The Great Wide World of Non-Monogamy
Koe Creation
A kinesthetic exploration of the vast lexicon and subsequent ideologies and formations of relationship(s) under the moniker of “Non-Monogamy”. “What’s your Relational Structure: Are you Open? How open? What does being open mean to you? When we’re given permission to change the structure of our intimate relationship(s); it can feel like a great, wide, slightly overwhelming landscape has just opened up in front of us, with a bunch of unfamiliar “guidelines” we are unsure if we need to be following or not. Luckily, Koe has come with a physical map, to guide us through this vast world and together we will embark on this adventure, exploring topics such as: Non-Monogamous Structures & Vernacular! and Making your own Relationship Molecules (aka Polycules!),
Rewriting the Family Rules
Robert McGarey, M.A.
What rules about relationships did you pick up from your family? How well do they work for you now? Every family has its own set of rules and standards that kids are expected to live up to. Some family rules are helpful guides for living, while others can squelch individuality and hamper the healthy expression of our love and talents. This workshop helps you identify the family rules you’ve been living by, decipher which rules are helpful and which are not, and then create new rules that free you to create truly satisfying poly relationships.
Guided Holistic Integrative Breathing
Rusty Stewart
Guided Holistic Integrative Breathing can help facilitate; healing, extra energy, increased mental clarity, a greater ability to solve problems, more love, joy, forgiveness, compassion, freedom, less stress, a creativity boost, expressing your truth, more balance, greater intuition, and a deeper connection with your spirituality. Bring something comfortable to lie on.
“We Do Not Live Single-Issue Lives”
Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti
Workshop Synopsis (180 word limit): The name of this interactive class comes from the popular Audre Lorde quote, “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.” Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti is very much fascinated by the concept of “Intersectionality,” which is why she became interested in teaching this class. Created by Kimberlé Crenshaw, who is an American lawyer and civil rights advocate, “Intersectionality” is what happens when “…multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect, ESPECIALLY IN THE EXPERIENCES OF MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS” (from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary). A Black trans woman is probably the best example of a marginalized person possessing multiple forms of discrimination and oppression that intersect. In “We Do Not Live Single Issue Lives,” you’ll start your journey of learning just how many social identities you may have, as well as how they intersect with each other, through lively discussions and questions. (SPOILER ALERT: The number of your overlapping identities is probably much more than you think!)
Radical Self Love: Releasing the Toxic Hold of Body Image on Loving Ourselves and Others
Cathy Vartulli & Robyn Trask
How does body image affect our relationships? What affect does body shaming have on our sense of self? What harm do we do to others with our own bias? How do we let go of the prejudices and programing to heal our own body image and how we see others? Bodies are beautiful and amazing, we all have one, and for many of us we have a challenging relationship with that body. We live in a beautiful world of amazing diversity and that diversity is a big part of the beauty all around us. We hold up ideals of mononormative/heteronormative one size fits all approach to relationships, and we do the same for bodies. This workshop will dive into the harm done by body shaming and prejudice with a focus on the ways in which these messages damage our personal body image and negatively impact our mental and physical health. Together we will begin a journey to go beyond body acceptance to loving our amazing bodies and radical self-love.
Gender Exploration
Phoenix Mandel
Come explore your gender! Learn how to sit more comfortably within it and how to engage with it more consciously. It is rare to have a safer-space opportunity to reflect on or play with your gender, and this open-to-all workshop provides just that. Our session will be interactive and fun, with partnered sharing, group work, and personal writing. Please bring a notebook and a pen. Please also note that the minimum clothing requirement for this class is a bottom covering.
Quantum Love Leap
Ico, the Wandering Love Mystic
Being about to take a quantum leap forward in your relationships “Would you like to take a quantum leap forward in love and intimacy with yourself and others? When you attend this workshop, you’ll get to have visceral experiences in knowing your truth about your intimate desires, connect consensually with others, and connect to the Love that is. Imagine what it would be like with the ability to be yourself, taking out the embarrassment from saying what you like, being kind to yourself and others. You’ll be able to get out of your own way and be able to identify and express your boundaries. By the end of our time together, you’ll better know your hearts desires, be more okay with wanting what your heart wants, and be able to communicate those desires with others in ways that they’re able to hear you accurately and more likely to say YES!”
Conversations on Male BiLoving
Torin Caffrey
Let’s have a conversation. I would like to share my experiences in conversation navigating male bi-love/bi-relating. How have I for nearly 40 years navigated these waters in not so friendly times. There have been many terms used so men can articulate connecting with each other. Bromance, Biromantic, Bi-sensual, Bi-sexual, Bi-curious have been but a few terms used, let’s talk. It is my hope through sharing my journey and experiences around bi-love a clearer understanding can be achieved. It is also my hope that by talking and answering questions, the conversation will broaden, and more acceptance can be achieved. So, let’s talk about bi-sensuality with a Jazz attitude and some Gumbo conversation.
Healing Power of Touch
Robyn Trask & Jesus Garcia
Join us for an experiential workshop of touch and connection. Working in groups of three to four each person will have the opportunity to be touched, anointed with therapeutic oils and massaged by two or three people in their group. The massage can be therapeutic, sensual or just gentle and loving. This workshop is about asking for what you want, setting your boundaries and allowing yourself to be nurtured. We will be using essential and massage oils.
Negotiating Successful Threesome, Foursomes, and More…
Reid Mihalko
The ménage à trois and group sexual encounters are popular fantasies with twice the pleasure potential but navigating romance with three or more (if only for one night) can be tricky. Not only will you get a chance to ask questions in this R-rated and fun-filled workshop, but we’ll cover: What are the best techniques to satisfy two lovers at once? Ways to overcome fears and concerns! Some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them! How to negotiate boundaries and safer sex to make your next ménage à trois tré bien! Whether you’ve had many group experiences or are just beginning to consider if multi-partnered sex might be something you’d like to explore, this workshop will give you tools, tricks, perspectives and laughs to enhance your love life and strengthen your relationships! Bring your partners and friends to enjoy an educational and entertaining class on how to successfully navigate some of the most common sexual fantasies. Even if you’d NEVER be interested in a 3-way, this class will give you ways to talk to your loved ones about the things you DO WANT in the bedroom – no matter how tame or outrageous!
Cuddle Party
Cathy Vartuli
Cuddle Party is a formal, non-sexual event that offers participants an opportunity to explore intimacy with like-minded others. In a relaxed, playful environment, that upholds personal boundaries and maintains a professional atmosphere, at all times, participants are encouraged to engage in communication and touch, in a non-threatening, share-affirming environment. Cuddle Party is a holistic, social environment, that attracts fascinating people from all walks of life. It provides a special and unique opportunity for connection, learning, and growth. Come cuddle with us!
Connecting through the Mandala: Sacred Sexuality for the Polyamorous
Robyn Trask
This in-depth interactive workshop combines the teachings of Taoist and Tantric Sacred Sexual practices to take you on a journey exploring what is possible when we tap into our most powerful creative energy. Using techniques of Tantra and Taoist fire breath, heart connection and energy exchange we will connect to ourselves and others. Sacred Sex is about connection, love, and intimacy. Amazing things can happen when we take time to open our hearts, connect energetically and look deeply into our partners being. Learn to raise sexual energy in yourself and with partners, working in dyads, triads, quads and beyond. Robyn’s approach is seeking a balance of energies within ourselves so we can create a harmonious exchange with our lover/s on a deep and satisfying level. she seeks to move away from the polarization of what we commonly call the masculine and feminine energies and to integrate different types of energy within each person.
