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I was a complete mess heading into the Bodysex retreat. Chasing an active toddler while taking calls and organizing details was a huge challenge. I barely make it through the day as it is so the extra work hurt.

With everything going on, I forgot that I'd popped my diaphragm in with the hope of some Sunday night sex (that never happened). It sat in my body for two weeks...through a period. I was nauseous, fevorish and felt awful but I thought it was the 95 degree days running me down. It was totally toxic shock but I didn't recognize the symptoms. It wasn't until I was packing for the retreat that I realized my diaphragm was still in. Squatting in the shower with the hot water cascading over my body, I was finally able to pull it out. I'm not going to describe what came out but I felt better instantly. It's in these moments that I realize how much I have on my plate.

The icing on the cake was the intense heat in nyc. My animal was on high alert. I don't remember it ever being this hot - and it isn't just in my head. According to Popular Science, it is the hottest summer on record. If you follow my blog, you know that I had a complete climate change melt down. Toxic shock...searing heat...work overload...it wasn't how I envisioned the last few days before the retreat.

As we began our drive upstate, I felt the beginning of a release although there was still a tightness in my pelvic floor. I bumped into one of our Bodysex leaders at the final rest stop before Menla, texted Kylie and felt more at ease with her response. We were all making our pilgrimage to the mountain. I needed sisterhood. Knowing that I'd be spending several days with women committed to certification and carrying Bodysex forward lightened my spirits.

The grounds at Menla are perfection. You almost can't believe that you're only 3 hours from Manhattan because it's so serene, green, lush. The air was so clean and soothing. Add organic food, a world class spa, picturesque vistas, and 50 orgasmic women - and it's heaven.

I had one of the most profound experiences in my life during Barbara Carrellas's circle - yes, I had an energy orgasm. We were all lying down on our backs, breathing, releasing sound, listening to the most stimulating music as Barbara guided us. My hands began to tingle. The energy passed to my feet and ran up my legs past my core and to my lips....my lips went numb. I pulled the energy with my hands up to the top of my head then back to my pelvis. The release I felt was incredible. Betty was lying next to me and I slid my hand in hers, squeezed it, and said, "I miss you, Dodson". She squeezed my hand back, smiled and said, "I love you, Ross".

The healing was so complete. Imagine moving from this circle to erotic recess. The sights...the sounds...the giggles...the tears...no words can describe this sort of experience. We were all together, grounded in self love and pleasure present to celebrate the life of a woman who'd changed our lives, the lives of womankind.

Each day was more profound. The lectures, the discussions, the bon fires (and some amazing symbian action) happened in this beautiful oasis in the mountains. It felt like heaven on earth and we didn't want it to end. I was inspired...I felt hopeful. Ultimately, I do believe that women can save the planet...if they can harness their sexual energy for themselves and for humankind. We are powerful.

I could write a book about the retreat. There is no end. We brought up a piece of Betty's art to place on the stage - a piece she drew when she became a Bodysex teacher. It came back to us from the estate of one of Betty's dear friends who bought it decades earlier (if she hadn't had it framed it would have been lost. It's just a drawing on brown wrapping paper). When I saw it, I knew that we had to make prints for the women attending the retreat. There wasn't enough time or enough money but I got it done and they are spectacular.

It's a self-portrait.

It was an experience beyond words. It was love in its purest form. Betty and I still can't believe it happened. Every moment was perfection. The memories wash over us in waves. There is so much beauty in unbridled female energy.

Thank you to all the women who joined us and to Betty Dodson for being so fucking amazing. Happy 90th Birthday (two years early).