education

Midori’s East Coast Classes and Appearances

by Viviane on 04/10/2012

in education, Events

midori Midoris East Coast Classes and Appearances

Midori by Steve Diet Goedde

 

WASHINGTON DC

Sat. 4/14 – Sun 4/15 Weekend w/Midori | DC Rope Art

Sat 4/14 “Kinesthetic Rope” & “Passionate Dynamic Play”
Sun 4/15 “Speed & Flow Drills” & “Predicament Bondage”

More info: https://fetlife.com/events/93063/v2

NEW YORK

Thu 4/19 “Pink Japan: Contemporary Sex Culture” | Museum of Sex

What exotic erotic adventures happen behind the closed doors of Japan? Come to this fascinating presentation and find out!

From cuisine, music, fashion, technology to anime, Japan’s cultural influences on the West is immense. In many ways the Japanese erotic cultures also influence today’s Western tastes. Yet the daily realities of Japan’s sexual habits, sexual consumer culture, gender relations, and sensual subcultures world remain hidden to us, creating an aura of mystique. In this funny and insightful presentation, join Midori for a double-expatriate’s personal tour of Japan’s hidden sexual culture today. Come early to browse through her collection of naughty magazines, rare books, unusual flyers and other goodies from Japan. Midori is a Kyoto born, Tokyo-raised, Japanese-American author and sex educator based in San Francisco. She is well versed with the contradiction that is 21st Century Japan and possesses a keen insight into culture and sexuality.

More info/tickets: http://bit.ly/HBRm2k

Tue 4/24 “Aural Sex: Seduction by Voice” | Long Island Leather N Roses

The Geishas and Courtesans were masters of the art of seduction. Their most potent skill was the use of the erotic voice and sensual story telling. Learn how to use the hypnotic magic of the voice to seduce and arouse your lover long before you enter the bedroom. Incorporating seductive voice techniques learned in this class to heat up the bedroom and add spice to your erotic life. Mesmerize your lover and transport both of you to an erotic landscape. Learn how to build and enrich a powerful fantasy, practice effective voice techniques and spellbinding. You’ll learn techniques of finding out yours and your lovers fantasy, practice story telling skills and improve them with Midori’s gentle guidance. Spicy demos, practical exercises, tips. Delightful class for couples and singles

More info: http://bit.ly/InCPIX

Wed 4/25  “Rope: Flow & Speed Drills” | The Iron Bell Academy, Astoria

Description: Whether you’re an expert or have only taken one rope bondage class, this experience will help to make your rope play more confident, smooth and intuitive. This class will cover essential skills for fluid, effective and graceful motion in tying. Great flow and speed skills add to dynamic scenes with power emotional and play potential, increases confidence, allows for greater creative thinking and connection with your partner. After the initial discussion, the students will break into pairs for series of timed drills and challenges. These are non-competitive exercises designed to increase your speed and confidence while identifying areas to improve. Everyone will be asked to, and will be expected to do the exercises.

More info/tickets: http://bit.ly/IblMpT

TH 4/26  “Humiliation Play” | Purple Passion

Why do people get off on being embarrassed or humiliated? Is this a style of play you’ve struggled to understand? Do you want to understand how to do this well and avoid disasters? What are the potential psychological ramifications? What’s different for a one-time scene vs. playing with your life partner? Emphasizing emotional safety throughout, Midori will explore a wide range of play from light teasing and embarrassment to serious humiliation. What’s the difference between a healthy and constructive scene and one that is destructive and harmful? She will share with you a unique model she’s developed to better understand and create an experience that is hot for all the players involved. Are you trying to better understand this difficult subject? Have you questioned yourself on your desires or ability to make another squirm? Or have you ever secretly wanted to be put on the spot or shown how really naughty you are? Then this class is for you! All attendees get 15% store discount before and after the workshop

Info/purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/Iwkesk

Sat 4/28 – Sun 4/29     Rope Bondage Dojo® | The LGBT Center

Are you SERIOUS about improving your rope bondage skills?
Do you want to erotically please and sexually pleasure your partner using rope?
Do you want to learn how to be a better bottom or receiver of rope pleasures?
Ready to get to the next level of education?
Do you want to do safer rope suspension bondage the right way?
If so, you’ll love Rope Bondage Dojo®.
It’s designed with a multi-skill level layered education style to create an exceptional learning experience for both experienced and novice players.
In two days, your rope skills will improve dramatically through16 hours of concentrated, personalized and hands-on education by Midori and DeLano, two of the best instructors around. It’s a weekend-long immersion and training course unlike any other!

