Explore non-monogamy in depth.
This workshop is designed both for people with experience at non-monogamy, and anyone (such as newbies) wanting a thorough understanding of the concepts.
This workshop is designed both for people with experience at non-monogamy, and anyone (such as newbies) wanting a thorough understanding of the concepts.
Opening Up to Opening Up originally ran as an in-person workshop (and still does) as well as a 'live' online version. It’s now also available in this online recorded streamable format, so that you can enjoy it at your convenience. Watch the introduction below or scroll down for more workshop info.
Are you already engaged in some form of non-monogamy / polyamory, but have a sense that things could be rolling more smoothly?
Needing some guidance and coaching on topics such as jealousy and relationship agreements?
Are you thinking about opening up your relationship, but don’t know where to start?
We’re in changing times. Discussions and representations of various forms of non-monogamy are common these days, along with other alternative relationship models… But solid, carefully thought-out and pragmatic education can be hard to come by, especially in a world that still, for the most part, only values monogamy. And while polyamory can be easy and very positive, it rarely goes smoothly without some deliberate work and planning, and a little bit of retooling.
To help with this, we believe you’ll find our online non-monogamy workshop, ‘Opening Up to Opening Up (a deep-dive into alternative relationship models)’ very useful.
This workshop is for people seeking the tools for more successful non-monogamous relationships and also for people starting out, that want to know more about where they sit on a spectrum of monogamous to not-at-all-monogamous. It makes no assumptions that any type of relationship is right for all people. But it also appreciates that many people don’t feel quite ‘at home’ in the standard, off-the-shelf model of what a relationship is meant to look like.
This workshop is not designed as a breezy walk in the park. It’s a nuanced and in-depth deep-dive into what’s required for an intentional, deliberate relationship. We expect you to come out of it with a good sense of what you’re up for, and what you’re not up for.
The content of this workshop is respectful, ethically-informed, and non-judgemental. We’re aiming to supply the tools and information you need so that you can fine-tune your relationships and comfortably explore what might be right for you.
What we cover:
The recording is around 3 hours long, plus 1-2 hours of exercises, and is broken up into 16 short sections. You can watch it all in one sitting, or spread it out over many months if you'd rather (you have 12 months access from when you purchase). You can also rewatch it to help the learnings sink in.
We offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee for 30 days after purchase. So if you're not satisfied in any way, contact us for a full refund.
Facilitators: Roger Butler and Tess
Opening Up to Opening Up is presented by Roger Butler and Tess. Rog has been the principal facilitator and driving force behind Curious Creatures for nine years. Their training is in sexuality, facilitation, and counselling, and they’re easily one of Australia’s most prolific sexuality facilitators. Tess is an experienced facilitator in sexuality and self-development, and has been co-facilitating for Curious Creatures for over three years. They’re also a qualified occupational therapist with a deep passion for, and experience working in, sexuality in neurological rehabilitation and disability, in community and clinical settings. Find out more about Rog, Tess and the team.
Read a writeup in The Sydney Morning Herald: 'He's wonderful but he wants an open relationship'.
This is one of ~30 workshops offered by Curious Creatures (Australia’s biggest provider in the field). If you’re interested in this event you may want to check out Curiously Social Creatures at the pub (version for non-monogamous and poly-identified folks), An Introduction to Ethical Hook-Ups and the in-person version of Opening Up to Opening Up.
Needing some guidance and coaching on topics such as jealousy and relationship agreements?
Are you thinking about opening up your relationship, but don’t know where to start?
We’re in changing times. Discussions and representations of various forms of non-monogamy are common these days, along with other alternative relationship models… But solid, carefully thought-out and pragmatic education can be hard to come by, especially in a world that still, for the most part, only values monogamy. And while polyamory can be easy and very positive, it rarely goes smoothly without some deliberate work and planning, and a little bit of retooling.
To help with this, we believe you’ll find our online non-monogamy workshop, ‘Opening Up to Opening Up (a deep-dive into alternative relationship models)’ very useful.
This workshop is for people seeking the tools for more successful non-monogamous relationships and also for people starting out, that want to know more about where they sit on a spectrum of monogamous to not-at-all-monogamous. It makes no assumptions that any type of relationship is right for all people. But it also appreciates that many people don’t feel quite ‘at home’ in the standard, off-the-shelf model of what a relationship is meant to look like.
This workshop is not designed as a breezy walk in the park. It’s a nuanced and in-depth deep-dive into what’s required for an intentional, deliberate relationship. We expect you to come out of it with a good sense of what you’re up for, and what you’re not up for.
The content of this workshop is respectful, ethically-informed, and non-judgemental. We’re aiming to supply the tools and information you need so that you can fine-tune your relationships and comfortably explore what might be right for you.
What we cover:
- Introduction to non-monogamy concepts and language
- Various relationship models and what might be right for you
- Busting some common ‘poly misconceptions’
- A 5 step program to successfully exploring non-monogamy
- Communication
- Relationship Agreements
- The worst of both worlds
- Jealousy
- More Jealousy! (We deep-dive)
- New relationship energy (NRE)
- Coming out
- Safer Sex
- ...Plus a whole bunch of fun activities throughout (and a take-home workbook!)
