In the heart of the California desert, nestled among cacti and iconic Joshua Trees, lies a unique retreat known as Back to the Body. This women-only sanctuary is dedicated to empowering women to explore their sexuality and discover their bodies in a relaxing, intimate, and supportive environment. With the masterful mentorship of Pamela Madsen, these participants engage in a transformative journey of learning and unlearning. Recognized as an “erotic genius,” she guides them in demystifying the sexual world and exploring their personal intimacy on a more profound level.
The retreat is packed with experiences like these, all meant to help women reconnect with their bodies and what they truly want. Through experiential workshops and demonstrations, Back to the Body creates a fun and safe atmosphere for participants to explore their sexuality in a new way. Influencer Jana Hocking went through a three-day intro course that priced at $750. She came away from the experience transformed, and with a new understanding of what makes for great sex. To attend the full seven-day retreat, it costs upwards of $15,000. Yet, no matter the length of stay, Hocking learned there was tremendous value in just one night.
A Unique Approach to Sexual Wellness
Pamela Madsen leads the retreat with a team of certified somatic sex educators who bring diverse expertise to the table. One of them is Dr. Maria Uloko, a urologist and women’s sexual health expert. During her session, Dr. Uloko conducted a live anatomy lesson using Madsen as her model, providing attendees with invaluable knowledge about their bodies. This is such an important educational component, as knowledge of anatomy is half the battle when it comes to making sex more pleasurable.
The retreat is packed with dynamic, expert-facilitated discussions that spark powerful dialogue. Participants witness live sexological bodywork sessions, participating in hands-on bodywork that enriches their connection to their physical bodies. This focus on communication and vulnerability is at the heart of the retreat’s philosophy. Madsen and her team encourage women to articulate their desires and boundaries, creating an atmosphere where honesty and openness thrive.
Court Vox, another male practitioner who works closely with Madsen, is another key player in retreat’s male-heavy dynamic. It’s a creative space very focused on women, but Vox has a special perspective. Their mere existence allows for radical conversations around masculinity and femininity in sexual politics to take place. His participation in Shibari/Japanese bondage Demonstration and Teaching Activity at some of the TPE events completes the growth potential for Attendees.
Activities Designed for Exploration
The offerings at Back to the Body are artfully designed to facilitate exploration and discovery. Tantric meditations provide a cement block upon which to ground participants prior to venturing into more sexual practices. These meditations are designed to help you relax, but get you into an open headspace where you can start to explore what you really want.
Erotic play is an essential element of the retreat. Participants experience a wide range of exercises that open up their ability to connect with their sensuality in playful and fulfilling ways. This method equips women to break down walls and deprogram society’s nutrition about sexuality. In doing so, they can reclaim their bodies and explore their desires. The smiles and giggles that tend to come with these creative engagements remind us that pleasure is key in the journey of making sense of ourselves.
In-depth, hands-on workshops equip attendees with new, practical skills and knowledge they can take home and implement. In these sessions women learn to distinguish between types of touch. They drive exploration of individual preferences fostering empowerment in women to own their sexual experiences. By mixing together these elements of education, exploration, and empowerment, a recipe to help women succeed is formed.
Building Connections
Back to the Body wants to help women reclaim their power. It allows them to connect more authentically and intimately to themselves and their bodies. The structure of the retreat intentionally provokes participants to go deeper into themselves and to one another. The new connections created through these shared experiences build camaraderie that typically lasts well beyond the retreat, forming a community of practice among like-minded peers.
The importance of communication cannot be overstated. In the course of the retreat, participants practice articulating their needs to a partner, a critical skill for equitable and healthy partnerships. Madsen powerfully teaches that vulnerability lies at the center of intimacy. When you’re candid about what you’re looking for, you’ll build more meaningful, satisfying relationships.
While participants discover what they want, they understand the importance of consent and boundaries within sexual relationships. The knowledge gained through this education allows women to better advocate for themselves and set boundaries and expectations with their partners, increasing safety and pleasure.
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