Latest wellness trend sees nude women cover private parts with fruit, touch each other to regain sexual confidence

A sexual wellness retreat called Back to the Body, held in Joshua Tree desert in California, has been attracting female customers aiming to reconnect with their erotic sexuality, all at a price tag of up to $18,000.

The retreats include activities such as sensory adornment with objects like fruit and feathers being placed on intimate parts of the female body, sensual touch demonstrations, erotic touch sessions, group discussions, and mindfulness exercises, according to the Los Angeles Times, which sent a journalist to investigate.

Costs range from $550 to $2,000 for the short retreats, with weeklong versions priced at $8,000.

Participants, primarily women aged mid-30s to mid-70s, report benefits including reduced body shame, improved intimacy, and greater self-confidence, with some becoming repeat attendees.

At least one of the group sessions includes attendees dressed in lingerie, in which items such as vibrators and oils are given to them to use during it.

Pamela Madsen, the retreat instructor, hailed her workshops as life-changing for women. “We cannot heal, expand or awaken our sexuality through words alone. We must touch the body to hear it speak – and that terrifies people,” she told the LA Times, explaining that erotic energy – desire – is a powerful tool for women.

“When women are in touch with their arousal, they start being able to see themselves, they start being able to express themselves," said Madsen. “They find their voice, they’re able to speak their desires.”

Mandy Manuel, an overweight 39-year-old sex therapist from Connecticut, told the LA Times that the retreats made her find love.

“I’ve been in a large body my whole life. And the world will tell you ‘you’re not good enough, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not deserving of sex and romance,” she said. “I totally bought into that story. And I wanted to challenge that. So, I came, and it was life-changing. Just recognizing ‘Oh, wow, I can receive.’”

“My standard for dating shot way up. Previously, it was: ‘I’m just going to accept whoever wants me’ and now it’s ‘who do I want?’” she continued, explaining that she met her current partner after jumping into online dating.