- workshop in english -

We all live with pain. 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. While the process of determining one’s own relationship to pain is incredibly complex and individual, the ability to recognize, face, and accept pain is necessary for determining its nature and appropriate resolution.

In this workshop, we will explore pain as a means to presence, release, and excitement. In whatever form the come: laughter, tears, arousal, anger, care, joy, fear, and so much more. The workshop begins with a guided sitting meditation, where we will use clothing pins to induce small amounts of pain on our own bodies. The pain brings a focus point for the meditation: when we are truly present, we cannot suffer. As suffering is a product of comparing our present state with a past or future state that is perceived as better. The clothing pins serve as our metaphor: we bring presence to the pain they induce through meditation with the intention of gaining new insights on how to recognize, breath through, and move past the pain in our lives. From there we will use tools and practices from BDSM to explore different sensations in the body, taking what we have learned from our mediation to stay present within ourselves and what we feel. With our practice of being present with our pains, we can being to explore and even play with them. We will have the opportunity to explore different kinds of both physical and emotional pain at everyone’s own pace, so that we all have the time and space needed to investigate our own reactions and what works, and does not work, for each of us. We will discuss boundaries and limits in relation to pain and how to navigate our consent when both giving and receiving pain from others. As well, there will be an opportunity to express fantasies and wishes with regards to pain, as we dive deep into our relationship with it.

We will explore what it means to play with impact both physically and emotionally. We will look at different kinds of common tools that are used on the body, where the can be used and how they can be used. We will learn different ways we can use our own bodies to give and receive impact, and explore how to use rhythm, speed, and intensity when giving physical impact. We will discuss what it means to leave an emotional impact, and common ways this can occur in a session (such as with a person experiencing the feeling of submission for one of the first times during a BDSM session). 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 that has an undesired impact.

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.

What to bring:
Please wear comfortable clothing you feel good in as well bring any costumes and outfits you might find interesting to play in. Please bring any sex toys, kitchen/household items, food, pet toys, mirrors, hats, objects, ideas, fantasies, and anything else you can think of.

Saara Rei

Saara is a workshop facilitator and performance artist with a background in music, dance, education, and public speaking. Saara's work generally centers around the exploration of suffering, both physical and emotional. Through their kink practice, Saara has come to understand that suffering comes from the comparison of what has been or could be to the present moment. And with that, Saara enjoys teaching about how to use suffering as a path to presence and enjoyment in life.   
 

Having a Ph.D. in mathematics, Saara’s academic experience adds an intellectual flair to complement their performative approach to bodywork. Playfulness and humor make up a big chunk of Saara's personality and approach to life, giving their workshops a very exploitative and light atmosphere, even while approaching some of the heaviest of topics :  bodywork, kink and more.

www.saararei.com
Instagram @saara.rei

More IKSK workshops with Saara Rei: // April, 12 GROUP PLAY// June 14 ROLE PLAY