In this workshop, we will learn techniques for processing pain, physically and emotionally, so that we can find suffering, release, and excitement while still being able to maintain awareness.

Pain can be a useful tool for recognizing physical and emotional limits, as well as an indication of a need for attention. Pain can also be stifling, forming barriers that are no longer needed. This is why it is important to stay present in our experiences and process what is going on appropriately, so that we can understand what kind of pains we are feeling, and which ones we should listen to and which ones we can learn to let go of, finding that beautiful suffering we all love so much. We will learn how we can build presence, so that we can maintain the awareness need to play consensually, even in the edgiest of situations.

We will explore what it means to play with physical and emotional impact. Physically, we will focus on teaching techniques for giving and receiving impact on different parts of the body, including the face, that encompass anatomy and safety.

We will look at different kinds of common tools in BDSM that are used on the body, where they can be used and how they can be used. We will explore how to use rhythm, speed, and intensity when giving physical impact, and how we can integrate these tools and techniques in our kinbaku sessions.

We will discuss what it means to leave an emotional impact, and common ways this can occur in a session (such as provoking feelings of shame, submission, or fear). We will discuss different ways in which we set an intention for the direction of a session, so that we can aim for the desired impact, as well as ways to handle a session when an undesired impact occurs.

More specifically, we will cover:

• Spanking zones for the hand and commonly used tools

• Non-verbal and verbal communication practices around pain and impact

• Methods for playing with emotional pain

• Warming up and cooling down practices

• Regulating rhythm, speed, and intensity

• Movement, positions, and body control

• Bruises, skin preparation, and aftercare

• Creative games for playing with pain and impact

• Methods for processing and staying present with pain

Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for everyone. Please keep in mind that in this workshop we may discuss, unpack, and play around with difficult topics, directly and indirectly, that maybe be triggering in different ways. Saara Rei is not a trained psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or healer. She is a trained an experienced facilitator and mediator, and can do her best to hold space for the group and individuals who choose to participate in this workshop. Nobody will be required to do anything in this workshop. Sitting and breathing is enough. And just being present is the most important part of participating in this workshop - helping to hold space for the group with your presence helps to maintain a feeling of security and togetherness, which is often exactly what is needed when confronting such feelings as shame and humiliation. Please keep in mind that this is an active workshop with exercises that are designed to help one feel feelings; nobody can make you feel these feelings, however. You will always be in control, so it is up to you as to where you want to go and what you want to experience in this workshop.

If you are interested in booking this workshop in a part of the world near you, then please send an email.