The Forest is a very special touch ritual, supporting your journey into yourself and your own body.
CORONAVIRUS STATEMENT
Please check our current response to Victorian Government advice regarding this workshop.
This workshop begins with some fun introductions and group agreements. We then move into activities to explore and set our personal boundaries, and embodiment practices to help us arrive into the moment and our bodies.
After a break, the room is set up, and the ritual begins. An undressing ritual encourages you to remove as many or as few items of clothing as is right for you.
The group is divided in half. One half takes a position in the space and puts a blindfold on, forming a 'forest' of people. The other half of the group become creatures slowly making their way through the forest, engaging in touch exchanges according to the limits and boundaries of the individual 'trees'. Exchanges might be brief, or long, and are able to be ended by either party at any time. The group then swaps over.
The Forest is very special in the way that it supports your journey into yourself and your own body. It is very hard to project your experience onto another when you are blindfolded and don't know who is engaging with you! The Forest is also a stunning practice for overcoming the idea that touch is only enjoyable when it comes from particular people. (Although, that said, the workshop includes a mechanism where you can ask for someone that engaged with you to identify themselves to you afterwards, if they wish to).
This practice allows for a considerable range of activity. You may choose to experience the touch ritual fully clothed, and with strong limits on where and how you want to be touched. At the other end of the spectrum, you might choose to do it nothing but your underwear and with a fairly adventurous level of touch, noting that you are able to stop any contact at any time, without explanation. There will be some overall limits regarding levels of contact, and although it can be fun to take the undressing ritual to full nudity if you’re in the mood, the touch ritual itself requires that you at least have underwear on. (You can remain fully clothed throughout, if that’s right for you).
For this workshop, both sides of the group will have a quick practice run first, so that they know what it is like to be on both sides of the exchange before the ritual begins properly.
Debriefing and integration are included. People that have attended ‘The Forest’ are invited to attend the ‘Deep Forest’ at another date, which allows the touch ritual to go longer and deeper.
Gender and sexual attraction: Two version of this workshop run at various times. In the ‘mixed gender’ version, no reference will be made to gender (or anything else) for activities. Therefore, to participate in this ritual, you accept that you may be touched (within the limits you define) by people of any gender. In the ‘male-female pairings’ version, folks that identify as women are paired with folks that identify as men, and the group is divided along binary gender lines for the ritual itself. Queer and trans folk often prefer the ‘mixed gender’ version, but it’s completely your call.
Participants have often described the experience as unexpectedly moving, sublime, ecstatic, freeing, sometimes challenging, trust-building, and contributing to a journey of sexual self-discovery. It’s surprising how much of a training ground The Forest is in getting better at setting and naming your boundaries.
If you're interested in this workshop you may want to check out Deep Forest (the follow-on), Fun Little Sex Games, Sexuality, Psychology and Movement, An Introduction to Ethical Hook-Ups, and the Curiosity workshop and play-space. Or see our 25+ sexuality and self-development workshops.
Please check our current response to Victorian Government advice regarding this workshop.
This workshop begins with some fun introductions and group agreements. We then move into activities to explore and set our personal boundaries, and embodiment practices to help us arrive into the moment and our bodies.
After a break, the room is set up, and the ritual begins. An undressing ritual encourages you to remove as many or as few items of clothing as is right for you.
The group is divided in half. One half takes a position in the space and puts a blindfold on, forming a 'forest' of people. The other half of the group become creatures slowly making their way through the forest, engaging in touch exchanges according to the limits and boundaries of the individual 'trees'. Exchanges might be brief, or long, and are able to be ended by either party at any time. The group then swaps over.
The Forest is very special in the way that it supports your journey into yourself and your own body. It is very hard to project your experience onto another when you are blindfolded and don't know who is engaging with you! The Forest is also a stunning practice for overcoming the idea that touch is only enjoyable when it comes from particular people. (Although, that said, the workshop includes a mechanism where you can ask for someone that engaged with you to identify themselves to you afterwards, if they wish to).
This practice allows for a considerable range of activity. You may choose to experience the touch ritual fully clothed, and with strong limits on where and how you want to be touched. At the other end of the spectrum, you might choose to do it nothing but your underwear and with a fairly adventurous level of touch, noting that you are able to stop any contact at any time, without explanation. There will be some overall limits regarding levels of contact, and although it can be fun to take the undressing ritual to full nudity if you’re in the mood, the touch ritual itself requires that you at least have underwear on. (You can remain fully clothed throughout, if that’s right for you).
