Tantric Latihan—Valentine's Edition

Back by popular demand, Tantra Collective invites you to a Valentine's edition of Tantric Latihan! In the frequency of love, we embark on a profound journey of embodiment and sensuality that lies in the mystery of the unknown.

Whether you're new to the practice or a seasoned practitioner, each journey is unique. Come as you are—solo, with a friend, or bring your partner—and join together to experience the transformative power of Tantric Latihan.

-------------------

You are invited to embrace the mystery that is life. In this container, we journey inward to access our bodily intuition for guidance and connect with our heart's unbounded true nature. Release attachment, aversion, and agenda. Let go of thoughts and stories, of knowing and doing, of anticipation and expectation, of identity and desire. And surrender to connection—to yourself, to source, and to others at a soul level. This practice can transform your experience of embodiment and sensuality.

Latihan is a practice of following your inner guidance and attuning to your authentic self, expressed in conscious movement as you journey deeply within and somatically connect with others. At the core of Latihan is the process of slowwwing down and listening. Listening with your whole body and your whole being, moment by moment. It’s about being moved, rather than moving. Latihan reconnects you to the divine mystery itself and awakens this awareness within.

Latihan originated as an Indonesian Subud spiritual practice. In this context, the practice has been adapted by Osho's Neo-Tantra lineage and Western contemporaries like Laurie Handlers who popularized the practice in ISTA (International School of Temple Arts). Having studied the tantric adaptation with Laurie Handlers and the traditional Subud practice with Stefanie O'Conner, Alan Shurafa, together with Rachel Clark, introduced Tantric Latihan to the NYC community along side Neo-Tantra teachers across the West. Among these contemporary teachers are Frank Mondeose and Julia Grace with whom Dave Schiman has trained. For the first time ever (well, now the second time!), the Tantra Collective is thrilled to bring this practice here to Philadelphia.

-------------------

What to expect?

Arrive early to mingle over warm, heart-opening elixirs and sensuous vegan treats by our friends Jaya Kava and receive a de-stressing tune-up by intuitive licensed massage therapist Matthew Golben. Doors close promptly at 6:30pm to seal our container.

Guided by Tantra community leader Rachel Clark of Brooklyn’s Youtopia DreamSpace and Philadelphia Tantra Collective founders, we begin with an opening circle and connection exercises that create a shared language of somatic consent. We review and commit to honoring the agreements which co-create a culture of care. These agreements help support the experience and create a safer space to explore. Participants then put on Mindfold blindfolds and move into the mystery as the music, guidance, and space move you…

We complete our journey with a sound bath savasana integration from shamanic healer Richie Parrella with grounding group reiki energy delivered by Elana Stern. As we close, there's an opportunity to check in and share your experience. After experiencing Latihan, many people feel a deep sense of calm, heightened wisdom, and profound connection with one’s higher self.

Evening Flow:
6pm: Arrive & Mingle. Please be on time.
6:30pm: Doors Close, Container Closed
6:30-7:15pm: Opening Circle & Connection Exercises
7:15-9pm Latihan Experience
9-9:30pm Sound Bath & Closing

-------------------

Your hosts & facilitators:

Rachel Clark is a somatic facilitator specializing in guiding transformative experiences that connect mind and body to deeper connection to one’s true ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Her passion lies in activating communities and creating cozy spaces where people can be in relationship to deep parts of themselves and others. Living in an intentional community for the past four years has deepened her understanding of collaborative living and shared experiences. One of her superpowers is that she is actively devoted to the present moment and the universe. This allows her to respond and learn from the present moment as it arises. A practice to come back to again, and again, and again.

Dave Schiman is an acupuncturist, hypnotherapist, and seasoned facilitator with over 25 years of experience in transformational healing. He brings a deep understanding of the body-mind connection, drawing from his extensive background in acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and somatic healing. His facilitation expertise includes Tantric Latihan, Mark Group training, men’s group leadership, sexual shamanism, and shadow work. Passionate about guiding individuals through profound personal transformation, he creates spaces for deep embodiment, emotional release, and the integration of suppressed energies. His work empowers men and women to move beyond old conditioning, unlocking greater authenticity, vitality, and connection.

