We have a right to our kinks and to our fatigue, both
- Maggy Nelson
Maybe you're curious to see what happens if you take a break from sex. Maybe you feel fed up with sex - lustless, bored, frustrated? Maybe you (wonder if you) are asexual? Or is it just not worth the bother?
Abstinence could be like fasting. Or like going on strike. Or like coming home. Or it could be incredibly hot to resist temptation.
Whatever the angle - there is abundance in abstinence.
From nonsexual erotics to spinster sensualities and non-pleasure activism: we'll explore our relationship to sex and its dry seasons by:
reflecting on the meaning of sex and sharing experiences and questions with each other
offering input on the cultural history of voluntary celibacy and its empowering potential (and how to distinguish it from moralistic purity culture) - inspired by badass sources from Hildegard von Bingen to Julia Fox
offering somatic exercises like:
breath work that focuses on the pleasures of rest rather than climax
genital meditation that explores feelings beyond arousal (for those open to touch)
playful interactions exploring the intimacy of no, of refraining, of resisting as well as of vows and of solitude
sensual embodiment
reading forbidden smut by spicy female mystics tormented by holy ecstasy
creative writing exercises on scores such as:
how would one fuck spirit / god / goddess / goddex?
what would my prude's manifesto sound like?
All of this in a curious, honest and also light hearted atmosphere where consent is key. Any exercise can be skipped and adapted to your own needs and interests.
This workshop is born out of / responds to a turning (off) point, where sex positivity is met with disillusionment/scepticism. We welcome curious souls who wish to turn to the rubble and ruins of a sexual culture that is falling apart and who wish to build their own, more fitting ways of being intimate.
THE FACILITATORS
BEATA
Beata is the author of "Not giving a fuck. Von lustlosem Sex und sexloser Lust", a psychosocial counselor interested in the fact that people are inconvenient and a cultural theorist invested in the nuances of consent.
Instagram: @beateabsalon
Photo: Pauline Massimo
REBECCA
is a coach, host, masseuse and researcher. She holds an MA from the University of Cambridge where she studied the philosophy, literature and art of the body and of sexuality. She grounded her intellectual exploits into physical practice and is a certified masseuse, yoga teacher and sexological bodyworker as well as a dedicated practitioner of qi gong, butoh and pranayama.
Instagram: @feel_more_bln
TIMES
Sat, 25.07.2025 - 18-22 h
LANGUAGES
English, German
HOSTED BY
Beate Absalon & Rebecca Frances
NO REGISTRATION!
JUSTCOME AND JOIN!
Arrive at least 15 minutes before.
PRICE PER PERSON
EUR 50,00
to be paid cash at the venue.
If money is an issue at the moment then please still come join us and simply pay as much as life allows you at the moment
Please also read all further information below. (English via language switcher in the website menu.)
Further informations
NOTES ON THE EVENT
The aims of our events are to learn together as a group and support shared processes as well as personal development. Couples and all other types of partnerships or constellations are welcome, but you should be aware and open to the fact that the courses are not designed as partnership experiences and that we address each person as an individual. For example, in order to include all participants equally, we usually work with random partner combinations in the exercises. This means that there will be both the same and different gender combinations. Participants should generally be open to working with any person and any body. Exceptions can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Gender identity, sexual orientation, age or membership of marginalized groups such as BBIPoC, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA*, people with disabilities etc. are not criteria when registering and selecting participants.
We expect you to be careful, communicative, consent-oriented and mindful, and we encourage you to respect your own boundaries and self-responsibility.
Hate speech will not be tolerated. Please bring "candy speech".
We reserve the right to ask participants to leave the workshop should their behavior be hurtful or too problematic, and we reserve the right to do so without explanation - although we will likely try to explain. Workshop fees would then be refunded in full. Further claims are then excluded.
We do our best to accommodate different needs, but our resources are limited. If in doubt, please contact us.
You can read more about this topic here.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations are free of charge up to eight weeks before the start of the course, up to four weeks before the start of the course a cancellation fee of 20% of the course fee is due, up to two weeks before the start of the course a cancellation fee of 50% is due. Later cancellations and refunds of participant fees are not possible. However, participants can find substitute participants who will take the booked places. In case of cancellation by the organizer, the course fee will be refunded in full. Further claims are excluded.