Workshops:
Peter Banki, Ph.D is the Founder and Director of the School of Really Good Sex and of the Festival of Death and Dying. Peter is also member of the Philosophy Research Initiative at the University of Western Sydney, where he has also lectured and tutored in the School of Humanities and Languages.
Peter also has an extensive background in Iyengar Yoga, alternative dance and the martial arts (Capoeira Angola). His somatic and movement practice forms the basis of his work in the sex-positive field. His major teachers have been Annetta Luce, Sue-ellen Kohler and Felix Ruckert. Attending the lectures of philosopher Jacques Derrida in the early nineties in Paris and later in New York was formative for his intellectual development.
He holds a Ph.D from New York University (September, 2009). His book The Forgiveness To Come: the Holocaust and the Hyper-Ethical came out this year with Fordham University Press.
BEING GOOD
This workshop will be a kind of futuristic parody of “consent culture” and “safe space” where we will play together in such a way that all erotic interactions will be heavily regulated and monitored. The purpose is to bring to light some of the more unconscious aspects of “consent culture” in terms of unexamined power dynamics and bullying. We will also consider what the benefits of “consent culture” might be in terms of harm reduction and awareness of sexual abuse.
This “being good” role-play will provide the basis on which we can have a discussion about what is really happening in our communities today in the broader context of what is happening globally, where there is ever more technological surveillance and limitations on our personal freedom in the name of safety and security.
EROTIC YOGA
In our culture we rarely have the opportunity to practice eroticism without there being a particular demand or agenda.
In this class we will apply yogic principles to erotic practice and sexuality. As yoga brings you face to face with your limits through asana practice, eroticism understood as a yogic practice can also help you to become stronger and more flexible - both physically and psychologically. Eroticism can be understood as a kind of yoga, i.e., as an informed way of learning to arrive at our limits and expand, without causing physical or emotional damage to ourselves or others. Such expansion, we believe, is healthy in a deep sense.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO HAPPEN IN THIS CLASS? In a safe and controlled way we will practice arousal patterns through touch, breath, strong and subtle sensations, materials, massage, bodywork, contact improv, Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) and yogic asana. We will do so without being attached to any kind of goal. The overall aim is provide opportunities for you to expand your erotic repertoire as well as your capacities for pleasure.
WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR? This class is open to the curious and the brave of all genders and sexual orientations. There is no age restriction, other than you must be over 18. Some previous experience in tantra, kink or sex-positive workshops is advised, but not required. What all care is taken, some of the content can be challenging for some people. There is no obligation to take part in anything. All activity is voluntary and consensual.
WILL THERE BE NUDITY? For this introductory class there will be no nudity, although for some exercises you may wish to remove some of your clothes.
HOW WILL WE PARTNER UP? If you have come with a partner, you can engage exclusively with them. Otherwise everyone will be paired at random with different people during activities and discussions. You do not have to engage with anyone you do want to. You can step out of any activity. Intrusive behaviour and rudeness will not be tolerated.
The concept of Erotic Yoga draws its inspiration from the work of Joseph Kramer, Ph.D, the Founder of Sexological Bodywork and the New School of Erotic Touch.