Relating in the Dark

Do you long to explore intimacy beyond the visuals?

 

 

After some very successful events in Amsterdam, Berlin and Edinburgh, Relating in the Dark is coming to Portland for a special one-off evening this September! So 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 learn to better work with 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, with and without vision and words, by exploring the practices 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 us to surrender to what is arising in our body when deeply in connection with music, following each natural impulse and channeling expression beyond the mind.

 

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.

 

WHERE will it be?

 

The event will take place at Awakenings Wellness Center, a sanctuary in SE Portland.

 

The SPACE-HOLDER

 

Laurie King

 

I’m Laurie (he/him), a queer British-Kiwi based in Wellington, NZ. 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 information, check out itoiauthenticrelating.com.

 

Here’s what others have said about my workshops (blindfolded and more):

 

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

~ Esther

 

“I noticed that when blindfolded 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

 

“Laurie’s approach to mix Authentic Relating with conscious touch and movement is very interesting. Theses complementary practices made me feel more whole and deeply connected with others. Laurie is also incredibly kind and I felt safe, warm and welcomed from the start”

~ Benjamin

 

HOW MUCH will I invest?

 

$35 – low income

$45 – medium income

$55 – high income

 

Why are tickets sold by income?

 

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: 1016 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214.

 

When: Tuesday September 10th, 7 – 10pm. No latecomers!

 

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

Food: Tea & snacks are provided.

 

Refund policy: No refunds available, however if you are unable to make it, you may transfer your ticket to someone else or use it as credit for a future i to i event.