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| Wellness Travel |
Mindful Spa
Shari Mycek
02/02/2004
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"The issue of sexuality and intimacy is huge for couples dealing with cancer or any chronic illness, really," says Holstein, whose newest book on the topic, Your Long Erotic Weekend, Four Days of Passion for a Lifetime of Magnificent Sex (Fair Winds Press) was just released. Throughout the year, Holstein lectures about intimacy and sexuality at Miraval and with her husband, David Taylor, also a doctor, conducts intensive four-day couples workshops. But with her Life in Balance clients, she prefers private consultations.
"I love to sit down with these couples at the very beginning of their stay and talk about what’s transpired since the cancer diagnosis, how the side-effects of treatment or the aftermath of surgery has affected them in terms of intimacy," explains Holstein. "It’s usually a very powerful exchange; couples are so relieved to talk about
it. We go over some of the basic anatomy and physiology issues—the emotions, vulnerabilities and fragilities surrounding the illness—and then I send them back to their casita with some ‘homework.’ I may also have them learn couples massage or experience water Zen, a sensual water treatment. A few days later, we reconvene, and go from there. Intimacy and sexuality are critical to all of us, a part of who and what we are. And that doesn’t change because we get sick."
It is no accident that Miraval’s Life in Balance Spa found its home in the Sonoran Desert. As participants come to appreciate, the desert setting pos-sesses a timeless, ageless quality that perfectly complements the Life in Balance program.
Miraval Spa,
1.800.232.3969, www.miravalresort.com
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