Seducing the Muse New Orleans | a tantric artists retreat

Seducing the Muse | a tantric artists retreat

Unlock creative expression and inspiration through pleasure, play, and connection to the mysteries and sacred wildness of the creative process.

March 19-22, 2026

Temple by the Water, New Orleans

In the vibrant and beautiful Bywater neighborhood.

OVER FOUR DAYS YOU WILL…

-Discover how pleasure and turn-on can bring more creativity into your life

-Turn on your senses and access artistry available all around you

-Connect to and channel creative ideas from other realms

-Uncover your creative archetype and ways to embody it

-Learn new flow state techniques

-Fill up with all sorts of inspiration — and inspire others with your gifts

DO I NEED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST OR WORK IN A PARTICULAR MEDIUM?

Nope. Whatever medium you work in, whatever level of art-making, you’re welcome! This retreat is for anyone who views art-making as a sacred practice and wants to deepen that practice. We will be drawing on many types of art in our play and explorations, including music, writing, movement, and visual art.

WHAT IS TANTRIC ART/TANTRIC CREATIVITY?

In Tantric Creativity, we stay connected to the body and its desires as we open the channel to creative flow. We stay present to what is, saying yes to the aliveness of now.

Tantric Creativity lets us get out of our own way, turn off the judging mind, and allow the muse to run through us.

Tantric Creativity lets us birth whatever is most needed now, for us, and for the world.

WHAT WE’LL EXPLORE

⚡Rituals to Call in the Muses

⚡Becoming Your Own Oracle

⚡Lighting the Fire (Inspirations & Turn Ons)

⚡Opening Your Channel (Breathwork, Meditation, Kundalini Energy Activation)

⚡Releasing Fears & Overcoming Blocks to Creativity

⚡Building Trust in Yourself

⚡Ecstatic Creating

SCHEDULE

March 19th: 7pm-10pm

March 20th: 10am-6pm

March 21st: 10am-10pm

March 22: 10am-3pm

Cost:

* Early Bird * $999 until 12/31

$1234 if tickets remain after 12/31

INCLUDES

-Four days of instruction, practice, ritual, and guided exploration

-Lunch and snacks daily plus special Sunday evening Sensory & Sumptuous dinner

-Art supplies

Does not include lodging; please plan to stay somewhere nearby.

YOUR GUIDES:

Joanna Garner

Joanna is an award-winning writer, immersive experience designer, and creativity guide who crafts shared experiences that ignite sexual freedom, wildness, and transformation. As former Senior Story Creative Director for Meow Wolf, Joanna spearheaded story development for the mega-hit exhibitions Omega Mart and Convergence Station and led creative brainstorms for artists across the company. Now she teaches and facilitates experiences worldwide including for Virgin Voyages, Immersive World Adventure (Tulum), and the Temple of the Dark (Seattle). She has an MFA in Playwriting from University of Texas-Austin and nearly four years of training in sexual shamanism from the International School of Temple Arts, as well as training in Kundalini activation, Reiki, and a variety of other techniques that she applies to helping artists find healing and super-charged creativity through erotic energy.

Learn more about Joanna at https://www.joannagarner.com/

Lara Blackin

Lara is a Tantric Educator, Sacred Intimacy Practitioner and Visual Artist specializing in therapeutic, sensual & energetic touch bringing aliveness to the art of living + loving. A creative leader & guide who brings multidimensional vision to her offerings, she facilitates the ignition of personal transformation in others & community. Supporting the curious on their journey toward mindfulness and connection with conscious communication tools, intimacy practices, tantric embodiment exercises, and acclaimed artistry, Lara is a leader in the field of sacred embodiment with over 25 years of professional experience as a 1000 e-ryt Kundalini Yoga Educator & Sacred Sexual Somatic Arts Practitioner.

Lara has a BA in Theatre Arts and creates artistry with ritual, theatrical event design, and is known for creating alchemic spaces for authentic self expression. Weaving art, tantra and mindfulness practices, teaching individuals and partners the art of intimacy is Lara’s greatest mission in life.

An herbal alchemist and ceramics artist, she calls upon the elements of nature to create pleasure and harmony. Lara is the owner of Tendrils of Green Tantric Arts and writes beautifully poetic essays and creates erotic art at tendrilsofgreen.com.

Creating alongside her partner Michael, they are co-proprietors of Temple in the Trees, a sacred space for community tucked away in the forests of Northern Virginia, facilitating tantric learning experiences where all beings can express themselves in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.

Learn more about Lara and Temple in the Trees at https://ourtempleinthetrees.com

WHERE :

The Temple by the Water, New Orleans, LA is our new home. We welcome you here as a space for you to also come home to yourself.

An oasis of tantric learning in the vibrant and beautiful Bywater neighborhood, surrounded by music, food and New Orleans culture. just down the street from the French Quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions:

IS THIS A RETREAT FOR SINGLES OR PARTNERS?

All are welcome. This class is intended for individuals, but partnered pairs can choose whether to stay together for all exercises.

WHEN DO I NEED TO ARRIVE?

Please arrive on time so we can get started promptly. doora open at 6 on Thursday with opening circle at 7, 10am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

WILL THERE BE CONFIDENTIALITY?

Yes, and all agreements will be discussed at opening circle.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Bring your curiosity, any comfort items to aid in creating a comfortable place to nest. Maybe a notebook, a closed top water bottle, and an open heart and mind. Details provided in welcome letter.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?

