Seducing the Muse New Orleans | a tantric artists retreat
About this Event
Seducing the Muse | a tantric artists retreat
Wednesday October 14 - Sunday October 18, 2026
Temple by the Water, New Orleans
In the vibrant and beautiful Bywater neighborhood.
⚜️
OVER FIVE DAYS YOU WILL…
-Unlock and unblock your creativity through pleasure, play, and connection to the mysteries and sacred wildness of the creative process in one of the most artistically inspiring cities on the planet.
-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
New Orleans is home to some of the most creative forces on the planet. This potent retreat is curated for and with the artists of the city. This version of Seducing the Muse features:
⚜️Creative visualization/journeying with live musicians
⚜️Studio tour and process sharing with acclaimed painter James Michalopoulous
⚜️An epic experiential dinner
⚜️Daily practices for tuning into creative inspiration and getting into deep flow state on our creative projects
⚜️An amazing venue to gather and create, including a pool
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
✨Immersive Studio Experiences
✨Flow State Bliss
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 14th: 7pm-10pm
Thursday, October 15th: 10am-6pm
Friday, October 16th: 10am-8pm
Saturday, October 17 : 11am-10pm
Sunday, October 18: 10-12pm
COST: $999
$999 until August 31, 2026
$1200 aftr August 31 2026
Deposit holds your space: $500 non-refundable
Remainder of payment due by October 13th
Includes:
• Five days of instruction, practice, ritual, and guided exploration
• Healthy snacks daily plus special Saturday evening Sensory & Sumptuous dinner
• All art supplies
• Wonderful salt water heated pool to relax in & around.
• Lots of space to create & lounge in
Does not include lodging; please plan to stay somewhere nearby. We have great contacts for plenty of nearby hotels, airbnbs and guest houses. Please email us with inquires and we are happy to help.
Learn more at our website: www.SeducingTheMuse.com
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 By the Water, a sacred space for community tucked on the undulating banks fo the Mississippi River in the vibrant neighborhood of the Bywater in New Orleans. Lara facilitates tantric learning experiences where all beings can express themselves in a safe, nonjudgmental environment.
Learn more about Lara and Temple By the Water 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. Doors open at 6pm on Wednesday with opening circle at 7, 10am on Friday, 11am on Saturday, and 10am Sunday. Pool, garden and grounds available all day and night, open one hour before doors daily.
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 snacks throughout, water & tea. We have breaks in the schedule for you to go out or have meals delivered. Tons of options in our incredible neighborhood. 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, hotels and guest houses 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!
Spacious relaxed ease in our home and Temple for you to fall into with comfort.
Seducing the Muse October 2025 was a wild success & abundantly artistic!
See your creativity rise!!
An unbelievable experience awaits as we are welcomed personally by James Michalopoulous, New Orleans visionary icon into his studio for an afternoon of learning.
We welcome you to our home, our neighborhood and our city! Michael will be assisting our retreat and offering optional evening excurions to our local hotspots including historic divebars, iconic renhowned music venues, phenomenal late night foods and the best outdoor midnight art festival in town on Frenchman.
Where is it happening?
USD 587.74 to USD 1410.56
