About Andrew Barnes

Andrew BarnesAndrew Barnes is an internationally acclaimed and qualified Tantric relationship, sexuality and orgasm coach, sexologist, author, speaker and Daka. He runs a thriving private practice in Brisbane and has been training bodyworkers in a variety of disciplines in Australia and overseas since 1997.

Andrew is a leading authority on female sexuality, respected among his peers for his expertise and craft based on extensive studies and experience in Tantric practices, bodywork and sexuality philosophy. He is helping to shape a movement that is growing in relevance and acceptance with his enlightening teachings on spiritual growth, conscious relating and sexuality.

“Living from our hearts, letting go of what we think we know and celebrating our bodies and our sexuality without shame is our birthright. This is the beginning of the true path to freedom, a raising of consciousness and an unlayering of social conditioning that binds us all within a limited context of experience and pleasure.”

Andrew has five diplomas in different styles of bodywork and energy healing, and a Master of Health Science (Sexual Health). However, he attributes his greatest learnings to life experience, and the wisdom and guidance of the many mentors and teachers he has had from around the world over the past 18 years. These men and women have enriched his path, expanding and challenging him in immeasurable ways. Andrew now supports others to find their inner truth and experience dynamic transformation in their own lives.

Details of Andrew’s diverse range of services follow:

Awakening Within Foundation

Andrew established the Awakening Within foundation in 2005, which delivers powerful individual/couples’ sessions, seminars, workshops and retreats. These services help individuals understand and accept new ideas about intimacy, love, physical contact, pleasure and sexuality, and enhance their relationships through clear and conscious communication.

Academy of Therapeutic Arts Foundation

Andrew established the Academy of Therapeutic Arts Foundation in 2003, which offers a range of bodywork and energetic therapies based on in-depth, integrated training in modern and ancient healing modalities. The Academy’s programs are regularly adopted by leading health and wellness spas, as well as by clinics and international companies.

For more information, please visit: www.therapeuticarts.edu.au

Heart of the Flower – book of yonis

Heart of the Flower: The book of yonis is an unflinching exploration of the beautiful diversity of women’s genitals, free of judgement, shame and embarrassment. The book brings into light the ins and outs of the female sexual anatomy, and demystifies and challenges the way society views women’s genitals and sexuality.

For more information, please visit: www.heartoftheflower.com

Cuddle Parties Australia

Cuddle Parties create a safe space for people to connect with the notion of intentional communication and experience the restorative and invigorating benefits of non-sexual social affection. Since introducing this specialised personal development program to Australia from the US, Andrew is the Australian certified trainer for students wanting to learn how to facilitate Cuddle Parties and is a member of the International Cuddle Party committee. 

For more information, please visit: Cuddle Party Australia

Volunteer programs

Since 1993, Andrew has run volunteer massage and personal development programs in women’s rehabilitation clinics, men’s maximum security prisons, substance abuse units and many other organisations.

Andrew's previous experience with some of his mentors and teachers:

  • Mette Sorensen (1997), 3 1/2 year apprenticeship as a assistant facilitator in Ka Huna and Lomi Lomi massage and emotional release therapies.
  • Shantam Nityama's (1998), trained  Nitvana bodywork periodically over the last 10 years.
  • Louise Donavan (2005), mentored on life and spirituality for 8 years.
  • Betty Dodson Phd (2008), was mentored in Betty's style of orgasm coaching and sex coaching for 1 year.
  • Paul Lowe, mentored in 2010 on life and consciousness for 1 year. 

Conferences Andrew has presented at:

  • In 2006, the Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT), Australia’s largest massage association requested Andrew to develop breast massage policies and procedures for Australia, as they were in the process of developing a national breast massage standard. He is now recognised as a reference and source of information in both the AAMT therapist and client breast massage brochures. www.aamt.com.au
  • In 2006, attended the Annual Doula conference.
  •  In 2007, presentation at the Association of Sexual Energy Professionals conference in Arizona USA about male therapist working with female clients. www.goasep.org. 
  • In 2007, participated at the 18th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health, held in Sydney Australia from April 15th to 19th.
  • Member of the Golden Key International Honour Society since 2009. Membership is only available to the top 15% of undergraduate and postgraduate University students worldwide. www.goldenkey.org
  • In 2009, two presentations at the first Australian Sexual Healers conference, on male therapists working with female clients, and on the ins and outs of female sexuality.
  • In 2009, presentation at the International School of Temple Arts conference in Sedona USA on the ins and outs of female sexuality.  http://schooloftemplearts.wordpress.com/international-school-of-temple-arts
  • In 2010, presentation at the second Australian Sexual Healers conference on the ins and outs of female sexuality and energetic orgasm.
  • In 2010, presentation at the New Zealand Massage Association national conference on Hawaiian Kahuna and Lomi Lomi massage and the art of staying energised while giving and massage.
  • In 2010, a presentation at the International School of Temple Arts conference in Amsterdam Holland, on the ins and outs of female sexuality and energetic orgasm and was on a panel discussing practitioner relationships, transference and counter-transference issues. http://schooloftemplearts.wordpress.com/international-school-of-temple-arts
  • In 2010, a presentation at the International School of Temple Arts conference in South Africa, on the ins and outs of female sexuality and energetic orgasm.
  • In 2011, 2 presentations at the 3rd Australian Sexual Healers conference on female sexuality issues and energetic orgasm.
  • In 2011, 2 presentations at the International School of Temple Arts conference on energetic orgasm. 

Some of Andrew's training over the years:

  • Master's Degree in Sexual Health (majored in Sexual Health Counseling, University of Sydney)
  • Diploma in Remedial Massage
  • Diploma of Remedial Therapies (Hawaiian)
  • Diploma of Remedial Therapies (Balinese)
  • Diploma of Remedial Therapies (Thai Yoga)
  • Diploma of Remedial Therapies (Balinese and Polynesian) 
  • Nitvana bodywork
  • Tantra
  • Tao Sexuality
  • Doula
  • Beauty therapy
  • Energy healing
  • Sacred sexuality and adult relationship education
  • Myopratic therapy
  • Pulsing for Peace (emotional release body therapy)
  • Primal Scream therapy
  • Inner Child therapy
  • Timeline therapy
  • Ayurvedic mama point massage
  • Entity clearing and past life regression
  • Byron Katie, Loving What Is
  • Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training
  • Body de-armouring
  • Shaman training 
  • Trance states
  • Breathwork
  • Yoga
  • Intuitive facilitation 
  • Meditation
  • Somatic bodywork
  • Hug therapy
  • Dance and movement therapy