Gold Coast Sexologist, Intimacy Coach and Tantra Practitioner.
Gold Coast Sexologist, Intimacy Coach and Tantra Practitioner.
Listen up gals & guys, Valentine’s Day is here, which means it’s time to show your appreciation on that day (and every other day for that matter) towards your significant other. Whether it’s on the streets, or between the sheets, treating yourself and your partner to the love you/they deserve should be at the forefront of your mind this love month. We spoke to Gold Coast Sexologist, Intimacy Coach and Tantra practitioner, Helena Nista, on what you can be doing on Monday 14th February (and beyond) to provide the much-needed attention your partner and you should be receiving! (Code for hot top tips coming your way!) Read on to get all the juicy deets!
How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’ve been around for just over two years. I moved here after living in Melbourne, Byron Bay and Sydney and I’m absolutely loving this area!
Tell us a bit about you.
I’m a sex therapist and a Tantra practitioner. My business is not just my work, it’s my passion and I absolutely love sharing the practical tools, tips and techniques that help others have better relationships, deeper intimacy and much more amazing sex. I’m also a European immigrant. I was born and raised in Poland and I came to Australia about 13 years ago. I’m incredibly happy to be able to live here and over the years, Australians have been extremely kind, loving and welcoming towards me. I do miss my family in Europe every single day but I’m also having an absolute blast living here and calling Gold Coast my home!
How did you become a Sexologist and Intimacy Coach?
Growing up in a traditional, Catholic country meant that I experienced a lot of repression and shame around my sexuality. Over time, this led me to a variety of issues, unhealthy patterns and even sexual abuse that I experienced when I was 18 and in my early 20s. Various inhibitions, lack of proper sexual education, intense sense of guilt about my eroticism plus sexual trauma that I suffered early in life, all came together to form a crisis that I needed to address at some point. That point came in my early 30s, when I found myself in a hospital because of a sexual experience. At that point, I decided that I needed to address my poor sexual experiences and I threw myself into studying anything that I could find about having great sex. I was attending workshops, trainings and retreats on Tantra and intimate relationships, I was seeing a variety of practitioners to address my past abuse, I was reading all the books I could get my hands on and most of all – I was practicing everything that I was learning about. And slowly, I started to turn my sex life around. At that point I also discovered that I was deeply passionate about Tantra and great sex. So what started as a personal pursuit, turned into a professional career. I trained as a Tantra practitioner, a sexologist and a counsellor and for the last 8 years, I’ve been sharing my knowledge and expertise with people all over the world.
How do you help people / couples?
I originally started my practice as a local Tantra practitioner and sex therapist. But over time, I wanted to be able to help many more people and in ways that would be accessible to anyone, even people who can’t afford 1on1 sessions with me. This is when I started creating online courses, full of information and practices that most people ask me about. I also published a book “Legendary Lover”, sharing my journey from sexual repression to sexual awakening, together with all the most powerful exercises and practices that helped me and my clients along the way. And over the last few years, I’ve been sharing my knowledge through my popular YouTube channel that has recently grown to over 200k subscribers. And while I’m still available for 1on1 sessions, most people find me online and every day I receive messages of gratitude and appreciation from viewers all over the world!
What are your top tips for Valentine’s Day?
Most people are starved for proper attention. This is why this Valentine’s Day, I’d recommend to any couple to create an experience together where they’re truly and deeply present with each other. Whether it’s over an expensive meal in a restaurant or simply a glass of wine in your backyard, really showing up for your partner means being there for them with your full attention and awareness. Having deep and meaningful conversations usually opens our hearts and lifts our spirits much more profoundly than any flowers, chocolates or a necklace can. There’s nothing wrong with gifts of course but they should never become a replacement for true human connection.
How can couples heat things up this Valentine’s Day?
