Workshops at the Western Erotic Hypnosis Unconference (WEEHU)

Max will be teaching four workshops at WEEHU.

Explore Your Kink

This worksop provides a great overview of kink/BDSM, including basic concepts, sensation play (S/M), dominance / submission (D/S), bondage, and fetish.

The workshop will include:

• Demonstrations of several kink activities, using gear you can purchase at Lover's Lair. You can volunteer for these demonstrations, or you can watch and ask questions.
• Definitions of common kink concepts and terminology.
• Tips for identifying the things you enjoy.
• Suggestions for how to gain skills and experience.
• Advice on finding partners.
• Kink etiquette - how to not lose friends before you make them
• Lots of time for questions

This is a great workshop for anyone who is curious about kink or has started their exploration and is looking for additional information. If you have kink-curious friends, do them a favor and send them to this workshop!  This workshop assumes no previous experience, and is appropriate for all genders and orientations. Max is a very accessible presenter, and it's easy to feel comfortable in his workshops.

As with all of Max's workshops, a handout will be provided to help you remember what's been said. 

When Things Go Wrong - What To Do and What To Learn

Things can go wrong in a BDSM scene. Sometimes it's a small thing. Sometimes it's more substantial. Either way, your level of preparedness makes all the difference between a little bump and a scene-ender or worse.

Max first taught this class in April of 2007. He's taught it a number of times since, always to great acclaim. There's really no other workshop like it.

Max has plenty of practice with things going wrong. The result is a powerful collection of stories illustrating a variety of problems. Ideally, these events can be opportunities for learning and growth. We'll talk specifically about three key elements of your response:

• Dealing with the situation
• Learning for next time
• Retaining and rebuilding trust

Since prevention is even better than reaction, we'll also discuss how to make your scenes more resilient and less likely to go wrong.

We'll touch on a broad range of events related to equipment, technique, negotiation, planning, environmental problems, emotional responses, and injuries. There's a slight emphasis on bondage-related events, but most of the discussion is applicable to any type of BDSM play, and non-bondage folks are encouraged to attend.

This workshop is structured as a presentation, with a handout to help you remember the salient points and to provide additional references. It assumes no previous experience, and is appropriate for all genders and orientations.

Topping to the Next Level: Hot Negotiation

If you think negotiation is finding out what your bottom likes and doesn't like, you're missing the best parts.

Negotiation is the foundation for the scene.  It establishes consent, builds trust, sets a tone, creates expectations and identifies boundaries. With the right tools, it can also be hot, seductive and wickedly effective.

We'll explore:

• What is the real purpose of negotiation?
• Where does the negotiation end and the scene begin?
• What objectives should you pursue when you negotiate?
• When should your negotiation NOT lead to a scene?
• What is your negotiation style?
• Does your style suite your purpose and persona?
• What are some specific techniques for eliciting engagement, obtaining consent and gathering information?

Learn how to negotiate more powerfully and effectively. You're scenes will be better for it. 

Giving Good Head: Manipulating & Stimulating the Head, Hair and Face

The head and face are powerful, primal places.

Pulling someone's hair can put them into an almost trancelike state. Slapping their face can push them into a fierce, primal place. Holding their neck can generate a deep sense of contentment and submission.

Whether your intent is sensual or rough, the head, hair and face are deep, powerful sources of intimacy. Join us as we discuss and demonstrate ways to manipulate these wonderful parts of the anatomy.

This class is full of demos and packed with technique. The emphasis is on learning, having fun, and building confidence.

This workshop assumes no previous experience, and is appropriate for all genders and orientations. As with all of Max's workshops, there's a handout you can use as a memory aid when you're practicing at home.

Join us as we discuss and demo ways to manipulate these wonderful, powerful parts of the anatomy.