The Yoga of Sex: A-MYSTERY Miniseries | Modules Eight and Nine
Dr. Gretchen Blycker returns to The Sacred Garden Mandala podcast with The Yoga of Sex: A-MYSTERY Miniseries. This episode contains Modules Eight and Nine. In module eight, she explores the methodology behind A-MYSTERY, tracing how research, literature, and scholarship became a living educational curriculum. She examines the research questions that guided the program’s development, the need for a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to sexual wellness, and the integration of clinical sexology, comprehensive sexuality education, psychology, neuroscience, public health, yoga, mindfulness, contemplative traditions, trauma-informed care, and relational and sexual health research. She explores why embodiment and experiential learning became central to the curriculum, how mindfulness and yoga help transform knowledge into lived experience, and why A-MYSTERY was designed as a smartphone-accessible, self-paced learning experience. She also examines the mandala as both an organizing framework and teaching tool, emphasizing the movement from information to transformation and the curriculum’s recurring pattern of research, reflection, embodiment, and integration. In module nine, she introduces the Mindful Model of Sexual Health Mandala, a central framework within A-MYSTERY for understanding sexual wellness as multidimensional, interconnected, and integrated with overall well-being. She explores the mandala as a map, mirror, contemplative assessment tool, and guide for self-awareness and growth. She examines the model’s eight interconnected domains: physical health, sexual and emotional health, individuation, intimacy, communication, self-awareness, spirituality, and mindfulness. She discusses how these areas influence one another and how mindfulness serves as a foundation for compassionate awareness, intentional choice, healing, and growth. She offers embodied reflection and journaling prompts throughout both modules, inviting listeners to consider how they learn, what supports their growth, which areas of well-being may need attention, and how research and knowledge can become lived wisdom. She previews the next module, which will explore the Five Element Mandala Journey and the elemental qualities of body, energy, speech, mind, and awareness within the A-MYSTERY framework. BONUS LISTENING MATERIAL: The Sacred Garden Mandala for Sexual Wellbeing: Full Audiobook Edition CONNECT WITH US AND LEARN MORE: MEET DR. GRETCHEN BLYCKER MINDFULNESS-BASED PSYCHOTHERAPY AWAKENING APHRODITE AND ADONIS: THE ART, SCIENCE, AND SOUL OF LOVE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS FIND MORE RESOURCES HERE CONTACT DR. GRETCHEN BLYCKER FOLLOW DR. GRETCHEN BLYCKER ON INSTAGRAM MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM: DEE DANIELS MEDIA FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Welcome to the Journey 01:26 Arrive and Breathe 02:05 Module Eight Overview 05:11 The Research Question 06:23 Designing for Solutions 07:26 Holistic Sexuality Framework 08:28 Interdisciplinary Foundations 09:28 Embodiment and Experiential Learning 10:43 Mindfulness Yoga Integration 11:56 Digital Learning Design 12:47 Mandala Organizing Map 13:55 Information to Transformation 15:07 Curriculum Pattern and Pathway 16:10 Embodied Reflection Pause 18:09 Journaling Prompts 19:00 Module Eight Closing 21:54 Module Nine Opening 22:54 Model Purpose and Overview 25:27 Why a Mandala 26:39 Beyond Deficit Models 27:46 Mindfulness at the Center 28:52 Domain One Physical Health 29:58 Domain Two Sexual Emotional Health 30:56 Domain Three Individuation 31:58 Domain Four Intimacy 32:54 Domain Five Communication 33:37 Domain Six Self Awareness 34:26 Domain Seven Spirituality 35:20 Domain Eight Mindfulness 36:09 Curriculum Connection 16:10 Embodied Reflection Practice 39:20 Journaling Invitation 40:10 Integration Summary and Next Steps 42:33 Companion Resources and Website 44:07 Closing Affirmations and Farewell