For the FINAL Episode of Tantra Talks, we are spilling the tea….

The Institute of Authentic Tantra Education has changed our DBA to The Institute of Holistic Sexology. Here's Why…

IATE was established in 2017 to lay the groundwork for the Authentic Tantra Certification Program, to become the first government-accredited school for Tantra, and the first and only government-accredited Tantra Certification Program.

And guess what? We did it! From 2018-2019,  the Authentic Tantra Certification Program curriculum and the IATE underwent an extensive, year-long government review, which determined us to be a valid vocational training institution, offering legitimate credentials in the field of Holistic Wellness and Natural Healing.

In fact, our Classification of Instructional Programming (CIP) Code is 51.3301 – Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and graduates of our certification programs function under the National Occupational Code  (NOC Code) 3232 – Practitioners of Natural Healing.
This is an amazing accomplishment that has yet to be achieved by any other Tantra or Holistic Sexology Institution.

IATE has offered the 12-month curriculum for Phase 2 of the Authentic Tantra Certification Program since 2016, and our last class of 2026 will complete a decade of providing this transformational tantra healing curriculum as a government-recognized, vocational training credential.
The IATE has been a trailblazer in the field of sexual wellness. 

The ATCP was the FIRST Tantra Certification program to offer:

• First year-long Tantra Certification Program
• First Multi-year Tantra Certification Training
• Government-accredited credentials
• Additional sexology certification with the American Board of Sexology (ABS)
• ASSECT approved credits

And now, we are thrilled to announce a new pathway of certification in the field of Holistic Sexual Wellness.

On October 1st, 2025, registration will open for the world’s first—and still only—government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification, which is also pending submission for AASECT accreditation."

This program offers government-reviewed and approved education and training for sex educators, coaches, and healers, enabling them to achieve essential core knowledge credits to become AASECT-certified sexuality counselors and ABS-certified Holistic and/or Clinical Sexologists.
Authentic Tantra is a path of evolution and transformation. After a decade of offering the most highly accredited and cutting-edge Tantra Certification training program in the world, we are excited and delighted to share our growth and evolution with you in any way that is congruent with our deeply held values, ethical views, integrity, and alignment with our spiritual practice.

You’ve heard about cervical orgasms.
But did anyone ever teach you how to actually have one? Not the "grin and bear it" kind. Not the “get pounded and hope” kind.
We’re talking about deep, soul-rattling, body-awakening cervical O’s—the kind that open portals, release trauma, and connect you to something way bigger than just pleasure.

In Episode 12 of Tantra Talks, Devi and Dr. Chris take you deep into the real link between Tantra and cervical orgasms—how trauma, numbness, and cultural conditioning block this pleasure, and how to reclaim it with love, skill, and lineage-backed tools.

Here’s what we unpack:

• Why most Western medicine doesn’t even recognize the cervix as an orgasm zone
• The truth about the cervix’s triple nerve innervation (yes, it’s that sensitive)
• How trauma—from pap smears to pounding—disconnects us from our cervical wisdom
• Why “just relax” and “go harder” are the worst advice ever
• How the cervix is the heart point in Taoist sexual reflexology—and what that means for lovers
• The role of the central channel and how the cervix connects to enlightened consciousness
• Authentic Tantric Yoni Massage as a healing gateway (yes, it’s a thing—and yes, you need it)
• Pleasure as medicine. Period.

Let’s talk about it:
The penis.
The prick.
The vajra.
Yes, we said vajra—and no, we’re not just being poetic.In this powerful episode of Tantra Talks, we’re flipping the entire script on what it means to be a man, to own a penis, and to awaken your vajra—a sacred, conscious tool of healing, transformation, and power.

This is the episode for every man (and every partner of a man) who’s ever wondered:"Is there more to sex than pounding and performing?
"Spoiler: Oh, absolutely.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why your penis isn’t just for pleasure—it’s a literal diamond scepter of wisdom (aka Vajra)
• How circumcision trauma numbs your sensitivity and blocks healing
• The cultural cost of disconnection from our genitals (and how to undo it)
• What it means to reclaim your sexual sovereignty as a man
• How conscious lingam massage can awaken sensitivity and dissolve trauma
• The difference between penetration and presence (and why the latter is way hotter)
• How to rewire your nervous system to feel more—not just “get off” faster
• The role of solo practice, emotional healing, and spiritual depth in becoming a mature lover

"It’s not just a penis. It’s your Vajra."The word Vajra means “diamond thunderbolt” in Tibetan Buddhism.

