A Retreat for Singles & Couples to Invoke Holy Love, Sensuality & Romance
MEXICO, FEB 17-24TH 2025
Aphrodite is known as the Goddess of love, romance & beauty
AND OUR APHRODITE RETREATS ARE POWERFUL CONTAINERS FOR SINGLES & THOSE IN PARTNERSHIP TO DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH LOVE, YOURSELF & OTHERS
If you’re single & desiring a powerful & healthy relationship -or- in a relationship and desiring to deepen your love, you’ll learn invaluable relating skills around communication & conflict resolution, sacred sexuality practices to open to pleasure & intimacy, playful artistic practices to explore your fantasies & desires, and somatic tools to create solid relationships built on trust & connection.
Be prepared to experience the inner transformation that will help you open to the kind of love you desire.
Landing in the country of ancient myth & passion where you’re led in powerful ceremonies and rituals of love, intimacy, and artistic practices by experienced facilitators in sacred sexuality and intimacy.
You’ve been intrigued by Tantra, Neo-Tantra, and have known that there’s more to love and intimacy than what you’ve previously experienced.
You’re ready to experience your Divine Masculinity or Femininity, explore practices to expand and deepen pleasure, trust & love, and thrive wildly in your relationships
imagine…
Join us in Mexico this February 2025 to deepen your relationships & expand in pleasure
IF YOU’RE PARTNERED:
reignite the feeling of being deeply cherished, loved and supported in all of your facets, shadows, shortcomings and gifts with your partner and learn to give AND receive the kind of worship that makes your heart feel right at home.
IF YOU’RE SINGLE:
Work on preparing your heart for the love of your life AND meet like-minded incredible humans that you may just ‘click’ with. All of our single participants are highly vetted for emotional readiness, intention, and quality. We strive for a diversity and equal balance of gender & orientations, so there’s plenty of incredible single humans to connect with during your retreat.
Are you in a relationship but…
You want to create deeper trust in your relationship and traditional talk therapy hasn't quite cut it.
You want to feel deeper states of union, connection & adoration in intimacy and sexual experiences yet there’s something off, lacklustre or a big disconnect in approaches to your intimate life.
You know learning more practices that focus on slowness, spiritual connection and somatic practice will be beneficial for your relationship
You feel stuck as to what to do in order to birth a new vision for your relationship.
You're both ready to learn together with an experienced guide to explore modalities for deeper connection, learn new skills in sacred sexuality, neo-tantra and expand your communication skills.
Or maybe you’re single and you know Great Love is something you desire and are worthy of but….
You've been doing the work; healing your heart, focusing on your growth, and really stepping up your embodiment game - yet are struggling to meet aligned humans to date.
You’re still hung up on your ex, the one who got away, or the one who rejected you - and finding it hard to let go.
Dating has felt like a fuck-show. You're not finding luck on the apps, and it's been a struggle to find others looking to connect with authentically (vs. those situationships).
IN THIS UNIQUE RETREAT EXPERIENCE
HOW TO USE CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Express your feelings, emotions, needs & desires in a way that makes you feel heard & seen (precursors for trust & deepening intimacy)
EASY SACRED SEXUALITY PRACTICES
• Discover simple yet powerful practices and rituals that incorporate neo-tantra, sensual artistry and magic - to bring more presence + power to intimacy with yourself and others.
COMING BACK TO YOUR WHOLENESS
Explore the healing of your pleasure, desire and sensual expression & let go of shame around your body and pleasure through Somatic Rituals & Practices.
SACRED SEXUALITY SKILLS
Feel like the sexiest, most luscious, confident creature in the room – embodying your power, authenticity and radiance without dimming your sensuality down. Learn powerful practices derived from kink, BDSM, and sacred sexuality to bring more fire, passion, and play to your intimate experiences.
PRE & POST RETREAT COACHING CALLS
You’ll get access to a pre-retreat call with all of our participants to ask questions, connect with everyone and ease any anxieties along with a post-retreat call where we’ll integrate the experience and guide you to creating a powerful new chapter deriving the insights you learnt in the retreat.
CREATIVE & ARTISTIC RITUALS
Explore the power of art therapy and accessing your inner romantic through creative expression practices to unleash your inner artist including:
• A God/dess photoshoot for those who desire to let sensual expression shine (with the help of your faciliators, coaching support & photographers)
BONDING EXCURSIONS
You’ll experience the local culture with some enriching bonding excursions which will add adventure to an already nourishing week of heart expansion and connection.
and we’ve been guiding others in the power of self-love, sacred sexuality, sensual embodiment, and deepening intimacy with self and others for decades with thousands of people around the world.
