Power Play : The Switch Game (EN)

A playful exploration of switching roles in power play

This workshop offers a playful and fun framework to explore power dynamics and to grow awareness about your own agency, whether you are giving or receiving. Instead of following conventional scripts of dominance and submission, this workshop invites participants to experience “a controlled loss of control”. At any time, any player can shake up the hierarchy.

We will start with a hands-on exploration of verbal and non-verbal tools to express consent, that can be used during the rest of the workshop. Next, the participants will get to know each other during some simple warm-up exercises. The goal is connection, not intensity.

The main part of the workshop consists of the ‘Switch Game’. Once the boundaries and parameters of the game are understood, the players are guided to dynamically switch roles and groups (of three) to explore different aspects of control, communication and desire. The game is played in the spirit of playful experimentation and cooperation.

The main ideas behind the workshop are:

• Equality and cooperation: Players are equals who constantly negotiate and calibrate desires and boundaries. Players have equal agency and use ‘soft power’ to co-create a shared exploration. Nobody loses, everybody wins.

• Demystifying power exchange: Power play can be fluid and funny, moving away from BDSM clichés, conventional labels (e.g. Dom/sub) and performative scripts.

• Embodied learning: Power play helps us to reflect on intimacy and relationships. Am I doing this for me? Or for you? How much can I take or ask? How much do I want to give? Do I enjoy to lead, follow, serve,…?

While (partial) nudity and touch are possible and likely during this workshop, the focus of the play is not sexual. Participants will be switching groups regularly, without the possibility to remain in the same group. We invite you to be generally open to play with people with any gender and body.

This workshop is open to everyone. No previous kink experience or BDSM skills are needed. Come as you are, wearing any clothing that makes you feel comfortable and playful.

In practice :

• The workshop is open to everyone.
• The workshop will be exclusively in English
• Partial nudity is possible but not mandatory.
• No sexual acts are allowed. No penetration or oral sex. Physical contact between participants is possible within the limits of each person's consent.
• Participants will be invited to meet everyone within the limits of individual consent. 
• Participants can arrive between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM. The workshop starts at 8:30 PM. After 8:45 PM, no more entries will be allowed. The workshop ends around 11:00 PM.
• No exercise is mandatory. You are free to refuse any practice at any time. Your limits are a priority.
• You are free to leave the workshop at any time. A quiet space will be available for you to isolate yourself if needed.
• Beautiful Things is a 100% sober space. No drugs or alcohol are allowed. Please also arrive at the workshop sober.

Regarding the price :

You freely choose the price that seems fair and accessible to your personal situation.

• Social price: A reduced rate more accessible for people with more modest means.
• Normal price: This is the average rate applied to our activities.
• Support price: This is a higher rate intended to support the non-profit organization for its sustainability and to develop its proposed activities.

Code of conduct :

• No act or word of a racist, homophobic, transphobic, fatphobic, ableist, classist, or any other discriminatory nature is tolerated.
• No interaction without explicit consent is tolerated.
• No violent, verbal and/or physical behavior is tolerated.
• This workshop is not intended for romantic and/or sexual encounters.
• States under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not tolerated.
• No photos, videos, or recordings are allowed during the workshop. Confidentiality is required before, during, and after the workshop.

Any violation of this code of conduct may result in immediate exclusion without possible refund. The organizers of the workshop reserve the right to assess the situation at the moment and make decisions they deem necessary for the integrity of everyone. If needed, a mediation procedure with the management of Beautiful Things is available after the event.

What you need to know :

• You may be exposed to nudity
• You may be exposed to acts of consensual violence (BDSM)
• Your nudity may be exposed to other participants and the organizers.
• Your exploration will be exposed to other participants and the organizers.
• You may reach a state of sexual arousal and/or be exposed to that of other participants. However, any sexual interaction is prohibited.

Please bring with you : 

• The confirmation of your registration with the QR code