For this workshop, both sides of the group will have a quick practice run first, so that they know what it is like to be on both sides of the exchange before the ritual begins properly.
Debriefing and integration are included. People that have attended ‘The Forest’ are invited to attend the ‘Deep Forest’ at another date, which allows the touch ritual to go longer and deeper.
Gender and sexual attraction: Two version of this workshop run at various times. In the ‘mixed gender’ version, no reference will be made to gender (or anything else) for activities. Therefore, to participate in this ritual, you accept that you may be touched (within the limits you define) by people of any gender. In the ‘male-female pairings’ version, folks that identify as women are paired with folks that identify as men, and the group is divided along binary gender lines for the ritual itself. Queer and trans folk often prefer the ‘mixed gender’ version, but it’s completely your call.
Participants have often described the experience as unexpectedly moving, sublime, ecstatic, freeing, sometimes challenging, trust-building, and contributing to a journey of sexual self-discovery. It’s surprising how much of a training ground The Forest is in getting better at setting and naming your boundaries.
If you're interested in this workshop you may want to check out Deep Forest (the follow-on), Fun Little Sex Games, Sexuality, Psychology and Movement, An Introduction to Ethical Hook-Ups, and the Curiosity workshop and play-space. Or see our 25+ sexuality and self-development workshops.
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Tickets, Logistics, and Late Policy:
Our 'rounds' of tickets are really simple: they're all the same, except that some of them are cheaper, to encourage you to book in early (because it makes a huge difference to us in terms of planning). Round One tickets are similar to 'early bird' tickets, and make up almost half of all ticket sales. Round Two tickets, slightly more expensive than Round One, also make up almost half of all ticket sales. Round Three tickets are generally only there once we're close to being sold out, but can squeeze in a late-comer or two. If you're feeling generous, you can buy whatever ticket feels right, but in general, folks buy the cheapest ones available. Tickets range in price from $50 to $70, per person. It is never possible to buy tickets on the door, nor by paying with cash. See our FAQ for more information on this. Workshops start at the advertised time, and doors will be locked ten minutes later. This is because late arrivals interrupt the dynamic of the group, and will miss crucial safety information. |
To book into this workshop...
To book into any Curious Creatures workshop, we have a once-off application process that takes less than five minutes. Once you've done it, we will give you a level of access, and you can then book into as many workshops as you wish at that level of access. You can read more about this application process here. To apply, click here now. If you've already applied and received access, you can access the ticket-booking link here:
Note that 'The Forest' requires 'All Areas Access'. MELBOURNE: Sign up to our newsletter to be notified when new in-person sessions are released (put your location as VIC). |
WHO THIS IS FOR AND NOT FOR...
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Version for M/F pairings:
INTENSITY: Different people have different experiences; for some, it’s a light and enjoyable exchange. For others, it’s fairly intense at times. It's a gentle and contained and carefully defined space, but it includes blindfolds and touch by strangers. WHO FOR: Those drawn towards ritual, developing their sexuality, playing gently at their edges, people wanting to open up to a wider range of touch and other people. WHO NOT FOR: Not for people that are uncomfortable with touch with a variety of people. Not for people unable to set personal boundaries, or whose abuse history is too close to the surface. WILL THERE BE PARTNER WORK? There will be some verbal exchanges and simple touch exercises in pairs, but most of the workshop is spent in the ritual described above. HOW WILL PARTNERING BE DONE? By the facilitator, randomly, where people that identify as women will be paired with people that identify as men. CAN YOU WORK WITH AN EXISTING PARTNER / FRIEND? No, unless chance puts you together. NUDITY: The undressing ritual can be done fully clothed, through to naked. The Forest ritual itself is done with underwear on at a minimum, for safer sex reasons. There is no expectation or requirement that you remove any clothing. SEXUAL CONTENT: The workshop is about sexual concepts, and touch in particular. COMMITMENT: You may leave the workshop before the ritual if you decide, after the practice run, that it's not for you. You may also set as many boundaries as is right for you, ensuring that touch only happens to the level that's right for you at the time. RATIO EXPERIENTIAL / THEORETICAL: Mostly experiential. Some theory / discussion relating to safety, boundaries, and conduct. BRING: A water bottle, and any snacks you might need. WEAR: Whatever you're comfortable in. |
