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Catherine Toyooka -- like Carrie Bradshaw, only better -- knows sex. In town from Silicon Valley, Toyooka is an off-site sex educator with the Center for Sex and Culture, and a brand ambassador for the famed Good Vibrations adult toy store.
And next month, Toyooka is doing a series of workshops at the luxurious and sensual Coco de Mer boutique in West Hollywood, starting with "Pleasure Physiology and Sex Toys (aka: Oh Yeah...Right There!)." In it, she'll help you learn how to tap the unknown potential of your lady-and-or-gentleman parts for more sexual pleasure. Ms. Toyooka set her vulva puppet down momentarily to talk to us about what to expect...
LAist: What are you most surprised to find that people don't know about their own anatomy?
Catherine Toyooka: Most women have no idea that the clitoris is 3 pronged----very similar in structure of a playing jack. The clitoral head is what is visible when engorged with blood (like a penis), but it also has clitoral legs (crus) that extend back into the body up to 3 inches. Many women get clitoral stimulation even if they are not receiving clitoral head stimulation.
LAist: What is the latest news about the elusive g-spot? Does it exist or is it just an urban legend?
CT: There is controversy over if it even exists, but much of the confusion is due to the fact that researchers who are unfamiliar with human anatomy were the ones asking the questions. Basically, non-sex researchers researching the g-spot…then they concluded that it does not exist…go figure!
LAist: You mention the p-spot in your flyer for the class. What is it?
CT: The p-spot is just a way of recognizing the male prostate as a pleasure zone. It is very similar to the female g-spot, actually. The prostate is located inside the body and feels a little like a walnut. It is made up of nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue, and is where semen is produced. With some practice, it is possible for men to achieve “dry ejaculations” which is an ejaculation coming from the prostate…often, a man does not even have to stimulate his penis to achieve this type of orgasm.
LAist: How do you suggest someone broach the idea of one of your classes to a shy or hesitant partner?
CT: I think a large portion of people self-select themselves out of being interested in the subject matter. Sexuality is just not something that most people feel comfortable talking to a partner about. Heck, most of the time, we don’t even talk to our health care provider about sexuality. Much of what I do is to educate people on their own anatomy, and how it can be used to derive immense amounts of pleasure. In my opinion, that is a huge win-win for any couple.
My other workshop on flirting doesn’t carry the same sexually charged connotation, so I think that workshop is much more accessible to mainstream society. After all, who doesn’t want to learn how to be more confident, how to be able to approach a potential partner, or have the tools so they can better handle rejection? The techniques learned can help you in a job interview or salary negotiation or even dealing with difficult people.
LAist: Can you share a tantalizing tip with our readers as a teaser/sneak preview of the class?
CT: The sole purpose women have a clitoris is for sexual pleasure…..there really is no other function of the clitoris. Men can learn how to have dry ejaculations…or how to have an orgasm without direct stimulation of the penis.
LAist: I can't help but notice that you will be incorporating puppets into your workshop. Please expand.
CT: Many women are not familiar with their pleasure anatomy, and people often inter-change the words vulva and vagina. They are not the same! My vulva puppet is a tangible representation of what many of us have underneath our clothing. The vulva puppet is a wonderful way to introduce people to their pleasure anatomy and it is also very memorable.
LAist: What kind of sex toys will make an appearance in your class?
CT: Many of the toys demonstrated are toys that I use in real life. I love well made, beautiful, and expensive toys! There will be a selection of dildos, vibrators, anal toys, and vaginal eggs that are made out of silicon, precious stone, metal, and glass.
LAist: I assume your class is there with open arms for men and women, gays and straights, blacks and whites and everyone in between?
CT: Unless I am asked by a specific demographic, I never know or assume the ethnic, sexual preference, and gender preference of my workshop participants. My aim is to make my workshops widely accessible, and I always make sure that I offer a safe, fun, and welcoming environment!
When: March 1st, 7-9pm
Where: Coco de Mer
How Much: $65
