Didn’t mean to be shady, it just varies. In juicy graphic detail:

– Event space rental. Venues charge per hour: https://www.peerspace.com

It was important for me to find a place where people feel comfortable trying new things, so not a public place like a park, but a beautiful and containing space.

– Materials vary for each event. For example, during a Miracle Berry flavor tripping event, costs cover the miracle fruit berries (which you can buy on Amazon), food (goat cheese, lemons, etc.), and drinks. During an elementary school recess throwback event, costs cover equipment rental, ribbons/awards, and even that giant rainbow-colored parachute thing that you can wave and take turns running under. For connection game events, material costs are lower so extra funds are used to pay for expenses like being a member of MeetUp.com ($90 for a multiple-month subscription), website operating costs/design, and all those other unexpected expenses that pop up when you are trying to start a new thing from nothing.

If you want a detailed play-by-play of what’s going to happen at this Sunday’s event (focused on connection, communication, intimacy, and boundaries), here it is:

INTENTION

Males: To experience intimacy that isn’t going to lead to sex in a safe and contained space. The opportunity to experience being fully present in the moment, in their bodies, and to enjoy BEING without the pressure or expectation leading to a specific goal.

Females: To have a safe container in which to see other and to be seen. To be in their bodies instead of their heads/minds. To have the freedom to experience their full sensuality without fear of being seen as a tease. To feel safe saying no and to embody the power of both their no and their yes. To practice identifying what they need, to ask for it, and to practice receiving.

Both: To come away from The Play Experiment having let go of any goals/expectations in order to be fully present and to connect with others and with themselves in the moment. To feel their bodies and to be comfortable in them. To experience being in a space where it is possible to connect deeply and intimately with others, without it leading or having ot lead to sex. To leave feeling connected, present, happy, awake, and alive.

Opening/Beginning
– Sitting in a circle
– Welcoming statement, who we are & why we created The Play Experiment
– Go around the circle, introduce by name and by making a sound to express/describe how you’re feeling right now
– Everyone in the circle echoes/repeats the sound (to connect as a group)
– Lead guided meditation w/body & breath awareness to help people sink into their bodies, be aware of body and breath (get people out of heads, into bodies), have people connect to a sense of share openness, curiosity, and possibility
– Take several group breaths, shoulder-to-shoulder (to connect as a group)

Setting Boundaries Play Experientially (10 minutes)
– Participation is optional, everything is an invitation
– Encourage people to go out of their comfort zones while staying connected to their bodies and only doing what feels good for them
– Practice giving/receiving a “no” with the following exercise: Everyone walks around, partners with someone, and Person A gives Person B a compliment (i.e. “You have beautiful eyes!”). Person B says “Thank you!” and receives the compliment with gratitude. Then, Person B asks if they can touch Person A (i.e. give them a hug). Person A is instructed/guided to say “no.” Person B says “Thank you!” and receives the boundary with gratitude. Then switch and repeat. (practicing setting and receiving a boundary/”no”)

Connection Play, Level 1: Eye Gazing
– Pick a partner, seated/standing across from each other (no touching), open with several shared breaths in sync
– Participate in eye gazing exercise for 1-2 minutes
– Follow-up with 1-minute debrief per partner, how was that experience for you?

Connection Play, Level 2: Come Closer/”Mother May I” style (10 minutes)
– Pick a partner, stand across the room from each other
– Partner A beckons Partner B to come closer, Partner B moves in x# steps
– Partner A takes several breaths, checks in with body, has option to beckon Partner B in closer
– Be aware of body and feelings about partner coming closer, stop and say thank you at end of exercise, switch.
– Follow-up with 1-minute debrief per partner, how was that experience for you?

Connection Play, Level 3: Guided, Negotiated Touch (hand, arm, shoulder, hair, face)

Connection Play, Level 4: Requested Touch w/Three People (no sexual touching/requests, can be for a hand massage, etc.)

Dance Break!!

Connection Play, Level 5: Requested Touch w/Two People (nothing sexual, give examples)

Connection Play, Level 6: Requested Closer Touch w/Two People (nothing sexual, give examples, max would be cuddling as an example)

Closing


Hope that helps! I’m a licensed therapist by trade and can’t practice in WA since my license is in CA so I’m trying to come up with creative ways to help support people’s growth through play and trying new things in a different way.

Let me know if you have any other questions, concerns, or feedback. This is all new and a risk/adventure for me and I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know everything but I am willing to keep trying until I find something that works. <3


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Via https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleWA/comments/6egg7c/hi_im_new_to_seattle_and_reddit_and_attempting_to/