‘It’s my mission to help others channel the vast potential of their sexual energy, to be more present in their bodies; to become sensualists.’
Ena Dahl is a Berlin-based sensuality coach, kink educator, author, bodyworker & rope (s)witch. In other words, she is a true creatrix, using her many mediums to empower others to step into their sexual energy. We sat down with Ena to understand more about her work.
Could you introduce yourself and what you do?
I’m Ena Dahl, an Oslo-born, Berlin-based sensual creatrix, a conscious kink educator, author, bodyworker, and rope (s)witch.
What specific services do you offer?
I offer a few things, from erotic and/or educational writing, to in-person workshops, private bodywork and Shibari sessions and individual coaching. I’m currently working on creating more online offers in able to make my work accessible to more people.
How would you describe your approach to what you do?
An artist at heart, my approach is deeply intuitive. In sessions that means I don’t typically know exactly where I’m going or what’s going to happen until I have a chance to tune into my client.
Of course, behind this lay years of experience and studying, so there is structure to it all, but I don’t believe in rigid recipes. Instead I want to create unique, custom experiences that cater to individual needs and meet people where they are.
What was your journey into this world?
I discovered kink and BDSM rather late after leaving a decade-long abusive relationship. Our sex life had always been quite unadventurous yet I had this inner knowing that there was so much more there to discover and I sensed this powerful force within myself yearning to be unleashed.
I dived headfirst and hungrily into the online dating world and had some mediocre experiences before a series of synchronicities pointed me in the direction of BDSM. I had to connect with three people who shared their Fetlife profiles until I finally had the courage to create my own. There I met my first dominant partner who welcomed me on a journey into the unknown… which, at the same time, felt like coming home. This was where I was supposed to be!
He introduced me to the concepts of pre-negotiation, going through checklists, setting hard and soft boundaries, using safe words, aftercare, and so much more. Soon, I found a community, started hosting a regular meetup with other women, and began attending parties and munches.
My newfound experiences inspired me to start writing and when I won the first Smut Slam I attended, a sexy storytelling competition, just a few months into my journey I took it as a sign that I was on the right path. I ditched my career as a creative art director, to become a full time writer, joined Medium and posted articles several times per week. My following grew and suddenly I was being contacted by sex positive and kink focused publications looking to commission my work.
Much has happened since. I got into Shibari, started giving workshops, studied Reiki, began offering sessions…and the path continues to unfold as I walk it.
Who should seek your services? How can you help them?
I view our sexual energy as our primal creative force and believe in the concept of sexual alchemy; that you can use this energy as a means for personal transformation.
Through my work I want to help others conjure their inner sensualist, to discover and tap into their erotic and sexual power, aka their life force. I work with people looking to discover these sides of themselves to live a richer and fuller life, both sexually and otherwise.
Besides that I coach people on their journey into exploring BDSM, whether it be alone, as a couple or in a workshop. I can help people identify and name their fantasies and desires, communicate these to a partner and/or others, and eventually live them out in a way that is right for them.
I also teach BDSM basics like consent and pre-negotiation and offer the tools to navigate this world in the safest way possible. For people who want to explore their local scene and have certain experiences, I help make this a reality by acting as their personal mentor.
In many ways, you can say I guide people through a similar journey that I went on when I started, helping them bypass some of the many newbie mistakes I made, while understanding that everyone’s needs, and thus path, will be unique.
Talk us through one of your workshops.
My workshops, no matter the topic, are always intimate and sensual affairs where the whole setting, from lighting to music, scents and refreshments are part of the experience.
We always start by gathering in a ring to get to know each other before proceeding to the content which is a mix of lecture, demonstrations and hands-on exercises and play.
Often, such as in my sensory playgrounds, the workshop comes to an apex with open playtime for participants to explore everything they’ve learned with my supervision, and guidance if needed. These seances often resemble mini play parties since I aim to create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable to let go and explore without holding back.
What do you wish more people knew about sex, intimacy and kink?
I wish people knew how much better it all gets once we dare to speak openly about it. Many of us have so much ingrained shame around our sexualities and I see a lot people with fears of sharing openly to avoid shocking or hurting their partners. Instead, they live these secret lives, either through fantasy or in real life, but hidden from one another. It becomes like a silent, mental prison.
I used to be this person too because I didn’t have an emotionally safe partner to talk about sex with, so when I started my journey I was shit-scared to even open my mouth when partners asked what I wanted in the bedroom.
One of the most important skills I’ve learned is to speak fearlessly about sex and my desires.
So, I wish people knew how sexy and rewarding vulnerability in communication can be. Once we dare to go there, we can go so deep, and that’s when the real magic happens.
What is a small and unexpected pleasure about what you do?
