The SensuaList - Midori's Latest News

1. CURRENT TRENDS IN SEXUALITY

You're out there making it happen!
After my musings last month on NanoActivism, e mails and on line responses poured in on the simple and small actions each of you are taking - to collectively make a profound difference in the world. Each day, among the grim news headlines, we see such signs poking out, like green sprouts breaking through the wreckage and the rot.

There also seems to be a shift of late, in people's focus concerning their sensual and sexual lives. Emerging as a quiet trend among those attending my classes: the longing for emotional authenticity and connection with their partners. Ways to express creativity with the ordinary objects are gaining popularity as well. Fading into a lesser priority seems to be the fascination with flashy skills for the sake of flash and the interest in the latest gadgetry.

I can't say for certain if this is a general trend - but it certainly seem to be among those I meet in workshops. As I teach to a broad spectrum of people in a wide range of geographic areas, maybe there is something to this observation. The questions during and after classes are focused more towards making intimate connections. Eyes light up to tips on better understanding one's partners. Faces brighten while working on finding one's fundamental joys. More people, especially couples, who've never come to bedroom skills workshops are coming to them as sexy date nights, leaving the kids with sitters and holding hands during class.

Maybe it's one of those side effects of the economic meltdown. When top-of-the-line fashion magazines cover the joys of thrift shop treasure hunts and the New York Times has a series on frugal traveling, sensuality turns to the core of intimacy rather than the latest exotic adult resorts, fantastical toys or complicated technical displays.

The heart and hearth trumps bling and glitz.
This warms my heart - it's the first blossoms of spring after a long, hard winter.

Has your focus personal pleasure and fulfillment shifted of late?
What brings you joy?

Wishing you peace and pleasure.

Midori

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2. FORTE FEMME: WOMEN'S SENSUAL DOMINANCE INTENSIVE

Forte Femme returns to San Francisco!
This very special immersion weekend is limited to 10 women.

SAN FRANCISCO Forte Femme
When:     Fri 8/14 through Sun 8/16 (Fri, 7pm - 10pm, Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 9am - 6pm)
Where:     Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport.
Cost:     $650/per person.
Register:     Advanced registration required. Go to www.FHP-inc.com

Weekend Detail:

Join Midori for this special women's weekend intensive of instruction and fun! The class is limited to 10 women to ensure the highest quality tutelage. Experience a most unique, in-depth program on how to bring the joys of sensual power play to your relationship.

Expanding on Midori's ever-popular class "The Art of Feminine Dominance," you'll be fully tutored through a series of personalized instruction, practice, discussions and demonstrations. Midori believes in a compassionate approach of education focusing on "Head-Heart-and-Hands", to go beyond merely focusing on the technique or formulaic scripts.

Find your authentic inner femme power! Through exploration of safe and effective techniques with emphasis on connections with your partner, fortified with individual attention and guidance, you'll learn the full scope of creating an amazing experience for you and your partner.

During this immersion retreat, you'll learn creative negotiation, scene setting, special equipment, play techniques including flogging, various bondage types and more. You will also explore emotional and psychological issues of loving SM in a healthy relationship.

If you have a partner, they are encouraged to join in the Lab segment on Sunday afternoon.

Included: Workbook, morning coffee & nosh, lunch, afternoon snacks, fun goodies, plus optional guided field trip into San Francisco.

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3. ON LINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SEATTLE ROPE DOJO

Two day intensive from the head-heart-hand approach and philosophy, led by Midori and 3 other Dojo crew members. Intended for the novice and the seasoned, and for those who like to tie as well as those who like to be tied.

Online Registration www.RopeDojo.com
Space Limited: 30 students
Dojo Dates: Aug 1 - 2 (10am - 6pm both days)
Cost: $350 /singles, $650/pair. (Bring an exercise buddy and save some $!)
Prerequisite: Willingness for serious rope learning. Ability to tie your shoe-laces. No experience necessary. However, those with experience will be appropriately challenged.

Includes: 16+ hours of intensive training from 2 teachers and 2 trained TAs. Emphasizing balanced education focusing on "Heart-Mind-Hand" approach, covering rope skills, scene managements, psychology, history and more for both those who tie and those who are tied. Included: Morning nosh, lunches, afternoon snacks and cool swag.

For more information see the curriculum and FAQ at www.RopeDojo.com

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4. UPCOMING CLASSES / EVENTS JULY: (Santa Cruz, LA, Berkeley, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Rafael, Victoria Canada, Seattle)

SANTA CRUZ, CA

• Wed 7/9 "How to Eat a Peach: Pleasuring Her" at Pure Pleasure Boutique. 204 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: 831.466.9870

LOS ANGELES

• Thr 7/11 Free class! "Love Bondage for Beginners" at the Pleasure Chest.. 7733 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046 Tel. 323.650.1022
• Tue 7/12 2pm - 5pm "Rope Dance: Dynamic Passionate Movements" at Stockroom Annex, 2811 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles. CA 90026 Tickets available on line at www.fhp-inc.com/classes.php $60 / pair in advance or $70 / pair at the door. *Advanced registration encouragd.