As the Co-Founders of the Holy Eros Institute, our mission is to support love in thriving - within yourself, others, your heart and your pleasure.
Our extensive experience includes trainings in Somatic Embodiment, Breath work, Authentic Relating, Non-Violent Communication, De-armouring, Neo-Tantra, Sexological Body Work, Somatic Sex Education, Yoga, Mystical Studies, Energy Healing, Authentic Relating, BDSM & Kink, and more (see bottom of page for our full credentials).
We’ve led retreats in exotic locales such as Bali, Arizona, Egypt, Italy and now we’re honoured to be your sacred guides in this Mexico retreat. Be prepared to fall madly and wildly in love with yourself again, your desires, and those around you.
We’re Phoenix & Sonja
Xochiquetzal is the Aztec goddess of love, arts, and vegetation.
Known for her nurturing spirit and celebration of passion, Xochiquetzal embodies the essence of heartfelt connections and the blossoming of romantic bonds. Through guided meditations, workshops, and ceremonial activities inspired by her mythology, we will invite her transformative energy into our space, fostering deeper connections among singles and couples alike. By embracing Xochiquetzal's influence, we aim to cultivate a retreat experience that encourages profound self-discovery, authentic communication, and the nurturing of loving relationships.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
You’re on the path of exploring devotion & the arts of sacred worship - both receiving & giving. You’ve been intrigued by sacred sexuality, deeper intimacy and authentic relating.
You’d love to learn healing rites + practices to share with your lover(s) or future intimate partners, such as authentic relating, heart-opening somatic rituals, sacred touch and practices to deepen intimacy and connection.
You’re ready to feel like the worthy Divine Masculine King or Divine Feminine Queen you know you are, healing & letting go of shame around your desires, and/or exploring alternatives to the traditional relationship models you’ve had.
You may be ready to heal your relationships with the Divine Feminine or Masculine, so you can form and maintain intimate relationships, express yourself emotionally or sexually, and move past relationship trauma.
OUR ITINERARY:
Please note that while this is a well-laid out itinerary, there may be slight changes to our itinerary based on activity avaialbility,weather, and things beyond our control.
DAY 1:
CREATING TRUST & SAFETY
Themes: Inner Child & Erotic Innocence
Gather with your fellow retreat participants over a welcome dinner & overview of the week ahead. We’ll play some fun authentic relating games to get acquainted and prepare for a full week of exploration & connecting.
DAY 2:
CONSENT & TRUST BUILDING CEREMONIES
Themes: Inner Lover & Artistry of Romance
Intimacy & the Art of Romance - with yourself & your beloved. Understanding how Trauma and the nervous system works in correlation to attachment styles, relating, communication and intimacy.
GROUP EXCURSION ACTIVITY
DAY 3:
SACRED SENSUALITY & EXPRESSION
Themes: Inner Warrior & Boundaries
Develop a deeper, lasting and more intimate bond with your partner (or future partner) through gentle neo-tantra touch practices, and discover the power of transformational communication for navigating conflict, deepening your relationship and aligning your life visions.
DAY 4:
Themes: Inner Alchemist & Archetypal Embodiment
Overcome any hidden feelings of shame & guilt around your Primal side, and explore the work of embracing the shadow aspects of the masculine & feminine through conscious kink & BDSM principles.
DAY 5:
Themes: Inner Sovereign & Erotic Ritual Theatre
Feel empowered in your confidence in intimate and romantic relationships and fully accept your Primal Sexual Energy. Explore the hidden secrets of your sexual energy and harnessing your life force energy.
DAY 6:
INTEGRATION DAY & CELEBRATION
Themes: Inner God/dess Ceremony & Integration Self-Care
Celebrate all of your transformation through a group theatre celebration ritual & professional God/dess photoshoot experiences.
