Uncovering the Path to Healing Through Pleasure, Power, and Self-Reclamation feat. LaToya Zavala

Healing is a deeply personal journey, but it's not one you have to navigate alone. Today we are exploring the transformative power of reclaiming your body, your pleasure, and your life. Through the lens of our guest, LaToya Zavala, we’ll dive into how you can begin to heal from past wounds, embrace your worth, and step into the radiant, empowered version of yourself that’s waiting to emerge!

The Importance of Sexual Healing

Sexual trauma can leave invisible scars that affect every aspect of our lives, making it difficult to connect with our bodies, our partners, and even ourselves. LaToya Zavala’s journey began with acknowledging these deep wounds. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, LaToya grew up believing that her worth was tied to providing sexual pleasure for others. This belief carried into her adult life, keeping her disconnected from her own sense of pleasure and self-worth. Listen to more of LaToya's story in this podcast episode.

LaToya’s healing journey began with a powerful shift: reconnecting with her body, not as an object, but as a sacred vessel of pleasure and power. Through energy work, tapping, and eventually exploring tantra, she slowly began to reframe her relationship with pleasure. It wasn’t just about having sex, it was about reclaiming her body as her own and learning to feel safe, present, and alive within it. She also had an experience with Pussy while reading Mama Gena's book, Pussy: A Reclamation (you can hear all about my experience with Mama Gena's work in this post!) Another resource she recommends is Disrupt-Her: A Manifesto for the Modern Woman.

Supporting Your Healing:

• Start small. Healing from sexual trauma doesn’t happen overnight. Begin by reconnecting with the idea of pleasure. This could be as simple as lighting a candle, enjoying a warm bath, or gently placing your hand over your heart or womb to offer comfort.
• Explore energy practices. Tools like Reiki, breathwork, or chakra meditations can help release stuck energy and open you to new possibilities of healing.
• Create a self-pleasure practice. Just as LaToya discovered, self-pleasure can be a powerful tool for reclaiming your body and your pleasure on your own terms. Start with gentle touch, breathe deeply, and allow yourself to explore without judgment or expectation. This isn’t about performing for someone else - it’s about honoring your own desires. You can also read this blog which gives you ideas of how to create a self-pleasure practice for yourself. 
  
  

Breaking Free from Domestic Violence: Finding Your Inner Strength

Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the bravest things a person can do, and it’s often the beginning of a profound journey of self-reclamation. For LaToya, escaping her domestic violence relationship was a moment of divine intervention. She left with nothing but her clothes in a trash bag, unsure of what her future would hold but knowing she couldn’t stay any longer.

LaToya’s journey didn’t end when she walked out the door and in many ways, it was just beginning. The process of healing from domestic violence involves reclaiming not just your physical safety but your sense of self-worth, autonomy, and joy. LaToya spent years rebuilding her life, piece by piece, rediscovering who she was outside of the trauma she had endured.

Supporting Your Healing:

• Reconnect with yourself. After leaving a toxic relationship, it’s crucial to reconnect with who you are outside of that dynamic. Journaling, therapy, and creative outlets can help you express and process your feelings.
• Seek support. Don’t try to do it alone. Reach out to support groups, counselors, or trusted friends who can offer guidance and hold space for your healing. LaToya’s journey was deeply supported by energetic practices that helped her release trauma and rebuild her sense of self.
• Reclaim your worth. Remind yourself that you are not defined by what happened to you. Your worth is inherent, and it is never diminished by someone else’s actions. Begin each day with affirmations that honor your strength and resilience.
  
  

The Liberating Power of Pleasure: Reclaiming it for Yourself

Pleasure is a powerful tool for healing, but for many of us, it’s wrapped in layers of shame, guilt, or obligation. LaToya’s story is a reminder that pleasure is not just about sex - it’s about living fully and embracing joy in every aspect of life. After years of disconnecting from her body, LaToya began to see pleasure as her birthright -- not something she gave to others, but something that was hers to claim.

It wasn’t until LaToya started her own self-pleasure practice that she truly began to feel the shift. By reconnecting with her body for herself, she unlocked a new level of healing that not only transformed her own experience but deepened her relationship with her husband. She discovered that when we reclaim pleasure as our own, it opens doors to deeper connections, self-love, and joy.

Supporting Your Healing:

• Redefine pleasure on your terms. Pleasure doesn’t have to look a certain way. It’s not just about sex - it’s about what makes you feel good. Explore what brings you joy, whether it’s dancing, painting, spending time in nature, or simply taking a few deep breaths. If you’re looking for a pleasure reset, make sure to read this blog post for 10 tools that you can use today!
• Give yourself permission. Many of us carry guilt or shame around pleasure, feeling that it’s indulgent or unearned. But pleasure is a natural part of being human. Allow yourself to feel good without judgment.
• Communicate your needs. If you’re in a partnership, share your journey with your partner. Let them know what feels good, what doesn’t, and how they can support you. True connection comes from honoring your needs first, and then sharing that with those you love.

Astrology: Unlocking Your Divine Blueprint and Reconnecting with Your Power

Sometimes, the answers we seek about ourselves are written in the stars. For LaToya, discovering Vedic astrology was a profound turning point in her journey. Vedic astrology, an ancient practice from India, helped LaToya see her strengths, her challenges, and her divine purpose in a new light. It wasn’t just about confirming what she already knew --it was about unlocking a deeper understanding of her soul’s journey.

Astrology offers a unique mirror, reflecting back the truth of who we are and helping us reconnect with the gifts that may have been buried under trauma, conditioning, or self-doubt. For LaToya, her birth chart was a guide back to her essence, confirming her intuitive gifts and the powerful path she was always meant to walk.

Supporting Your Healing:

• Explore your birth chart. Astrology can be a powerful tool for self-discovery. Consider booking a Vedic astrology chart reading with LaToya so you can have support in understanding your chart and its significance. I also love The Pattern App!
• Use astrology as a guide, not a rulebook. Your chart is a map but it is up to you to embody this information. Use the insights from your chart to empower your choices, support your healing, and honor your unique path.
• Reconnect with ancestral wisdom. Vedic astrology also connects us to ancient knowledge and ancestral gifts. We hear so much about generational trauma but we have to remember that there are generational gifts within us as well. 
  
  

Final Thoughts: Your Journey to Healing and Empowerment

LaToya Zavala’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter what you’ve been through, you have the power to heal, reclaim, and rise. Whether it’s through embracing your pleasure, breaking free from harmful relationships, reconnecting with your body, or exploring the ancient wisdom of astrology, your journey to wholeness is uniquely yours - and it’s filled with infinite possibilities.

Remember, you are not alone on this path. Every step you take towards healing is a step towards reclaiming your power and your joy. Give yourself the grace to explore, to feel, and to reconnect with the magic that’s always been within you. You are worthy of pleasure, of freedom, and of living a life that truly reflects the radiant being you are.

Connect with LaToya Zavala: 

Website: [latoyazavala.com]

Facebook: [facebook.com/coachlatoyaz]

LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/latoya-zavala/]

YouTube: [youtube.com/channel/UCz0to_JubLqzQS1OuZdbnuQ]