And according to traditional Tantra, your penis isn’t a weapon—it’s a wand of light.
A conduit of healing. A force of spiritual power. A sacred instrument of connection.

But here’s the thing:
You can’t use your Vajra for healing until you do your own healing.
That means slowing down, dissolving trauma, reclaiming sensitivity, and learning to feel again—from root to crown.

Pleasure, Healing, & Power—For Real

Dr. Chris shares his own journey of transformation—from numb, circumcised penis and porn-influenced pounding… to sensitive, emotionally present, heart-connected Vajra.This episode is honest, hilarious, and deeply reverent.

We talk circumcision trauma, somatic wounding, sexual sovereignty, and the sacred invitation of being a man who leads with presence—not performance.We also name what most don’t dare say:That the modern world has stripped men of their right to fully feel—
and it’s time to take it the f*ck back.

It’s time we talked about it.
Ayahuasca ceremonies. Mushroom trips. “Medicine work” on the weekends.

There’s a growing obsession with plant spirit medicine in wellness spaces—and we’re here to lovingly (but firmly) call it what it is: a potentially dangerous bypass of the real work.In Episode 10 of Tantra Talks, Lama Tashi joins Devi Ward Erickson and Dr. Chris Erickson to explore the role (and risk) of plant spirit medicine in the context of authentic, lineage-based Tantra.

Spoiler: he’s not pulling punches.What We Cover in This Episode:

• Why ayahuasca is not safe without deep spiritual preparation
• The unseen spiritual consequences of opening energetic portals unskillfully
• The difference between true lineage and spiritual cosplay
• How plant medicines are being casually commodified in the West
• Why your “shaman” might just be a weekend workshop graduate
• The link between entheogens, psychosis, and unprocessed trauma
• What Tantra offers as an alternative path—rooted in clarity, structure, and daily embodied practice

“It’s not sacred if it’s just for sale.”

There’s a growing culture of turning sacred plant traditions into casual, capitalist adventures.

But as Lama Tashi shares:“When you take these substances, you’re inviting spirits in. Do you know who or what you’re inviting?”

Spoiler: it’s not always benevolent light beings. It could be demigods, manipulative spirits, or just raw unprocessed trauma. Without lineage, training, and real spiritual grounding, you’re playing with fire—and often calling it self-care.The Tantric Alternative: Results Without the RiskThis episode isn’t about shaming anyone who’s worked with plant medicine—it’s about discernment.

Because Tantra gives you the tools to:

• Enter altered states through breath, energy, and meditation—not chemicals
• Heal your trauma without needing to break yourself open to feel something
• Cultivate clarity and sovereignty within your nervous system, not override it
• Walk a path of awakening that’s been refined over thousands of years—and actually works

As Lama Tashi puts it: “If your spiritual practice isn’t improving your life—day by day—it’s not your medicine.”

Tantra Talks – with Devi Ward Erickson & Tugce Balik
We’re getting real. Like, clit-sensation-real.If you’ve ever wondered whether your favorite toy is actually helping your pleasure—or slowly turning the volume down on your sensitivity—this episode is for you.

In Episode 9 of Tantra Talks, Devi and Tugce dive into the truth about vibrators, overstimulation, and the not-so-subtle gaslighting happening in the pleasure product industry.

Spoiler: your body isn’t broken—but your vibrator might be breaking your body’s trust.What You’ll Learn:

• How vibrators can desensitize the clitoral nerve endings over time
• Why “needing stronger settings” is a red flag, not a flex
• The link between vibrator use and emotional dissociation
• How vibrators can mimic the impact of p🌐rn on the nervous system
• Why the sex toy industry is gaslighting women (and who’s profiting)
• What your downward voiding winds are—and why electronics can disturb them
• How vibrators were invented (hint: lazy doctors + hysterical housewives 😬)
• What to do if you feel dependent on vibrators—and how to reclaim your sensitivity

“It’s not about shame—it’s about sovereignty.”