The recording is around 3 hours long, plus 1-2 hours of exercises, and is broken up into 16 short sections. You can watch it all in one sitting, or spread it out over many months if you'd rather (you have 12 months access from when you purchase). You can also rewatch it to help the learnings sink in.
We offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee for 30 days after purchase. So if you're not satisfied in any way, contact us for a full refund.
Facilitators: Roger Butler and Tess
Opening Up to Opening Up is presented by Roger Butler and Tess. Rog has been the principal facilitator and driving force behind Curious Creatures for nine years. Their training is in sexuality, facilitation, and counselling, and they’re easily one of Australia’s most prolific sexuality facilitators. Tess is an experienced facilitator in sexuality and self-development, and has been co-facilitating for Curious Creatures for over three years. They’re also a qualified occupational therapist with a deep passion for, and experience working in, sexuality in neurological rehabilitation and disability, in community and clinical settings. Find out more about Rog, Tess and the team.
Read a writeup in The Sydney Morning Herald: 'He's wonderful but he wants an open relationship'.
This is one of ~30 workshops offered by Curious Creatures (Australia’s biggest provider in the field). If you’re interested in this event you may want to check out Curiously Social Creatures at the pub (version for non-monogamous and poly-identified folks), An Introduction to Ethical Hook-Ups and the in-person version of Opening Up to Opening Up.
Pricing
This pre-recorded workshop is $97 per person: We strongly recommend you watch it with another person (and as many as you want), noting that they’ll need to buy access also - it’s not okay to buy one copy, and share it around your circle. Your watching buddy can be a friend, but doing this course with a partner is best because you’ll be able to work on your relationship as you go. (The live versions cost $130-$170 per person for online and for in-person): Pre-recorded Workshop versus In-person Workshop Advantages of streamable recording:
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Technology
All you need is a device (like a laptop or tablet) with a web browser. This recording is hosted on Vimeo, which is simple to use, and plays on almost everything. Watching on a phone might be a bit tricky, but would still work. Access is immediate; as soon as you've paid, you'll receive an email with a private link. Once you purchase you have 12 months to enjoy watching and rewatching, at your leisure. We offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee for 30 days after purchase. So if you're not satisfied in any way, contact us for a full refund. |
WHO THIS IS FOR AND NOT FOR...
INTENSITY: At least two chillies (out of four), depending on how new this material is for you, and what historical hurts are up for you at the moment.
WHO’S IT FOR: Anyone interested in the nuances, challenges, myths and realities around relationship dynamics and how to explore them. It’s suitable for people with considerable experience and also folks who are new to non-monogamy. It’s strongly recommended you watch this video with at least one other person (who has also purchased a copy) - this is because you’ll get a lot more benefit from the exercises and activities, which play a really important role in converting the theory into something that’s meaningful for you personally. You’ll get a lot more value out of the workshop if you can do it with another.
WHO’S IT NOT FOR: People that are happily in monogamous relationships, or that are confident that that’s where they want to be.
WHAT EXERCISES / ACTIVITIES?: A variety of exercises designed to help you unfold the right relationship structures and context for you. This includes some inner-work exercises (where you work alone, on a worksheet), and some pair-work (where you verbally discuss things with a partner).
WILL THERE BE PARTNER WORK?: Yes (discussing exercises only).
NUDITY & SEXUAL CONTENT: There is a fair bit of discussion about sex as it relates to relationships, as opposed to graphic sexual references, or sexual content that involves you.
COMMITMENT: It’s a three hour workshop broken up into sixteen small sections (plus an hour or two for the exercises and activities). It’s mostly theory with some activities (verbal and written). You can opt out of any activity, or stop the recording whenever you wish.
RATIO EXPERIENTIAL / THEORETICAL: Approximately 70/30 Theory and experiential (exercises).
WEAR: Anything you’re comfy in; there’s no dress-code.
WHO’S IT FOR: Anyone interested in the nuances, challenges, myths and realities around relationship dynamics and how to explore them. It’s suitable for people with considerable experience and also folks who are new to non-monogamy. It’s strongly recommended you watch this video with at least one other person (who has also purchased a copy) - this is because you’ll get a lot more benefit from the exercises and activities, which play a really important role in converting the theory into something that’s meaningful for you personally. You’ll get a lot more value out of the workshop if you can do it with another.
WHO’S IT NOT FOR: People that are happily in monogamous relationships, or that are confident that that’s where they want to be.
WHAT EXERCISES / ACTIVITIES?: A variety of exercises designed to help you unfold the right relationship structures and context for you. This includes some inner-work exercises (where you work alone, on a worksheet), and some pair-work (where you verbally discuss things with a partner).
WILL THERE BE PARTNER WORK?: Yes (discussing exercises only).
NUDITY & SEXUAL CONTENT: There is a fair bit of discussion about sex as it relates to relationships, as opposed to graphic sexual references, or sexual content that involves you.
