In a world often shrouded in taboos and misconceptions, the realm of human sexuality remains one of the most fascinating, mysterious, and profoundly personal aspects of our lives. Ava Ashe Pikul, a remarkable figure in the field of human sexuality, stands at the forefront of a quest to demystify and embrace this natural facet of our existence. As a Sexologist, Authentic Tantra® Healer, and Hypnotherapist, Ava’s journey is marked by a deep commitment to helping individuals explore their sensuality, heal emotional wounds, and discover the profound connections between mind, body, and pleasure. Join Mystic Mag as we embark on a unique and enlightening exploration into the fascinating world of Ava Ashe Pikul, where the pursuit of authenticity and pleasure is celebrated, and self-discovery knows no bounds.
What inspired you to pursue a career in sexology, Authentic Tantra® healing, and hypnotherapy, and how have these fields shaped your professional journey?
Many things have inspired me, but a significant source of inspiration was feeling that there was a lack of availability in the world as a whole to express or link my sexuality and spirituality on the same wavelength. A considerable part of this gap exists because authentic tantric methods are not widely accessible. Much of the Tantra we encounter globally is derived from Neo-Tantra and Sacred Sexuality. I, however, practice and teach Tibetan Buddhist Tantra, rooted in lineage-based practices. I’m able to bring these methods into the lives of people who may not even know what Tantra is, allowing them to use these methods to transform themselves on all levels of life. This transformation isn’t limited to just the sexual aspect but extends to their financial, relational, spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being.
A substantial part of my work was inspired by my own experiences. I suffered from PMDD, which is believed to be a hormonal-based disorder in women, akin to PMS on steroids. I was constantly on an emotional roller coaster and knew that this was not normal. Regardless of how many spiritual tools I utilized, including my 500-hour yoga certification and years of meditation starting at age 16, I was still suffering. I needed answers.
It wasn’t until I delved into two aspects that I found the answers I sought. First, I explored my subconscious beliefs and behaviors through Rapid Transformational Therapy, a type of hypnosis that brought about profound shifts in just a few sessions. I went on to acquire my license in this field as well. On the flip side, I worked directly with my pleasure and sexuality to navigate my emotions. This may seem challenging to many, as when we are trapped in states of anxiety or depression, thinking about pleasure can appear almost impossible. However, I learned and now teach my clients that we can accept ourselves where we are and gradually layer joy, pleasure, and fulfillment on top of our existing emotions. This approach helps to dissolve the filters in our own perception, allowing us to connect deeply with our fundamental selves. That’s the essence of the work I do. It’s simple in its approach, though there are fascinating spiritual concepts involved. Ultimately, I strive to make it tangible and accessible on all levels, enabling people not just to practice authentic Tantra but to transform themselves on every aspect of their lives.
Authentic Tantra® often emphasizes a holistic approach to sexual healing. How do you integrate this philosophy into your therapeutic practice, and what benefits do clients typically experience from it?
Certainly, there’s a lot to say on this topic. One significant aspect of authentic Tantra is that it involves working with the emotional body, the sexual body, the spiritual body, and the energetic body. We address all these elements while consistently connecting them back to our pleasure, which essentially encompasses our joy, fulfillment, and the driving force behind a full life.
As I mentioned earlier, there’s a substantial distinction between Neo Tantra, sacred sexuality, and authentic tantric methods. I like to emphasize that the “medicine” is inherently encoded within the practices themselves. When you embark on a journey to learn Tantra, regardless of the specific type, it’s crucial to examine where the practitioner is in their own embodiment of these practices and where these practices originate. In my case, as I mentioned earlier, these practices stem from Tibetan Buddhism, rooted in a particular lineage. This means that these practices are deeply intertwined with their values, ethics, and morals. The inherent coding within the practices is of paramount significance when working with your sexuality and when seeking a Tantra practitioner. Unfortunately, many Tantra practitioners aren’t authentically practicing Tantra, and that is a significant concern in itself.
In addition to these elements, we integrate modern-day science, specifically sexology. This encompasses up-to-date knowledge about our anatomy and how we can experience various forms of pleasure. For instance, women can experience up to 15 different forms of orgasm, while men can experience over 10 different forms. When you consider this perspective, it becomes evident that there’s a vast uncharted territory to explore. Each of these forms of orgasm and non-sexual pleasure, which is a separate realm on its own, brings forth this potent “medicine” that permeates our systems.
