The Wild Woman's Way: Unlock Your Full Potential for Pleasure, Power, and Fulfillment

by Michaela Boehm

“As pragmatic as it is compassionate, this intimate, humorous, and ultimately relaxing invitation to re-wild yourself, stripping away all that is not your true nature, will leave you inspired and curious to discover the wild woman within” (Lissa Rankin, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Mind Over Medicine).

For many women today, achieving a successful career, a fulfilling romantic relationship, and a rewarding personal life can feel like an unattainable goal. The pressure to “have it all” wreaks havoc on our bodies and emotional well-being, and also creates unrealistic expectations. Toxic comparisons and the need to perform enforces damaging ideals of who and what we should be, making it harder for us to connect with who we really are.

But what if there was a way to break free from these patterns and beliefs? What if you could free your body from stress and trauma, tap into your inherent creativity, and connect more authentically with the people who matter?

In this life-changing book, intimacy expert and counselor Michaela Boehm shares practical rituals and exercises to show you simple, everyday changes that will revolutionize your connection to yourself, your life, and your relationships.

Beyond the outdated stereotypes of femininity lies the ancient wisdom of the Wild Woman archetype, a path to reconnecting with our “body intelligence.”

In this book, you will learn to:

- Re-wild yourself by connecting to who you really are and integrating body, emotions, and mind for powerful expression in the world.

- Switch effortlessly between “doing” and “being,” allowing you to access both empowered success and personal fulfillment.

- Unlock creativity and intuition through understanding how body, heart, and mind can work together.

- Engage in relaxed, body-specific exercises that help you connect with yourself and your chosen relationships.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Feminism, Spirituality, Sexuality, Relationships, Psychology

240 pages, Audiobook

First published August 21, 2018

About the author

Michaela Boehm is among the most gifted and in-demand teachers, speakers, and counselors to be found globally today. Born and raised in Austria, Michaela received degrees in Psychology and further extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Hypnosis, and NLP. Upon moving to the United States in 1994, Michaela established a 20+ year counseling practice logging over 40,000 client hours . She quickly became counselor to the stars in Hollywood, California, and her on-going clients include Oscar-winning actors, producers, writers, multiple Grammy-winning musicians, CEO’s, and multi-billion dollar fund managers. Included in her clinical experience she co-founded a Malibu celebrity drug rehabilitation center, serving for 4 years as both a counselor and a treatment plan manager, subsequently consulting other facilities on treatment plans. Michaela also consults extensively with international business founders and family offices specializing in succession and second generation wealth strategies.

Reviews

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This book is a call to come back to our wild, undomesticated 'original nature,' which, combined with an untamed heart, knows what is true for each of us. It is a call to return to the inborn genius that guides our passion, whispers in our ear with longing, and reveals itself abundantly when we allow our bodies to show us the way." pg 8, ebook

Michaela Boehm utilizes her years of therapeutic practice and tantric training in this self help book designed for the modern woman.

There are so many choices and life paths from high-powered careers to motherhood, that many women try to do it all.

"The good news: amidst such a multitude of options we are free to choose what resonates with us. The bad news: it's confusing, overwhelming, time-consuming, fraught with many pitfalls, and requires constant discernment." pg 9, ebook

It's not possible to do and have it all, Boehm writes, and while they attempt it, women cut themselves off from their sensual natures. She has written this book to give women practices and rituals to bring them back from this disconnection into the power and knowledge of their bodies.

"Relaxing the body; engaging with life, beauty, and nature; and gentle, nonlinear movement and dance are some of those physical practices we'll be engaging in throughout this book." pg 34, ebook

I didn't connect with all of Boehm's writing, but I have begun to practice a version of her "formless dancing" every day. The practice itself is simple. Turn on music with no words and a beat, and move your body however it feels like moving. It's designed to release tension and unconscious clenching that happens when one becomes disconnected from their physical form.