Elana Stern is a Yoga Teacher and Tantra Facilitator offering healing and wellness throughout our community and beyond. Drawn to meditation as a teen, Elana pursued Eastern Philosophy and Religion academically, trained with celebrity fitness icons in NYC, received her Vinyasa Teacher Certification (Cindy Lee lineage) and Restorative Yoga Certification, and later completed Yoga Chitta Teacher Certification where she instructs and mentors yoga teacher trainees (YTTs). Elana has also studied Tibetan Buddhist, Transcendental, Vipassana, and Mindfulness Meditation modalities, as well as breathwork pranayama techniques. After her life-altering kundalini awakening, Elana was called to Taoist and Tantric practices, became a certified facilitator of Tao Tantra Arts (Mantak Chia and Osho lineages), and graduated ISTA (International School of Temple Arts). With a lifelong passion and ever deepening curiosity, Elana’s unique style blends physical and energetic realms designed to connect with our true nature and realize a higher state of being.

Richie Parrella is a somatic therapist, certified yoga teacher, reiki master and sound healer trained in Prana yoga, based in the lineages of Kundalini and Tantra yoga and Ayurveda in the lineage of Dr. Vasant Lad. He facilitates sessions, classes, and groups with the intention to create a safe space for others to explore their inner experience, create transformation, as well as reduce stress, anxiety, and support the allowing of the body, mind, and spirit’s natural ability to heal. His teachings are rich in yogic philosophy, breathwork, and mindfulness. Through his journey with Ayurveda, Yoga, Tantra, and Somatic therapy, he has come to learn that the body, mind, and spirit are intrinsically connected, and must be treated as such, to achieve optimal health and to support self-realization and transformation.

-------------------

FAQs:

Do I need to have prior Latihan or Tantra experience?
This experience is open to all, and we welcome first-time as well as seasoned participants! Every Latihan experience is unique and revealing as we continue to peel back the layers and connect with different energies.

What type of people participate?
Every adult is welcome here! Singles, couples, and friends of any sexual orientation, gender, adult age, and background come together in this supportive container as we shed identity and move into the energetic space beyond.

Is there an age restriction?
There is a certain level of self-awareness and maturity required to create a safe container in which we can dive deep into the unknown and move freely within this space. For the comfort and safety of all, participants are required to be over 18 years old.

Can I come alone or is this experience for couples?
Come as you are—solo, with a friend, or bring your partner! Latihan is an invitation to journey into your own embodiment, individual sovereignty, and divine intuition. From this place, we may move into somatic connection with other energies.

What do I bring? And how should I dress?
- Please bring cushions or pillows to sit upon and help form the perimeter of the space.
- Wear comfortable attire or loose-fitting clothes in which you can move freely.
- Prepare to be barefoot or in socks for our practice.

Will there be nudity or intimacy in this experience?
While Tantra practices are eclectic from White to Red Tantra, this experience is a sovereign journey in a clothed, sensual, nonsexual container. We encourage participants to stay in their own body while connecting somatically with others as they choose. Safety for all is our priority, and we will go over the upper limits for the space as part of the experience.

Is the start time important?
Yes! Please arrive on time to help ensure that our container is well held, secure, and safe for all. Come at 6pm to mingle over Jaya Kava heart-opening elixirs and sensuous vegan treats for purchase and receive a five-minute tune-up by bodywork master Ariel Monroe (first come, first serve). Doors will close promptly at 6:30pm.

Are intoxicants or altering medicines permitted?
This is a sober event, and no intoxicating substances are allowed. The invitation is to tap into your unclouded intuition and connect with divine guidance. Heart-opening kava, cacao, and tea elixirs are available for purchase from our Jaya Kava friends before the opening circle.

Is there parking available?
There is ample unrestricted street parking in the neighborhood. Consider ride share, SEPTA, or bicycle if you're inclined.

Where do I enter the building?
Please enter through the courtyard door on Greene Street (past the lawn under the archway). Use the door code for entry. Then, follow the signs up the stairs and down the hall to the Parlor Room (on the right, just past the restroom and water fountain).

Do I need to provide my contact information when registering and purchasing tickets?
Yes, we need your true name, email address, and phone number when registering and purchasing tickets whether online or at the door. For important contact reasons and for the safety of all, we do not allow any anonymous participants. For these reasons, any tickets purchased under a false name or contact information may be canceled.

Are sliding-scale tickets available?
Take advantage of early-bird pricing for the best deal, and be sure to purchase tickets in advance as prices increase the week of the event. If you're in financial need, please reach out to us directly. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Will there be tickets available at the door?
This event has sold out in the past, so we encourage advance tickets as we cannot guarantee tickets at the door. While we'd love everyone to attend who's called, our primary consideration is to ensure a safely held container and positive experience for participants.