Holistic sex educator and tantra yoga teacher Jenny Keane is on a mission to ignite a sexual revolution in Ireland, and is bringing her hugely popular workshops to WellFest 2025.
Taking place from 10-11 May at the Royal Kilmainham Hospital, Dublin, WellFest is Europe's largest outdoor health, wellness and fitness festival. Each year features an inspiring round-up of speakers, instructors, fun workshops and classes, and this year includes Keane and her lively lessons on adult sex education.
We caught up with the educator to hear about what we can expect from this year's festival, bringing the spark back to your relationship and how to create your own self-pleasure practice.
You're back at Wellfest, which is very exciting. What can people expect?
I am so excited to be back at WellFest. I have been teaching at WellFest since it first launched. To be back this year and headlining alongside some incredible talent is something I am so grateful for. I will be teaching two sessions this year, on the mainstage for an incredible tantra yoga class and then I will be bringing a fun, educational talk on improving your sex life.
The type of yoga I teach is Traditional Tantra yoga. Tantra is often associated with tantric sex, which is a spiritual form of sex. But these sexual practices are actually more accurately described as neotantra and has nothing to do with the yoga practice I teach. So don't worry, nothing weird will be happening on stage!
The practice itself definitely has a positive affect on your sex life however because in tantra yoga we treat the pelvis as the epicenter of the practice and I combine it with somatic practices that allow the body to develop strength and become resilient and adaptable.
When it comes to the Sex Talk, WellFesters are in for a treat! We're diving into all things pleasure, confidence, and how to get the most pleasure out of your body! We’ll explore everything from how to rock your orgasms to the secrets behind turning up the heat in the bedroom.
You've really led the charge in breaking down taboos around sex, have you seen much of a change yourself?
Absolutely. I have been online talking about sex for five years and I believe since lockdown, Ireland’s relationship with sex has undergone a radical transformation. What was once a hush-hush topic, steeped in shame and secrecy, has now become something people are openly discussing, exploring, and even celebrating.
One of the clearest signs of this shift is the sheer number of people seeking sex education. Over 200,000 people have attended my online workshops, showing a massive hunger for knowledge, pleasure, and confidence in the bedroom. Conversations around women’s health, menopause in the workplace, and period education have skyrocketed and are now part of mainstream. Even the sex education curriculum in schools has improved, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward openness and better understanding.
Beyond these changes, the ones I love hearing about are the ones that happening in smaller social circles. I get messages from people telling me that their WhatsApp groups are now full of tips on sex positions and recommendations for sex toys, something that would have been unthinkable before.
I believe Ireland is embracing a new era of sexual wellness. There’s always more work to do but we are on such a good path right now that seems to be continuing to head in the right direction, one that is informed, empowered, and open.
Are there some areas that are proving trickier to change, or areas that feel like more of a challenge to you?
There are always challenges in this line of work. Change happens slowly and not everyone is ready to embrace open conversations around sexual wellness but I like to focus on what I can do and I’m lucky enough to have a lot of support.
You seem to be moving more into doing live events, which look absolutely fantastic, so fun! What happens at a live workshop / event?
Yes, I have three different types of in person events happening: Stage shows, Sex Talks and really excitingly we have Dive Deeper Salons starting this summer.
Sex Talks are the best place to start. They are immersive events (150-200 people) offering a deep dive into topics that people are curious about but rarely have access to. Over the past year, we’ve hosted nine sold-out events. There’s an energy and lightness in the room that just brings me so much joy.
These events are also the first of their kind in Ireland, there’s nowhere else you can experience nights like these unless you leave the country so I am delighted to be creating a space for that here. Each event is centered around a different theme, designed to introduce people to new experiences, skills, and ideas that can elevate their bedroom antics.
I’m lucky enough to know some of the most incredible sex educators from all over the world, and I bring them to Ireland to teach on everything from rope play and shibari to BDSM, how to dominate in the bedroom, and sensual massage, etc. These aren’t just theoretical talks, people leave with real, practical knowledge they can bring into their sex lives.
One of the most special things about these events is that they are completely shame-free spaces. Whether you’re attending solo or with a partner, there’s no pressure, just curiosity, learning, and fun.
These events have been a huge success, so much so we are expanding to events in Galway, Cork and London. I can’t wait to keep bringing more exciting topics and world-class educators to Ireland.
Having a self pleasure practice is so important for learning what you like, but what about people who have become closed off from their own sexuality, either because of a traumatic incident, healthcare issues or personal struggles? How can we reconnect with our sexuality if it's become shut off from us?
It’s completely okay and even normal to go through phases of connection and disconnection with your sexuality. Life, stress, trauma, or simply change can shift how we feel about intimacy, and that’s not a failure, it doesn’t mean you are broken, it’s just part of being human.
If you’re feeling disconnected, especially if it’s a result of trauma, illness, or personal struggles I like to tell people to take sex out of your mind. For some people it can feel too big, too daunting and too hard to approach. Instead, focus on connecting to your body in small, gentle ways. Tune into your senses, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the way your breath moves through you, the textures that feel comforting.
Learning to inhabit your body first and foremost is where reconnection begins. Learn simple practices that help you listen to the language your body is speaking to you and the cues it is giving you.
Desire isn't just about sex, it can be enthusiasm for our lives and friends and interests. What about non-sexual ways of tapping into our desires?
Yes! Desire isn’t just about sex, it’s a powerful force that fuels our passions, curiosity, and zest for life. It shows up in how we engage with our relationships, hobbies, careers, and personal growth. Tapping into non-sexual desire is about reconnecting with what excites and makes us come alive us, whether it’s exploring new interests, learning something new, getting lost in a great book, hanging out with friends, practicing yoga, or soaking up moments in nature.
'Dead bedrooms' is a piece of internet slang that's coming up more but it does get to the heart of something that happens to couples. What are your tips for reawakening the romance again?
It is really a question of prioritising intimacy. I think people struggle to prioritise intimacy because we lack the tools that supports us in prioritising pleasure when our lives inevitably get busy and let’s face it, life is always busy. When you have so many responsibilities, duties, bills to pay, people to care for and jobs to do, sex can very quickly be forgotten.
How do you prioritise sex and intimacy when you are tired? How can you get excited about giving pleasure to someone else when you are already exhausted caring for others? If it’s been a while, how can you initiate? These are questions we all have to face.
Novelty is a really important antidote to dead bedrooms because if you know what’s coming then over time other priorities like sleep and relaxing in front of Netflix is going to trump intimacy. Couples fall into rhythms and habits together.
While it is widely accepted that if we want to become proficient in skills like languages, art, or math we should seek out education, learn methods and techniques and practice these skills. However, when it comes to sex there is an m idea that we should all just know what we are doing. Being a quality sexual partner, for yourself or others, requires skills. Skills like communication, negotiation, seduction, kissing, oral sex techniques, stroking, riding, finger and hand techniques, positions and so much more.
Research also shows us that learning something new together strengthens our bonds to each other, teaches us that it is okay to make mistakes, get it wrong, develop patience and a team mentality.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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