Anal Release Therapy

(This is a work of fiction.)

Around 20 years ago, I worked as a journalist on health issues in California, and was lucky to be sent to report on a 'health ranch' near L.A. It was not cheap, but my employer paid. Unfortunately, at the time, my reporting of it was thought to be rather risque, and was not published, but I thought that 20 years on, the time might be right.

The ranch was fine with my visit, as long as no names and photos were used. I was not undercover, and the clients would be told about me.

I did a bit of background reading. It seemed that the 'ranch' was set up by a therapist - Helena Richterre - who followed the body-armour approach. This group of therapists believed that our muscular tensions affect our ability for self-expression. This muscular 'armour' can be created when we were young, for various reasons - the simplest being a long-term injury, forcing us to stand in a certain way, perhaps slightly stooped, for example. This then becomes part of our body, and can restrict emotional expression in terms of 'heart opening'.

The ranch provided individual therapy sessions, massage, etc to allow submerged desires, particularly of a sexual nature, to awaken.

I visited the ranch midway through the first week of a two-week course, and had an initial orientation chat with the director. She emphasized that the 30 clients were not a representative selection of the population - they were wealthy, and had some sexual issues they wished to work through.

A typical day consisted of farm work in the morning, and therapy in the rest of the day. This might consist of individual sessions with a therapist, massage, and relaxing/discussing with each other. Weather permitting, nudism was insisted on. (I was allowed to wear shorts!)

I was introduced to the clients at lunch - they seemed very happy and welcoming, enthusiastic about the farm. However, after lunch, things took an unusual turn, when the clients all took some equipment from their bags. This was a light fabric harness that they wore round their buttocks, a metallic 'bullet' item around an inch in diameter and 4 inches long, and some ointment. They proceeded to lubricate the bullet, and insert it in their anus. I simply had to ask about this, and was told that the item was an anal dilator, which had to be held in by the harness. Its purpose was to relax any tension in the anus, which might be the cause of psychological tensions and blockages. It had to be retained for 4 hours, and could not be worn during work, as it was not safe. So, lounging around in the afternoon was the recommended time for wearing.

I hung around various sub-groups of clients, talking about anything from therapies to stocks and shares.

In the evening, we had a meal - no alcohol) then early to bed. The sleeping arrangments were in a number of dorms. Personal belongings were kept in central lockers, so clients could easily shift dorms if they wished. For myself, I had a nice individual room in an out-building.

The following morning, before work, the director addressed us all, suggesting that groups might start to form, consisting of those with similar inclinations. For example, there might be a group consisting of heterosexuals. I decided to attach myself to one group and picked a group calling themselves 'male lesbians'. These were males who felt feminine, and were attracted to similar feminine men.

I asked the director about this, and she said that such a group was quite common, and she was prepared to assist the group to open-up about their inner tensions.

After work, when dilators were inserted,the director handed out some clothing to 'my' group, which consisted of pink panties. They were told to put the panties on in front of the other clients, who applauded their openness. In nudist groups, erections are rare, but the panties seemed to cause erections in most wearers. They were told that 'tenting' was quite normal at first.

The afternoon chat session was rather subdued, due - I thought - to embarrassment.

The following morning, a minor shuffling occurred: some males moved out of the group, and some women moved in from another group - I guess that people were discovering more about themselves. Following lunch, the director had a private chat with my group, and introduced some jewelled nipple clamps. She explained that their purpose was to enhance the erotic possibilities of the breast (though I was told of another major reason later).

The rather attractive clamps were attached to everyone's nipples, amid gasps of pain. I tried one, and they were very intense. The group was told that they all needed to keep them on for 15 minutes - it was a group process. At first, there was lots of gasping and exclamations, followed by twitching and moving around, but when the pain eased slightly, I noticed expressions of sympathy and support for each other. In fact, hugging, even kissing began to occur. I found out later from the director that this was a typical outcome, and a major reason to use the clamps - the barriers were being broken down.

I had almost finished my time at the farm, so I spent the rest of the day writing my article, and wondering how my final day would go - would the clamps create more intimacy in the group?

On my last full day, I spent the afternoon and early evening with my group, and indeed there was more hugging and kissing, which proved quite moving for me. Surprisingly, some of the group chose to wear the jewelled clamps and dilators, even though they did not have to. This tended to happen between pairs, who perhaps understood the particular needs and desires of the other.

The following morning I took my leave of the group and farms, getting lots of hugs and more than a few kisses. In fact I found the whole experience very affecting, and knew that there was a reason why I attached myself to that particular group.

As I said, my article could not be published at the time, but I hope that its publication now is viewed with more understanding.