DAY 7:
GOODBYE BREAKFAST & PHOTOS
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• All rituals, workshops, photoshoots, ceremonies + initiations held by our Aphrodite Team ($5000 Value)
• 7-days/6-nights Shared Accommodations in beautiful retreat centre along with brunch and dinner buffet style ($1700 Value)
• Group Excursions & Day Trips for bonding, adventure, and trust building with the group ($500 Value)
• Use of Retreat Spaces including private forest with path, Pool with lounge beds, Indoor & Outdoor lounges & Yoga Shala (& Free Wi-Fi) ($500 Value)
PLUS BONUS Pre-Retreat Zoom Welcome Call where you get to meet everyone (to be scheduled within 30 days prior to retreat - final times determined through poll) and a Post-Retreat ($300 Value)
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TOTAL VALUE: $8000+ Value
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare to/from Retreat • Taxi/shuttle to Retreat Centre • Additional meals offsite Additional alcohol (some wine is served with dinner and our banquets) • Travel and personal insurance • Additional coffees, bottled water and snacks outside of what is included • Personal tours and any related expenses • Gratuities for Staff, and an additional 10-20% for treatments
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
SUPER EARLY BIRD (until Sept 30th, 2024):
Double Room - Shared with another attendee (22 spaces available) ~ Pay in Full $1850USD | 4x Monthly payments: $575USD
Single Room (Double Bed) for solo participants ~ $2500 USD | 4x Monthly payments Deposit $575USD
Single Room (Double Bed) for Two Participants (Couple) ~ $3700 USD | 4x Monthly payments Deposit $1111USD
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EARLY BIRD (Sept 30th 2024 - Jan15, 2024)
Double Room ~ $2500 USD Pay in Full | 4x Monthly installments of $750 USD
Single Room ~ $3200USD | 3x Monthly payments $1280 USD
Single Room (Double Bed) for Two Participants (Couple) ~ $3700 USD | 3x Monthly payments Deposit $1480USD
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STANDARD (Jan 16th - March 5th, 2023)
Double Room ~ $3,500 USD | or 2 payments of $2000 USD
Single Room ~ $4,500 USD | or 2 payments of $2500 USD
AN IN-DEPTH TESTIMONIAL FROM A PAST PARTICIPANT
“I've been in my head most of my adult life (masculine, computer science PhD, Silicon Valley tech startup, high scale impact, etc.), and through recent experiences (individual and couples therapy) I feel like I've been able to access more of my heart. My body feels like the final frontier, and that's what inspired me to attend. I wasn't quite sure what I'd experience, but I was going in with an open mind, with an intention to learn and grow. Most importantly, the people were terrific. Phoenix and Sonja, of course, were phenomenal. Simply phenomenal. And everyone else as well — I deeply appreciated how everyone was just fully open to the experience.
A few highlights, in no particular order:
Each of the exercises (eye-gazing, wheel of consent, foot washing ritual, massage demo, emotionally-expressive dance, eulogy, channeling, BDSM demo, etc.) were really awesome and valuable, and they had to be done in person. They were all really well chronologically choreographed, where things escalated really effectively.
I really enjoyed getting to know everyone slowly but surely over the course of the week. Each of the 1:1 connections were unique and wonderful. I also really liked the pod-partner project which brought each of us closer in smaller groups. I wouldn't change anything about that.
The ritual was a really awesome experience, which really pushed me and my boundaries in so many novel ways, all of which were scary, exciting, and valuable all at once. I was really glad to be paired up with Aubrey, who was a truly exceptional partner. I was also honored to be a part of Phoenix's ritual (although I feel that with more practice, I would have done a far better job!). - The whole description of fantasies and magical reality was really compelling. I remember feeling quite blown away by the realization that I'd let the magical imaginations of my dream world die out over the past many years.
The food was amazing! What a wonderful backdrop to a deeply enriching experience!
Having a roommate turned out to be a great experience! And having our pod-mates on the other side of the wall was fun too, especially when we ended up having a wholesome-ish (😇/😈) slumber party on the last night 😄
The realization that I want more fantasy in my life, more dreams, more soaring of the imagination. I also want to find ways to make aspects of those dreams a reality, without assuming they're to-do lists to enact exactly as dreamed.
The realization that I still have grief to work through at the loss of my relationship with my ex-wife (we've been going through a lengthy divorce process for over a year), and perhaps always will to a smaller extent as time goes by. She was the person I decided to channel, which told me something about myself. Yet I also know that I deserve and will find a positive enduring relationship when this chapter of my life is fully behind me.
Embodying the bad boy was quite a change from my regular life. It came quite naturally to me as well, which means that it's not too far from the surface 😄 Finding appropriate ways to embody those aspects of myself is something I'd like to explore. -
Going as slow as I can, and then going 10x slower than that — that's definitely a really great way for me to think about many things that I would otherwise speed through. It's already been helpful in my personal life.
It was amazing, and I'm so glad I went. It felt more like a boot-camp for love / relationships / self-work, which was really incredible. 2024 is really going to be my year of setting that foundation of growth and improvement that I feel I started in 2023, and the Aphrodite Experience was a key part of it.”