"Once you understand your own reasons for any numbness, tension, and strain that you may carry in your body, you can easily undo the related habitual body patterns and restore yourself to a state of pleasurable aliveness and sensual well-being." pg 50

I find it extremely relaxing. I probably look mad, shimmying and bouncing and swaying around, but it feels really good so who cares. :)

Highly recommended for readers looking to reconnect with their body's innate intelligence or who are interested in different spiritual practices.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag of helpful embodiment/mindfulness practices, some troubling vibes of cultural appropriation (promoting smudging using sage outside of traditional contexts; use of the word 'tribe'), reinforcement of gender binary concepts (maybe not intentionally exclusionary, but I would think it might be tough for some folks to read), and some rather patronizing advice stemming from unacknowledged privilege - "I found happiness by buying some land in California to build my own personal retreat on, but you can find the same sort of happiness by listening to a really good piece of music, if that's what's accessible to you!" (paraphrased).
I got some good stuff out of this book but not without a substantial amount of cringe. Also - is it really necessary to include pull quotes of your own text on pretty much every page?? I'll take my own notes, thanks very much.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely effortless reading. I have been following Michaela’s work from afar for some time now, with the goal of one day participating in one of her workshops. I’m thrilled that she has written a book in order to share her teachings more widely. I work with people in the wellness field and found all of her explanations of the mind-body response to stress incredibly clear and accessible. This work is obviously the fine distillation of many years of learning, professional counselling and embodied wisdom broken down into easy to understand chunks. The exercises are deceptively simple but I believe will be incredibly effective as I have already begun to incorporate some of them into my daily living, even as I read.

Because of the work I do, I often get stuck in my head, thinking and over-analyzing. The patterns of tension created by our modern lifestyle have now become chronic. One of my goals going forward is to pay more attention to the signals of my body. To reconnect, resensitize, and allow myself to feel and receive pleasure. I am now ready to take responsibility for doing this on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a partner bringing delicious touch into my life and when that happens, it will be a gift.

At my core, I feel my energy to be quite feminine/receptive. I long to express that more fully but often find myself taking on a more directive/masculine energy to get shit done at work and at home. This book is all about teaching ways to find balance and to re-connect with those parts of us that get underexpressed. I’m excited to explore more of the practices detailed in the last part of the book. The simple and joyful rituals for movement, relaxation, and resensitization are easy to do and only require the investment of a little time each day which we all deserve.

Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful introduction to reconnecting with the pleasure of my own body. Exactly what I wanted at this point in my life.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a deep pleasure to read. So much so I have taken some months to read it, to savor it slowly and fully.

It is a medicine book filled with ancient wisdom so desperately needed in these difficult times we are facing now. What lies within the pages is a practical magic. The stories are real and that of every woman and the offering is to embrace the sacred in the ordinary and to find pleasure at every turn in the very face of the pain and heartbreak of life. I look forward to soon giving this book to my daughter who will learn these lessons even younger than I did and be equipped with practices to guide her through life.

Hot Tip: The audiobook is read by Michaela herself and as such contains the magic of her voice. Reading the book and hearing the book are both highly recommended for their unique gifts.

[Morgan Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had she not mentioned Jordan Peterson or endorsed Young Living Essential Oils, two of my biggest pet peeves on this earth, I may have rated this higher.

[Bethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for anyone starting out on a new path/journey or with a keen interest in spirituality.
I found that many chapters were all much the same but just with different wording, the same practices are offered throughout all the chapters.
Not as in depth as I was hoping unfortunately.

[montserrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend everyone to read this book. Women, men, it does not matter. There is something for everyone to learn from this holistic, eloquent, beautiful, and profound masterpiece.

Will probably read it over and over again.

[Jeffrey McLamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've become increasingly more interested in tantric sex over the past 2 years. So based on suggestions from the internet I decided to read this book. I think this book is especially useful for women but men can learn a lot from it too. I learned a lot about sexual polarity and effective practices for maintaining polarity. The book contains many excercises that are designed to reconnect one with their body and to help you relax. I also got a better scope on issues women deal with such as the dilemma that women go through in their fertile years, choosing to focus on career or having children or attempting to have both. This is something I never really thought of till I read this book. I enjoyed reading about the author's view on dating, relationships, aging, community, career, and children and appreciated her life experience. Thank you Michaela!

[Tanya Burkhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michaela is an amazing source of knowledge, based on years of practice and training, and beautifully articulates and translates the teachings into everyday useable techniques. I highly recommend this book and her workshops for any man or woman who strives to cultivate more pleasure, integrity & embodiment into their lives!

[Christina Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read on ancient wisdom of the woman’s body and how to embody our gifts to experience more pleasure & joy.

