about book|Andrew Barnes|Yvonne Lumsden|Contributors

Starting the heart: the story behind the book

The idea for this book came during an Awakening Within spiritual sexuality retreat in February 2007. The group was on their morning meditation walk through the rainforest and had paused at a lookout to enjoy the beautiful hinterland views of Springbrook, Queensland.

The women had done a lot of healing the day before regarding body image and were feeling empowered. They were talking about how labioplasty was quickly becoming one of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery in western countries and how there was a real need in our society for more information about yonis.

Retreat facilitator Andrew Barnes told the group how he had seen co-facilitator Yvonne Lumsden’s beautiful photographs of wildflowers and how many of these had reminded him of yonis. He wondered what the group of women thought about making a photographic and informative book about yonis, to which they all responded enthusiastically.

Andrew can remember later that day feeling a little uncertain about the project: “I felt some hesitation, that if I were to do this, that I would be really putting myself out there to be shot down by others and doubly so being a man”.

For the next week or so he sat with the idea and, when it became clear to him that this was something he felt was important, he discussed it with Yvonne who agreed the project was worth doing and signed on as photographer.

During the photo shoots there were lots of tears and laughter from the women involved (and Yvonne and Andrew too). Some women, driving to the photo shoot, pulled over to call Andrew as they were frozen with fear, while others came with groups of friends excited and celebrating the making of the book, and full of “yoni power”.

Making this book has really shown Yvonne and Andrew how many people want healing in the world and given the opportunity to be involved in something that will offer healing, even if it means challenging themselves to their limits, people will do it.

Overall there has been a fabulous response to the book, which of course has made the whole experience most enjoyable. All involved have felt a sense of community, and that we are all involved in something special and important both personally and on a much larger scale.

Seeing the women in the book take charge of their bodies and sexuality, to step through fear and to stand in their power and say “yes this is me”, has been an honour for Yvonne and Andrew and they have both been touched deeply by the experience.