Version for Paired with any gender:
INTENSITY: Different people have different experiences; for some, it’s a light and enjoyable exchange. For others, it’s fairly intense at times. It's a gentle and contained and carefully defined space, but it includes blindfolds and touch by strangers. WHO FOR: Those drawn towards ritual, developing their sexuality, playing gently at their edges, people wanting to open up to a wider range of touch and other people. WHO NOT FOR: Not for people that are uncomfortable with touch with a variety of people. Not for people unable to set personal boundaries, or who’s abuse history is too close to the surface. WILL THERE BE PARTNER WORK?: There will be some verbal exchanges and simple touch exercises in pairs, but most of the workshop is spent in the ritual described above. HOW WILL PARTNERING BE DONE?: By the facilitator, randomly. CAN YOU WORK WITH AN EXISTING PARTNER / FRIEND?: No, unless chance puts you together. NUDITY: The undressing ritual can be done fully clothed, through to naked. The Forest ritual itself is done with underwear on at a minimum, for safer sex reasons. There is no expectation or requirement that you remove any clothing. SEXUAL CONTENT: The workshop is about sexual concepts, and touch in particular. COMMITMENT: You may leave the workshop before the ritual if you decide, after the practice run, that it's not for you. You may also set as many boundaries as is right for you, ensuring that touch only happens to the level that's right for you at the time. RATIO EXPERIENTIAL / THEORETICAL: Mostly experiential. Some theory / discussion relating to safety, boundaries, and conduct. BRING: A water bottle, and any snacks you might need. WEAR: Whatever you're comfortable in. |
"It was an eye opener. It was just amazing.. What an experience to be touched by strangers and to put your complete trust on them...."
•
"Beautiful. Did not know fully what to expect, so I went in with an attitude of see what happens and be as open to participate as I could. I liked especially the atmosphere of friendliness, safety, nonjudgement, inclusivity, working to each their own level. What didn't I like? Rog saying time's up. Would recommend to every and anyone. It really is for absolutely everyone with a body. Thank you whole heartedly."
•
"I really enjoyed it. It has transformed my relationship with intimate touch."
•
"I found it a very thought provoking and enjoyable experience. I went to challenge my comfort zone. It did. The facilitation was excellent. Friendly, informative and I felt very safe knowing that the facilitators were always in command of the situation. Thank you for getting this out there. You are responsible and professional in delivering these workshops. Long may you prosper."
•
"I liked that I went in nervous and by the debrief I was chatting to the group wearing... ironically only my briefs. I had a great time and woke up the next day smiling and reliving everything that had happened."
•
"Excellent. Very safe. Took a new person, she loved it too. I recommend this to everyone."
•
"I enjoyed both giving and receiving. I liked the undressing ritual, finding it very powerful."
•
"Fabulous. Encountered the delightfully unexpected."
•
"Loved it. Totally loved the opportunity to touch someone in a very safe way, and have them affirm that they liked it. To be touched in a moment that is all about the touch, and not about the social context, or the what next was just sublime."
•
"I loved how the use of a blindfold disabled any prejudices one could have about physical attraction coupled with the enjoyment of touch. This really let us hone in on touch itself, and let go of our need to be physically attracted to someone to enjoy their touch. I place a lot of importance on physical attraction when it comes to being intimate with someone so I really valued experimenting with this and letting that go. It was an incredibly SAFE space and I myself, as well as those who I spoke with on the evening really felt that. Loved all of it!"
•
"The workshop was amazing. I loved it all. The only thing was the i wished it was longer!"
•
"It was a great experience. I felt safe, in control and this made me more adventurous. I thought the session was run really well."
•
"It surpassed my expectations in terms of how well it was facilitated and the gentle, supportive, playful environment created. I liked everything about it."
•
"The atmosphere was relaxed and at no time did I feel unsafe or feel any pressure to reduce my boundaries. (I came to the event on my own as a single female). The concept was really good, there are too few social opportunities for tactile engagement that don't require an existing partner or an extensive filtering process!"
•
"It was terrific. I really like how consent was discussed and agreed. The level of communication was terrific. The people were all cool and I'd recommend it highly."
•
"Can't wait to get the chance to explore some of the things this opened up for me. I'll definitely be looking for an opportunity to do this again and try the Deep Forest."
•
"Great facilitation - I felt safe to explore which was really important to me."
