training. Matilda is a bit of a hippy, but the workshops are excellent."
"You've been?"
"Of course! I wound't recommend it if I hadn't!"
This conversation, from weeks earlier, was repeating in Eden's head as she stood outside a large cabin, a lady with long, wild hair smiling serenely in the doorway. Dressed in long dress pinched at the waist, with a swirling rainbow pattern, 'Hippy' seemed an apt description for this body awareness therapist that Eden had been recommended.
"I'm Matilda, you must be Eden?" she said, extending her hand. Eden took it limply.
"Yes. Hello."
"Well you're the first to arrive, your cabin is number 3, down there. Go and make yourself comfortable and I'll meet you back here. This is where the workshops happen."
"Ok."
Eden found her accomodation for the next 3 days, it was simple and comfortable, looking out over undulating hills that were bisected by a small creek. The landscape was well covered with trees, and happy cows lazily chewing their cud dotted the horizon.
Eden unpacked, wondered if she needed to shower before a session started, decided against it and headed back to the main cabin. Inside revealed a large room with cushions arranged neatly in a circle, some simple amenities for cooking lining the walls, and the same view as Eden's cabin looking through floor-to-ceiling glass doors. It was warm, and inviting, and there were now four other participants milling around the doors admiring the view.
Matilda called the group to attention. "Welcome everybody, come and make yourself comfortable on a cushion, and we'll get to know each other."
The group settled in, Matilda occupying a cushion in the centre of the room, while she slowly looked at each participant searchingly. Eden found it unnerving when her gaze rested on her, and she broke eye contact quickly.
"You are all so bold and brave for coming here this weekend, I'm sure we all have a different story and experience we bring. We can all learn from each other, and I hope we come away from here feeling refreshed, and energised. Let's introduce ourselves."
There was four ladies, all who seemed to be between 25 and 35 years old. One, Janie, was there for a second time, and just thought it would be a relaxing way to spend a weekend. Audrey, a tall, black-haired motherly type, had some issues with her confidence after a marriage break up, wanting to "reclaim her femininity". Hannah was the youngest, naively hoping to come away from the weekend a woman. Maree had secretively just said she was there to learn. Eden shared that she has some issues with orgasm, and was open to trying new things to help her.
The introductions were formal and serious, nerves and apprehension contributing to the lack of playfulness Eden thought would be associated with a body workshop. Only Janie seemed at ease as she glanced nonchalantly around the room, leaning back on her elbows.
"Ok," Matilda resumed, "Let's begin!"
The first session was a discussion about bodies, and feelings, and expectations, and society, and women, and... Eden enjoyed the chat, but was still distracted by the nagging apprehension about what the next few sessions would entail. Matilda did a great job at keeping conversation flowing, and the group certainly felt at ease by the time Matilda announced that they'd have a light dinner, and return at 8pm for the next session, of which the dress code was a robe.
Over a vege burrito, Eden chatted to Janie.
"So you've done this before?"
"Oh yeah, about a year ago. It was soooo great. I felt transformed at the end. I had a weekend free, and just thought... why not?!"
"What made you come the first time?" Eden probed.
"It was actually the group performance on the last evening. That's when I really let go and came so hard."
"Sorry, I meant what made you come to the workshop?"