There are so many… I especially remember one of the first temperature play workshop I gave. All the attendants completely let loose, dropped most of their clothes and inhibitions and engaged in completely free, ecstatic play.
At one point, one of the women became a fire goddess and was sitting on top of her partner, dripping wax on herself, her partner and her two friends that had joined in and the space turned into a steamy, moaning choir of pleasure. My co-host and I were in tears watching and felt such a joy, like “damn, we facilitated and held space for this to happen, what a gift!”
I guess this isn’t a small pleasure at all, it’s huge, but I never knew how much joy it would bring me to witness people coming alive and surprising themselves. To see real transformation happening in front of my eyes is just so special!
Do you incorporate Shibari into your coaching?
Yes! My coaching usually happens in combination with bodywork, where rope can take the main seat or play a smaller part. I also incorporate Shibari into private coaching and tuition with couples where the focus is primarily on communication and connection through rope play.
While rope is only a tool, it’s a powerful one that can get us to certain states far quicker than through other modalities. Due to its inherent power dynamic it invites deep surrender and connection, and it opens up to communicate in new, nonverbal ways.
How does being a creatrix and a sensualist inform your work?
I’ll answer that by talking about what those terms mean to me.
This quote by Lucy Pearce from her book Creatrix: She Who Makes, accurately reflects how I understand the term creatrix:
“A creatrix is more than just a fancy name for a female artist. She is artist plus…artist plus priestess, artist plus healer, artist plus activist: her work has both sacred and worldly dimensions. She is an energy worker first and foremost, weaving energy into form, color, words, sound, making meaning from symbols in order to transform herself and those her creations touch.”
Creatrix is the word I’ve found that best incorporates the multitude of things I do. I’ve had a strong urge to create since childhood when I was singing and acting, to later studying communication design and becoming a creative director working on everything from visual identity to film sets, events and interiors. Storytelling and the weaving of narratives has been a red thread, so when I became a writer, it all came full circle. I tell stories with everything I do, whether it’s through words, images, ropes, or immersive workshop experiences.
As for being a sensualist, I had never heard the word until I joined Fetlife and had to choose a role, but when I saw it I immediately knew it was me, and always had been.
I’ve inherited a lot of my innate sensualism from my mother, a feminine and nurturing women who has dedicated her life to food. I was hardly served a meal growing up that wasn’t plated to perfection and had some kind of garnish. Everything she does and creates is about bringing pleasure feeding all the senses at once. I live out my sensualism in different ways, but ultimately it’s the same thing.
Sensualism is a form of mindfulness. It urges you to pay attention to the small things, tune in and become grounded and present in the here and now; to savor it, because the current moment is all we ever really have.
The two words go well together and speak to the way I intuitively curate and create meaningful, immersive, and ultimately transformative experiences with a lot of attention to detail.
How do you feel about the Berlin kink scene?
Berlin is a city where everything’s allowed and I love the freedom living here gives me. In my home town of Oslo I’m easily a freak, but here no one bats an eye at what I do.
The scene here is a mixed bag—not everything is great, but there are definite gems—and you can find anything, from spiritual, tantric, temple nights, to the hard techno sex parties and all in between.
While I’ve been part of some amazing private play parties, I’ve never been to the BDSM party of my dreams though, with great music AND nice play areas, in a beautiful setting…but I’m working on that and will share more below.
Lastly, I’m so happy to see the Shibari scene in Berlin grow and love that we’ve gotten two new, beautiful, queer friendly spaces, Daruma and Kor, in the past year.
View more Berlin Sensualists.
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
I want to continue to grow and learn, add more tools to my belt and continue to develop both personally and professionally. Right now, I’m working towards a sexology and couples coaching certification and would love to get deeper into orgasmic hypnosis as well.
Professionally, I’m involved with SPNKD, a sensual, high end BDSM loft in Antwerp that also hosts workshops (including mine). A huge dream is to bring SPNKD to Berlin, manage it, curate events and workshops, host the BDSM parties of my dreams, and also have it be the hub for my coaching and sessions.
Discover more about Ena Dahl.
Read short erotica by Ena Dahl.
Featured photo: Ena Dahl for AVMM by Anais24.
Iso
Iso is a writer and filmmaker based in East London. She is passionate about all things erotic and leads a sexy, shame-free life in hope that she can inspire others to do the same. Originally from a Northern seaside town, she is naturally drawn to the best things in life: candyfloss, trashy karaoke bars and heart-shaped sunglasses.
Ena Dahl
Ena Dahl is a multidisciplinary creatrix; a conscious kink educator and sensuality coach, bodyworker and author. Steeped in sensuality, her writing, whether fiction, erotica, poetry, or essays, is almost always based on lived experience, backed by in-depth research, carefully crafted and brought to you in a tone that is sensual, poetic, educational and engaging.
