Hidden Responsibilities of a Master — an exploration
Internet searches for responsibilities of a Master range from the silly to the profound. Some lists seem to be for Internet “Masters” and others are compilations by serious Leatherfolk. While many of Masters’ responsibilities are pretty obvious to those of us that live an M/s life, many other responsibilities are far less obvious, yet are very important. This interactive workshop presents a wide range of responsibilities for consideration. (NOTE: you might wish to bring pen and paper.)
Understanding How some Master/slave Relationships get into Trouble
By most accounts, Master/slave relationships are the most difficult to sustain over time. First, it takes a lot of ongoing work to keep the relationship fresh; second it’s easy to slip back into the husband/wife archetype. This interactive presentation discusses such topics as: initial reasons why an M/s relationship can get into trouble; ego and insecurity in M/s relationships; structural reasons for difficulties; exploring fear and anxiety among slaves, inability of Master or slave to be what the other wished for, and an exploration of what a slave candidate might look like to a Master and what a Master candidate may look lie to a slave. (NOTE: you might wish to bring pen and paper.)
Leather vs BDSM Master/slave Structures — Important Differences
Because the Leather culture arose from a military background and the BDSM culture arose from a swinging background, there are major and important ways that Master/slave structures differ between the Leather and Not-Leather cultures. Some of these differences play out in a couple’s protocols, other differences play out in the expectations couples have of their M/s dynamic. This presentation is designed to help M/s couples clarify their own relationships so that both partners can be focused on the same core issues/values. (NOTE: you might wish to bring pen and paper.) (60 minutes)
Grappling with Some Hidden Elements of an M/s Relationship
Certain words describe concepts that in turn describe key aspects of an M/s relationship. When there is disagreement between Master and slave regarding these concepts or how to fulfill them, destabilizing stresses begin to surface. Topics include: management issues; decision-making; love in relation to obedience and punishment; fear; punishment and punishment systems; service. This interactive session will explore some of these elements in an effort to discuss ways to ensure and sustain a stable relationship.
Master/slave Protocols: Using Protocols to Make your World Special
While there are certain general protocols used in public Leather settings, there are many ways to build protocols into personal relationships, both as a way of honoring the relationship and to demonstrate on a daily basis just how special the relationship is both to Master and to slave. We will also discuss ways that protocols can be used to help to stabilize relationships during times of stress. We’ll go over some examples of protocols that we use personally, and ask for audience participation to learn of other protocols that can be used to stabilize a relationship. We will also brainstorm other ways that protocols can be used to benefit both Master and slave in a structured relationship. (NOTE: you might wish to bring pen and paper.)
Book Supporting this Presentation: Protocol Handbook for the Female slave: Theory and Practice, second edition. Las Vegas: Nazca Plains, 2007
NEW: Why are we Clashing Like This? Exploring common communication upsets.
Relationships in our BDSM community are often far more complex than marriages. The slave/submissive is working 100% to please Master/Dom(me), and Master/Dom/me is endeavoring to guide and grow the slave/submissive. “Stuff” can often get in the way of clear communication. When communications get in trouble, the relationship gets in trouble.
This workshop covers some “out-of-the-box” communication issues. About half of this presentation will go over conflicts arising from areas where differences between people are often hidden, for example, how we communicate love, how time may be different for each partner, how upbringing may affect your current relationship, how we process information, and so forth.
Many tips and techniques are easy to explain and to learn and provide eye-opening insights about ways you and your partner(s) communicate love. Similarly, couples/triads/etc often collide over issues that are not at all obvious to either party. (NOTE: you might wish to bring pen and paper.)
Book Supporting this Presentation: Master/slave Relations: Communications 401 The Advanced Course Las Vegas: Nazca Plains, 2008
Troubles in Paradise: This isn’t working out the way we’d intended
(NOTE: the prior listed workshop (Why are we Clashing?) should precede this workshop in order that attendees flow from good communication skills into good problem-solving skills. This particular presentation doesn’t do as well as a stand-alone event.)
This workshop provides strategies to help couples addresses the really challenging and complicated situations that can arise within the structured relationship — situations that may actually threaten the relationship, itself. This is a workshop for people who are having (or who have had) serious issues come up in their relationship. I’ll provide many unusual ways of viewing these kinds of issues as well as some uncommon ways of approaching their solution. (NOTE: you might wish to bring pen and paper.)
Book Supporting this Presentation: Master/slave Relations: Solutions 402 Living in Harmony Las Vegas: Nazca Plains, 2008