- J.H. Italy Aphrodite Experience, Fall 2024
HOW TO ATTEND
To be considered for this experience, we invite you to submit your intentions & desires for this retreat. Aligned applicants will be emailed an invitation to schedule a complimentary consultation, where we’ll answer your burning questions and seek to learn more about your unique needs (so we can prepare some beautiful surprises). From there, you’ll be invited to secure your spot with a deposit or full payment (depending on your choice).
Still have burning questions unanswered….? Intrigued but a little anxious? Take a leap of faith and submit your application. If we’re feeling a good vibe, we can always hop on a consult call and feel into whether this is right for you…no expectations.
What makes our Retreats Different:
ART & EXPRESSION: This is isn’t your average relationships retreat - we weave in artistic practices & expression to help you tap into different emotions, being seen, and expanding your courage of communication. This is done through our art therapy practices which include painting, drawing & theatre rituals, photoshoots and immersive rites.
SKILLED PRACTICIONERS WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE: We’re not newbies to this work - with decades of experience combined under our belts along with having mentored hundreds in relationships, sacred sexuality, and intimacy — we bring a grounded yet unique approach to expanding love.
THEY ARE DAMN FUN!: No joke. Past participants of our experiences have mentioned we curate some of the best retreats in the world — weaving in unparalleled ritual & ceremony work, practical somatic skills, and a nuanced understanding of love & intimacy.
Glimpses of our last Aphrodite Experience
Retreat in Italy
Meet the Aphrodite Team
Phoenix Amara is an internationally recognized Prayerformance Ceremonialist, Writer, and Sacred Sexuality guide. Having mentored in esoteric studies and metaphysics since childhood, she pursued degrees in Visual Arts and Environmental Design, explored plant medicines, personal development modalities, and finally the erotic arts. For over a decade, she’s facilitated hundreds of ceremonies & journeys for clients, as well as mentoring thousands through her online and in-person trainings, retreats and events.
You can find her interviewing experts on the HOLY EROS PODCAST: exploring the intersection of Soul, Sex & Art. Her best-selling memoir, “Ascension of Gaia: The Resurrection of the Sacred Sexual Feminine”, documents her own healing path of connecting to her sexuality and earth-based wisdom. With training in somatic therapy, neo-tantra, sacred sexuality and performance art, you can discover the wild and wonderful experiences and coaching she offers through her website: www.phoenixamara.com
As the former founder of Awakened Woman Convergence (2016, 2017) she’s organized international retreats and conferences in destinations such as Bali & Arizona, performed and spoken on dozens on stages across North America such as DreamTalks, SoulPlay, Lucidity Festival, and Electric Love Festival and led retreats in sacred sites like the Pyramids in Egypt and Chichen Itza Pyramids. Additional qualifications include Somatic Embodiment Training Level 1, Authentic Relating Level 1, Non-Violent Communication Training, Personal Power with Lori-Ann Demers, Red Lotus Tantra Certification with Olivia Jade, Usui Reiki Levels 1, 2 & 3, Diploma of Visual Arts, Bachelors of Environmental Design, and feminine leaderships trainings with Nisha Moodley, Emily Utter, Love Leadership with Kamala Devi, Margie Pargie and others. Connect with her on IG.
Sonja Semyonova is a writer, healer, and erotic being whose life and work centers around honoring the body as the temple of the divine. With her diverse studies in intuitive healing, witchcraft, somatic sex education, yoga, and ancient mythology, she invites her readers and clients to befriend the raw parts of themselves as they turn the stories of their greatest pain into their personal legends. Her first book, Letters to My Lost Lovers, was released in 2024. This collection of personal love letters and relationship wisdom is a guide to creating real intimacy in an increasingly closed-off world.
Sonja has studied the healing arts for more than 25 years and supported hundreds of clients worldwide to find the wisdom within their bodies. Her most significant teachers include her teachers of intuitive development (Tamara Wells, Vessa Rhinehart, Bob Whilhite, Lee Gilbert), her teachers of yoga and Ayurveda (Myra Lewin, Kaya Midlin, Robert Moses, Robert Svoboda, Maya Tiwari, the doctors at the Vaidyagrama Healing Village), herbal medicine (Shelley Torgove, Donna Chesner, Daniel Pool Pech, Susun Weed), and her teachers of sexuality and eroticism (Regena Thomashauer, aka Mama Gena, Kasia Urbaniak, Mehdi Darvish Yahya, the incredible faculty of the Institute for the Study of Somatic Sex Education).
Her greatest gratitude goes to her spiritual teacher, Santi Devi, who has offered her nearly a decade of private mentoring and spiritual counseling to maintain her compass despite all of life’s upendings.
Find her writing on Substack and @bodystoryteller on Instagram and TikTok.