Pre-registration required.

More info/register: www.ropedojo.com

PHILADELPHIA  

A Weekend with Midori | Sexploratorium & AxD Gallery

Fri 4/20. 7pm         “JoyStick Secrets: How to Thrill a Man”
Sat 4/21. 2pm         “Hands-on Rope Bondage”
Sat 4/21. 5pm         “Rope Body Harnes”
Sun 4/22. 1pm         “Flogging: Amazing Hands-on Training”
Sun 4/22. 4pm         “Art of Feminine Dominance”

Info: http://passion101classes.com/

BALTIMORE

Mon 4/23  “Art of Feminine Dominance” | Sugar

Elegance, power and confidence. Do you want to know hot to be a dominant without being a bad cliche? How do you find a sexy style of erotic dominance that’s authentic to you? Using a special technique she developed, Midori will help you to find your inner power femme archetype, allowing you to pursue erotic fulfillment of sensual power play. Not your typical how to class, you’ll discover the difference between constructive and destructive desires and point you towards ways of bringing satisfaction in bedroom play for both you and your partner.Midori will share with you her secrets of the feminine art of dominance. She will discuss the psychology, practical exercises, techniques, fashion, how to discover what makes your partner weak-kneed and more. This class is not limited to a gender, but for all who harbor the powerful woman within! Something for everyone from the novice to the experienced player. All genders and partners welcome.

Info/Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/225508

ABOUT MIDORI

Midori is a renowned educator and writer on sexuality. Dubbed “the super nova of kink” by Dan Savage, she emerged from the Sex Positive Movement in San Francisco in the early 1990’s, soon becoming a much sought after international presenter on sexuality, personal fulfillment and kinky adventures. While considered a pivotal figure in the Leather and BDSM communities, she is also seen as a critic, activist and agent provocateur.

Her reputation as authority and leading expert on alternative pleasures stem not only from her unique and entertaining process of teaching concrete skills, but in her ability to deconstruct and distill complex matters of desire into surprisingly accessible lessons with eloquence and humanity. She’s known for tackling challenging topics with fresh and relevant insights. She calls this her “head-heart-hands” method to create a space where people are allowed individual self-exploration. Fundamentally she is motivated by helping people to create authentic and intimate relationships while emphasizing self actualization, shame reduction, acceptance and justice.

Her writing is extensive, ranging from numerous articles, columns, works of fiction, to instructional books. In 2001, she wrote the first English language book on Shibari, “The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage” when Japanese rope play was still limited to a niche audience. Her other major books to this date include “Wild Side Sex: The Book of Kink” and “Master Han’s Daughter.”

In 2001 she founded Rope Bondage Dojo®. She has trained many cadres and still leads many Dojos each year. Later she formed ForteFemme, a unique women’s dominance weekend training and empowerment intensive.

Beyond her role as an educator, she’s a passionate artist exploring the fringes of desire and identity. Exhibiting and performing internationally, she has also presented as artist in resident at Das Arts (Netherlands) and Tanzquartier Wien (Austria). She is often caught committing acts of installations, performances, sculpture, photography and general art pranks.

Born and raised in Japan, she served in the US Army while earning her psychology degree from University of California, Berkeley. She now calls San Francisco her home, which she shares with her wonderful spouse and severely spoiled four legged furry beings. Learn more about her projects at www.PlanetMidori.com and her art at www.Ranshin.com.

Tagged as: , , , ,

The Absurd Myths Porn Teaches Us About Sex | AlterNet

by Viviane on 04/03/2012

in education

The problem is, learning about sex from porn is like learning about firearms from action movies. Action movies sacrifice realism for the sake of storyline or a really cool explosion. Action movies don’t teach you gun safety. Action movies don’t talk about alternatives to violence. And action movies use some tropes—such as the infinite ammo supply—that may move the story along but don’t reflect reality. That’s not a problem, as long as everyone treats them as entertaining fantasies.

