Senses and Soul - A Sexuality Handbook by Sakshi

Senses & Soul- A Sexuality Handbook by Sakshi
http://www.indianng%20os.com/pressrele%20ases/sakshi.%20htm

Sakshi is pleased to present its two volume handbook entitled "Senses & Soul- A Workshop on Sexuality". This rich resource pack is a creative inspiration for potential sexuality educators or for individual readers. The pack is equipped with a handbook of experiential exercises supported by six one minute films and a facilitator's guide on how to use these films. In addition the pack includes a documentary film by Sakshi called Mirror Mirror on the Wall… Who am I After All?, a 29 minute film which captures the positive and healthy spirit of one school's experience with Sakshi's sexuality education program.

Most Sexuality Education being delivered at present is anchored in information sharing that protects rather than empowers and informs. It is also exclusive and circumscribed. Equally, the language of AIDS and HIV has tended to place sexuality within a negative and at times unhealthy understanding. Teenagers along with parents tend to use this approach to limit behaviour rather than expand it through informed and enabling information, language and understanding. Through this handbook, Sakshi's seeks to expand the fabric of natural and healthy conversation as well as sharing around sexuality doing away with myths, taboos, shame and silence. We seek to enroll educators, students, parents and others into the language of sexuality as a natural and empowering process.

Our overarching goal through this handbook is to approach the sometimes uncomfortable messages around sexuality through the more holistic and empowering approach of responsible sexuality.

In the words of Radhika K. Jung UNIFEM, New Delhi :

“Yet, another recommended resource is ‘Senses and Soul’: A wonderful training handbook on sexuality produced by Sakshi through support from the Mac Arthur Foundation and the Resource Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS. It beautifully describes sexuality as: “Sexuality is not about academicising, romanticizing, theorizing or politicizing reality. Sexuality education is about living an everyday life through the complete experience of my spirit without recourse to stories, myths or conventions. It is about recognizing who or what is in control of my spirit and its choices at different moments of the day”.

About the handbook

The handbook consists of two volumes. The first volume is an accumulation of experiential exercises Sakshi has creatively developed over the years in addressing sexuality. For us the issue of sexuality is a holistic process, contrary to the predominant clinical model and taboos around sex education in India .
The handbook has been divided into three main sections:
1. Denial: This section helps to question/ explore where we are situated and why. It aims to develop a contextual understanding of our existing value system regarding sexuality.
2. The Journey Of Transition: This section contains exercises that form a bridge between first and third sections and describes elements of the journey needed to arrive at self defined paths.
3. Acceptance: This section attempts to arrive at redefining a sexual self to arrive at autonomous sexual realizations.
Each exercise is further divided into:
· A Story/ Reflection; brief description of the concept being explored
· Learning objectives
· Type of exercise
· Material being used
· Time taken
· Process of the exercise
· Points of discussion
· “Voices” which convey some possible responses
· Discussions, anticipated outcomes and some insights

The voices, discussions, anticipated outcomes and insights are those of participants over several workshops. These are only illustrative and may vary from group to group. Insights are those provided by us from our own experience. No doubt you will explore and discover your own. The order in which the exercises have been set out is based on what has worked with groups, but this may be modified and adapted provided the learning objectives and ground rules are adhered to.

Volume two is a facilitator’s guide to six one minute films which are meant as stimuli for discussions on issues such as: the power of "no", menopause, having fun, vagina monologues, turning within.

Each volume is enhance by the colour, texture, and rich artwork to reflect the aesthetics of sexuality as we have presented it here.

"Mirror Mirror on the Wall… Who Am I After All? " is a film scripted and directed by Sakshi based on the experiences of conducting a sexuality workshop with a school situated in a conservative town ( Ghaziabad ). The workshop was spread over the year and carried out with Standard 11 students (16/17 year olds), with all teachers of the school, and through interactive sessions with parents. In the end, the success of approaching sexuality from a positive perspective rather than a biological one was considered unique. The film is an outcome of the workshop. It moves through different issues that were addressed in the workshop eg. information, body talk, eviction of shame, turning within etc. The film was done with the help of a dance troupe to add the element of fun and approachability through the film. It is a 29 min. documentary.

Read more about the Handbook through an Interview with Naina Kapur (Director Sakshi) the following link:
http://www.indianngos.com/pressreleases/sakshi.htm