To surrender is to let go and fall, trusting that one will be caught, by life, by love, by wonder, by another. Surrendering brings great pleasure when one learns to let go of controlling the body, the emotions, and the ego and devote oneself to something greater. It’s applicable in lovemaking as well as in life in general. But unfortunately, there is an overvaluation of power in today’s society, and everyone is fighting for it, while surrender is undervalued.
Moreover, surrender touches upon masochism, physically enjoying endorphins rushing through the body and emotionally letting go of shameful limiting beliefs. The basic idea I learnt from Zen Buddhism is that bliss emerges when we stop fighting and accept life as it is, and then there is no suffering. Before psychology considered masochism a disease, religion thought it to be the cure. And I think there is something to that when it’s conscious and consensual. In my experience, anyone can enjoy it, or at least find it meaningful when it’s slow enough and well-balanced between safety and bravery.
Surrender belongs to the feminine aspect of the neo-tantric polarity. Still, I believe it’s essential for everyone of any (and no) gender to incorporate it into themselves as self-development and passion for lovemaking. While teaching surrender, I also indirectly teach how to hold space for another’s process of letting go. Participants describe it as intimate, vulnerable and trusting. And it makes them more resilient to the hardships of life.
Instructor
In the stillness between moments, life happens. Pause, witness.
Andy Buru
Andy is a student of theatre and tea, a medical massage therapist, a former organizational coach, a conscious kinkster, and a teacher of European and Japanese rope bondage. Living in Stockholm, Sweden and working around northern Europe. During his fifteen years of BDSM, he has been a slave, an owner, a hedonist, a purist, a magician, and a slut.
My work aims to create magical rooms where people can rest, heal and grow. My tools, spirit and experience spring from neuro-semantic team building, medical massage therapy, European theatre, and Japanese rope bondage.
I work with both groups and individuals, and I love that the world is allowed to be complicated because that makes every meeting unique. My time in Japan engraved into me the presence, passion and embrace for the glimpse of zen that exists in every movement of life – and this I gladly share with you in a session, workshop, or with a cup of tea.
[Source: https://andyburu.se/]
Details
What to expect this weekend
- Japanese way of bondage
Shu-ha-ri; to obey, question and leave. Your muscle memory will be drilled in some repetitive patterns (probably inspired by the Japanese granddaddy of ropes, Yukimura) while the mind is left to question your personal story for playing out these sadomasochistic desires. - Modern European improvisations
Inspired by dance, theatre and bodywork, we will approach rope bondage as a listening practice. Listening to yourself, your partners, and the time and space around you. Attempting to dissect and recompose rope as an intimate bond between people. - Exploring intimacy without sexuality
Everyone longs for intimacy, but it is often confused with sexuality. To fuck, as if that was the grand goal of all relationships. Learn to slow down, be more creative, and discover a myriad of other paths exploring intimacy. - Eastern and Western Eros
You will learn to create “a session” as a joint exploration of desires. We will work with defining identities, kinks and dynamics but also letting go of them and let passion rule. How much of your deviant self do you dear to express in your bondage? - Letting go of shame
If tight ropes and contorted body postures express physical masochism, then shame is the core of the emotional counterpart. Beauty, competence and elegance are all masks we wear to fit in. What if they are dropped or lovingly torn off to expose that raw, unfiltered you? - Surrender as a strategy for life
People who learn to endure are more successful in capitalistic life. Google the marshmallow challenge. However, people that endure are also the ones who burn out, get emotionally numb, and often wonder if life hasn’t more to offer. Welcome to try surrendering instead. - Connecting to esoteric eroticism and therapy
What is a spiritual practice, and what is nourishing for the soul? Rope bondage takes most people on vulnerable and intimate journeys. Of course, it can just be for funs, but it’s also possible to give your actions a deeper meaning through ritual, intention and dedication.
Date: Friday 27. October to Sunday 29. October 2023
Friday
18:30 Doors open
19:00 – 22:00 Workshop
Saturday
09:00 Doors open
10:00 – 13:00 Workshop
13:00 – 15:00 Lunch Break
15:00 – 18:00 Workshop
19:00 – 21:00 Ritual
Sonntag
09:00 Doors open
10:00 – 13:00 Workshop
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
15:00 – 17:00 Workshop
Venue
Feminine Movement Vienna – Lange Gasse 65, 1080 Wien
Tickets (0/22 available)
Early bird: 200€ per person (only until 1. September, only last workshop attendees)
Regular: 300€ per person
Waiting list will be available.
Requirements
To question requires the courage to know what you want. And that takes some previous experience and practical knowledge.
If ropes are involved, you should be able to wrap the upper and lower body, creating something stable that can take the weight and attaching new ties to existing structures for partly lifting the body.
You should also have experience with how your body and mind react in vulnerable and intimate situations and how to communicate your boundaries.
It’s beneficial if you also have an idea about the fantasies and desires that lead you to these explorations. You will probably also be introduced to new niche techniques and be given both practical training and time to play.
The goal is to provide you with a journey where you can surprise yourself and hopefully question both your beliefs and my teachings on the subject.
Registration
We ask all participants to register individually at abws@querverbindungen.at
(Let us know if you prefer to work with one specific partner or if you want to rotate. Both options will be available.)
Language
English
Food
Lunchbreaks together or by yourselves (a lot of great food places are nearby!)
Snacks, coffee, etc. are provided on location.
Bring
- Comfortable clothes
- rope + equipment
- personal comfort items
- note taking utensils
We are looking forward to welcoming you at this fantastic workshop!