Back to the Body™

Christie (she/her) is a Sex & Relationship Coach practicing in Northern California. She is clinically trained with a Master’s in Social Work and has spent the first half of her career working in a wide variety of grassroots non-profit settings ranging from serving runaway and homeless youth, community based mental health to adults with traumatic brain injuries. She graduated from the Advanced Sex & Relationship Coaching Program with the Somatica Institute in 2022. Christie also completed a Sex Educator Mentorship program with the Back to the Body team and received her certification as a facilitator of The Lotus Lift Meditation ©, created by Pamela Madsen. Christie is currently in the process of enrolling & beginning her studies in a Certificate of Sexological Bodywork program in 2026. The focus on her private coaching practice is helping those that identify as women stay connected to their bodies in the midst of life transitions. She helps women discover their own unique erotic energy, prioritize pleasure, explore desire and integrate this awareness into daily life. Her work is inspired by her own mid-life embodied journey back to her erotic self and fuels her passion for women’s sexual wellness. She is the founder of Embodied Life Transitions based in Northern California. In addition to providing individualized coaching services, she facilitates a collaborative community based Book Club called “Between the Covers” and hosts a monthly sex positive Sisterhood Happy Hour with a focus on sexual wellness for women. She also teaches her own in-person experiential workshops in Historic Folsom as part of the Back to the Body Collective of sex educators, coaches & therapists. She coordinates retreats & weekend portals for Back to the Body™ with a focus on community engagement. Christie is deeply passionate about creating spaces for sisterhood, intimacy and community in the world.

Mandy Manuel has spent her career (and let’s be honest, much of her personal curiosity) at the intersection of psychology, sexuality, and human connection. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and graduated with highest distinction from Indiana University, where she double-majored in Psychology and Sociology, and minored in Human Sexuality and Human Development/Relationship Studies. While there, she worked as a research assistant at the famed Kinsey Institute, diving into studies on arousal, desire, sexual decision-making, and risk-taking. She presented her research at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) conference on how sexual attitudes shape behaviors.Craving a challenge (and perhaps some really good bagels), Mandy moved to New York City to pursue graduate school at Columbia University, where she earned both a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology. Immediately after, she began working at a sex therapy practice in downtown Manhattan, helping clients navigate intimacy and connection.Never one to stop learning, Mandy pursued doctoral studies in Human Sexuality at Widener University—the only accredited program of its kind. She earned her Master’s in Human Sexuality and completed all coursework and exams toward her Ph.D (ABD – All but Dissertation). While she found research to be interesting at times and useful to scientific study, what she realized she loved even more is people. She chose not to write her dissertation because her passion wasn’t in analyzing data—it was in walking beside people as they transform. Instead of studying growth, she wanted to live it, something she was inspired by at Back to the Body. Mandy will happily tell you about the life-changing moments that led her to step away from research in favor of hands-on impact.Today, Mandy runs a thriving psychotherapy practice in Westport, CT, specializing in personal growth, sexuality, and trauma. She is also a Reiki Master (trained in both Usui and Karuna Reiki since 2016), a certified meditation teacher (since 2023), and a facilitator of embodiment and erotic workshops and retreats across the East Coast. In addition, she offers private couples coaching intensives for partners ready to deepen their connection.Her philosophy is simple: growth comes from leaning into the edges of discomfort and flourishes when we’re held with love, humor, and humanity.When she’s not with clients, you’ll likely find Mandy on a peaceful walk in nature, reading by the beach, doing something crafty or creative, or taking in a Broadway show. Her dog, Joey, makes sure she stays present and playful.

Quinn is the Director of Operations for Back to the Body, as well as a retreat coordinator, safe port, and educator. She's passionate about supporting others to unearth their authentic desires and find the language to describe what they want. Her frequently said phrase in this work is what an honor it is to witness women coming into themselves.With a Masters in Education, Quinn has been educating her peers, students, and many others on sex and pleasure for the past 12 years. Through self-exploration, research, & a lineage of folk knowledge, she helps others take steps toward their desires and unique journeys. She identifies as polyamorous, bisexual, and kink positive. In the rest of her life, Quinn also creates events and workshops on the side, previously worked in higher education and with other sex educators, and tries very hard to take care of the various plants she has all over the house.