This episode is not anti-toy. It’s pro-awareness.We’re not saying never use a vibrator. We’re saying: use it with intention—not to override your body, but to deepen your connection to it.

Because let’s be real:
Many of us turn to vibrators to shortcut intimacy with ourselves—especially when we’re exhausted, emotionally shut down, or disconnected in our relationships. But when you start losing sensation, grinding for release, and reaching for level 10 buzz just to feel something... it’s time to pay attention.

Reclaim Your Pleasure, Your Sensation & Your Power

Devi and Tugce explore how authentic Tantra, the Orgasmic Awareness Practice, and Tibetan 5 Element Tantra can help reawaken your nervous system, restore your sensation, and support your healing—without shame, and without outsourcing your pleasure to plastic.

👉🏽 Want to come back to your body?

“Wait… are you actually saying semen retention can be used as birth control?”
Yes. Yes, we are. And we’ve got the receipts to back it up.In this no-fluff, fully embodied episode of Tantra Talks, Devi Ward Erickson and Dr. Chris Erickson go deep (and get spicy) on what it really means to use semen retention & non-ejaculatory orgasms as a valid method of contraception—rooted in lineage, lived experience, and radical body wisdom.This isn’t some surface-level take on “pulling out.”

This is next-level sexual mastery.

What We’re Talking About:

• Why semen retention is not the same as the pull-out method
• How to separate orgasm from ejaculation (yes, it’s possible—and pleasurable)
• Why tracking your fertility cycle is foundational (and feminist)
• How ejaculation control can be a form of spiritual, sexual, and relational sovereignty
• The myth of “toxic sperm build-up” and why it needs to die
• 11+ different kinds of orgasms men can experience (and why climactic release is just one small slice of the buffet)
• How semen retention can be practiced in partnership—not as a burden, but as a turn-on

Semen = Power
This episode is a fierce call-in for men to reclaim their sexual energy—not waste it.

You’ll hear why learning to choose when and if to ejaculate isn’t just birth control...
It’s soul-level empowerment.You’ll also hear Devi drop truths like:“I love semen. It’s the fountain of life. But if you’re telling me yours is toxic—don’t even come near my mouth.”
(Yes, it gets that real.)


Birth Control Isn’t Just a “Woman’s Responsibility”
We talk about how birth control has long been positioned as a “female burden”—but Tantra invites a paradigm shift. Men, you have agency. You have choice. And you have the capacity to take real responsibility for your reproductive energy.Together, we can shift the narrative from “Oops” to “Intentional.”

From “control” to co-creation.
🎧 Watch or listen now

We get this question a lot. Especially from men—and especially from those on the path of sexual Tantra: “Can I still watch porn if I’m cultivating semen retention or learning to separate orgasm from ejaculation?”

In Episode 6 of Tantra Talks, we dive deep into the real, nuanced answer to that question. Because it’s not as simple as “yes” or “no.” And it’s definitely not about shame.

Here’s what we unpack:

• The difference between porn and erotica—and why that distinction matters
• How habitual porn use can dull your imagination (which is essential for Tantra)
• Why fantasy and visualization are powerful tools in solo practice
• What happens when your sexual nervous system is trained to climax fast
• When and how porn can actually be used skillfully (yes, really)
• Why Tantra is about refinement, not restriction
• We also share personal stories, cultural context, and practical tips for anyone navigating solo sexual cultivation—especially those working with semen retention, orgasmic awareness, or deepening their connection to pleasure.

If you’ve ever experienced pain during your intimate pleasure, please know that you are NOT alone and- you are NOT broken.

this episode of Tantra Talks, we’re addressing a topic that impacts millions of women and people with vulvas, yet is still shrouded in shame and silence: vaginal pain during intimacy — also known as vaginismus. This pain isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. It’s energetic. And often, it’s an invitation.

