International School of Temple Arts

The International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) is an organization which describes itself as promoting sexual healing and healthy attitudes towards sex. ISTA claims its workshops participants in the spiritual aspects of sex.

ISTA was founded in 2007 by Baba Dez Nichols in Arizona, as an international non-profit educational organization.

ISTA teachings are influenced by Neotantra and western interpretations of shamanism.

Nudity and other practices believed to occur at ISTA have caused controversy and opposition to establishment of ISTA schools at some locations. The week-long workshops held by ISTA are not welcomed by many of those who are uncomfortable with counterculture and New Age practices.

Journalist Anke Richter stated to the Byron Shire Echo that "There was a covert harem culture at ISTA. Male pioneers surrounded themselves with young female lovers, often from their trainings, who were then accelerated to apprentices and facilitators". Some senior members of the organisation have been accused of performing sex acts on meeting participants without consent or pressuring them to consent to sex acts. One woman said that she had been raped by a teacher after he drugged her with MDMA. In 2021 the organisation said that they had implemented a policy of not allowing Temple Training teachers to have sex with participants.