FAQs
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This is an inclusive space - for those partnered or single, men, women, non-binary, queer, asexual, bisexual….everyone!.
This is what makes these containers so alive - is the diversity that shows up.
People from all ages, backgrounds, nationalities, diversities and walks of life!
We do strive for a good balance of gender orientations (men/women), those partnered & those single, along with sexual orientations...which is why we like to vet accordingly with an application.
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Firstly, Holy Eros Institute has a foundation in consent & communication – meaning we abide by practices that acknowledge and honour sexual healing needed from sexual trauma and abuse. As with the tenets of conscious kink and BDSM culture – we also deeply honour and practice the tenets of Safe, Sane and Consensual. Safe meaning to take care of each other – so there is no unwanted injury or transfer of danger disease occurs; that all precautions have been taken to minimize potential dangers through discussion and assessment before any sessions occur. Sane is generally considered to be of a healthy mind and free from psychological act responsibly and exercise good judgement. The ability to engage in appropriate self control is a big part of the “sane” portion of this philosophy. And finally Consensual referring to the mandate that all parties involved have given informed consent prior to any activities.
So while our retreat is immersive with lots of practices, partner work, and rituals to invite you deeper into your body and self - we actively invite you to check in with yourself, and to abstain from any activities which you don't feel comfortable.
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Absolutely! Cultivating a powerful relationship with ones self is the first and foundational aspect of Temple Arts. You’ll be lovingly guided to explore your heart, develop self-love & self-care practices, work with self-pleasuring rituals, and in working with a practicioner – develop the deeper skills that you can bring to any relationship you experience.
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While stats show that one in three women, and one in four men have experienced sexual trauma, it’s likely those statistics are much higher. Gentle somatic practices (like the ones explored in this retreat) are the antidote to much of the abuse and harm of others in the world – and it is through these practices we can connect with our heart, release embedded trauma in the body, and begin cultivating a healthier connection with our sexuality. We advise anyone who has experienced trauma and abuse to personally reach out to our team at holyerosinstitute@gmail.com, and from there we create a very solid agreement and safe and mutual plan to heal and work with those aspects. Your boundaries and safety are of utmost concern – and as such communication and respect will be the foundation we will work together as stipulated in our code of ethics.
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Phew….I hear you. Sexual trauma and abuse has shut down many people and their desire to explore their sexuality. Sacred sexuality is one of the greatest paths to healing and releasing embedded trauma from the body due to the somatic nature of the work – combining energy, soul, body, mind and heart. Fill out the application form and we can book a consult call to discuss if this experience will be right for you.
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Firstly, if you’re partner is willing to register with you in this retreat, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!! Also please know that you are not alone. However, in our society, we are not taught that feeling sexual is normal or natural, nor are we given any tools or education. Knowing that you are normal in feeling desire (in yourself or for others beyond your partner), and exploring your sexuality is part of reclaiming your power as a sovereign and free individual. You will find that your relationship will GREATLY benefit from what you learn, and it can often be THE THING that saves a partnership, marriage, or relationship. This actually leads into the next question.
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While we work with the dynamics and semantics of Feminine/Receptive & Masculine/Active qualities and language, our class is Queer/LGBTQ+ friendly. So whether you identify as Trans, Gay, Lesbian, bisexual, non-binary – all humans are welcome here. We will be dealing with primarily the interchange of masculine/feminine energies that we all carry within – though in my opinion – is where those part of the LGBTQ+ community are far ahead.
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Tantra is a very ancient form of sharing divine energy – a spiritual path that is not only a spiritual exploration of kundalini energy, but more importantly, a way of being in relationship to Life.
We explore sacred sexuality and neo-tantric practices along with archetypal embodiment & sacred sexual healing through ritual art experiences and ceremonies.
While there are many different lineages – it’s also important to acknowledge many have been altered, changed, or exclude important and integral practices. There is no one right path to exploring sacred sexuality, just as no one religion holds the key to Source and enlightenments.
Holy Eros Institute incorporates aspects of what one would call sacred sexuality healing neo-tantric practices along with art therapy - a remembering of Soul, Sex & Art in the very ancient tree of Tantric Wisdom.
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None, whatsoever. Just come with an open mind & heart and the willingness to be vulnerable, open and willing. There is no age (besides being of legal consent), gender, sexual orientation discrimination.
Just fill out the application & we'll be in touch to discuss if this experience is a good fit or not.
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First send in your application. You'll hear back from us via email about your application. If you've been selected to attend, you'll be sent more details on payment options. You can either register with a one time (and cheaper) payment or installment plan.