• Tue 7/12 7pm "Fun with the Family Jewels" at Syren, 2809 1/2 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles. CA 90026 Tel: 213-989-0334 Tickets available by phone or at the door. $25 advance / $30 at door. 7pm - 9pm.

• Tue 7/21 "JoyStick Secrets: How to Thrill a Man" at Coco De Mer, 8618 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310 652 0311

• Tue 7/22 "Aural Sex: Seduction by Voice" at Coco De Mer, 8618 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310 652 0311

BERKELEY

• Tue 7/13 "Hands-on Flogging" at Good Vibrations Berkeley, 2504 San Pablo Avenue (at Dwight Way), Berkeley, CA 94702 $25 if pre-registered, $30 for drop-ins. Call 510-841-8987 to reserve a seat.

SANTA CLARA

• Tue 7/18 "Rope Dance: Dynamic Passionate Movements" at The Edges, 6pm - 8pm.

SAN FRANCISCO

• Tue 7/18 Performing at the Marquis Fetish Ball.
• Tue 7/19 "Playing with the Family Jewels: CBT!" at Mr. S Leather. 385 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. tel: (415) 863-7764,

SAN RAFAEL, CA

• Mon 7/20 "Art of Feminine Dominance" at Pleasures of the Heart 1310 Fourth Street, San Rafael CA 94901 Phone: 415-482-9899

VICTORIA, CANADA

• 7/24 - 7/25 Special series of classes for Sagacity
"Hands-on Rope Bondage"
"Beyond Twisted: Kink Outside the Box"
"Mapping Your D/s Archetype"
"Improve Your Flogging Skills! Hands-on Workshop".

SEATTLE

• Sat 7/28 Classes at The Center for Sex Positive Culture. Topics and Details soon! 1602 15th Ave W Seattle, WA 98119 Tel: (206) 270-9746

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5. PREVIEW: AUGUST CLASSES / EVENTS (Santa Cruz, LA, Berkeley, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Rafael, Victoria Canada, Seattle)

SEATTLE

• 8/1 - 8/2 Rope Bondage Dojo, Stage 1, Weekend Intensive. Preregistration required. RopeDojo.com.

• Sun 8/2 "Aural Sex: Seduction by Voice" at Babeland, Class sells out fast, so register early. Tel. 206.328.2914.

SANTA CRUZ, CA

• Wed 8/5 "Hands-on Rope Body Harnesses" at Pure Pleasure Boutique. 204 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: 831.466.9870

SAN FRANCISCO

• Tue 8/11 "Wrapped for Pleasure: Steamy, Easy Sex Bondage" at Good Vibrations, on Polk St. 620 Polk Street (at Sacramento Street) San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 345-040

• 8/14 - 16 Forte Femme: Women's Sensual Dominance Weekend Intensive. (See info in above paragraph) Info & registration at: fhp-inc.com/classes.

• Sat 8/21 Performance art piece at Femina Potens Gallery for the "Art of Restraint" evening soiree. It's one of my infamous art-pranks. Info: Femina Potens Tickets

MILWAUKEE

• Sun 8/23 "JoyStick Secrets: How to Thrill a Man" at the Tool Shed shop. 2427 N. Murray Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211. Tel. 414-906-5304

• Sat 8/29 "How to Eat a Peach: Pleasuring Her" at the Tool Shed shop. 2427 N. Murray Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211. Tel. 414-906-5304

CHICAGO

• Mon 8/24 "JoyStick Secrets: How to Thrill a Man" at The Pleasure Chest, 3436 North Lincoln Avenue. Tel: 773.525.7151

• Tue 8/25 "How to Eat a Peach: Pleasuring Her" at The Pleasure Chest, 3436 North Lincoln Avenue. Tel: 773.525.7151

• Wed 8/26 "Aural Sex: Seduction by Voice" at The Pleasure Chest, 3436 North Lincoln Avenue. Tel: 773.525.7151

• Thr 8/27 "Art of Feminine Dominance, Level 1" at Early To Bed. 5232 N. Sheridan Rd. on Chicago's north side, right off Lake Shore Drive at the Foster exit Tel: 773-271-1219 or toll free at 866-585-2BED (2233).

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6. TWITTER AND OTHER DIGITAL GHETTOS I LURK ABOUT IN

Ok, I've jointed the flock as well and I'm on Twitter as @PlanetMidori. Connect up with me there! Here are the various places I waste time at when I'm on-line... Drop on by!
Twitter @PlanetMidori
Personal Blog
Kink Q&A
Sexuality Q&A
Facebook as "Midori ReallyMidori"
Fet Life Midori_SF
My Space
Tribe

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Midori