Genitals, gently

A workshop by Noam Raz.

We will dedicate the day to the champions of sex: the genitals. Exploring delicate ways of approaching them, teasing them and connecting to their vulnerability. Building together the emotional safety they require in order to become receptive and communicate clearly what they need and want.

To facilitate that space, we will develop a specific quality of touch – one that is gentle, slow and curious. A witnessing touch that poses questions, instead of imposing predetermined routes towards dubious satisfaction. Giving time to observe what expectations arise when I am touching a genital and when I am being touched there. Time to experience the bare intimacy of coming into contact with a genital and distinguish between the scripts running in my head and what is really happening here, now, between us: What is actually lying beneath the performative demands of normative sexual culture?

The workshop will begin with a solo somatic (Feldenkrais like) warm up, to get into dialogue with the body. Spending some time with sensations and impulses, without the relational element. From there we will move into partner work, introducing touch (in other body parts and then the genital), consent and communication. Participants are encouraged to say no, or check and then say no (or yes). Nudity is optional. Resistances, shame and shyness are cherished and welcomed. Throughout the day we will systematically process our experience verbally.