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11:20 a.m.
- 12:50 p.m.
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Teaching
People to Connect With Each Other When All We Know Is Fear
Moderator; Discussants:
Marcia Baczynski, Dr. Betty Martin, Diane
Long
Track: Practicalities
Hunt's Point/Yarrow Point Ballroom
In today's
political "fear economy", the world definitely seems to be a very
unfriendly place, so unfriendly that people live in fear of one another. Gone
are the days when neighbors watched out for one another's kids as they played
till the street lamps came on. Now people are watching out to see whether their
neighbor is a pedophile or about to call the cops on them for having a few
people over. At work, fear of sexual harassment has paralyzed basic human
communication. In our schools, teachers are instructed not to touch their
students. Some school administrations are even telling the children not to
touch one another.
This panel will look at the complexity of touch in the public sphere and
explore ways we can create, teach and foster basic human connections and
intimacy in the "fear-climate" of today's world.
Marcia Baczynski As co-creator of the phenomenon
known as Cuddle
Party, Marcia has gained important insights on the nature of intimacy,
communication and affection in American culture and is actively working to
integrate new models of interaction into people's day-to-day lives. Marcia
graduated from the University of Georgia where she received her certificate in
women's studies and studied history and media. As an educator, coach, and
workshop facilitator, she has worked with thousands of men and women in their
relationships, communication skills and sexuality, and as a media spokesperson,
she has reached millions. Marcia has been a guest lecturer for sex and gender
classes at UGA and the City University of New York, and has appeared on the
Tyra show, Fox News, the Montel Williams show, and in the Washington Post, People,
Newsweek, and GQ. She is working on her first book.
Dr. Betty Martin
I believe
that we are all inherently connected to each other, even when we don't realize it or feel it.
It is our natural
state, and I am committed to dispelling the fears and confusions that prevent
us from acting on the basis of it. This includes our families, our communities
and our world. I bring to this work my intuition, integrity, skill and wisdom, developed over many years
of experience as a health care professional, peer counseling teacher, psychotherapy
assistant and mom. I love this work!
In my 26 years in health care, I learned to help patients make empowered choices for
themselves. In my 20 years of peer counseling, I learned to listen deeply, and
to trust our inherent creativity. Working with gender and liberation issues, I
learned the depths of our gender conditioning, and the power of each of us to
heal from it and reclaim our naturally loving hearts. Assisting at
psychotherapy intensives, I learned the power of love and courage, along with
skills in boundaries and personal accountability. Raising my children, I
witnessed the sensual playfulness, curiosity and empowerment with which we are
born, and can always re-claim. Again and again I have been inspired by our
amazing resilience and brilliance. Along the
way, I've gathered tools to help integrate the body, mind, emotions, and
spirit- Chiropractic, Somato-Respiratory Integration, Brain Gym,
Neuro-Emotional Technique, Quantum Touch and Reiki. I've also enjoyed Authentic
Movement, Contact Improvisation, Inner Dialog, Continuum Movement, Liberation
Theatre, meditation, personal and group ritual, fantasy play, and massage. I
bring all my skills to every situation.
Diane Long has been working in violence prevention and
education for more than 15 years. Since 1991, she has taught sex-positive verbal
and physical self-defense and empowerment to women, children and in the GLBT
community. Diane has practiced seifukujitsu martial arts massage for 10 years,
and has also trained in energetic reflexology, Healing Touch and Chakra
Bodywork. Most recently, she has been designing curriculum to promote sexual
self-esteem and sexual negotiation among GLBT youth, as well as classes
specifically geared towards trauma survivors. For the past three years, she has
worked with torture survivors in a clinical setting as a French interpreter and
volunteer bodyworker.
| Polyamory and Getting What You Want
Presenter: Robyn Trask
Track: Communication/Emotional Intelligence
Ravenna Room
You've explored polyamory or are exploring and finding it fits, now what? How do you make these
relationships really work and last. Polyamory is the freedom to
say "yes" to loving sexual romantic relationships with trust, honesty and
integrity at its core. In this workshop we will explore the unique issues of
long term polyamory, whether your single, involved as a couple with other
partners, a triad, whatever the dynamics; what issues do polyamorous
relationships face and how do we maintain deep intimacy with more than one partner?
Robyn Trask is the Managing Editor and Director for Loving More
Magazine, a non-profit organization providing education and information on
polyamorous relationships. Robyn has been polyamorous for eighteen years and
has taught at national polyamory conferences since 2003. She has
worked with individuals, couples, triads and other partnerships, helping them
to bring more authenticity and intimacy to their relationships through
exploration of relationship alternatives and spiritual sexuality.
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