We will supply you with lunches on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, snacks throughout, water, tea. We will not serve breakfast or dinner, but rather we have breaks in the schedule for you to go out or have meals delivered. Special Saturday evening Sensory & Sumptuous dinner included!

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Dress in comfortable clothing that allows movement and engagement. We welcome sexy fun clothing that makes you feel good. For art projects wear items over your clothes that you can get messy in. Details provided in welcome letter.

WILL PEOPLE BE DISROBED?

This a personal preference at your discretion. While nothing is a "have to", and everything is an invitation not a requirement, there will be practices where attendees may be disrobed. Agreements will be discussed at opening.

WHAT ABOUT HOUSING?

This is not a residential retreat. If you're not local, we will be happy to give you recommended hotels. There are also a lot of gorgeous airbnbs in the area.

WHAT IS TANTRA?

Tantra is a spiritual path that teaches you how to wake up to the sacredness of everything—including your body, emotions, relationships, and desires. Instead of trying to escape the world to become enlightened, Tantra helps you become more fully present in it.

RECENT TESTIMONIALS

Temple in the Trees is a delightfully safe haven for exploration and connection, and the exploration OF connection. Michael and Lara deftly lead us through a series of exercises designed to put us more in touch with ourselves and others as we explore our own boundaries and challenge ourselves to come right to our edges with confidence and curiosity. I cannot recommend this space and these facilitators more fervently. I often imagine what the world at large could be like if only everyone would take the time to walk this path with themselves and their fellow humans.

~ B. Miranda

A classroom unlike any you may have experienced. Instantly our senses of sight, fragrance, and sound were stimulated. A very calming serene place. After the "new experience" anticipation and jitters were behind us It didn't long to enter a new calm place, with chimes and movement.The experience was all that we hoped it would be, but knowing that this was only the beginning. The ride home and pillow talk this morning were filled with open communication and reflection on the evening's events. Thank you once again for leading us on this journey.

~ K&R Talach

What I have received in my life as a direct result of the practices at the Temple in the Trees is almost impossible to communicate with words. I have learned a level of self-expression and understanding of my energetic nature that I never even knew existed or even fathomed was within my grasp. Michael and Lara create a sacred and protected space, a circle, that allows me and all of the others that are participating to transcend the immediate recognition of what "is" to safely explore the possibility of what "can be." Through these enlightening sessions, my partner and I have been able to connect with and understand each other in ways that defy the social and cultural programming that defined our lives for so many years. To discover that I can specifically sense my Lover's presence in a room full of other people was absolutely mind-blowing and exhilarating. This has also given us the ability to embrace the love and compassion of others on a different level. While I am not a particularly religious person, I have experienced an existence of something on a very spiritual plane and I have felt an incredibly powerful transformation of my connection with "being" human.

~ R. Grimes

They are both gifted and poignant facilitators with a calming effect on hundreds of participants.

~ Gordon McCracken

Welcome To The Magic of Your Muse! HUZZAH! xoxo-Lara & Joanna

YOUR GUIDES:

Joanna Garner is an award-winning writer, immersive experience designer, and creativity guide who crafts shared experiences that ignite sexual freedom, wildness, and transformation. As former Senior Story Creative Director for Meow Wolf, Joanna spearheaded story development for the mega-hit exhibitions Omega Mart and Convergence Station and led creative brainstorms for artists across the company. Now she teaches and facilitates experiences worldwide including for Virgin Voyages, Immersive World Adventure (Tulum), and the Temple of the Dark (Seattle). She has an MFA in Playwriting from University of Texas-Austin and nearly four years of training in sexual shamanism from the International School of Temple Arts, as well as training in Kundalini activation, Reiki, and a variety of other techniques that she applies to helping artists find healing and super-charged creativity through erotic energy.

Learn more about Joanna here: https://www.joannagarner.com/

Lara Blackin

Lara is a Tantric Educator, Sacred Intimacy Practitioner and Visual Artist specializing in therapeutic, sensual & energetic touch bringing aliveness to the art of living + loving. A creative leader & guide who brings multidimensional vision to her offerings, she facilitates the ignition of personal transformation in others & community.

Supporting the curious on their journey toward mindfulness and connection with conscious communication tools, intimacy practices, tantric embodiment exercises, and acclaimed artistry, Lara is a leader in the field of sacred embodiment with over 25 years of professional experience as a 1000 e-ryt Kundalini Yoga Educator & Sacred Sexual Somatic Arts Practitioner.

Lara has a BA in Theatre Arts and creates artistry with ritual, theatric event design, and is know for creating alchemic spaces for authentic self expression. Weaving art, tantra and mindfulness practices, teaching individuals and partners the art of intimacy is Lara’s greatest mission in life.

An herbal alchemist and ceramics artist, she calls upon the elements of nature to create pleasure and harmony. Lara is the owner of Tendrils of Green Tantric Arts and writes beautifully poetic essays and creates erotic art at tendrilsofgreen.com.

Creating alongside her partner Michael, they are co-proprietors of Temple in the Trees, a sacred space for community tucked away in the forests of Northern Virginia, facilitating tantric learning experiences where all beings can express themselves in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.

Learn more about Lara and Temple in the Trees at https://ourtempleinthetrees.com

Ohhh how we love to create...especially together! xoxo ~ Lara & Joanna in Tulum 2022 when we fell in love with our mutual muse, tantra

Our Temple by the Water is our home in New Orleans. Come jump in to the beauty of the most artistic & vibrant neighborhood of the city in the Bywater. Yes...there's a pool!