Ron Stewart has been a body worker since 2006 and has training in Reiki, Swedish, Thai, and Esalen massage techniques. In 2011 his curiosity and interest in human sexuality brought him to study with Joseph Kramer where he received certification as a Sexological Bodyworker. In 2012 Ron joined the Sexological Bodywork coaching team, assisting in the Canadian training.His massage practice has evolved from an extensive dance career, which offered him dynamic physical training and a deep understanding of the body/mind connection. Together, his passion and understanding of movement, anatomy, yoga, massage and sexuality have come together to create Skyclad Yoga which he operates from his rural studio and retreat center on Southern Vancouver Island.

As a Certified Sexological Bodyworker and Somatic Sex Educator Neal Wecker is committed to offering practical, bold, and trust worthy sex and intimacy skill based education for physical, emotional, and spiritual maturity. In private sessions, workshops, and writings, Neal advocates and offers support for people to embrace and to experience their sexuality as a conscious practice towards the health and happiness they deserve.Neal offers workshops and private sessions for individuals and couples in both Europe and the States.

Court Vox is a Somatic Sex Educator, Surrogate Partner Intern and Founder of The Body Vox, based in Los Angeles, CA. He is a father, son, lover, and compassionate friend who loves traveling, fine dining, dancing, laughing, and fantastic, embodied sex.In his lifetime he has been a swim teacher, the lead singer in a boy band and a rock band, and an executive, among other things. Today, he is a guide and a resource, to individuals of all bodies and orientations, including people in relationship, and groups, who are ready to find healing within the expansive possibilities of embodied pleasure, and in finding a more truthful expression of self. "My own personal journey to reclaim my sexuality has been nothing short of magic, and it is with great joy and a true honor to serve and guide and hold space for those looking to reclaim and nourish theirs."

Alejandro Karasick is a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Sex Educator, Tantric Therapist, Certified Feldenkrais Method Practitioner, and Sexological Bodywork Certification Instructor for the Latin American Institute of Somatic Sexuality. Originally from Argentina, Alejandro holds a Master’s Degree in Dance and Body Expression and brings more than 25 years of movement, dance, and somatic training to his work.

His practice weaves together sexological bodywork, Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement®, tantric massage, mindfulness, Klein Technique™, Alexander Technique, BDSM, sexology, erotic blueprints, Chi Nei Tsang, Karsai Nei Tsang, and the “yoga of touch” from the Kashmir tradition. Through these modalities, Alejandro supports people in discovering the many realms of their erotic lives — energetic, sensual, sexual, relational, role-oriented, and embodied — with curiosity, care, and respect for each person’s timing.

Alejandro’s work is rooted in consent, nervous system awareness, and the belief that each person already carries deep internal wisdom. He offers a grounded, collaborative space where clients can explore pleasure, clarify desire, reconnect with the body, and cultivate greater choice and sovereignty in their sexuality.

“I offer to accompany you in unfolding your internal body wisdom, freer from mandates and models. I believe the true source of power for change is accepting yourself as you are. We begin from that unconditional acceptance, co-creating a process that honors your present needs and the truth that the person who knows the most about you is you.”

Steve Danil is a facilitator with over 32 years in private practice, working with both individuals and groups to restore embodied strength, expression, and pleasure. Steve received nine years of intensive training in Tantra Yoga. He receiving specialized training and certification in ganja-based Yoga. Steve completed his training in the Back to the Body system through their men’s program. Alongside his hands-on work, Steve has served extensively as a marriage counselor and intimacy coach, bringing together nervous system literacy, grounded sensual awakening, and clear relational intelligence. His work is known for being deeply embodied, emotionally present, joyful, and just the right amount of wild—supporting clients on their journey toward freedom, awareness, and authentic erotic aliveness.

