– scroll down for English –
You’ve got to have some guts to do that. To bare yourself in front of other women*, making yourself both more vulnerable and stronger, so that you can use a speculum and a mirror to show each other your own uteruses. For some of our (grand)mothers, however, this was a common and political practice. Wait, why is it political?
During the second wave of feminism (c. 1960s–1980s), an astonishing movement emerged centered on the radical appropriation of vibrant health practices. Women* gathered in safe spaces—collective consciousness-raising groups—to see their bodies in a new light: with curiosity, appreciation, and respect. Because patriarchal structures had blocked their view of them.
Taking matters into your own hands in a creative way, sharing knowledge and experiences, and working together in solidarity—these things still have an empowering effect. And they’re a blast! That’s why, in our workshop, we pay tribute to the tradition of unconventional self-examination with a speculum and create a space that lies somewhere between the erotic and the medical, the private and the public, experiential learning and transgression—and is actually quite normal…
Does looking at my cervix change how I feel about my gender identity? Do I find it interesting, hot, unsettling, or strange? What does it actually look like—what do I and others see there?
We encourage people to explore their own bodies in both playful, imaginative ways and through a technical, anatomical lens—all grounded in Dr. Theresa’s medical background.
We will provide the spekuli, which you can optionally purchase after the class. Please bring a small mirror and a towel, if you have them.
*We use the asterisk because we cannot know whether these individuals consistently identified as women or preferred other identity labels; however, the spaces mentioned were referred to as “women’s circles” in an empowering and affirmative sense. In our course, people with (including former) cervixes are welcome, regardless of how they identify gender-wise. If your body doesn’t have a cervix and never has had one, then it doesn’t really make sense to participate—but hang in there, the next open “doctor play” workshop where speculums can be inserted elsewhere is coming! Stay tuned...
SCHEDULE
3:15–7:30 p.m.
LANGUAGES
German, English
PRICE PER PERSON
(choose based on your financial situation)
- EUR 35.00
- EUR 45.00
- EUR 55.00
- EUR 65.00
- EUR 75.00
- EUR 85.00
- EUR 95.00
or
- EUR 105.00
Further informations
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Theresa is a doctor and researcher. She draws inspiration from intersubjective psychotherapy and embodiment practices. These include Contact Improvisation dance, Yin Yoga, singing and voice training, acting, Shibari rope play, and Authentic Relating. – www.daringcaring.com
As a cultural studies scholar, Beata writes and speaks about practices of mutual consent, sexual aesthetics, and Soma Studies. In doing so, she takes a loving yet critical look at the so-called se+positive scene and its complex characteristics, examining them in detail and situating them within their cultural-historical contexts.
NOTES
- Please act in accordance with the guidelines of care, communication, consent, caution, and confidentiality. Respect your own and others’ boundaries. We rely on your personal responsibility.
- Hate speech will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to ask participants to leave the workshop if their behavior is harmful, and we reserve the right to do so without explanation—although we will likely try to explain it. Workshop fees will then be refunded; no further claims will be honored.
- We do our best to accommodate different needs, but our resources are limited. Please contact us if you have any questions.
COVID-
The official COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the workshop will apply.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations are free of charge up to eight weeks before the start of the course; a cancellation fee of 20% of the course fee applies up to 4 weeks before the start of the course; and a cancellation fee of 50% applies up to 2 weeks before the start of the course. Later cancellations and refunds of participant fees are not possible. However, participants may find substitutes to take their reserved spots. If the organizer cancels the course, the full course fee will be refunded. No further claims are permitted.
– ENGLISH –
Well, you have to be at least a little bit brave to do that—to open up in a circle of other women*, to make yourself both more vulnerable and stronger at the same time, to show each other your own cervix using a speculum and a mirror. For some of our (grand)mothers, however, this was a common and political practice. What—why political?
During the second wave of feminism (approximately the 1960s–80s), an amazing movement emerged that radically incorporated health practices. Women* gathered in safe spaces—collective consciousness-raising groups—to view their bodies in a new light: with curiosity, appreciation, and seriousness. This was because patriarchal structures had obstructed their view of their own bodies.
Taking matters into one's own hands in a creative way, sharing knowledge and experiences, cooperating in solidarity—this still has empowering effects. And it's outrageously fun! That's why, in our workshop, we pay tribute to the tradition of unconventional methods of speculum self-examination and create a space somewhere between the erotic and the medical, the private and the public, the experiential-pedagogical and the transgressive—and, actually, quite normal...
Does looking at the cervix change how I feel about my gender identity? Do I find it interesting, awesome, unsettling, or strange? What does it actually look like, and what do I and others see there?
We encourage people to explore their bodies in both playful, creative and technical, anatomical ways—guided by Dr. Theresa's medical background.
We will provide specula, which can also be purchased after class if desired. Please bring a small mirror and a towel, if you have them.
*We use the asterisk because we have no way of knowing whether these individuals consistently identify as women or prefer other identity labels, but the spaces mentioned were designated as women’s circles in an empowering and affirming sense. In our course, people with (even former) cervixes are welcome, regardless of gender identity. If your body doesn’t have a cervix and never has had one, then it doesn’t really make sense to participate. But be patient—the next mixed doctor-games workshop is coming, where speculums can be placed wherever you want… Stay tuned!
FIND THE BOOKING BUTTON ABOVE
Further Information
FACILITATORS
Theresa is a medical doctor and researcher. She draws inspiration from intersubjective psychotherapy and embodiment practices. These include contact improv dance, yin yoga, singing and voice training, acting, Shibari rope play, and authentic relating. – www.daringcaring.com
Beata writes and speaks as a cultural theorist on the topics of sexual consent, soma studies, and the aesthetics of sex education. In doing so, she lovingly and critically examines the so-called se+positive scene for its complex idiosyncrasies and situates it within its cultural-historical context.
DISCLAIMER
– Please act with care, communication, consent, caution, and confidentiality. Respect your boundaries. We rely on your personal responsibility.
– Hate speech will not be tolerated. Please speak kindly.
– We reserve the right to ask participants to leave if their behavior is harmful, and we reserve the right to do so without explanation—though we will likely try to explain. Workshop fees will then be fully refunded; further claims are excluded.
– We do our best to accommodate different needs, though our resources are limited. Contact us if you have any questions.
COVID-
: The official COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the workshop will be followed.
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.