My name is Hakima Tantrika and I’m a tantra teacher who has embodied the essence of tantra for the last 10 years. I am also a relationships coach working with clients all over the world who are exposed to narcissists and want to have healthier relationships. I have made it | Read More
The Best Tantra Retreats, Festivals & Holidays in 2020
Tantra Expert, Hakima Tantrika, shares her favourite tantra festivals for 2020 from all over the world.
More and more people are curious about tantra and the number of tantra related events, workshops and retreats is increasing. Tantra is a tool for expansion and liberation. It has the original mission to get you closer to your true nature and raise your level of consciousness. People experience Tantra in different ways: massage, yoga, rituals, meditation, etc. But if you are like many, you may not know where to start or what to expect. So imagine a place where you can experience all forms of Tantra at once. On top of that, you are making meaningful relationships and new best friends. Well, tantra retreats, festivals or holidays are the perfect places to experience this. In this article, I have selected the best in the world for 2020.
What to expect in a tantra retreat or festival?
So what is a tantra retreat, festival or holiday? It is a place for radical self-love and self-acceptance. It is wild and juicy. It is blissful and ecstatic. If you don’t know what to expect in a tantra retreat, let me share with you the basics. I have been a presenter at Tantra Festivals and hosted Tantra retreats. While not all festivals are the same, there are some common traits. So here is what you need to know:
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Nudity
Most of the Tantra Festivals nowadays are clothing optional – some Tantra retreats are too. Yet the privacy of the participants is a priority. No pictures or videos are allowed.
If you don’t feel like taking your clothes off, don’t worry, it is fine! Nobody will judge you or pressure you to do so. At first, it can be uncomfortable and intimidating to be around naked men and women but you will get used to it.
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Emotional Release
There is a lot of inner work done at tantra festivals and retreats. The flow of energy is intense, creating a quantum field, proper to emotional release. You will find yourself screaming, crying, and releasing past emotions stuck within you.
Does it sound overwhelming? Don’t worry. You will have an appropriate amount of rest and will be fed delicious meals to help you recover fast. By the end of the program, you feel recharged and renewed. No more old emotional baggage. You will leave with overflowing joy and happiness.
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Community
Attending a Tantra Festival or retreat is experiencing life with a community. You will share your deepest emotions and thoughts during sharing circles and ceremonies. You will receive the support of other amazing souls.
You will meet people of all ages, corners of the world and sexual orientations. In this diverse community, you will make significant friendships and the facilitators will create many opportunities for deep connection with each other. Even if you are an introvert and you prefer to stay alone, that’s fine too.
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Integrity
Challenging issues have arisen in the past at tantra festivals and retreats. The most charismatic leaders have used their students for personal gain. Abuse and boundary violations were not unusual.
But today, tantra retreats and festivals are better equipped. A policy that bans student/teacher relationships is strictly enforced – participants and teachers are now protected by strict code of conducts.
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Consent culture
Tantra Festivals and retreats include intimate practices. Yet this is not a place for orgy. Penetration or oral sex are usually prohibited during the workshops. But you are free to do whatever you want once you are in your bedroom or during your free time.
In this scenario, leaders will encourage you to ask for consent. And you will practice refusing without guilt. It is a perfect exercise to embody honouring a “no”, without a feeling of rejection.
Recommended Tantra Festivals & Retreats
Now you know what to expect, let’s explore a selection of the best Tantra retreats, Festivals or holidays for 2020:
Best For Beginners
8 Day Living Tantra Retreat in Ubud, Bali
- Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
- When: 21-28 March 2020
- Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
- Price: From US$ 1925
I am in admiration of the work of Chantelle Raven. She knows how to hold space for her students and make them feel safe exploring Tantra. For this reason, her retreats are the perfect setting for the complete beginner. She is guiding you all along. And you will clear blockages around safety, sexuality, power, relationships, self-expression, intuition and awareness. The retreat takes place in a stunning resort in the beautiful Ubud, Bali, which adds to the magic of the experience.
Best For Singles
5 Days Immersion Stage 1 Meditation and Tantra Yoga Retreat in Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
- When: 3-7 July 2020
- Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
- Price: From US$245
This is the best tantra retreat for singles. Mahasiddha Yoga teaches the path of ecstatic love through Tantra. It is part of the Atman Yoga Federation, which has built up a good reputation for the quality of its teachings. Its approach to Tantra is authentic and suitable for singles. I attended this retreat two years ago and I loved the flow of energy. Women and men are at the two opposite corners of the room, recreating duality and attraction. The break time allows for deep connections with each other.
Click Here To View Retreat
Best For Couples
8 Day Erotic Tantra Rituals Retreat for Couples, Thailand
- Location: Ko Pha-ngan, Surat Thani, Thailand
- When: Sept 12-20, 2020
- Duration: 9 days, 8 nights
- Price: $US 4590
I love Tantra rituals. They have the power to improve the life of a couple and bring more connection and juiciness. I have picked up this retreat for its focus on tantra rituals. Note: the retreat includes nudity and intimate practices. So be sure that you are okay with you and your partner being naked or seeing other naked couples.
Best For Women
5 Day Women’s Tantra Embodiment Retreat in Sardinia, Italy
- Location: Sardinia, Italy
- When: May 27th – 31st, 2020
- Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
- Price: From USD$ 945
Are you curious about women’s tantra retreats? This one is for women who want to experience at a deeper level:
– pleasure exploration of the senses and deep self-connection
– embodiment: being present and aware of your body
– sexuality/sensuality: how to turn sexual experience into a spiritual experience
– spirituality: who are the tantric goddesses
You will explore the senses and a deep self-connection. You will be aware of your body and reconnect with your sexuality. You will learn about the tantric goddess that is within you. While you relax by the beach, you will experience the tantric concept of “surrendering”. Idyllic for the busy women of 2020.
