Jen’ll Tell Ya Featuring Jen Redpath & Jessica Terezakis

Hey Salty,

Salt Spring can be a pretty sleepy place this time of year so why not spice things up with “Karezza” (pronounced Kah-ret-za), a sexual technique centred around intimacy, connection, and relaxation. Although it’s name comes from the Italian word for caress, its roots are said to originate from a Daoist practice called Dual Cultivation.

Unlike many other forms of sex, Karezza isn’t necessarily oriented around orgasms. Which is quite radical if you ask us! So much of what we see and hear in the media and in pornography is all about working towards the big “O”. This can come with a lot of pressure with some folks feeling bad if they orgasm too quickly and others if they don’t. Orgasm or ejaculation focused sex can also be really hard on people who have trouble keeping an erection or for those who have trouble orgasming. As you know, pressure during sex can be the biggest buzz kill.

Karezza is focused on the savouring of physical and intimate touch, clear communication, and building slow deep energetic connections. Some folks find it deeply nourishing and others super energizing. Intimacy, connection, and safe physical touch can also help release Oxytocin, an amazing neurochemical also known as the “love hormone”. Oxytocin is the feel good hormone associated with social connection, intimacy, and interpersonal touch.

So how do you “do” Karezza? As its name suggests, Karezza is about physical connection like caressing, but it can also mean different things for different people.

Here are some general tips that we found:

• Set the tone. Karezza is about unity and intimacy. Make sure that your space feels safe, comfortable, cozy, or whatever it is that makes you and your partner(s) feel appreciated, valued, and connected.

• Slow down and communicate well. Relaxation and readiness are key.

• It’s not for everyone and that’s okay! The good news is that there are so many types of intimacy and sexual expression to explore.

If you have a topic you would like us to cover please send your ideas, curiosity, or questions to opt.ssi@gmail.com

Some resources we like:

Scarleteen : www.scarleteen.com

Options for Sexual Health: www.optionsforsexualhealth.org

Or check out the Sex Sense Line for a private consultation with a sexual health nurse: 1-800-739-7367

Options is open every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 and are by appointment only. You can reach us at (250) 537-8786

February Offerings

Please register at staroftheseassi@gmail.com

All our programmes are held at St. Mary’s Church, 2600 Fulford-Ganges Road (except when offered on Zoom). Donations for participation in these events are welcome.

Visit website www.staroftheseassi.ca

Sunday, February 5

Mandala workshop: Symmetry and Balance

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm online on ZOOM

With Kathleen Kinasewich of Soul Circle Mandalas

Cost $20.00. Please pre-pay and pre-register, so you can receive the Zoom link, at staroftheseassi.ca.

Tuesday, February 14

Spiritual Conversation: Death Matters

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church

‘Spiritual Conversations’ recur on the 2nd Tuesday evening of each month, facilitated by Brian Day and Heather Martin.

Wednesday, February 15

A Quiet Morning with Richard Stetson

9:30 am – 12:00 pm at St. Mary’s Church

‘Quiet Mornings’ led by Richard Stetson, recur monthly on Wednesday mornings.

Monday, February 20

Kirtan Gospel with Marilyn Walker and friends

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church

Kirtan Gospel with Marilyn Walker and friends recur on the 3rd Monday evening of each month.

Tuesday, February 21

Poetry as an Invitation

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm online on ZOOM

There is no charge to attend, however your donation towards the upkeep of this historic, sacred site will be gratefully accepted. Details for donations are on the website.

Please register in advance, so you can receive the Zoom link. Sacred Poetry recurs on the 3rd Tuesday evening of each month.

Sunday, February 26

Non-Verbal Communication: a workshop to re-connect with ourselves and others led by Marcia Burton

10:00 am – 1:00 pm at St. Mary’s Church

Cost: $25

Sunday, February 26

An Evening of Kirtan with Ananda

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church

Listen here https://youtu.be/e_tmbBgXpn0 for a sampling of Ananda’s music.

An Evening of Kirtan with Ananda recurs on the last Sunday evening of every other month.

Bring indoor footwear as shoes are removed at the door, and bring your own water bottle and/or hot drink.

Did you know that in British Columbia PAP tests are recommended every 3 years? Any person age 25 to 69 with a uterus and cervix should follow this screening guideline.

