Have you ever felt uneasy, emotional or even triggered in (play) spaces? Do you feel unsure of how to navigate, contribute to and self-regulate, when entering so-called “safe(r) spaces”, and do you feel a little out of your depth, when told that you need to be able to “hold your own emotions and discomfort”? Most spaces in House of Play (and other collective spaces) carry an inherent risk of feeling uneasy, insecure or even triggered. That is unavoidable if we also want to be braver and bring together a broad variety of peoples and experiences. When people come together with their full experience, nervous systems, stories and expressions it carries the potential for being difficult for others to navigate. What helps one might make it harder for another. When is it my old stories and when is it other peoples responsibility? 

And as such, maybe this workshop is for you. We will explore and practice ways for you to regulate your own nervous system, as well as talk about the bio chemistry that takes over, when your nervous system gets triggered. We will be working with different somatic tools and techniques to help us self- and co-regulate our nervous systems and create collective resonance. Moreover, we will explore different ways to “sit with our feelings, as they arise” (however uncomfortable that may be) and explore how different techniques may help us navigate and manage unease, triggers and feeling “unsafe” in “safer (play) spaces”.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This workshop is for anybody who wants to explore and practice different ways to sit with difficult emotions, uncomfortability, and how to lovingly deal with the feelings that arise. However, while this workshop is open for people of all genders and identities, the workshop will be centered around queer people’s experiences. 

By primarily focusing on queer and other minoritized people’s access and in/exclusion to (play) spaces, we aim to also create awareness and understanding of how all our actions in play spaces may be triggering for others. Here, we will explore ways to distinguish between “what is mine, what is yours, and what is our’s/the space’s” when our nervous system gets activated. By doing so, we may begin to better understand what, who, and/or why our uncomfortability arises, as well as whose responsibility it is to help us self- or co-regulate.

CAN I JOIN AS A BEGINNER?

Yes, absolutely! No prior understanding of the complexity of the nervous system is needed for you to join. In the workshop we will both focus on explaining how and why our bodies react when we feel unsafe, as well as going through an array of small exercises and techniques, to practice how to calm ourselves again. 

DO I NEED A PARTNER?

You can come alone, in pairs or as a group. The exercises are often practical, physical, and sometimes hands-on. You’ll be invited to work with different people in various combinations throughout the workshop, giving you the chance to both explore how to regulate yourself as well as working together in pairs or groups, always within your consent.

DRESSCODE

Wear something soft and comfortable that you can move around freely in. We encourage you to bring clothes or items that you know may help you self-regulate.

WHAT TO BRING

We invite you to bring items that help you regulate your own nervous system, such as sensory tools. Drinks also need to be kept in closed containers, so please bring a water bottle with a bottlecap. 

TIMES

Doors open at 18.30 for you to land softly in the space

Doors close at 19.00, you cannot arrive after this time.
We end at 22.00

TICKETS

280 kr for members
350 kr for non-members

We offer a 20% discount to students and low income. Discounts cannot be used on top of other discounts. Please reach out to info@houseofplay.dk

Tickets are non-refundable.Be sure to read our cancellation policy and no-show fee here: https://www.houseofplay.dk/terms-and-conditions

CODE OF CONDUCT

Before showing up to any of our activities, please make sure to read and follow the House of Play Code of Conduct  

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Read more about our chili system here

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Alex (they/them) has been diving in and out of kink and play spaces over the last 10 years, but have recently rediscovered their need and love for queer kink spaces. For years, Alex worked as an educator and activist for trans, non-binary and other gender variant people’s rights to personal, social and medical transition in Denmark, before taking a break from personal and community activism. Overarching for their educational work and activism, Alex is passionate about creating safer spaces for queer people to explore their thoughts, desires and insecurities about sexuality, sexual roles, gender(s), power dynamics and consent.

Gabrielle (They/she) is a certified trauma-informed facilitator, educator, practitioner and rope-performer in the Copenhagen kink scene. With eight years of experience in rope, play, and conscious kink, they have taught and performed at different venues and events around Europe and have been part of House of Play from the beginning, where they facilitate workshops, rituals, and play spaces. Their teaching focuses on consent, creativity, curiosity for new ways of looking at things and exploring your personal flavour in play – always with a sharp edge, a good dose of humor, and a mission to make kink both more conscious and less taboo. They are passionate about blending play and awareness in ways that feel both deep and lighthearted and will invite you to explore the edges of your comfort zone with curiosity and a smile.