[Rey Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Ashlie Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time reading this book. Such an easy read with so much valuable information.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wild Woman's Way: Unlock Your Full Potential for Pleasure, Power, and Fulfillment
by Michaela Boehm (RECOMMENDED FROM WILL SMITH'S MEMOIR)
Published August 21, 2018

<3 This was quite informative and enligtening.

"As pragmatic as it is compassionate, this intimate, humorous, and ultimately relaxing invitation to re-wild yourself, stripping away all that is not your true nature, will leave you inspired and curious to discover the wild woman within" (Lissa Rankin, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Mind Over Medicine).

For many women today, achieving a successful career, a fulfilling romantic relationship, and a rewarding personal life can feel like an unattainable goal. The pressure to "have it all" wreaks havoc on our bodies and emotional well-being, and also creates unrealistic expectations. Toxic comparisons and the need to perform enforces damaging ideals of who and what we should be, making it harder for us to connect with who we really are.

But what if there was a way to break free from these patterns and beliefs? What if you could free your body from stress and trauma, tap into your inherent creativity, and connect more authentically with the people who matter?

In this life-changing book, intimacy expert and counselor Michaela Boehm shares practical rituals and exercises to show you simple, everyday changes that will revolutionize your connection to yourself, your life, and your relationships.

Beyond the outdated stereotypes of femininity lies the ancient wisdom of the Wild Woman archetype, a path to reconnecting with our "body intelligence."

In this book, you will learn to:

- Re-wild yourself by connecting to who you really are and integrating body, emotions, and mind for powerful expression in the world.

- Switch effortlessly between "doing" and "being," allowing you to access both empowered success and personal fulfillment.

- Unlock creativity and intuition through understanding how body, heart, and mind can work together.

- Engage in relaxed, body-specific exercises that help you connect with yourself and your chosen relationships.

[Moey · Rating 3 out of 5]

She’s good at putting into words why it’s important to do a lot of the self-care rituals I learned from Renee Trudeau. I don’t agree with everything in this book but I appreciate it and have already referred back to it.

[Leya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read this for my book club... This was a hard read for me.

[Mioree · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️

Pseudoscientific woo woo. Full of magical thinking. Some ok self care ideas but you don’t need to read this extremely boring book for those.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this and really needed to read this, so its message resonated with me. I wish I had read this on my kindle so I could easily highlight quotes or passages to save, but I had borrowed this from the inter-library loan system so had to take photos of pages and use Google lens to extract the text, haha. I think I will buy the kindle version though so I can keep it on hand and go through all of the exercises at the end. Overall, this book is helping me reconnect with my body, try to practice being more present and mindful, and finding more ways to add movement and intentional connection to my daily habits. It wont be an overnight change for sure, but this was the kick in the pants I needed!!!

I think my only critique of this book is that I would have loved more detailed science -- she glosses over details and keeps things very high level for the average reader, and a lot of the things she talks about I've read about in other contexts before so I have the foundational knowledge or understanding of things like how fight/flight/freeze works, but not every reader does, and I think there were opportunities to dive a little deeper, not remain so high level, and get a little nerdy about the mechanics of what's happening within our bodies and minds.

[Vanessa Largie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by another artist, so I was interested to read it.

There is one particular story within the book where Michaela Boehm recounts how her intuition told her something bad had happened to her friend and colleague -- that chapter was so powerfully written, I had goose bumps.

I also enjoyed how Boehm weaved her personal journey as a woman through the book, to help convey her message in each chapter.

The reason I am giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 stars (is because like a few other readers have said)... I thought Boehm could have gone deeper with certain aspects of the book. Sometimes, it felt like a taster or a tease, and chapters could have been elaborated on more.

But that's my only criticism. I did enjoy it and I would read another book by Michaela Boehm, if she were to release one.

[Michelle King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book after listening to a few podcasts featuring Michaela Boehm. I’m giving this book a 3 because it’s easy to follow and I think there are a few good insights that can be gained (Iv started dancing when I need to get out of my head and that has actually really helped me) but overall I felt like a lot of the advice is pretty obvious and for the points that seem less obvious, I would have loved to see some sort of study or data to support her claims. Overall pleasant read but I’m a nerd for the science which you won’t get in this book.

