The 2025 Yes! To Life Imiloa Retreat Team
RETREAT INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Saida Désilets wants to live in a world filled with audacious, sexually sovereign people living life on their own terms. As a TEDx speaker, researcher, counter-culture creatrix, body philosopher, and author, her work has touched the lives of millions globally. Dr. Saida's innovative approach to PsychoSexuality, desire, and pleasure invites both the public and professionals to better understand the importance of accessing their erotic genius. Her medically endorsed method integrates somatic awareness, neural and cellular re-patterning, and robust reframes of sensuality and sex, which all work in harmony to support the erotic individuation process. This work is an essential part of a medical protocol to transform sexual dysfunction with penetration and support sexual optimization, as well as part of the BrainTap and other Apps. When not researching or creating transformational programs, Dr. Saida enjoys leading Wilderness Safaris in South Africa and swimming in the Aegean Sea.
RETREAT INSTRUCTOR
Barbara Collier has been guiding individuals, families, children, and communities toward trauma recovery and self-discovery for more than 30 years. She brings an expansive perspective informed by her work as an intensive care nurse, somatic trauma psychotherapist, certified Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) Practitioner, and certified Embodied Psychosexual Practitioner (EPSP™). With her compassionate and integrative approach, Barbara addresses the complexities of developmental, intergenerational, sexual, and social/historical trauma. Barbara’s expertise includes integrative touch and movement therapies wherein she supports humans alongside the wisdom of horses and nature with a focus on complex physical health conditions, developmental trauma, and chronic pain.
Aaron Michael
RETREAT INSTRUCTOR
Aaron Michael, author of Optimal Sex Life, creator of Bedroom Masterclass, and the “World’s Leading Relationship, Intimacy, and Sexual Wellness Coach - Optimizing Sexual Health Beyond Dysfunction.” He is your coach’s coach and has dedicated himself to helping others discover, explore, and integrate their sexual sovereignty by providing a pragmatic, pleasure-based, adult, sex-positive sex education.
With over 5,000 hours of sexological bodywork, his work has influenced over 100,000 people and two venture-funded startups. Aaron has created multiple online courses, from 9 Naughty Nights to YEAHFAP to Awakening The Sensual Woman, which support individuals in giving and receiving ecstatic pleasure as well as enhancing their mental and physical arousal.
Aaron is sought out for his innovative approach to resolving issues such as genital pain, anorgasmia, premature ejaculation, penetration anxiety, mismatched arousal, and mental arousal. His method is at the core of scientifically proven and doctor-approved medical protocols for transforming sexual dysfunction, biohacking, and optimization.
He has an MA in Cognitive Semiotics, where he specialized in adult romantic attachment, courtship, and how the brain interprets love. With over 20 years of experience as an embodiment coach in the fields of dating, relationships, and sex, he crafts bespoke embodiment programs to meet the specific needs and goals of you and your loved ones.
RETREAT SUPPORT
Dawne is a compassionate trauma specialist with certifications in Somatic Experiencing (SEP), NARM, and BASE, as well as a licensed massage therapist. Drawing on her deep belief in balancing light and shadow, she supports clients through integrative, body‑oriented pathways for healing from trauma—whether rooted in abuse, accidents, chronic illness, PTSD, or developmental wounds.
With her unique approach, Dawne offers personalized “trauma‑recovery adventures,” blending somatic inquiry, compassionate attunement, and relational presence. She creates safe, nature‑infused containers where clients can safely release the emotional charge of trauma and reconnect with their authentic vitality.
Whether you're exploring sexual trauma, motor‑vehicle accident recovery, deep-seated developmental trauma, or chronic pain, Dawne meets you where you are—with warmth, curiosity, and unwavering presence.
RETREAT SUPPORT
Jameelah is an Integrative Somatic Specialist, a multi-certified Energy worker specializing in Kundalini Activation, Sat Nam Rasayan and Transcendental Meditation. She has sat with Aboriginal energy workers from West African Yoruba culture, and Traditional Ngangkari Healers.
Jameelah holds certifications in healing Intergenerational and Racial Trauma through Therapeutic & Ecstatic Breathwork; her background also includes extensive training in Mindfulness and Shamonic Meditations. She’s received her certification in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Training and trained directly with Deb Dana in Polyvagal Theory - helping her clients transmute heavy emotions.
Jameelah is one of a few hundred people in the world to become a certified Kundalini Activation facilitator. She was taught to transmit raw kundalini life force energy directly from Venant Wong, the creator of KAP (Kundalini Activation Process).
Along with kundalini life force, Jameelah also transmits the most native state of non-dual awareness which cultivates a deep experience of oneness with all things. Jameelah's unique background in the Performing Arts, Sat Nam Rasayan, Breathwork, Trauma Healing, and West African Yoruba Spirituality - blends to create a powerful alchemy of grounding and healing energy - this connects her clients to their innate divinity, inner wisdom, and profound intuition.
Instagram : @JameelahCreates
RETREAT DIRECTOR
Melissa Stager, the owner of Healing Informed Somatic Education (HISE), has been managing and developing programs for Dr Peter A Levine and the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education since January 2015. She has completed training in Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) and NeuroEffective Touch, with additional training in Relational Bodywork and Somatic Education™ (BASE™).
Melissa has a passion for helping others heal traumatic impact symptoms somatically. Prior to this work, she had an extensive career in curatorial arts and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Arts and Sciences and an EMBA in Business and Technology. Her art, including mixed media sculpture, focused on patterns and childhood trauma narratives. Somatic Experiencing has provided Melissa the opportunity to develop understanding, ease, and empathy while processing her own attachment, generational, and developmental trauma and the effects it had on her body, mind, and spirit.
Her dedication to somatic-based trauma healing provides participants and educators with the foundation required for personal exploration and growth. She also volunteers for a special needs equine therapy program and is a full-time foster mom residing in Vista, California, USA.