Laurie Handlers

Laurie Handlers (born November 27, 1947) is a Neotantra educator, talk show host, and intimacy coach.[1] She is author of the book Sex & Happiness: The Tantric Laws of Intimacy[2] and holds workshops and seminars through her organization Butterfly Workshops, Inc.[3][1] as well as through the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA).[4]

Handlers has a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology.[1][5][6]

Handlers has a radio talk show Sex and Happiness on BBS Radio[7] as well as on WebTalkRadio.[8]

Handlers has acted in several films, including Tantric Tourists.[9] Her film Beyond Dinner[10][11] was awarded "Best Short film" at the Erotikos Film Festival in Jamaica in September 2013.[12]

Controversy

Handlers' involvement with the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA)—an organization that has faced allegations of sexual misconduct and coercive practices—has been discussed in media reports and public statements about ISTA.[13][14]

ISTA's U.S. nonprofit filings have listed Handlers as a vice president (2018 and 2019) and later as a director.[15]

In a 2025 investigation published by New York (The Cut), journalist Anya Kamenetz reported that, after a former participant (identified as "Lina") said she had been raped during an ISTA Level 2 ritual in Turkey, Handlers replied to Lina's email to the organization and invited her to speak with Handlers and a representative from a third-party mediation service. The same report stated that ISTA later offered to refund Lina's Level 2 tuition on the condition that she sign a non-disparagement clause and an agreement releasing the organization from further liability; Lina did not sign, and ISTA disputed Lina's characterization of the incident as rape.[13]

In the documentary film Tantric Tourists, Handlers is shown discussing participant exhaustion as a way of lowering defenses, calling being tired "a key element" in "weakening their defenses".[16] In 2023, the Israeli Center for Cult Victims issued a public statement about ISTA that, among other concerns, described reports of sleep deprivation in ISTA workshops.[17]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Weinstein-Moser, Edie (September 2007). "Interview with Laurie Handlers". WISDOM MAGAZINE. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  2. ↑ Handlers, Laurie (April 13, 2007). Sex & Happiness: The Tantric Laws of Intimacy. Butterfly Workshops Press. ISBN 978-0977174003.
  3. ↑ Weeks, Linton (June 1, 2004). "A Tale of 'Whoa!'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  4. ↑ "Faculty Highlight - Laurie Handlers". International School of Temple Arts. 2015. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  5. ↑ "About Us". butterflyworkshops.com. 2019. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  6. ↑ Linnea Covington and Shayna Courtney (25 January 2010). "Tantra 101". Time Out. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  7. ↑ "Sex and Happiness". bbsradio.com. 2005–2008. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  8. ↑ "Sex and Happiness". webtalkradio.net. 2015. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  9. ↑ Hunter, Allan (February 18, 2011). "Tantric Tourists film review". Daily Express. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  10. ↑ "Beyond Dinner (2012)". IMDb. November 9, 2012. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  11. ↑ "Beyond Dinner Trailer". Vimeo. 2013. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  12. ↑ "Beyond Dinner wins Erotic Film Award at Erotikos Film Festival". socialnchicago.com. 2013. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  13. 1 2 Kamenetz, Anya (2025-02-28). "The Neo-Tantric Sex Group That Promised to Change". The Cut. New York Magazine (Vox Media). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  14. ↑ Hill, Ruth (2022-10-28). "Complainants warn against 'sacred sexuality' courses". RNZ. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  15. ↑ "International School Of Temple Arts – Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  16. ↑ Tantric Tourists (documentary) – excerpt. YouTube. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
  17. ↑ "A Statement by the Israeli Center for Cult Victims regarding ISTA ("International School of Temple Arts")" (PDF). InfoKatot (Israeli Center for Cult Victims). 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
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