When it comes to the bedroom, most people respond really well to novelty. So introducing something fun, something new, something exciting will surely be a hit. Consider giving your partner a striptease, dressing up in sexy lingerie, giving them an erotic massage if that’s something you don’t usually play with. You can bring a new, fun sex toy to the bedroom or play a game where you share and then act out any sexual desires that sound intriguing to both of you.
How does a healthy sex life improve relationships?
A healthy sex life is an absolutely crucial part of any great relationship. A connected, loving intimacy is a very basic human need and creating that together can provide a deep sense of being loved, cared for, nurtured and desired. This will of course look differently to different couples so don’t try to follow any sort of idea about what you’re “supposed” to be doing together in the bedroom. Instead, create an open and honest line of communication about the authentic needs and desires between the two of you. Caring for your partner sexually means that they’ll be much more inclined to do the same for you, which will often lead to a deeper sense of connection, love and joy in your life together.
Why is it important for people to embrace their sexuality?
Sexuality is a part of human nature. When we suppress it or when we don’t give it a true expression, we cannot be healthy and whole. You can’t cut off or repress one part of your system and expect the rest of it to function well. Sexuality is also something truly unique that makes romantic relationships quite special. We can have many friends, acquaintances and family members but for a majority of people, we only share ourselves sexually with one person. Appreciating and enjoying that beautiful kind of erotic connection allows us to taste more deeply in what it means to be human.
You’re also a Tantra Practitioner; can you explain what tantra is and why people should try it?
Tantra is a philosophy that comes from ancient India. And despite what most people think about Tantra being purely sexual, it embraces every single aspect of life. Living tantrically means to be fully present, aware and alive in everything that you do. It’s also about celebrating each moment as special, beautiful and sacred. And when you apply tantric practices in the bedroom, this philosophy has the power to lift and elevate your experiences to something truly ecstatic and blissful. Tantric lovers experience much more love, pleasure and playfulness together, both in the bedroom and outside of it!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I think that my greatest achievement to date is what I have created in my business and in my online presence – the kind of environment where people all over the world can learn about healthy sexual practices and principles freely. A lot of my content is available on YouTube for free, meaning that quality sexual education is becoming more and more available to anybody who is looking for it. I grew up with absolutely no role models or sources of good information when it comes to sex and it really hurt me deeply. I want to make sure that nobody has to go through the kind of suffering that I had to experience because I was unable to find answers that I so badly needed.
What are you looking forward to the most about 2022?
To be honest, I’m looking forward to more of the same – more growth and expansion of what I’ve already created. I’d love to reach a lot more people online and grow my YouTube channel to even more subscribers and countries. There are still many people out there who lack basic knowledge and understanding when it comes to human sexuality and relationships. And I know that I can improve their lives!
What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café: I love, love the Paddock Bakery in Miami – great coffee and yummy pastries!
Coffee spot: I head to Piccolo Espresso for the view – right on the beach.
Restaurant: zyou can’t go wrong with Iku Yakitori in Burleigh Heads.
Bar or pub for a drink: I recently really enjoyed The Collective in Palm Beach.
How do you choose to spend your weekends?
On weekends, I usually head for at least one nature hike. I also love coffee/brunch catch-ups with friends. Plus, every Sunday I talk to my family in Europe. Thank god for Zoom, right?
Romance is coming in hot on the GC!
If romance is what you’re craving, consider it well and truly served on the GC this Valentine’s Day. Hubba hubba.
We’ve rounded up five Cupid-approved spots where the love-o-meter is set firmly to high, making it very easy to spoil yourself and your favourite person with a Valentine’s Day – or night – worth remembering.
Please note: unless stated otherwise, all Valentine’s Day specials mentioned take place on Saturday, 14 February.
When it comes to elegant romance, RACV Royal Pines Resort is doing it properly (and deliciously) with two standout dining options.
For couples who appreciate finesse, Arakawa is serving a chef-curated omakase experience that celebrates the artistry and seasonal flavours of traditional Japanese dining. Expect beautifully presented plates, premium produce, and a sprinkle of adventure as you let your chef take the reins for a night.
