The Illinois native who played Barney the purple dinosaur for about a decade on the PBS children’s show “Barney & Friends” is now a tantric sex therapist, Vice reports.

“The energy I brought up (while) in the costume is based on the foundation of tantra, which is love,” David Joyner told Vice. “Everything stems, grows and evolves from love. Even when you have emotionally blocked energy, the best way to remove it is to remove it with love, and then replace it with God’s divine love. Love heals and allows you to continue to grow.”

Joyner, 54, grew up in downstate Decatur and studied electronic engineering at ITT Technical Institute in Indianapolis. He trained in Swedish massage on the side and discovered tantra, which he describes as the “science of ecstasy.”

He worked as a software analyst and motivational speaker before physically portraying Barney from 1991-2001. (Actor Bob West provided Barney’s voice on the show during that time.) Joyner told Vice he practiced tantra covertly during his gig as Barney, who is best known for his “I love you, you love me” song.


“I often shared with the crew that the energy I brought up in the costume is based on the foundation of tantra — love,” Joyner said.

Joyner continued to work as an actor after playing Barney. He began his tantric sex business in 2004 and attracts female clients mostly in the Los Angeles area, according to Vice.

Vice reports that Joyner charges his clients, whom he calls goddesses, $350 for a three- to four-hour session that can include a ritual bath, chakra balancing, a massage and possibly an orgasm to release blocked energy.

Joyner said he engages in unprotected sex with some of his clients, whom he has sign a contract during the consultation process. Vice raised questions about the legality of this practice.


“Not all of my sessions have sex or ‘spiritual intimacy.’ It’s only in the full sessions, when someone is ready to take the sexual energy to a higher level,” Joyner said. “It’s not about sex or trying to coerce someone into have sex. It’s about removing emotionally blocked energy.”

tswartz@tribpub.com

Twitter @tracyswartz

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