Meet Lisbon somatic sexologist and bodyworker Julian Marcus, whose work focuses on helping people reconnect with their bodies, desires, and their sense of aliveness.
Working with men, women and couples, he blends somatic practice with Taoist sexual alchemy and trauma-informed coaching, creating a space where sexuality is explored with presence.
His approach moves beyond performance or pressure, inviting a more embodied experience of intimacy and self-awareness.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Embodied. Transformative. Compassionate.
Tell us more about yourself and what you do
I’m Julian – a somatic sexologist, certified sexological bodyworker, and coach. I work with men, women, and couples to help them feel more embodied, confident, and alive in their sexuality.
My work is about moving beyond shame, stress, and performance pressure into pleasure, clarity, and authentic expression.
I combine somatic practices, nervous system regulation, erotic embodiment, and consent-based coaching to help clients understand their bodies, their desires, and their patterns.
This might involve guided self-pleasure practices, Taoist sexual alchemy, or immersive sessions in erotic embodiment and artistic expression.
Ultimately, my goal is to create a safe, compassionate, and professional space where people can explore, expand, and reclaim their sexual energy, transforming tension into vitality, disconnection into intimacy, and curiosity into joy.
What services do you provide on Sensuali?
On Sensuali, I offer a range of sessions designed to help individuals and couples explore, expand, and transform their sexuality in a safe, embodied, and ethical way.These include:
Sexological bodywork: trauma-informed, client-led sessions that help you understand your nervous system, arousal patterns, and desires while building confidence and pleasure.
Taoist sexual alchemy and masturbation coaching: online or in-person guidance for circulating sexual energy, regulating the nervous system, and cultivating vitality, presence, and sexual stamina.
Erotic embodiment and artistic expression: immersive 3 to 5 hour sessions for individuals or couples that combine somatic practices, consent work, and artistic photography to support authentic, joyful, and grounded sexual expression.
All my sessions focus on helping clients feel more present, confident, and fully alive in their bodies and sexuality, whether that is through energy cultivation, deeper intimacy, or creative erotic expression.
What turns you on?
What turns me on is mutual enthusiasm. Presence, curiosity, and authentic expression, both in myself and in others.
I’m drawn to people who are embodied, willing to explore their desires safely, and open to connecting deeply with themselves and their partner.
In my work, that aliveness, clarity, and playful energy is what creates the transformative and erotic experiences I guide clients through.
What was your journey into this world?
My journey into this work began with a deep curiosity about the body, pleasure, and how people relate to their sexuality. This journey started in 2001 with my degree in therapeutic bodywork.
Even as a child, I felt drawn to spirituality, sexuality, and the body. I remember being interested in books on massage, tantra, erotic art, and photography, and feeling deeply connected to nature and my own sensuality.
As a teenager, I explored Taoism and read books by Mantak Chia, which confirmed my intuition about the meeting of sexual energy and spiritual practice. Later, I discovered somatic practices, trauma-informed coaching, and embodied awareness.
Over time, I trained as a certified somatic sexologist and sexological bodyworker. I now run my own practitioner trainings and mentoring programmes, which is a deep passion of mine.
Are you a sensual
professional?
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I noticed that many people struggle with shame, stress, or disconnection from their sexual energy, and I wanted to create a space where they could safely explore, heal, and reclaim pleasure.
Over the years, I’ve combined bodywork, Taoist sexual alchemy, somatic coaching, and erotic embodiment into a holistic approach that helps people feel fully alive, confident, and connected in their bodies and relationships.
What do the first 60 minutes of your day look like?
I like to wake gently and do some movement, then take time to check in with my intentions, both for my own energy and for the people I’ll be working with, so I can show up fully present and embodied. These first moments set the tone for the rest of the day.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I feel called to it. What I receive in return is the pleasure of seeing people light up with clarity and confidence as they move into their next stage of growth.