Then, if your love language is sharing plates and lingering conversations over glasses of wine, Amici brings Mediterranean-inspired flavours designed to be passed, poured, and enjoyed together. Vibrant, rustic, and effortlessly romantic – just add wine!
Where: Ross St, Benowa
Twinkling lights? Tick. Degustation menu? Tick. Intimate, effortlessly romantic setting? Triple tick. Green Fields is putting on a Valentine’s Day experience that’s basically Cupid’s dream itinerary.
The night begins with a complimentary drink on arrival, followed by a refined six-course degustation menu featuring tomato and lemongrass gazpacho, beef tartare with crispy shallots, potato gnocchi with duck ragù, chargrilled barramundi, crispy pork belly, and a dreamy floating island with almond praline to finish.
Running from 5–9pm, this one’s all about slowing down, savouring the moment, and letting the food do some of the flirting.
Where: 94 Laver Drive, Robina
QT Gold Coast doesn’t do average, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. If your idea of romance includes bold flavours, playful energy, and a little drama (the good kind), QT has you covered.
Over at Yamagen, romance is officially hot on the menu with a decadent nine-course omakase curated by Culinary Director Adam Lane, complete with a Pommery Champagne welcome salute- a dream date for couples whose love language is fine dining.
Prefer something a little more under-the-stars? QT’s Twilight Feast invites you to dine poolside in a private cabana, sipping Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial on arrival before sharing four indulgent courses beneath the night sky.
And for those swapping romance for friendship bracelets, Galentine’s High Tea, served daily throughout February, at FIXX Cafe is dripping in pink perfection, with petite delights, candy-cotton cloud drinks and optional bottomless upgrades for those who like their tea with a little extra fizz.
Where: 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
Fire is flickering, sparks are flying, and Ember by Fire Baby is officially bringing the heat this Valentine’s Day. Enter: the Ember Stone set menu ($100pp), a wood-fired feast designed for serious food lovers.
You’ll kick things off with Pacific oysters with Champagne mignonette and ocean trout sashimi, before diving into fire-kissed favourites like crispy half chicken with smoked sauce and O’Connor’s Superior MB 5+ rump cap with chimichurri. Add country fries with rosemary salt and finish on a sweet note with vanilla crème brûlée and popcorn ice cream- because dessert is non-negotiable. Ember is a sure bet for couples who bond best over exceptional food.
Where: 10 Welch Street, Southport
If Cupid had a multi-level HQ, Paradise Centre would be it. From 1–15 February, the iconic Surfers Paradise precinct is serving up ten Valentine’s Day offerings, meaning you can flirt, feast, play, and soak your way through the season without ever leaving the building.
Kick things off with Ritas & Romance at El Camino Cantina, where the limited-edition Red Hot Rita (hello chilli-rim marg) is made to share (or not…), bringing the spice on Valentine’s Day. Next, why not introduce a little healthy competition at the MANIAX Axe Throwing with their Valentine’s in Valhalla offering, complete with private axe lanes and Viking-inspired cocktails?
Maybe you’re after something a little more classic- retro even. And for that, Zone Bowling has you covered with a bowl-and-bevy deal to keep the good times rolling. Game lovers can lock into 60 minutes of unlimited Time Play at Timezone, escape artists can Escape the Friend Zone at Padlock’d with 20% off group bookings, and dessert devotees will want to pre-order Gelato Messina’s showstopping Valentine’s Day Pavlover Tart – a chocolate-and-passionfruit masterpiece made to share (or not).
For peak relaxation, Lan Bathhouse is delivering the ultimate self-love or shared-indulgence moment with a Private Soak of Love for Two or a solo Lover’s Retreat for One, while Gotcha Fresh Tea is keeping things sweet with a buy-one-get-one-free tea deal made for strolling, sipping, and sharing. Cute!
Where: 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
Secrets from the Gold Coast's resident Sexologist revealed.
