Selfloving - dvd by Betty Dodson Phd - review by Kat Shanahan

Selfloving is an intimate look into a sex workshop run by Betty Dodson, Ph.D. Dodson is renowned for her work with women seeking greater sexual pleasure, and this DVD is no different. It features Dodson and nine other women participating together in deep breathing exercises and massage techniques designed to unleash each woman’s ultimate capacity for sexual pleasure. Dodson is also famous for her positive stance on masturbation, so a great deal of her work focuses on masturbation as a way to fulfill one’s maximum sexual potential. This DVD is a testament to that belief.

As you might imagine, this DVD is mainly geared towards women—especially those who are either having trouble reaching their orgasmic potential, or those who would just like to learn some new techniques for reaching orgasm on their own.

[ialic|Selfloving] should not be considered a part of the porn genre; rather, it is more an educational, instructional video. Those looking for traditional porn plots would do well to go elsewhere. There is more of a “New Age” vibe to the film, which is something rare in modern erotic videos. It’s not for everyone, but it is interesting to watch.

The video is short—only about 90 minutes—and has scenes in which the women practice various deep breathing techniques, erotic massage, and, finally, masturbation using Hitachi Magic Wands. Dodson guides them through each exercise in a gentle manner, providing encouragement at each step of the process.

There are no “actors” in this film; rather, these are average, typical women from all walks of life. Their shared desire to learn about their bodies and the pleasure they can achieve is what makes their “performances” great. They are all willing to help themselves (and each other) learn what sorts of sensations can bring them the greatest pleasure.

Because these are not actors, anyone buying this video for instructional purposes should feel comfortable in knowing that the reactions displayed are not faked, unlike the orgasms often portrayed in run-of-the-mill porn. Again, these are REAL women, with flaws and imperfections—yet the unselfconscious way in which they display themselves is a testament both to their own willingness to learn (and teach!) and Dodson’s ability to make workshop participants feel welcome and accepted. The chemistry between the women comes through clearly, especially during the scene in which they engage in massage techniques. It is clear that they are all committed to helping one another receive pleasure.

Even though I personally have no need for assistance in the orgasm department, I did try some of the breathing techniques described on the DVD. To my surprise, they did change the quality of my orgasm. It didn’t make them better, per se, but the buildup was different, and I did find that the duration of each orgasm was longer when using some of the techniques. (I suppose this is why so many people practice Tantric breathing!)

I found the film itself to be a bit too “new age” for my tastes, but any woman looking for some different things to try and who doesn’t mind a lack of production values would probably enjoy this DVD.