The Rewilding of Eros: Un-Domesticating the Erotic Body and Reclaiming Erotic Sovereignty

We are erotic primates living within a culture that has trained us toward domestication. Our bodies carry the lineage of hunter-gatherers, yet modern life often teaches us to fear Eros. Like animals brought in from the wild, many of us have been separated from the raw, somatic aliveness that once lived more freely in the body, shaping both our intimate relationships and the wider experience of life.

That disconnection can leave us asking: Why does sexuality feel so hard, so unsatisfying, or so limited? Why do erotic relationships seem difficult to sustain? How do I find my erotic aliveness again? Am I broken, and how do I fix myself?

You are not broken. The issue is not you, but the domestication that has pulled so many people away from their bodies and their vitality.

In this workshop, participants will be invited to:

• Build a practical understanding of what it means to ReWild Eros and un-domesticate the erotic body.
• Explore the foundations of somatic erotic sovereignty in creative ways.
• Examine how internalized and social shame can interrupt erotic connection with the body.
• Understand the relationship between grief and Eros, and how moving grief can support erotic liberation.
• Engage in playful, connective, and experiential somatic practices that awaken erotic energy and aliveness.
• Learn how to integrate these practices to support erotic sustainability in life and relationships.

We will draw from traditional, experiential, and somatic learning, with exercises that may include movement, consensual touch, and group interaction. Participants will have the freedom to adapt any practice to honor their own boundaries and sense of safety. While erotic healing and growth are part of the experience, this workshop is not recommended for people with unaddressed primary sexual or somatic trauma.

This offering is open to individuals, couples, and people of all relationship orientations. All sexual and gender identities are welcome and celebrated. The workshop is sex-positive and erotic-inclusive, grounded in embodied consent and boundary practices. Although Eros is welcomed into the space, there will be no overt sexual behavior.

Participants are invited to bring two small items for a shared altar created together: one connected to family, lineage, or ancestors, and another connected to the body or sexuality. All items will be returned at the end of the workshop.

Recommended Reading: Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, The Spirit of Intimacy by Sobonfu Somé, The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor, and Reviving Kinship and Sexual Abundance, Dr. Kim Tallbear on the For the Wild podcast.

Live Extended Education Program

Join a cohort of 16 learners in a rigorous course of study, with up to 26 hours per week over either two weeks or four weeks, depending on the program. In addition, participants are required to dedicate 26 hours of service each week in one of Esalen’s operational departments.

Accommodations

LEEP student housing is dorm-style and gender-inclusive, with four students sharing a room.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition is $1600 for two-week programs and $2900 for four-week programs, and includes accommodations, meals, and the workshop. A non-refundable $20 application fee is collected when you apply and will be applied to your deposit if accepted. Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $480 secures a place in two-week programs, and $870 secures a place in four-week programs.