THE PARLOUR is an experimental format, a free and open space for massage and bodywork—inspired by the >> Bondage Jams —which are dedicated to the diversity of massage styles and the joy of practicing and experiencing them. THE PARLOUR isn’t really intended for “ beginners ,” and there are no classes. Rather, we’d like to welcome people who already know what they’re doing, as well as more experienced and professional bodyworkers, to create together a place where getting to know one another and exchanging ideas, giving and receiving, touching and being touched, experiencing and experimenting can be enjoyed outside the contexts of work, training, continuing education, and workshops—and away from health and healing goals.
THE PARLOUR is, therefore, a space for free, hands-on exchange in the form of sessions, where all forms of massage and massage experiments are warmly welcome. The event first offers visitors the opportunity to get to know one another and discuss their practices and intentions, so that they can then come together in groups suited to their individual goals. There will then be at least three hours set aside for the actual sessions, which everyone is free to structure as they wish.
For some events, we invite guests to give a brief, roughly one-hour presentation to inspire the audience—if that’s the case for this event, you’ll find more details below.
We look forward to sharing this massage and bodywork space with you!
In the spirit of exchange and getting to know one another, the concept includes the idea that the partner pairings for the sessions—in pairs? in threes? in fives? :)—will only take shape once we’re there. Is the risk of not finding a suitable partner there too great for you? Then why not ask someone you know—someone you can definitely imagine having a session with—if they’d like to participate too? That way, you can be each other’s backup.
INPUT ON JAN. 24, 2025
TANTRA IN MOTION,…
…is the name of a >> workshop that luhmen d’arc developed in collaboration with Amakido Berühungskunst, and through which we’ve been bringing new energy to classical tantric massage for several years now. Drawing inspiration from Argentine tango and contact improvisation, the workshop introduces ideas and movement elements that enable dynamic position changes, challenging stretches, or powerful embraces—and, through the skillful use of gravity, can almost transform the massage experience into a dance. The session introduces a few fundamental concepts related to the practice and presents a sequence for participants to try out.
Tantra aside, these techniques can essentially be useful for any form of intuitive massage that involves a great deal of physical closeness and is performed on a futon. The step-by-step sequences are demonstrated with participants wearing minimal clothing or being nude, using oil. Of course, you can just as easily participate while fully clothed—though some elements might be more difficult to perform that way.
If you want to try using oil, please remember to bring the necessary materials to protect the futons and the floor—see ADDITIONAL NOTES!
AN INPUT WITH >> MATÍS D’ARC
SCHEDULE
5:30–6:00 p.m.
!!! Doors open—they'll be locked after that!!!
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome, getting to know each other, & setting up the space
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Presentation
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sessions
We'll all clean up together afterward.
LANGUAGES
German, English
HOSTS
Matís
COSTS
Registration fee per person:
CHF 22
plus a contribution based on your own assessment
Suggested retail price: CHF 80
The goal is to make the event as financially inclusive as possible. Therefore, please decide for yourself how much to contribute in addition to the registration fee, based on your financial situation. See below for more details.
Payment options—cash or Twint—are available on site.
Please also read all the additional information below and pay special attention to the notes on equipment and materials you need to bring!
The suggested price listed is intended as a guideline and indicates the average participation fee per person required for the event to be financially viable. We warmly invite those with higher incomes to make a larger contribution so that we can continue to offer this event. With this in mind, we thank you in advance for your solidarity. Those with limited financial means are welcome to pay less and feel just as warmly welcomed—the main thing is that you join us!
FURTHER INFORMATION
EQUIPMENT AND ITEMS TO BRING
The studio has futons measuring 160 x 200 cm. They do not come with covers. The yoga blankets provided can only be used as covers if you practice while wearing most of your clothes.
If you are working without clothes or with very little clothing, or if you are working with oil or other liquids and staining materials, you must bring your own appropriate covers, fitted sheets, and water- or oil-proof sheets.
When using oil, you must also bring and use safe mats and/or containers for the oil bottles. Do not allow oil to spill onto the wooden floor. Anyone working with oil may only walk through the studio in socks to avoid leaving footprints.
We also carry seat cushions, yoga blankets, yoga mats, and Airex mats.
You must bring all other materials needed for your own massage practice with you.
ENTRANCE
The doors are open only during the hours listed above. To get to the studio, do not go through the front door; instead, go straight through the tall metal gate into the garden, then up a few steps through the large red door. Please take off your shoes outside and carry them, along with all your other belongings, through the studio to the kitchenette and changing room.
SEXUAL FRIENDLINESS
THE PARLOUR is sex-positive only insofar as nudity, genitals, arousal, and pleasure—for example, in the sense of holistic, tantric, or Taoist concepts—are permitted to play a role; However, practices that aim to elicit mutual sexual arousal and that transcend the traditional division of roles between giving and receiving, as well as the concept of “holding space,” are not welcome at THE PARLOUR, unlike at many of our other events.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EVENTS
The goals of our events are collaborative learning within the group, supporting shared processes, and personal development. Couples and all other types of partnerships or group dynamics are welcome, but you should be aware and open to the fact that the events are not designed as partnership experiences and that we address each person as an individual. For example: To ensure that all participants are equally involved, we usually work with randomly assigned partner combinations during exercises. This means that both same-gender and mixed-gender pairings will occur. 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 often marginalized groups such as BBIPoC, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA*, disabled people, etc. are not criteria when registering and selecting participants. This means that, in principle, everyone is equally welcome and we endeavor to do justice to the respective constellation and different needs, but our resources are limited. If you have any questions in this regard, please contact us.
We expect you to act with caution, be communicative, prioritize consent, and be mindful, and we encourage you to respect your own boundaries and take personal responsibility. Hate speech will not be tolerated. Please bring "Candy Speech" with you.
We reserve the right to ask participants to leave the event if their behavior is offensive or causes significant problems, and we reserve the right to do so without explanation—although we will likely try to explain our decision. The workshop fees will then be refunded in full. Any further claims are excluded.
You can read more about this topic here.
PRICES AND IF SOLD OUT
With our Low(er) Income Tickets, we want to give low-income individuals the opportunity to attend our events. We warmly invite those with higher incomes to help us make this offer possible by contributing a bit more. With that in mind, we thank you in advance for your solidarity.
For PEOPLE WITH PARTICULARLY LOW INCOMES, there is usually the option of even lower prices. Please don't hesitate to write to us and ask. We'd love to have you join us!
Is the event sold out on the ticketing platform? Contact us! There may be a waitlist or another way for you to attend after all.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations are free of charge up to eight weeks before the course begins; a cancellation fee of 20% of the course fee applies up to 4 weeks before the course begins, and a cancellation fee of 50% applies up to 2 weeks before the course begins. Later cancellations and refunds of course fees are not possible. However, participants may find replacement participants to take their reserved spots. If the course is canceled by the organizer, the full course fee will be refunded. No further claims are permitted.