•
"As someone who has never been to anything like this and attended all on my own, I really enjoyed it. Rog & Tess did a great job of cultivating a relaxed, safe environment with quite a few laughs! I feel a fair bit of shame and trepidation around sexual expression, so to have the anonymity of the blindfolds was very freeing and comforting."
•
"Amazing, powerful, totally positive experience."
•
"It was very inspiring and confidence building, I love the whole briefing, debriefing, undressing/dressing rituals and the forest ritual itself."
•
"It was brilliant. Well organised and presented. Facilitator put everyone at ease and continually encouraged all to experience things to the level that made them comfortable. I loved everything about the event. A unique compelling and exciting adventure."
•
"I really enjoyed it! I loved the 'vibe' of the workshop and the people there (both the Curious Creatures staff and the participants) were awesome! I loved the structure of the evening - everything was comprehensively covered before we began 'The Forest' itself."
•
"Beautiful. Did not know fully what to expect, so I went in with an attitude of see what happens and be as open to participate as I could. I liked especially the atmosphere of friendliness, safety, nonjudgement, inclusivity, working to each their own level. What didn't I like? Rog saying time's up. Would recommend to every and anyone. It really is for absolutely everyone with a body. Thank you whole heartedly."
•
"I really enjoyed it. It has transformed my relationship with intimate touch."
•
"I found it a very thought provoking and enjoyable experience. I went to challenge my comfort zone. It did. The facilitation was excellent. Friendly, informative and I felt very safe knowing that the facilitators were always in command of the situation. Thank you for getting this out there. You are responsible and professional in delivering these workshops. Long may you prosper."
•
"I liked that I went in nervous and by the debrief I was chatting to the group wearing... ironically only my briefs. I had a great time and woke up the next day smiling and reliving everything that had happened."
•
"Excellent. Very safe. Took a new person, she loved it too. I recommend this to everyone."
•
"I enjoyed both giving and receiving. I liked the undressing ritual, finding it very powerful."
•
"Fabulous. Encountered the delightfully unexpected."
•
"Loved it. Totally loved the opportunity to touch someone in a very safe way, and have them affirm that they liked it. To be touched in a moment that is all about the touch, and not about the social context, or the what next was just sublime."
•
"I loved how the use of a blindfold disabled any prejudices one could have about physical attraction coupled with the enjoyment of touch. This really let us hone in on touch itself, and let go of our need to be physically attracted to someone to enjoy their touch. I place a lot of importance on physical attraction when it comes to being intimate with someone so I really valued experimenting with this and letting that go. It was an incredibly SAFE space and I myself, as well as those who I spoke with on the evening really felt that. Loved all of it!"
•
"The workshop was amazing. I loved it all. The only thing was the i wished it was longer!"
•
"It was a great experience. I felt safe, in control and this made me more adventurous. I thought the session was run really well."
•
"It surpassed my expectations in terms of how well it was facilitated and the gentle, supportive, playful environment created. I liked everything about it."
•
"The atmosphere was relaxed and at no time did I feel unsafe or feel any pressure to reduce my boundaries. (I came to the event on my own as a single female). The concept was really good, there are too few social opportunities for tactile engagement that don't require an existing partner or an extensive filtering process!"
•
"It was terrific. I really like how consent was discussed and agreed. The level of communication was terrific. The people were all cool and I'd recommend it highly."
•
"Can't wait to get the chance to explore some of the things this opened up for me. I'll definitely be looking for an opportunity to do this again and try the Deep Forest."
•
"Great facilitation - I felt safe to explore which was really important to me."
•
"As someone who has never been to anything like this and attended all on my own, I really enjoyed it. Rog & Tess did a great job of cultivating a relaxed, safe environment with quite a few laughs! I feel a fair bit of shame and trepidation around sexual expression, so to have the anonymity of the blindfolds was very freeing and comforting."
•
"Amazing, powerful, totally positive experience."
•
"It was very inspiring and confidence building, I love the whole briefing, debriefing, undressing/dressing rituals and the forest ritual itself."
•
"It was brilliant. Well organised and presented. Facilitator put everyone at ease and continually encouraged all to experience things to the level that made them comfortable. I loved everything about the event. A unique compelling and exciting adventure."
•
"I really enjoyed it! I loved the 'vibe' of the workshop and the people there (both the Curious Creatures staff and the participants) were awesome! I loved the structure of the evening - everything was comprehensively covered before we began 'The Forest' itself."