COMMITMENT: It’s a three hour workshop broken up into sixteen small sections (plus an hour or two for the exercises and activities). It’s mostly theory with some activities (verbal and written). You can opt out of any activity, or stop the recording whenever you wish.
RATIO EXPERIENTIAL / THEORETICAL: Approximately 70/30 Theory and experiential (exercises).
WEAR: Anything you’re comfy in; there’s no dress-code.
"It was fantastic. Definitely lived up to what it said on the tin: 'A Deep Dive into Non-Monogamy'."
•
"My partner and I just did your short course on poly relationships and I just wanted to thank you for putting that together. It was really nice to be able to have a structured conversation with my partner and you guys made that process very easy for us. Thank you so much! You guys rock and you’re making a difference."
•
"I really appreciated your personal shares and anecdotes, they were the most engaging and informative parts of the workshop for me. I also really appreciated the breaking down of jealousy and the suggested personal work to move through it."
•
"Thank you both for putting together training with so much care and thought and humour. I really appreciated how thorough you've been and the fact that such workshops exist at all."
•
"This workshop was incredibly comprehensive in covering the forms of non-monogamy, and what can come up in exploring it. I appreciated how open-minded and non-judgey it was - I noticed that monogamy wasn't judged as bad and that the workshop truly aimed to help people find the right relational style for them. I enjoyed the playful dynamic between the facilitators, and their sharings around their own open relationship (and personally different styles of non-monog). What stood out to me is that communication and relational skills can be learned that will help me and partners navigate more easefully. And that the 'teething period' between monogamy and polyamory can be the hardest, but once skillful polyamory is established: joy!"
•
"Loved it. As a newbie to non-monogamy, I felt like it gave a really good overview of most areas while honing in on some of the difficult stuff like jealousy and agreements. I also LOVED the fact that we got a comprehensive workbook (felt more value for money to have resources to walk away with), as well as inner work exercises."
•
"It was great - I learned a lot about ways to better practice non-monogamy and polyamory, even though I have been ethically non-monogamous for many years."
•
"Honestly wish I'd had access to this earlier - brilliant resources given out, lots of follow up material links provided."
•
"I loved the 'jealousy story time' and would buy that story book."
•
"It was wonderfully sobering. The workshop unpacked the difficulties around living a non-monogamous life and I felt that it was very thorough. I feel the second half was quite heavy but it was necessary to have the real story and how to navigate it. Excellent value for Money."
•
"Loved the content and the way it was presented.. thank you."
•
"I found it educational and liberating. I liked the topics discussed. It was real not glorified. The personal stories were what made the workshop interesting."
•
"It was informative and helpful. I found that hearing your own experiences was also helpful for me. I liked the handout and the exercises were thought-provoking. You guys are great and have a wonderful energy that you bring to the workshop."
•
"My partner and I just did your short course on poly relationships and I just wanted to thank you for putting that together. It was really nice to be able to have a structured conversation with my partner and you guys made that process very easy for us. Thank you so much! You guys rock and you’re making a difference."
•
"I really appreciated your personal shares and anecdotes, they were the most engaging and informative parts of the workshop for me. I also really appreciated the breaking down of jealousy and the suggested personal work to move through it."
•
"Thank you both for putting together training with so much care and thought and humour. I really appreciated how thorough you've been and the fact that such workshops exist at all."
•
"This workshop was incredibly comprehensive in covering the forms of non-monogamy, and what can come up in exploring it. I appreciated how open-minded and non-judgey it was - I noticed that monogamy wasn't judged as bad and that the workshop truly aimed to help people find the right relational style for them. I enjoyed the playful dynamic between the facilitators, and their sharings around their own open relationship (and personally different styles of non-monog). What stood out to me is that communication and relational skills can be learned that will help me and partners navigate more easefully. And that the 'teething period' between monogamy and polyamory can be the hardest, but once skillful polyamory is established: joy!"
•
"Loved it. As a newbie to non-monogamy, I felt like it gave a really good overview of most areas while honing in on some of the difficult stuff like jealousy and agreements. I also LOVED the fact that we got a comprehensive workbook (felt more value for money to have resources to walk away with), as well as inner work exercises."
•
"It was great - I learned a lot about ways to better practice non-monogamy and polyamory, even though I have been ethically non-monogamous for many years."
•
"Honestly wish I'd had access to this earlier - brilliant resources given out, lots of follow up material links provided."
•
"I loved the 'jealousy story time' and would buy that story book."
•
"It was wonderfully sobering. The workshop unpacked the difficulties around living a non-monogamous life and I felt that it was very thorough. I feel the second half was quite heavy but it was necessary to have the real story and how to navigate it. Excellent value for Money."
•
"Loved the content and the way it was presented.. thank you."
•
"I found it educational and liberating. I liked the topics discussed. It was real not glorified. The personal stories were what made the workshop interesting."
•
"It was informative and helpful. I found that hearing your own experiences was also helpful for me. I liked the handout and the exercises were thought-provoking. You guys are great and have a wonderful energy that you bring to the workshop."