Unfortunately, for many young people becoming sexually active today, the entertaining fantasies of mainstream porn are the teacher they’ve spent the most time with, and mainstream porn is a terrible teacher.

Link

Strapping It On with Andrea Zanin (aka Sex Geek)

by Viviane on 08/04/2010

in education, Events

Where: Purple Passion
Address: 211 West 20th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, NYC
Phone: 212.807.0486
Cost: $20 (and enjoy a 15% discount on shopping before or after the class)(Class size is limited so prepaying is strongly advised. Our last class was sold out. Don’t be turned away. Reserve your spot at the store.)

These days, everyone can have a dick of their own – or two, or three! But how do you pick one, and what do you do with it once you’ve got it? Come learn how to choose a cock and harness that best suit your body and your purposes. Then we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of where you can stick it and how to enjoy it – givers and receivers alike. We’ll cover packing (everyday cock-wearing) as well as playing with a variety of techniques and orifices, with a focus on pleasure and safety.

Andrea Zanin , a.k.a. Sex Geek, pretty much writes and talks about sex all the time unless she’s eating, sleeping or having it. She lives in Toronto and is an organizer, educator and writer within the queer, polyamory and BDSM/leather communities, as well as being an active trans ally. She frequently speaks about alternative sexuality for universities, colleges, sex shops, community groups and conferences in Canada, the States and internationally. Andrea also writes alternative-sexuality news and commentary for the Montreal Mirror, Xtra! Toronto and Outlooks Magazine, as well as blogging at http://sexgeek.wordpress.com. She has a background in women’s studies and sexuality studies from Concordia University, and is pursuing an MA in those same fields at York University with a focus on Canadian leatherdyke history. Andrea has judged a number of leather title contests, including GLLA Bootblack 2008, International Ms. Leather 2009 and Mr. Leather Toronto 2010. She co-organizes the annual Canadian leatherdyke weekend An Unholy Harvest, runs a book club called the Leather Bindings Society, and occasionally writes erotic fiction on the side.

Fetlife event: http://fetlife.com/events/24051

Tagged as: ,

The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health Appeals Pawtucket Zoning Decision

by Viviane on 11/29/2009

in education, sex

Pawtucket, RI November 26, 2009 – The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health (CSPH), the first non-profit sexuality resource and information center in South Eastern New England, is set to go before the appeal board on November 30th @ 630pm to challenge a zoning decision that prevented it from opening in September.

After a controversial zoning decision was made by Pawtucket zoning officer Ron Travers, The CSPH was not permitted to open. The reason for denial was a lack of zoning clause for “education” to take place within the Grant Building. The CSPH was not permitted to open because its mission states it works to provide education.

After numerous national and local news organizations picked up the story and interviewed city officials, it became clear that the Pawtucket city officers had given pre-textual reasons for not allowing The CSPH to open. Harvey Goulet, the City’s director of administration, was quoted as objecting to “this type of business” as “not really something we feel is appropriate for our city.” The ACLU has weighed in on the battle regarding adult sex education stating in a press release “the city’s intent is to suppress the speech that would occur at the Center. Such content-based discrimination raises serious constitutional concerns.”

Liberal, conservative, moderate and libertarian news media have all been in favor to allow The CSPH to open and they agree that the location and the presentation are appropriate for the environment it is currently housed in. Neighbors of The CSPH have housed petitions requesting the center to be able to open. Providence Journal writer Bob Kerr and popular conservative talk radio host Dan Yorke have both voiced support for The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health.

Ms. Andelloux, the director of the non-profit Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health is a certified sexuality educator who wants to provide the adult community with a safe place to access information about sexuality issues. The Appeal Board meeting will take place in the Monday, November 30th, at the Pawtucket City Hall, 3rd floor at 630pm. The public is invited to attend.