It is important to do a PAP test to screen for cervical cancer, which is a slow growing and very treatable form of cancer IF found early. If cervical cancer is not found until it is very progressed it can be a severe to life threatening condition.

However, PAP tests can be a sensitive and uncomfortable experience. Some folks have had painful and even traumatizing experiences with this exam, have a history of sexual trauma, feel uncomfortable with their health care provider, or have other reasons they feel hesitant or even unsafe having a PAP. I specialize in offering PAP exams that are comfortable, trauma-informed, and informative.

This looks like:

• At Madrona we offer a safe and non-judgemental environment

• Before the PAP I talk about what the exam involves and make sure you are clearly informed about and consenting to the process

• The appointment is 30 minutes to make sure we can take our time

• I use real sheets (not table paper!) and a heating pad and blanket to keep you warm throughout

• I verbalize every step of the way so that you know exactly what is happening at every moment, even when you can’t see what is happening

• I ensure the procedure itself is as painless as possible

• I offer you a mirror if you would like to see your own cervix!

• I also include a breast exam to screen for breast cancer

The PAP exam is also an opportunity to ask any questions you have about sex hormones and reproductive health.

Note that PAP exams are recommended for homosexual women and for trans men who have cervixes (that PAPs don’t apply to these folks is a common misconception!).

Full disclosure - on Salt Spring PAP exams are available through your GP, via the OPT clinic, as well as with me and the other naturopathic doctors at our clinic, Madrona Integrative Health. We are one of multiple options, and, at Madrona we specifically are offering extra care to ensure that you can have a safe and comfortable experience with the PAP exam. Through a GP or OPT you can have a PAP exam covered by MSP (at no cost to you!), so doing a PAP at Madrona is not right or necessary for everyone. Wherever you go, please make sure you get your PAP done every three years. If you think you would like to have a PAP done through at Madrona, you can give us a call at 250-931-1334 to book.

Festival Passes

For the first time since before the pandemic, the Salt Spring Film Festival is returning to Gulf Islands Secondary School! Please join us from March 3 to 5 for three days of unforgettable films.

This year we’ll be screening 40 documentaries from around the world – many of them awardwinning – focusing on social justice, Indigenous resurgence, LGBTQ+ resilience, international politics, environmental challenges, visual arts, modern dance and music documentaries, as well as some very local short films about the wonders of the Salish Sea.

A number of visiting filmmakers will be attending to introduce their films and participate in moderated Q&A sessions after their screenings.

Our ever-popular Social Justice Bazaar will run all weekend, with numerous local nonprofits and community agencies represented.

Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor:

Opening Gala: March 3 at 7:00 pm STILL WORKING 9 TO 5

pm at GISS 5 at next month’s Salt Spring Film Festival will be the awardwinning documentary STILL WORKING 9 TO 5, featuring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and stage – revisiting their classic how little has changed for women’s in four decades.

The Opening Gala film winning documentary Dolly Parton – three legendary icons of stage & screen comedy 9 TO 5 to evaluate how much and equality in the workplace over the past four decades.

When the highest-grossing comedy of it defied the long-held assumption successful film, and it conveyed a very inequalities and sexual harassment grossing of the year exploded onto movie screens in 1980, that women couldn’t headline a financially serious message about how the indignities, and facing working women were no laughing matter.

Rita Moreno, Allison Janey and Arianna crowd-pleaser won the Choice Nashville Film Festival and was named Best Domestic Feature the jury Festival & Film Fund.

Featuring interviews with Dabney Coleman, Rit Huffington, this empowering and unapologetically feminist Audience Choice Award at the Nashville Feature by the jury of the American Documentary Film Festival

And don’t miss our “Best of the Fests” screenings

Wednesday, February 1 at 7:30 pm THE BLUE CAFTAN

at ArtSpring: $13

are primarily a pass-based festival. Other than the Opening Night Gala, tickets films.

Full Festival Pass (includes Gala) ... $50 Opening Gala Ticket (Friday only) $15

Two-Day Pass (Sat & Sun only) ...... $40 One-Day Pass (either day) ............ $25 Half-Day Pass (afternoons only) .... $15

Passes are available in advance through the ArtSpring Box Office and at the door GISS. All other passes are available door. Subsidized passes are by request.

We are O aren’t sold for individual Full Festival through the door at GISS. only at the door available by request.

For more information schedule or visit more information and the full screening schedule, please pick up a Program Guide www.saltspringfilmfestival.com