Relating in the Dark ~ Portland

ABOUT

Do you long to explore intimacy beyond the visuals?

After a series of wonderful blindfolded events in Amsterdam, Berlin & Edinburgh, Relating in the Dark is coming to Portland, OR, for a special one-off evening this September! So come grab a blindfold and dive deep into the enriching practices of Authentic Relating, Conscious Touch and Movement Meditation.

By exploring intimacy without sight, we will delve into our intuitive nature, sharpening our capacity for deeper connection. We will use blindfolds to invite you into profound contact with your physical sensations and internal reality, unblocking your inhibition so as to reveal your truest essence.

WHO is this event for?

This event is for anyone who is seeking deeper connection, stronger community, consensual loving touch, or simply desiring a safe space to just be yourself.

If you’re a curious, open, emotional human being and want to channel these superpowers to both enhance your interpersonal relationships and enrich your self love within, this event is for you.

This event is also for you if you’ve been recently feeling blocked, anxious, lacking purpose or direction, and need to reground and remind yourself what's truly important and who you truly are.

My experience includes working with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs); neurodiverse people; people suffering from anxiety and depression; people going through major life shifts; and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

If you have any questions about whether the event would suit you, pop me a message and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

WHAT will we explore?

Activities will explore movement, contact and relating, through a mixture of blindfolded & semi blindfolded exercises. We will explore the modalities of Authentic Relating, Conscious Touch and Movement Meditation.

Authentic Relating is an interpersonal meditation. It is the practice of listening and speaking in deeper awareness of our present moment sensations, curiosities and boundaries, allowing us to weave richer, more truthful and loving human-to-human connections.

Movement Meditation is free-form journey of authentic bodily flow. It invites you to surrender to what is arising in your body when deeply in connection with music, inducing a natural state of ecstasy.

Conscious Touch is the practice of bringing full attention and presence into relating physically to another person. In deeper awareness of our desires and boundaries, we will explore the many layers and dimensions of non-sexual touch.

Together, we will create a rich container to explore the many layers of our human experience, to invite loving, consensual touch, and arrive more deeply into present moment awareness. Through these nourishing practices, we can understand and celebrate the treasures of interpersonal relating, as well as connection to self.

Please be aware that by participating in this workshop you are stepping into a brave space rather than a safe space. Being blindfolded can be a vulnerable and potentially triggering experience. We will set the container with consent tools, including safe words, and there will be a support team available if you desire co-regulation. That said, we also encourage you to be responsible for your own well-being, and only come to the workshop if you are prepared to be challenged.

WHERE will it be?

The event will take place in the beautiful upstairs studio of Awakenings Wellness Center, 1016 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97214.

The SPACE-HOLDER

Laurie King

I'm Laurie (he/him), a queer British-Kiwi who’s current home-base is New Zealand. My passion is creating spaces that cultivate healthy, thriving human-to-human relationships, helping people take off their masks, feel their sensations and celebrate their aliveness on Earth. Since 2019, I have organised and facilitated hundreds of Authentic Relating, Dating and Embodiment workshops in Oceania and Europe. My training includes The Embody Lab, Authentic Life Course, and Connection Institute. I have facilitated at internationally acclaimed festivals such as Stretch, and organisations such as ART International.

My workshops have sparked thousands of nourishing connections, turning many strangers into life-long friends. I look forward to holding space for you!

For more info, check out itoiauthenticrelating.com.

Here's what others have said about Laurie's workshops (blindfolded and more):

“It seems funny to say it but I felt so ‘seen’ without being seen”

~ Esther

“I noticed that I was so much more present with myself, and was able to share parts that I would normally find it really hard to share”

~ Elliot

“I'm blown away on a daily basis as to how easy communicating and relating has been since doing Laurie's incredible workshop"

~ Andy

"I love Laurie’s energy, wisdom, execution and light touch. I felt super safe to open up and connect while he was holding the space"

~ Tess

"I live with complex PTSD and anxiety so in the past I have really struggled to open up to people and build meaningful connections. Discovering these workshops has been a life changer and both my therapist and I are thrilled with how my confidence has blossomed in recent months. Laurie's time and generosity really means the world to me"

~ Sarah

HOW MUCH will I invest?

$30 - low income

$40 - medium income

$50 - high income

There are limited spaces available through Quicket so book early to avoid disappointment!

In order to make the event as accessible as possible, it is up to you to decide which ticket you purchase, depending on your own feelings about your level of disposable income and how much you would like to contribute for the event.

If you would really like to attend but do not have the funds for the lowest ticket option, please get in touch and we can figure something out!

Practicalities:

Location: Awakenings Wellness Center, 1016 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, United States.

When: Tuesday September 10th, 7.30 - 10pm. No latecomers!

Dresscode: Comfortable clothing that's easy to move in. Please bring your own blindfold.

Food: Tea & snacks are provided. It is recommended to eat a light meal before the workshop.

Refund policy: Refunds available up to one week before the event.

DIRECTIONS