[Selene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Body Keeps the Score meets Women Who Run With Wolves. I think the most valuable advice is to incorporate unstructured and nonlinear movement to deal with stress (like ecstatic dance). I did not enjoy the autobiographical components of the book, they seemed very surface level and didn’t add to the heart of the message of the book, and at times it felt a little self-congratulatory. I also wish that the author incorporated more scientifically rigorous information, but it still had a lot of good nuggets that should be explored more.

[Nyasha Tarlia · Rating 3 out of 5]

When reading please acknowledge my grammar is not the best as I am dyslexic.

This book was a slow started for me, I didn’t start to truly feel the words till chapter 4 & 5. Chapter 7 is the first chapter I really truly loved and connected with. Then chapter 9 & 10 were great !

I really related and took some lessons from chapter 13, which I think both male and female should read.

I think the concept and aim of the book is great, I just think as I’m a practical person the actual classes would have connected with my inner wild woman so much more.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, good information. This book about women's empowerment could be seen as written for the wellness community in seek of a new self-help book. While some of the info I connected with, her advice/nonadvice on motherhood was hard to really get a lot out of, as she repeatedly talks about her choice to not have children. It's a lot about rewilding ourselves, figuring out where you lost yourself, and having space to do the work. Not for everyone. She comes from a Tantric lineage. Reminded me of "Women Who Run with the Wolves," though not with the same power and universal appeal.

[Inas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midway through I knew this book would join my “back to basics” shelf, to be revisited again and again, to be studied and applied. I knew this was a book for life.

It’s rare that I come across books where I mostly agree with the author’s approach of a particular topic. This was one of those cases, and with only the practices and tidbits I picked up while reading it for the first time, I can feel the impact of the book.

Highly recommend to anyone looking to deepen into their bodies and rebuild a much forgotten yet fundamental relationship.

[Alma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite all the esoteric woo, there are some good practical advices and exercises in this book. Start at chapter 4 for that.
There is also an interesting story of an unusual woman (I mean the author, of course) told in enticing bits and pieces. You'll have to read it all for that.
Definitely not the worst self-help book for women. I'd recomend it for those who are leaning towards New Age practices. Not the best, either.

[Love&Lattes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because this is a self-help book and not a novel, it’s a great read to have on hand when you know you only have a few minutes to kill. I picked up and put down this book on and off for several months before finally finishing it, and that’s ok!

The author has certainly lived a unique life and I’m glad she chose to document her journey in a book to share with women who can’t necessarily make it to a Wild Woman retreat in Ojai, California.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It takes a while to get into it, but it does improve. There are definitely some useful tips and portions of the book resonate. But, ultimately, there are soo many self help books that have the same message, but just say it differently. If the manner/delivery in the book resonates with you, you'll enjoy this book. I think Michaela Boehm's teachings/approach are probably better enjoyed in person/podcast but not through something read.

[Kate Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Not totally comfy with some of the recommendations involving smudging and where to buy Sweetgrass (I worry about cultural appropriation), and one chapter just missed the mark for me totally.

But the rest of the book I LOVED. I’ll return to it again and again. Very accessible, quick read, not TOO woo-woo (some parts maybe a little). Lots of great exercises to start practicing embodiment right away, and Ms Boehm is just so warm and lovely. The book felt like a hug.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Lord. This was such a difficult read. Ngl, as a Los Angeles native, I was salty at the “LA doesn’t have a community so let me move to the desert to find myself” line. *Insert eye roll here* Aside from the disrespect of my city, this was yet another vapid read on spirituality. So much cultural appropriation with self-care practices mixed in. I read a comment saying this book is a mix of Women Who Run With The Wolves and The Body Keeps Score and yeah, more of a surface level mix of the two.

[Andrew Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to see if there's anything my wife may like trying for her own sensual wellness. She doesn't like to read much so she likes me to share things with her that I read that may be good. Unfortunately there weren't many suggestions that are easily shareable with her without her having to read and reread. Having said that, it was a great book that was way more grounded than I anticipated. Would recommend to others, but I wasn't really the target audience for this one.

[Martine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging and effortless reading. For me, as a woman in my “wisdom years” as defined by Boehm, I’ve read similar books on intuition, nature, gender studies, and sexuality so I didn’t add to my learning. However, I did enjoy her life experiences and the way she crafts her story. If I were decades younger I’d probably give this 5 stars.