For questions or statements contact Megan Andelloux at 401.345.8685

# # #

If you’d like to express your support for the CPSH, here’s a form letter Megan sent me. You can  fax a letter to (401)772-3356 or call (401) 728-0500 and ask for Anna Salum to voice your concern on Monday. Here is a sample copy of one:

City of Pawtucket Board of Appeals
137 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI 02860

Dear Members of the Appeal Board,

I am writing on behalf of The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health (CSPH) and it’s founder/director, Megan Andelloux. I want to voice my support for The CSPH, the positive work it will do and the vital services it will provide.

As a person I appreciate that there will be a place where one may openly seek medically accurate, safe information about a subject that is often hard to address. As a business owner, I appreciate the passion and dedication that Ms. Andelloux is applying to starting a ground-breaking, non-profit organization in Pawtucket, RI.

Lastly, as a concerned citizen outside of Pawtucket, I am in shock that the members of this city would object to bringing more revenue and visitors because they believe of a “lack of zoning”. I have been reading the newspaper articles since the beginning of this situation and it has become glaring obvious that this lack of zoning is a veiled attempt to cover the city’s panic about talking openly on sexuality issues. With prevailing attitudes like this, it is apparent to me that the CSPH is arriving just in the nick of time to open our minds and our hearts to a world of new possibilities.

I urge you to support the entrepreneurship of Ms. Andelloux and to support the growth of Pawtucket through business people who think outside the box.

Sincerely yours,

Tagged as: , ,

Bend Over Boyfriend

by Domina Doll on 10/01/2009

in anal, education, movies

bend over boyfriend dvd Bend Over Boyfriend

Bend Over Boyfriend (1998)
Studio- Fatale Media
Director- Shar Rednour and Jackie Strano
Cast- Dr. Carol Queen, Robert Morgan, Laura Goodhue, Cupcake Jones, Greg Heiman, Troy, Miss Behavin’

Bend Over Boyfriend came out in 1998 and was the first and only instructional video of its kind to introduce anal pleasure for men, through strap-on sex with a female partner.  Although today the film seems a bit dated, compared to newer films of the same topic, like Tristan Taormino’s “Expert Guides”, at the time of its launch the film was groundbreaking and has remained one of the best-selling videos on this topic of all time.

While I have read some praise for the film, I have also read some criticism including that it is “too instructional”, “not erotic”, and that it has an “infomercial quality and the officious attention to every detail”.  This makes me wonder what people think an instructional film is.  I mean really.  I don’t expect instructional films about sex to be erotic, or to lack instruction.  I want them to teach me something in the simplest way possible.  I want the people presenting the topic—in this case Dr. Carol Queen and Robert Morgan—to be enthusiastic, knowledgeable and experienced, and to provide details, even if they are not always relevant to me.  I don’t necessarily want to be entertained or aroused by the content, or expect it to get an Academy Award.  I want to learn something new.  If I wanted to just watch people fuck, I’d rent a porno.

Now, I’ll admit that academics are often a bit dry.  After all, Carol Queen is not an actor, but an educator, although she does know and present her topic better than any actor could.  And, while she does recommend products at the end of the film and where to buy them (read: resources), I think it is certainly useful if the general public doesn’t have a clue about anal dildos or strap-ons, which was certainly the case back in 1998.  And, let’s remember that sex shops were not always as sex-positive or as helpful with knowledgeable staff as they are today.

I think Bend Over Boyfriend is a great film and it is easy to see why it has had such longevity.  Carol and Robert are passionate about their topic and very experienced.  They talk about anatomy, prostate pleasure and health, relaxation and massage, safe sex, arousal, gender-bending, and the best tools for anal stimulation (including mouth, tongue and fingers!).  After this ten minute intro, they show you enthusiastically how it is done (and while this is probably not erotic for the viewer, I bet it was for them).  The film also includes two other male/female couples that demonstrate different scenarios, variations of anal pleasure and sexual positions.  So Bend Over Boyfriend was an excellent guide when it first came out, and today I believe it still has information that is valuable to share, especially for couples seeking to explore anal sex for men and gender-bending for the first time.

Thank you to Babeland for this trip down memory lane.  Be sure to check out Bend Over Boyfriend and all the other excellent instructional films they have in their store as well as their Bend Over Boyfriend Strap-on Kit.

Tagged as: , , , , , ,

← Previous Entries