Joyful, fulfilling and harmonious relationships are essential to our happiness and success.
We effectively address, but also go beyond the usual aspects of relationships such as conscious communication, techniques for sexual intimacy, managing anger, understanding differences between the masculine and feminine.
We gently face the elephant in the room: healing from trauma. As renowned psychologist Gabor Mate writes, “the essence of trauma is disconnection from ourselves….separation from the body and emotions. So, the real question is, ‘How did we get separated and how do we reconnect?'”
The answers may lie in our personal or family experiences. They are also found in our cultures which are interwoven with thousands of years of patriarchy which has left deep wounds in both women and men.
Some people are dealing with the effects of trauma in their own life. In Australia one in three women and one in five men experience sexual trauma before the age of 17. Other kinds of trauma which can affect relationships include physical injury, family and domestic violence, the loss of a loved one, living with addicts or people with mental health problems. Some recent research indicates that for children, growing up with care-givers who were emotionally absent can have impacts similar to severe trauma.
Other people are dealing with the legacy of being born to parents who were traumatised. Trauma affects and gets passed on in our genes, so that a person can be living with the symptoms of trauma even when their own life has been free of traumatic events.
Trauma undermines the feeling and sense of safety. It means that all experiences tend to get filtered through a lens of fear. Over time this can damage relationships and it is a major barrier to physical and emotional intimacy. While it is possible for both women and men to orgasm when they are not feeling safe, there are heights of sexual union involving mind, body and spirit which can only be achieved when there is a deep surrender into trust: trust of self, trust of the other and trust in the dance of intimacy that is co-created.
The Trauma, Trust and Sex Workshop works at a deep level, creating a sacred, safe space in which healing can occur. It draws on ancient shamanic and indigenous practices, as well as cutting-edge scientific understanding of trauma, trust and sexuality.
Safety is at the core of what we do. The workshops are fully clothed at all times and there is no sexual touch involved – though guidance may be given on possible lines for exploration involving sexual touch with partners after the workshop.
During the workshop you will have the opportunity to:
The workshop is suitable for both couples and singles. If you suspect that your relationships are being adversely affected by trauma, or if you think there is room for improvement, then this is the workshop for you.
Phoenix Arrien has over 20 years experience, providing sacred transformation and healing spaces for people to transform, heal and self-discover. She was a manager of the ground-breaking Bodywise Project at the Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault and is an incest survivor thriver.
Her training and experience includes Aus indigenous healing, Native American & Sth American healing, Maori and Cherokee bodywork, dance/movement, Adventure-based Counselling, Process Work, Voice Dialogue, Healing Ecology, Deep Ecology, writing and meditation. She believes that safe space, sacred process, loving community and non-judgemental presence allows healing and transformation to emerge and deep profound change to occur.
Mike Lowe has over 20 years international experience leading transformational workshops in the areas of trustbuilding and reconciliation. He has worked with politicians and young leaders in Eastern Europe after the fall of communism and has worked with police and former militia leaders in Solomon Islands. His particular gift is in creating safe spaces in which transformation can occur, and he has a particular interest in earth-based spirituality, indigenous wisdom, Process Work, Focussing, Voice-Dialogue, Archetypes, and supporting the rise of healthy and authentic Masculine and Feminine energies as we transition from Patriarchal and colonial ways of being.
“The Trauma, Trust and Sex workshop was a powerful experience for me. I felt I was stepping further into reclaiming my power and my presence as a feeling, loving being. The processes you led us through were each doorways into healing, deeper experiencing and relating, and there was a beautiful balance between heart, body and mind in them. I want to thank you and Mike deeply for sharing this work with us, and for holding the space for our personal and collective processes to unfold. You both have deep integrity and a passionate commitment to the work, and were always willing to show up to work with whatever was happening for us and gently guide us towards our growth point. I was frequently conscious of your patience and caring as we stumbled, resisted and struggled with our contradictions on the journey toward healing, and of the skill involved in what you do. This work has made me feel stronger in myself and more alive, and I also am aware that the journey is an ongoing one and there are indeed ‘many rivers to cross’. But I now feel a sense of excitement and momentum that I am on that journey, and I feel that working with you both is, and will be an important part of that journey for me.“ – Keppel Cassidy
“While I really did not know what to expect from this retreat it surprassed my expectation and I was able to tap into a deep part of myself that, as a 57 year old woman who has done many decades of work, I have not been able to access before. So while there may be more work to do as yet as a childhood abuse survivor, many doors have been opened. Such love was shared by all and this experience will stay with me forever. Phoenix and Mike may our paths cross again“ – Di James
“Arrived into the unknown with such vulnerability. Hour-by-hour, day-by-day to have the support and nurturing to help heal in a community. Phoenix and Mike have such a gift in allowing me to just be and guide me on a my journey of transformation. I leave today feeling a huge weight has been lifted and my heart open. Thank you.” – Amanda
“Thank you for providing this healing experience – I feel I have been connected to my inner self and believing now no matter what the circumstances I have the truth and strength to stand tall. I love me and I need to take care of her, we are all connected” – Jennie
“The deep connection I found through out the retreat was truly wonderful especially for a group of people who did not know each other. What a wonderful safe space you created and for you and Mike to now be teaming up I can only imagine the amazing healing and connection that will take place.”
“…I had had a profound connection with Mike and within the safeness of the space created I was able to heal long time wounds of mistrust with the masculine. Gratitude abounds for this profound open healing and nature connection that you have facilitated, I highly recommend any one who has such a desire to take the plunge and plug into what your years of connection have led you to offer.” – Ursula
“Words can’t express how wonderful and transformational this was! I feel so fortunate to have been a part of it. I am so grateful for such talented, inspired and supportive facilitators who created such a safe transformational space and opportunities – big big thanks Phoenix & Mike!! I am also very grateful to have been there and connected with such a wonderful, courageous and enriching group of fellow participants” – Denise xx
Cancellation policy for this workshop: Refundable – less 15% admin/bank fees if cancelled 30 days before the workshop or 50% refundable less admin/banking fees 14 days before the workshop begins. No refund 14 days before the workshop begins, during or after the workshop.