Here’s what we cover:

• Common causes of vaginal pain, from unresolved trauma to hormonal shifts
• Why pain is an invitation from your body for attention and care —not a defect
• The connection between vaginal reflexology points and Tibetan 5 Element Tantra
• How tantric partners can show up with presence, not pressure
• How yogic breathing and compassion can transform pain into deep healing (and even pleasure)

Tantra Talks – Episode 4 with Devi Ward Erickson & Dr. Chris Erickson

If you’ve been anywhere near spiritual Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen it:
Aubrey Marcus, polyamory backlash, and hot takes galore.The ongoing conversation around non-monogamy has made one thing very clear: People are craving more nuance around love, sex, and spiritual growth.

Which is exactly why this episode of Tantra Talks couldn’t have come at a better time. In Episode 4, we dive into one of the biggest myths in the Western Tantra world: Do you have to be polyamorous to practice Tantra?
Short answer: No.
But we go way deeper than that.Here’s what we unpack:

• Why Tantra is not inherently polyamorous or monogamous
• The real danger of “poly-f*ckery” masquerading as spiritual awakening
• How non-monogamy can become another form of trauma reenactment
• Why intentional monogamy can actually be a radical spiritual strategy
• How to make relationship choices from presence—not pressure or performance
• Our personal journeys navigating polyamory, swinging, and monogamy in a Tantric container

The monogamy vs non-monogamy debate isn’t just a spicy trend—it’s a deeper call to examine your intention, nervous system, and patterns when it comes to how you love and connect.

While the internet is yelling over who's "doing it right," we’re offering a quieter invitation:
What does your body, your heart, and your spirit need right now?

Because whether it’s one partner or many, Tantra is a practice of liberation—not lifestyle branding.

Welcome back to Tantra Talks, the podcast where we share our tools for integrating authentic. lineage-based tantra into our modern lives.

In Episode 2, we’re diving into a topic that often comes up concerning wellness and healing: somatic vs. holistic healing. What do they really mean? How are they different? And most importantly, why does it matter for your sexual, spiritual, and emotional liberation?

Why This Conversation Matters
We’ve seen a massive rise in somatic healing practices in recent years—and for good reason. The body holds trauma. To quote Dr. Bessel van der Kolk- “The Body Keeps The Score”. But here's the thing: somatic healing is only one part of the equation.

In this episode, Devi and Dr. Erickson discuss the differences between somatic healing vs holistic healing - addressing not only what’s stored in the body, but also what’s embedded in our energy body, karmic patterns, and navigating systems of oppression.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The definition of “somatic healing” and “holistic healing”
• Why holistic healing goes deeper than somatic therapy
• How the Tibetan 5 Element practices support lasting transformation & healing
• Why lineage-based Tantra isn’t just woo-woo—it’s legit, y’all

This episode is SPICY,  educational, and 100% rooted in lived practice. You don’t want to miss it.

In our first episode, we dive headfirst into a juicy (and often misunderstood) topic: semen retention—and how this ancient Tantric practice can literally transform your sex life, deepen your intimacy, and elevate your spiritual connection as a couple.Wait… what is semen retention?Semen Retention, as taught by the Institute of Authentic Tantra Education, is the practice of separating orgasm from ejaculation. Ancient philosophies and medical practices from Asia and India have long claimed that semen retention leads to better health and longer life. Semen, which is in essence the very life-force of a man, must be retained in the body to maintain a man’s health.In this episode,  Devi and Dr. Erickson share their decades of experience practicing semen retention as a couple and how it has enhanced their relationship on every level.

So.. what are the benefits exactly?

There are many benefits to semen retention for physical health, mental health, and spiritual awareness.Some of the more common ones include:

Physical

• increased energy and drive
• boosted immune system
• cures erectile dysfunction
• prevents premature ejaculation

 Mental

• more confidence
• improved memory
• more decisive

 Spiritual

• calmer and less prone to anger
• more connected to spiritual nature
• control over material urges

What you’ll learn in Episode 1:

• How semen retention enhances both sexual pleasure and emotional intimacy
• Why ejaculation and orgasm are not the same thing (yep, read that again)
• How to start practicing semen retention without frustration or pressure
• The impact of being a multi-orgasmic man who is fully in control of his ejaculatory response.

This isn’t your average sex talk. This is lineage-based Tantric wisdom served with a side of playfulness, laughter, and deep devotion.Listen now and turn your bedroom into a temple.