Cosmo Meens is a certified Somatic Sex Educator and Sexological Bodyworker and is the founder of the Himeros Project.Cosmo comes from a background of serving and teaching sensual delights, having been a Chef and Restauranteur for the last fifteen years, and opening six restaurants in Victoria B.C. He has a deep understanding of supporting people in making the connection between pleasure and thriving health whether it is through his experience teaching in culinary arts for the last seven years or supporting people in somatic sex education.For Cosmo, this choice of what we do with our bodies, is our greatest source of power and impacts everything in our lives. "Everything changed for me the day I decided to prioritize pleasure as my birthright. My journey finding my voice has led me through criticism and shame to a lighted path of personal truth. Each of us deserve to feel pleasure in our beautifully innervated bodies. It's my honor and gift to offer physical touch in a safe fearless container for my clients to explore their deepest desires and in doing so learning how to better trust themselves and those they are in relationship with."

Amy is a Sexuality & Intimacy Coach, Somatic Educator, Sexological Bodyworker, and Tantra teacher with over 25 years of experience supporting people in cultivating mindfulness, embodied awareness, and authentic self-expression. Her work weaves together a rich background in music, meditation, energy work, breathwork, bodywork, and consent-based practices.
She identifies as a neo-Druid and has spent more than 15 years studying and teaching Earth Magic, ritual & ceremony, and metaphysics. Spirituality is central to Amy’s approach, and every transformational tool she offers is shared with deep reverence for sacred teachings and traditions.
Amy facilitates a wide range of personalized sessions, including cultivating trance states, trauma release, embodiment practices, Goddess work (such as discovering and working with a personal deity), inner child healing, channeling and divination, dream interpretation, and manifestation magick. She also creates bespoke empowerment rituals and ceremonies to honor significant life transitions—such as reclaiming the Maiden, celebrating the Mother or Warrior, and welcoming the Crone. Additional specialties include sound healing (supporting clients in accessing the power of their own voice and breath), past-life exploration, soul retrieval, and Shamanic Journeying.
Each session is intuitively designed to meet clients exactly where they are, while gently supporting the path forward. Many women—and team members—describe these experiences as profoundly supportive. Feedback from clients has included feeling more grounded & connected, with greater access to their breath & sound, along with an increased ability to know and ask for what they truly need.
Amy spent five years working with the BttB team, traveling internationally and teaching at women’s sexuality retreats around the world. Her passion lies in educating and inspiring others to cultivate greater awareness, pleasure, and freedom in their lives.

When sitting with Sway you will experience a self-empowering transformational process that allows one to explore all of your sensuality. Through this collaborative process, Sway listens to how you want to be photographed, gives posing guidance along the way, asking questions that ignite your creative spirit, then opening the door for your self-love to shine.  Through this process the healing journey of sexual empowerment takes hold in a safe consensual space exploring desire, identity, sexuality, playfulness, and the erotic within.
Sway specializes in fashion erotica, sexuality, and sexual empowerment. She is a master of her craft and has been working in the industry for over decade empowering her models to be in their full power, beauty, and radiance. Sway creates an atmosphere of mutual collaboration, connection, and inspiration. Her skill goes beyond framing the perfect shot and playing with light, her gift is in capturing peoples essential beauty. She states, “My favorite moment as a photographer is a little hard to describe. The moment just hits me. You see a person begin to shed their masks and their true essence shines through. I am privileged to be able to capture that.”

Ramon Christian is a visual storyteller whose lens captures the quiet power and bold beauty of the world around us. With a distinctive eye for composition, light, and emotion, Ramon brings a fresh perspective to every frame—whether working on editorial portraits, fashion campaigns, or personal projects.Based in New York City, Ramon’s work is defined by its cinematic quality and timeless elegance. He collaborates with brands, artists, and publications to create imagery that resonates—both visually and emotionally. Beyond the commercial space, his photography explores themes of identity, culture, and human connection.Ramon’s creative process is rooted in curiosity and intention. Whether shooting on location or in studio, he is known for creating a calm, collaborative environment that allows subjects to feel seen and authentic in front of the camera.His work has been featured in many publications including GQ, Esquire, Attitude, Imagine and Crotch, and he continues to push boundaries while remaining grounded in the belief that great photography begins with trust, vision, and heart.