The Art of Embodiment: Celebrating the Painted Feminine Form

Hello, lovely! Crystal Marie here, welcoming you with open arms to a sacred space where we talk about all things empowerment, healing, and the pure joy of being an embodied woman.

Today, I want to share something incredibly personal and transformative from our "Unfiltered; An Embodied Woman Podcast," and I can't wait for you to join this colorful voyage with us.

Remember, for the full sensory journey, make sure to tune into our episode, where Erin and I unfold the magic of our body painting experience.

Feminine Embodiment: Baring our Souls

It was an act of courage, stepping into an arena where we shed our layers, literally and metaphorically, and allowed our true selves to emerge through body painting.

A huge driving factor for why I got into photography in general was the faulty mirror, or the “foggy lens” that women see themselves as, because it really hurts me to my core to see people not love themselves.

Each stroke of color on our skin was a testament to our strength and willingness to face our vulnerabilities, and each resulting photograph showed these women how beautifully they shine when they allow themselves to just BE themselves.

Art as a Reflection of Emotion

Embracing my inner child, I found profound healing in the act of painting and being painted.

The colors we chose and the patterns we created were more than just aesthetic choices; they were expressions of our deepest emotions.

On the podcast, Erin and I discuss how this process became a voice for our silent stories waiting to be told.

The Embrace of Sisterhood

Feeling the physical support of other women was nothing short of revolutionary for me.

It reminded me that when we come together without judgment, we cultivate a power that can lift each of us to heights we never imagined.

I don't think up until that moment that I had ever really experienced community over competition. And so to have that was a huge moment of transformation in my life.

Celebrating the Acts of Play and Rest

Through body painting, I learned that celebrating ourselves and embracing leisure isn't counterproductive; it's essential.

High-achieving women often forget that it's okay to pause and simply be.

Every time I get introduced to something that I immediately want to say no to, I have to pause and ask myself, ‘If there was no fear, what would I say?’

What if everything could go right? What would I say? And in this case, it was a yes.

And if you’re still of the opinion that fun and play don’t lead to success in your business - during a journaling activity at this retreat, one of my intentions was “my work is going to bring me to Europe”.

And then last year I was hired as a photographer for an even in Paris. Exactly one year later, my manifestation came true!

When I am playing, when I am resting, and when I am celebrating is when I am booking the most clients, making the most money, doing all of these things.

Embodiment as Personal Alchemy

Transforming our past traumas and challenges into something magical became possible through our intimate engagement with our own bodies.

It was a process of alchemy, turning our complex histories into powerful narratives of resilience and pleasure.

Imagine being in a situation that could feel sexual - but it wasn’t.

Envision having an opportunity to push your boundaries - but only as far as you were ready.

And then see yourself being completely respected with every boundary that you set for yourself.

See yourself being adorned by other women.

It almost rewrites what you're feeling and how you relate to those situations.

Of course, not fully, because there are so many layers to overcoming past trauma, but it was a huge moment for myself and all of the other women at the retreat.

Nurturing Trust in Sacred Spaces

Creating an environment where every woman feels safe and her boundaries are honored was crucial for our body painting workshop.

There's a certain level of trust that’s required to take off clothes (however many the women felt comfortable removing) and let others touch you and put paint on your body.

I know that I wasn’t comfortable at first, but I also feel like you have to do these kind of things, right?

For me, going on a retreat with Erin allows me to feel that safety.

Even if I don't understand, I believe that Erin knows what she’s doing, and I have a very deep trust for her in this work.

In the podcast, we tackle the important conversation about the necessity for such spaces and how they contribute to the healing and growth process.

A Celebration of Individuality and Consent

In this episode, we're reminded that every woman's journey is unique and deserving of respect.

Your experience, your body, your choices are all profoundly your own, and that's a narrative worthy of honor and reflection.

We delve deeper into this dialog on the podcast, so don't forget to give it a listen to soak in every heartfelt detail.

An Open Call to Embody Your Feminine Essence

If this resonates with you—if you're seeking a place where you can freely express, heal, and connect with like-minded women—I warmly invite you to join the waitlist for our upcoming spiritual retreat.

It will be an oasis for us to continue this exploration and celebration of our collective and individual journeys.

With love and light,

Crystal Marie.