Disclaimer: the following content is unsuitable for those under 18 years of age.
Juliet Allen, the Gold Coast’s resident Sexologist, has shared her top tips for Valentine’s Day. But even beyond Cupid’s special day, when it comes to sexual healing, Juliet can change your life.
Here’s how.
Okay, give them to us, what are your top tips for Valentine’s Day?
My top tip is not to get to hung up on it having to be an extravagant day and instead make it your intention to be connected with your partner/lover every day.
Imagine if every day was a special day. If we took the time to truly see our beloved and be present with them, that’s what we all truly want and desire, not the love heart teddies and roses.
If you’re reading this and thinking “I still want to celebrate’, I encourage you to spend the day TRULY connecting with your beloved, listening to them, turning off your phone and being present and loving. There’s no better gift than a lover who is authentically present and wanting to connect.
So how should couple’s heat things up on Valentine’s Day?
• New couples: Do something fun – go swimming naked in the ocean together, hang at a nude beach…enjoy sex in nature. Take risks.
• Long term couples: Grab a five star hotel room for the night – get away from your every day routine and spend the night making love and ordering room service.
How does a healthy sex life improve relationships?
Sex connects us and intimacy is an opportunity to connect at all our centres; our sex centre, our heart centre and our consciousness. Connecting with our partners via sex is essential for the longevity of a relationship.
Why is it important for people to embrace their sexuality?
Our sexual energy is our life force energy! It’s inside us all and if we push it down we become sick and repressed. To embrace our sexuality is empowering and has an amazing impact on our overall health and happiness.
What are some simple things we should practice regularly at home?
Self-pleasure is essential for everyone. Also self-love and presence with ourselves and with our partners.
How did you come to be a Sexologist and Sexuality Coach?
I studied psychology as my undergrad and then years later I wanted to go back to Uni and study something I was truly passionate about. I came to the conclusion that my biggest passion was sex, so I studied a Masters in Sexology. Best career move ever!
How do you help?
I help singles and couples to feel sexually empowered and happy in their relationships. People come to me because they’re seeking deeper connection and intimacy, or they want super hot, amazing sex, or they simply want to feel more empowered within themselves as a sexual being.
Why should people work with you?
Everyone, at some stage in their lives, will come across hurdles in their sex lives and relationships. When that happens the best way to deal with those challenges is to talk to a professional. People should work with me because I talk about and help people with sex and relationships for a living. I love what I do, plus I ‘walk the talk’, so to speak.
I get what it’s like to have these challenges because I’m like every other person, I’ve had my fair share of things to work through and I now feel empowered and whole as a sexual woman. I’m fun, straight to the point and real.
Do you only work with couples?
No, I work with couples and singles of all sexual and gender identities.
You’re also a Tantra Practitioner; can you explain what tantra is and why we should try it?
Tantra is choosing with awareness what brings us joy. It’s living a life full of ecstatic experiences, including ecstatic sex. It’s about finding inner peace and inner union as individuals, and then coming together with others to experience connection and intimacy. Tantra has transformed my life.
Make summertime, anytime.
We surely can’t be the only ones who would prefer to be in the City of Love (AKA Paris) this Valentine’s Day? So in lieu of not being on the opposite side of the world, we have the next best thing for your Valentine’s Day plans… a taste of France in a bottle. Yep, you read that right. Enter your new favourite spirit, Pampelle. An aperitif crafted on the banks of the River Charente in France. Ooh la la!
And if that isn’t enough to win you over, Pampelle, is the world’s first Ruby Red Grapefruit aperitif – so say see ya later to Aperol, and hello to the ultimate taste of romance and summer in a glass! We suggest you send this link to your significant other as a heads up of what you expect to accompany your date night or save it for your Galentine’s catch-up where you plan to binge-watch Emily in Paris!
So without further ado, here are three new cocktails to enjoy this loved-up occasion.
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Recipes courtesy of Pampelle Aperitif.
