This might explain those unexpected moans echoing from the woods

A woman has shared all the details of her unusual journey after attending what she described as a very eye-opening retreat focused entirely on orgasms.

When most of us think about retreats, we imagine peaceful settings, calm vibes, maybe a bit of yoga, some gentle stretching, and spa-like pampering. Well, this retreat in California kind of ticked those boxes, but in a completely different way.

They definitely touched on relaxation and self-exploration, but probably not in the way you'd expect from a typical weekend getaway.

The “Back to Body” Sex Retreat takes place out in the open desert of Joshua Tree National Park. It's focused on helping women reconnect with and prioritize their own sexual pleasure.

One woman who took part has now opened up about her time there and what really goes on during those intense few days.

Usually, the full experience costs around $15,000, though there are options for shorter weekends that can cost under $1,000.

Sex and dating columnist Jana Hocking gave an inside look into her retreat experience while chatting on the Just Between Us podcast, as first reported by Mail Online.

The retreat sees woman focus more on their own sexual needsGetty Stock Image

Reflecting on what it was like, Jana said: "I thought it would be full of extroverts who were outlandish and wanted to perform in front of each other, but it really wasn't."

"They were either getting divorced and realized they hadn't had a proper orgasm and wanted to right wrongs, while other women were dealing with trauma and needed to learn how to enjoy sex again, which was quite heartbreaking."

She went on to explain that the retreat's main goal was to help women learn how to put their own sexual needs first and not just go through the motions for someone else's benefit.

Describing one of the first group activities, Jana said every woman in attendance shared her personal reasons for joining the retreat. But, she added, that was probably the most low-key moment of the whole trip.

Things picked up quickly after that. Led by retreat founder Pamela Madsen and her team, the group moved into tantric meditation sessions and more hands-on exercises.

Jana recalled: "We had to hold our vulvas and rock back and forth, either naked or in our underwear, and speak to our vulva and tell it what we wanted, who we wanted to be and what our goals were."

Some of the exercises include bondage, tantric movements and bringing yourself to orgasmGetty Stock Image

"My goal was to take back ownership of my sexuality because I realized I was performing — I can do a Meg Ryan orgasm like the best of them — but am I having a real orgasm? Am I putting my needs first?'"

Some of the other exercises included bondage play, sensory deprivation techniques, and guided physical touch facilitated by trained helpers.

One particularly intense moment involved Pamela Madsen herself being brought to orgasm in front of the group by a male assistant. The foreplay alone lasted about half an hour.

"It just went on so long I got bored." Hocking admitted.

In another surprising moment, a medical expert — a urologist used Madsen’s body to give a live demonstration on female anatomy and sexual health.

"We all stood around as the urologist kind of pointed at her private parts." she said. "This is your labia, this is your clit."

Jana mentioned that she was the only woman there who didn’t actually climax during the retreat. Still, she left feeling much more empowered and confident in her ability to reach orgasm at home on her own terms.