Pleasure holds numerous benefits. It can assist in regulating our nervous system, navigating our emotions, and establishing deeper connections and intimacy with ourselves and our spirituality. There are numerous reasons why I believe pleasure should be the fundamental aspect of healing. It shouldn’t be relegated as something that follows the healing process. This shift in perspective can help us break free from a perpetual cycle of “I need to heal” mentality and open up new possibilities.
Hypnotherapy is known for its potential to uncover subconscious issues. How do you incorporate hypnotherapy into your practice to help clients address deep-seated sexual concerns?
I love that question. The reason is that most sexual issues often have non-sexual solutions. Hypnotherapy allows us to delve deep into the subconscious mind, where all memories are stored, whether we are consciously aware of them or not. These memories encompass our entire lives, including experiences from past lives and even things that are not directly related to us. So, there’s a lot to uncover in this realm.
Hypnotherapy has the unique ability to peel back the layer of the conscious thinking mind. Talk therapy primarily engages the conscious mind, but there’s a whole additional layer beneath it. In just one session, my clients can discover precisely why they feel stuck, why they are unfulfilled, or what is at the root of their sexual or emotional problems. This process provides them with a profound level of clarity in a relatively short amount of time. This is why I firmly believe that hypnotherapy, when combined with other methods that support subconscious healing, represents the next evolution in the healing process within our modern world.
Not everyone has the luxury of time or financial resources to dedicate decades to therapy. Who would want to do that, right? This is why we need methods that can cut to the core and address the root causes directly, and that’s precisely what hypnosis can achieve.
What techniques or tools do you use to create a safe and non-judgmental space for your clients to discuss their sexual and emotional concerns?
I firmly believe that I provide a container for my clients, and they create a safe space for themselves. The only existence of a safe space is within you. I assist both men and women in forming a stronger connection with themselves, fostering more trust in themselves. Ultimately, this trust within oneself is what constitutes true safety. Safety is about having faith in your body, your abilities, your actions, your thoughts, and your behaviors.
The tools I employ, as mentioned earlier, include authentic tantric methods, sexual healing, and hypnotherapy. These tools empower my clients to reclaim their own power, rather than me providing an experience for them.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer several different services, and one of my flagship services is the 21-day Pleasure Reset. In this program, we primarily utilize transformational therapy methods over the course of 21 days. This enables individuals to identify the root causes and break free from any barriers that might be hindering their progress, preparing them for more extensive programs. The 21-day Pleasure Reset delivers confidence, clarity, and a rapid healing experience to both men and women.
For those seeking a deeper exploration of authentic Tantra methods coupled with hypnotherapy to address deeply rooted issues, I have designed both a three-month program and a six-month program. I’ve created separate programs for women and men, named Sexual Finesse for men and Opening to Pleasure for women. These programs are tailored uniquely to each individual, and I am with them every step of the way. The level of support I provide is unparalleled, and I take great pride in my work. I am committed to ensuring that my clients not only achieve the transformations they desire but also exceed their expectations.
How do you practice your self-care to maintain your own well-being?
One fundamental aspect of authentic Tantra is the Tibetan 5 Elemental system. In this system, the Tibetan 5 Elements correspond to a unique chakra system within the lineage. These elements are distributed as follows: Fire, located in our sexual center; Earth, situated at our naval space and heart; Air, positioned at our throat; and Water, found in the center of the head. Each element serves as an antidote to what we refer to as a root poison. For example, Water acts as the antidote to anger, while Fire counteracts attachment.
The belief is that when we have blockages within our energy system, it leads to suffering. This is precisely why we start with the Elemental system to alleviate suffering and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves on a profoundly human level.
Personally, I consider using the Elemental system a vital component of my self-care routine. It involves harnessing my own energy body to enhance, heal, gain clarity, and boost confidence. Everything is energy, and when we address emotional or physical elements, such as illnesses, diseases (such as cysts, fibroids, and endometriosis for women, or prostate issues for men), we realize that it’s not just about the sexual aspect. Working with the energy body allows us to repair and heal blockages and disruptions in the energy system, which then has a positive ripple effect on the physical body, promoting various forms of healing.
For me, tending to my energy system takes precedence and helps me navigate through different emotions that arise and address any potential physical issues that may occur in my general well-being.
If you want to get in touch with Ava please check: https://www.flamewithintantra.com, https://www.instagram.com/ava.pikul
