EP. 126 Why You’re Distracted During Sex—And How Mindfulness Can Help.

Apply for a free Intimacy Breakthrough Call to learn about Heather’s Pathway to Passion coaching method. https://heathershannon.co/new-clients/ Mindfulness, Presence & Pleasure: A Conversation with Naomi RawitzIn this episode, Heather is joined by fellow AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist and Sexuality Educator Naomi Rawitz, LCSW, CST, CSE, for a warm, honest, and deeply insightful conversation around the role of mindfulness in sex.Naomi opens up about her journey into sex therapy, how her upbringing shaped her perspective, and why our culture makes it so difficult to stay present in our bodies. Together, they explore the real reasons we get distracted during sex, how internal “parts” (à la Internal Family Systems therapy) can hijack our pleasure, and why mindfulness doesn’t mean you have to “clear your mind.” Whether you’ve ever felt pressured to perform, overwhelmed with distractions, or just curious about how to deepen your connection to yourself or a partner—this episode offers practical tools, validating insights, and a ton of “aha” moments. 00:00 Welcome & Intro to Naomi02:00 Naomi’s Path to Becoming a Sex Therapist04:00 Growing Up with Open Sex Education05:00 Presence, Distraction & the Sexual Mindset09:00 How Mindfulness Actually Works (It’s Not “Clearing Your Mind”)12:00 Communicating with Your Partner About Where You're At14:00 Mindfulness, Emotional Intimacy & Data Points17:00 What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?19:00 Common Parts That Show Up During Sex23:00 Productivity, Energy, and “Sex as a To-Do”26:00 Reconnecting with Play & Joy (Yes, Improv Counts!)30:00 Expanding Definitions of Sexual Touch33:00 The Pressure to “Go All the Way”34:00 How Stories and Anticipation Impact Desire38:00 Polyvagal Theory & Shifting Nervous System States41:00 Creating Space to Explore Without Judgment43:00 Where to Find NaomiWORK WITH HEATHERApply for a free Intimacy Breakthrough Call to learn about Heather’s Pathway to Passion coaching method. https://heathershannon.co/new-clients/  LET’S CONNECT! Find warmth HERE ⤵️:Heather’s Website: https://HeatherShannon.co Heather’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/AskASexTherapist Heather’s YouTube: Check out the video version of this podcast & more! - https://www.youtube.com/@AskASexCoach  Heather’s Pathway to Passion: https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/pathway Heather’s Courses: https://heather-shannon.mykajabi.com/storeHeather’s Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/heathershannonlcpc Connect with Naomi [email protected] more: https://www.rawitzcounseling.comSIMILARLY AWESOME / MENTIONED EPISODES:Liked the episode? Here’s a few more episodes of Ask A Sex Therapist that you'll enjoy:Age Play Video: https://youtu.be/TURlpFGTTOk? si=ISQI-s-TBuVo2xIm Sex and Disability Video: https://youtu.be/jPKzoXg3-kI? si=6aQnWzlwWguXXIA8 Come As You Are Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982165316? linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzheat0ce5-20&creativeASIN=1982165316&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.29BK4OTJWL4UF&ref_=aip_sf_asn_list_ofs_mixed_d_qv_asin Ethical Slut Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399579664? linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzheat0ce5-20&creativeASIN=0399579664&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.29BK4OTJWL4UF&ref_=aip_sf_asn_list_ofs_mixed_d_qv_asin RATE & REVIEW US!Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here. https://podfollow.com/AskASexTherapist This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp