New Workshop and Book Launched Just in time for Valentine's Day

January 2004: Catalina, Arizona, USA: With cover stories on stress, depression and the greater demand to fill each hour of the day with work, it is no surprise that couples are finding that their sexual relationships are waning. In a June 2003 Newsweek article, psychologists estimated that 15% to 20% of American couples have sex no more than 10 times a year, which is how experts define sexless marriage. It has become such an important issue in our nation that Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich has devised a special name for today's overworked pressure couples - "DINS" - which stands for "Duel Income No Sex."

Miraval Resort & Spa in Catalina, Arizona is introducing an antidote for couples in need of an intimacy infusion - and just in time for Valentine's Day. The first in a series of couples' retreats, "Partners, Pleasure and Passion: A Couples Retreat" will be held over Valentine's weekend February 11-15.

The all-inclusive couples' retreat provides couples with life-changing tools to eliminate physical, emotional and spiritual barriers and to recharge intimacy, the glue that keeps relationships strong. From sexual awareness to partner massage to the "seven dimensions of sexuality," Drs. Holstein and Taylor deliver their message in an honest, non-threatening manner to encourage dialogue among the participants. The programs also include question-and-answer sessions and private consultations.

The cost for the five-day retreat is $5,985 per couple, and includes all workshop events, luxury accommodations, three gourmet meals daily, unlimited access to all scheduled programs and activities (yoga, hiking, horseback riding), one daily spa service per person each night of stay and roundtrip transportation from Tucson International Airport. Subsequent dates for the four-day couples' program will be offered May 5-9; July 25-29; October 1-5; and November 7-11.

Miraval Life in Balance Resort & Spa is one of the country's top rated destination spas. It was voted the #1 Destination Spa by Travel + Leisure and The Zagat Survey in 2003. The Sexuality & Vitality program is just one of many innovative programs that have recently been launched at the spa, such as the five-day male-only "Conquering Your Inner Everest" program.

Inspired by the pending February release of Dr. Holstein's second book, titled Your Long Erotic Weekend: Four Days of Passion for a Lifetime of Magnificent Sex (Fair Winds Press, $22), the workshop enables couples to explore their sexuality to reawaken latent passions with noted sex expert and author Lana Holstein, M.D., and her husband, David Taylor M.D.

The Yale-educated Dr. Holstein, Miraval's Managing Director for Medical Programs, has spent more than 25 years imparting her depthless knowledge of the most titillating topic to help couples of all ages, stages and desires find their vital sexual connection. Together with Dr. Taylor, her husband of 28 years, her program is geared toward breakthroughs.

For more information or to make reservations at Miraval Life In Balance, please call 800-232- 3969 or www.miravalresort.com.

Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Southern Arizona, Miraval Life in Balance Resort offers luxury, privacy and a healthful focus for the body, mind and spirit. Unpretentious and thoroughly inviting, the resort's 106 exquisite hacienda-style guestrooms sit comfortably on 135 manicured acres in the Sonoran Desert.

The Miraval philosophy is one of balance, "mindfulness" and living in the moment. There is no strict regimen, and no pressure: guests are free to create daily agendas which suit their whims, goals and mood. Whatever they end up with, there is certainly plenty to choose from. Amidst paloverde and mesquite trees, wild flowers and stunning cacti are a yoga center, four swimming pools, restaurants serving healthful gourmet cuisine, a Zen garden, meditation and nutrition classes, myriad adventure challenges, hiking and biking, horse stables for equine encounters and equestrian pursuits, a spa with more than 100 treatments including Miraval's signature hot stone massages and a nearby championship golf course.

Ranked "#1 Destination Spa" in the U.S. by Zagat Survey in 2002 and 2003, the Miraval experience is certain to invigorate mind, body and spirit, and promises to be a lasting experience for every guest. Miraval is a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World.