Question 1

What do I have to do at ISTA?

Accepted Answer

Nothing.  All rituals and activities are optional. It's your workshop, you never have to do anything. We only ever ask for your presence in the room during the training hours to honour the group process.

Question 2

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

The general advice is to bring anything that you feel would enrich and make your time at the training more comfortable.

Be sure to consider the weather, which in October is often chilly and fresh at night and in the morning, and  sunny and dry during the day. Also be sure to be good to yourself and consider your personal needs and desires.

Here are other recommendations and suggestions:

Clothing
- Lightweight, loose-fitting, comfortable clothing for movement
- Appropriate clothes for cool evenings and possible rain
- Sandals or flip-flops lakeside
- More comfortable and sturdier shoes for walking through the venue grounds
- Sun protection in form of a hat, sunglasses and suncream if you use them
- Some clothes that make your feel fun, sexy and ready for a party

Towels and sheets
- Towel for bathing & swimming at the beach
- Large, whole-body sized towel/sheet for covering the floor mats when giving/receiving massages
- 2 sarongs, robes or wraps
- Your favorite massage oil/lubricant

Additional
- Sacred & symbolic object for the shared altar representing your journey
- Journal or notebook & writing materials
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc. – please avoid colognes, perfumes or scented personal care products)
- Ear plugs as you will be in shared rooms
- Alarm clock
- Flashlight for navigating dark outdoor spaces at night
- Yoga mat if you like to practice
- Reusable water bottle
- Any medication, herbs, food supplement that you may need or enjoy having

Question 3

What are the start and end times?

Accepted Answer

The training starts at 4pm on the first day of training, check-in is available from 2pm. We finish at 2pm after lunch on the final day of the training. Goodbyes can take time after this intensive week, so it's best to factor in some time for those unless you really have to leave at 2pm.

Question 4

How can I arrange travel?

Accepted Answer

Once registered you will be invited to join a WhatsApp Group where you can arrange ride shares with other participants.

For solo travellers that can't join a ride share, the nearest train station is called Steckborn from where it is possible to take a taxi. Steckborn is small, so we recommend you book a taxi in advance. Or use my trick and bring a bicycle on the train with you to make the final part of the journey.

Question 5

What about level two?

Accepted Answer

Like every good organisation, ISTA goes through periodical reviews. Level two is currently paused while it undergoes review. The good news is, we will be one of the first to experience the new level two when it is ready to be relaunched. We hope this will be in 2026.

Question 6

I'm in a relationship, what do I have to consider when attending?

Accepted Answer

If you are currently in a relationship/partnership we strongly recommend that you agree upon your relationship boundaries before arriving to the training, regardless of whether your partner is attending the training with you or not. These would include boundaries around intimacy, intimate touch, sexual engagement, safer sex practices etc. ISTA field encourages transparency, open communication and authentic expression of desires with integrity.

Question 7

I want to come with a partner, how do we navigate that?

Accepted Answer

You may decide to stick together as a couple or you may decide to move as individuals or a variation of the two.

Important is simply that you decide together how you would like to proceed and that you check in with each other during the training as you see fit.

It is advisable to be really honest during any conversation you have in advance of the training with your partner, be sure to talk about all your hopes and fears, what you'd like to learn and experience, and how you'd like to see things work between you in this setting.

Question 8

Are there trainings aimed at couples only?

Accepted Answer

Not from ISTA. ISTA is really a very deep self actualisation journey and is great for people regardless of their relationship status.

If you want to do something to create greater intimacy between you are your partner, look at www.thetantriccouple.com.

Be aware that the goals of the training are very different. Get closer to your partner with the tantric couple, go deeper with yourself with ISTA.

Question 9

How sexual is the Spiritual Sexual Shamanic Experience?

Accepted Answer

If you are looking for sex parties, please look elsewhere. Our evening programme will often offer a safe space for you to express yourself fully.  Which could among many others things, including dance, music and meditation, also be sexual.

The training itself includes rituals and exercises that involve massage and touch along with many other non-physical methods.

What we aim to teach is what we consider healthy conscious sexuality. We want to bring sexualities potent energy into the light and galvanise it for good. We want to free your powerful sexy self.

You will never be encouraged to take part in anything you do not want to take part in. The most important thing for us is that you discover and express your boundaries. That is the route to a healthy sense of self and the kind of empowered being we are trying to create.

Question 10

What should I consider regarding sexually transmitted diseases?

Accepted Answer

Awareness around sexual health is an important part of our teaching. We will  practice communication surrounding the topics that effect your sexual health including the number of recent partners, the level of precautions used and how frequently you've been screened for sexually transmitted diseases.

These conversations are always more comfortable if you've been recently screened, therefore you may find it advisable to undertake a sexual health check before attending the training.

SSSex Level 1

Frequently asked questions