Contributing to the enrichment and meaning of people’s lives is incredibly rewarding. I love working with people to deepen connection, intimacy, and enjoyment.
What is an unexpected pleasure you discovered in your work?
I love how this work supports me to feel deeply. During and after sessions, I often feel energised and inspired. That in itself is a great pleasure and enriches my life in many ways.
What should more people know about your work?
My work is not just about sex. It is about aliveness, embodiment, confidence, and connection. It is about understanding the language of your body, your nervous system, and your desires in a way that helps you move from stress or shame into pleasure and vitality.
There is more to life than the narrative of the thinking mind. When we connect with deeper layers of ourselves, we begin to truly live and relate to ourselves and the world in a new way.
Many people assume sexual coaching or bodywork is only for those experiencing difficulties, but it is really for anyone who wants to feel more present, empowered, and joyful in their sexuality and relationships.
Ultimately, it is about helping people reclaim their power, pleasure, and authentic expression, and showing that sexuality can be a source of creativity, confidence, and deep connection.
What’s your superpower?
My superpower is a blend of patient presence and radical acceptance that helps people feel at home in their bodies. I guide clients to notice, trust, and inhabit their sensations, desires, and boundaries, transforming tension or confusion into confidence and aliveness.
We love vices. What’s yours?
I love curiosity and deep conversations. I can easily get absorbed in exploring ideas and experiences with others.
I would also say that what is often labelled as a vice, such as masturbation, can become a conscious and regenerative practice when approached with awareness. Taoist sexual alchemy and mindful masturbation are topics I love to teach.
Who are your sensual inspirations?
My inspirations are people and practices that embody presence, confidence, and authenticity.
I am especially inspired by Dr Betty Martin, Philip Shepherd, and Barry Spendlove for their work in consent, embodiment, and Taoist sexual alchemy.
More broadly, I am inspired by anyone who lives with sensual aliveness, clarity, and integrity.
Closing thoughts?
Sexuality is a vital part of our aliveness, and much of my work is about helping people see that it can be a source of confidence, creativity, and joy.
For anyone curious or hesitant, this work is client-led, trauma-informed, and grounded in safety and consent. The transformations can extend far beyond sexuality into confidence, relationships, and overall vitality.
It is an honour to guide people into that kind of embodied aliveness.
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Iso
Iso is a writer and creative based in Paris. She is passionate about all things erotic and leads a sexy, shame-free life in hope that she can inspire others to do the same. Originally from a Northern UK seaside town, she is naturally drawn to the best things in life: candyfloss, trashy karaoke bars and heart-shaped sunglasses.
Julian Marcus
Hi, I am Julian, I work as a relational bodyworker and somatic coach, supporting individuals, couples, and groups — online and in person to reconnect with their bodies and navigate intimacy, sexuality, and pleasure with greater ease, awareness, and presence. Much of what brings people to this work isn’t something that can be solved through effort or insight alone. Our bodies carry histories, adaptations, and protective patterns that often show up most clearly in intimacy and connection. Rather than trying to override those patterns, I support you in meeting them with curiosity and care, and in building the capacity to stay present with what you’re feeling. My approach has grown out of years of hands-on practice, study, and close attention to how bodies respond in relational space — especially when there’s no pressure to do things “right.” I’m less interested in techniques or outcomes, and more interested in helping you develop a trusting relationship with your own sensations, boundaries, and impulses. This work is also shaped by my own lived experience of navigating trauma, relationships, and intimacy, and of slowly relearning how to listen through my body and nervous system. That path continues to inform how I work: with respect for your pace, sensitivity to capacity, and an understanding that meaningful change happens when the body feels met, not pushed. Outside of my professional life, I’m a father, partner and lover, a dog and cat companion, a nature and photography enthusiast, and a lifelong student. All of this feeds into my commitment to supporting connection in a culture that often pulls us toward disconnection — and to creating spaces where you don’t have to hold everything on your own. I welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship configurations into this work.
