In this playshop, you are invited to join a small, intimate circle (just 10 folks) for an afternoon of somatic exploration: exploring giving and receiving with clarity, compassion, and consent.  We'll move through two complementary practices:

• The Wheel of Consent (WoC): Discover what it feels like to center your own desires, to center another’s, and to notice when you are a No.

• Mindful Erotic Embodiment (MEE): A guided communal yet solo-focused pleasure practice where you create your own “nest,” explore touch on your own terms, and deepen your relationship with your body. In this practice, you get to focus on your desires, and can even ask yourself “What is it that I desire most in this moment?”

This playshop includes

• Guided somatic exercises to feel the difference between "for you" and "for the other" and when you need to give a "No"

• Permission to choose your level of participation in every activity: join in, observe, step outside, or simply rest - you are your own bodily authority.

• A safer, supportive environment where openness and curiousity are honoured.

Bring anything that helps you feel comfortable and supported in your solo MEE practice:

• Yoga mat or soft surface

• Sex toys or other personal pleasure tools

• Special blankets, pillows, or any cozy items

We’ll supply fresh sheets, blankets, safer sex supplies (condoms, lube, gloves, etc.) and a few shared toys. There is one bed and a few couches that will be available for MEE time, and we will prioritize these for folks who need a raised surface for accessibility reasons.  During this practice, we ask that you focus on your own experience but also share in the communal energy:

• Center your awareness on your own sensations, breath, and movement.  You may choose to play with breath, movement, and sound during your experience.

• If it feels right, allow yourself to softly glance around the room—notice the presence of others without dwelling.

• Adjust your clothing as desired; the choice to be clothed or unclothed is entirely yours.
  

We are asking each participant to take a rapid Covid test the day of the workshop and to show us your negative result before entering the indoor space.  Additionally, we highly encourage getting the latest Covid-19 vaccination but it is not required.  Participants can choose to be masked or unmasked during all of this workshop.

The full cost of producing this workshop is $79; however, we value financial accessibility and are therefore offering sliding scale rates of $49 [Pond], $69 [Lake], $79 [Sea], and $99 [Ocean]. We can also offer payment plans, if that would make this workshop more accessible to you. If $49 is a stretch for you, please reach out to Mischa at mischa@AuthenticQueerDesires.com; zer goal is that everyone who's drawn to this experience can attend.  Special arrangements are available.

Secure your spot today and step into a warm, intimate space for exploration, connection, and radical self-knowing.  We can't wait to be with you!

Facilitator Bio

Mischa H. Gilraen (ze/zer) is a Somatic Sex Coach and Sacred Intimate and creates and facilitates experiences at the intersection of erotic joy, somatic empowerment, and spiritual connection for queer and trans bodies and communities.  Ze is a queer polyam kinky white trans-femme Priestexx of Aphrodite, who draws from decades of experience in queer, kink, and sex-positive culture, and loves being in and creating spaces that center neurodiversity, queerness, and transness. 

Mischa supports queer, trans, and LGBTQ+ edgewalkers, those who experience life at the margins or edges of social culture or are part of multiple cultures, in centering their own sexual sovereignty and sexual autonomy through learning how to communicate and center their authentic wants and desires.  Mischa has studied at the Institute for the Study of Somatic Sex Education and will be completing their Somatic Sex Educator and Sexological Bodyworker certification in the near future. Ze has trained with Betty Martin, the creator of the Wheel of Consent, and integrates the Wheel into zer somatic empowerment work. Ze is a certified and ordained Practitioner & Ceremonial Officiant within the Temple Of Awakening Divinity.

Accessibility Info

This playshop will be held on the ground floor of a private residence that has 3 stairs and a small lip at the entryway, however a ramp can be provided if necessary.  Please let us know on your registration form if you have mobility issues or any other accessibility needs. We will do our best to accommodate any accessibility requests. You are welcome to reach out prior to registering if you would like to check if we are able to accommodate your needs, and there is a space to share any accessibility requests upon registration.

* At Authentic Queer Desires, we are deeply dedicated to anti-racism and anti-oppression.  Mischa also holds a position of white privilege and therefore has limitations as a white person talking about moving away from white supremacy culture.  We are committed to both working towards an anti-oppressive, justice-focused world and recognize that we may unconsciously perpetuate harm.  We commit to being approachable and accountable for our actions, both during this event and ongoingly.

** This playshop is influenced and inspired by the Wheel of Consent® as developed by Dr. Betty Martin. Mischa has trained with Dr. Betty Martin and the School of Consent, though this event is unaffiliated with either.