It’s time to unpack some things I’ve been holding close to my heart…
Newsletter No. 12 - August 26, 2025
Enjoying a little rest in the Valle di Femmina Morta on Monte Amaro.
Today, I want to share one of the driving forces behind my decision to study the VITA™ Method (Vital and Integrated Tantric Approach) and become an intimacy and empowerment coach.
In July 2023, I underwent surgery for a partial hysterectomy. If you know me, you know I explored every possible alternative to avoid invasive surgery. But in the end, it became clear this was the path I needed to take.
I had many concerns:
Would the sensations in my vaginal canal return?
Would there be nerve damage?
Could I fully heal, or would scar tissue cause lingering pain?
Would I still be able to experience cervical orgasms without a cervix?
What kind of trauma would my pelvis hold, and how would it affect my desire?
What unconscious pain might I carry that could influence my intimacy?
These questions weighed heavily on me.
While I wasn’t new to surgery or medical procedures, this one felt different. It struck at the core of my identity. I was allowing a surgeon to remove a key female organ—a sacred, energetically powerful seat of my eros. How could I go through this and not feel violated on some level?
I made the choice to approach the procedure with a positive mindset and a determination to heal—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.
My recovery went as well as I could have hoped, but as the months passed, I began to feel a lingering grief settle in my pelvis. I noticed myself bracing during intimacy, holding unnecessary tension, and feeling nervous about intercourse. My relationship with my sexual desire began to shift in ways I didn’t like. While some of this was tied to my peri-menopausal state (a topic I’ll address another time), I knew the surgery had played a significant role.
Ryan and the dogs on an evening walk from the house. I don’t think I could have healed like it did without all of their support. Derby and Harlow cuddled hard.
When we moved to Italy, I suddenly had the time and space to focus on myself. I felt drawn to the work of Layla Martin and the VITA™ Method. Years earlier, after my first marriage ended, I had discovered her teachings. Determined to reconnect with my eros and cultivate self-love, I practiced the jade egg, began talking to my yoni, and explored Taoist energetic practices to circulate my sexual energy. That work helped me heal and attract the right partner (it worked!).
This is my crystal Yoni Egg (traditionally, made of jade and called the Jade Egg). It is one of the tools I use to awaken more sensation, vitality, sexual energy and coordination in my yoni (the word I like to use for my vagina). This tool was developed in China approximately 5,000 years ago.
I believed that diving back into Layla’s work could help me restore and reclaim my pelvic floor—and it did. Much like when I went to massage school 26 years ago to heal my undiagnosed disease (and fell in love with bodywork), my curiosity about healing my relationship with my yoni led me to VITA™.
The work went far deeper than I ever imagined, and now I can’t wait to share it with others in the hope that it touches them as profoundly as it did me.
Sharing this feels vulnerable. My surgery was not only physically challenging but also emotionally complex. I felt shame for needing it—wondering if I had done something wrong, if I hadn’t loved myself enough, or if I would still be lovable. These thoughts were hard to face but they also fueled my journey.
As I narrow the focus of my work, I’m looking to support other women who have undergone hysterectomies or other medical trauma. To gain more experience and knowledge in this area, I’m offering a special discount (almost free) for coaching sessions. If you or someone you know might benefit from this work, please feel free to reach out or share my information.
Have questions? Book your free clarity call today and get 20% off your first coaching package!
With love,
Hanni
VITA™ Intimacy and Empowerment Coach, Advanced Rolfer™
P.S.
As part of my ongoing commitment to healing and empowerment, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll soon be starting a new training in Somatic Experiencing, a powerful approach to trauma healing. This work focuses on gently releasing stored trauma from the body, helping to restore balance and resilience.
Stay tuned for updates as I dive into this transformative training!