Best For Men
7 Day Men’s Nude Yoga & Tantric Massage Retreat, Bali
- Location: Bali, Indonesia
- When: 1-7 March 2020
- Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
- Price: From USD$941
This retreat is for the men who are seeking tranquillity, knowledge and pleasure. It is a tantra massage retreat and it welcomes all men regardless of their yoga or massage abilities. Yet it targets homosexuals and bisexuals. For the men who are not good at letting go of control, you will learn how to surrender and become present in your body. In the company of other men, you will feel more free, happy and in harmony with your true essence. Are you ready to explore the full potential of your sexuality? Click Here To View Retreat
Best For Tantra Yoga Enthusiasts
16 Day Traditional Tantra Yoga Retreat Koh Phangan, Thailand
- Location: Ko Phangan, Surat Thani, Thailand
- When: Starting last day of each month in 2020
- Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
- Price: From USD$725
This is the best tantra yoga retreat for Tantra Yoga enthusiasts. Shri Kali Ashram is as ashram that has preserved the spiritual science of Tantra Yoga. Founded over 15 years ago, it teaches Kaula Tantra, known as Traditional Tantra Yoga. You will experience the authentic culture of Tantra as practiced 7,000 years ago. It is a perfect place to learn more about the tantra yogic traditions. You will learn the art of tantric massage, asana, pranayama and tantra mantras.
Best For Meditation & Spirituality
8 Day Living Tantra Retreat in Ubud, Bali
- Location: Tejakula, Bali, Indonesia
- When: 20-30 March 2020
- Duration: 11 days, 10 nights
- Price: From US$1501
If you are looking for a tantra meditation retreat, this is the perfect one. When you meditate, you practice the art of spending time with yourself. You cleanse your body, mind and soul. You accept what comes within you and you learn the art of enjoying solitude. Yet, being enjoying solitude doesn’t mean being lonely. Meditation retreat aims to reconnect you with yourself. If you are curious about Osho meditations, known as dynamic meditation, this is for you.
Best Tantra Festival
8 Day Living Tantra Retreat in Ubud, Bali
- Location: Big Island, Hawai’i, USA
- When: 1-5 February 2020
- Duration: 4 days
- Price: USD$545
This is my favourite Tantra festival because I was a presenter there in 2019. Big Island of Hawaii holds powerful energy, charged by a still-active volcano. This makes healing more intense and powerful. Surrounded by lush vegetation and ocean breeze, you will explore all the benefits of Tantra. Under the guidance of internationally acclaimed Tantra teachers, you will return home blissful. You will have access to a selection of workshops, dance and music events. It is up to you to pick which one you want to attend.
Best Tantra Holidays
8 Day Thermal Spa and Tantra Yoga Retreat in Edipsos, Greece
- Location: Aidipsos, Greece
- When: Starts every Sunday in January, February, March until the first Sunday of April 2020
- Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
- Price: From US$1058
This is a unique holiday located in Edipsos, a place blessed by nature. Enjoy the hot waters of thermal springs and the cold winter of the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy several excursions such as Drymonas waterfalls or Monastery of Saint David. Until there, a normal holiday experience. But what makes this holiday a Tantra holiday is the twice a day Tantra yoga classes. You will experience emotional, mental, energetic and physical relaxation.
Conclusion
You will never regret joining a Tantra retreat, festival and holiday. Yet it requires a mature attitude towards sexuality and spirituality. If you are open to letting go of your fears, you will melt into the practice of reconnecting the body and mind. Sexuality with spirituality. If you want to live your life to the fullest, put a Tantra retreat, festival or holiday in your “must do” list of 2020.
Further Your Learning & Consider Using A Tantra Massage Specialist
If you are interested in expanding upon your learning, you may consider exploring tantric massage from a professionally trained massage therapist by finding a reputable tantric agency or tantra specialist in your area. London-based tantric massage agency Karma Tantric offers a range of specialist tantric massages for men, women and couples performed by certified and trained tantra masseuses. Click here to find out more about our the different types of Karma Massages.
KARMA TWEETS
Attended my first Tantric retreat last year and it was sooo good. We shared our experiences, meditated, did tantric yoga, made our own massage oils and experienced a gong birth. Had such an amazing time & hopefully will be going again next year.
Hello Pinky! It’s great to hear from you, having personally experienced a Tantra retreat. Especially a gong birth it is a simply awe-inspiring moment to bare witness to. We certainly hope to be able to attend another tantric retreat as soon as possible. Keep well, Kelly x
Hi Hakima,
Great article! I have really been tussling with the idea of going on a Tantric retreat, for a while now and you have inspired some great ideas with this. Thank you.
One of the things that has made me a bit hesitant to go in the past, was the fact that I am single and was worried about going as a singleton. You have really put my mind at ease. Roz x
PS. You have now also inspired me to look into Tantric Festivals 🙂
Hi Rosalin, Erica here, I hope you don’t mind if I step in ? It is very common for females to have this pre tantra anxiety, especially if it’s your first time. I would ensure you do lots of research on tantra retreats and read people’s documented experiences before you book your holiday. This is exactly what I did many years ago when I was first getting into tantra and I’m glad I did. Good, honest reviews from real people is what you need to look our for. Good luck, and of course please get in touch if we can help or advise in any way for the future. All the best. Erica x