In this workshop, we will explore techniques for processing pain - both physical and emotional - in order to access suffering, release, and excitement, while staying grounded in presence and awareness.

Pain can be a powerful guide. It signals our limits, reveals where attention is needed, and can also highlight old barriers we’re ready to let go of. By staying attuned to our experience in real time, we learn to distinguish between the pain we should honor and the pain we may choose to move through. In doing so, we open the door to what many of us seek in BDSM and rope: meaningful suffering, conscious surrender, and transformative connection.

Together, we’ll build the tools to stay present, self-aware, and consensual - even in the most challenging, edgy moments.

We will explore both physical and emotional impact:

Physically, you’ll learn techniques for giving and receiving impact safely, on various parts of the body - including the face. We’ll cover:

• Spanking zones for the hand and common tools

• Anatomy and safety fundamentals

• Rhythm, speed, and intensity

• Movement, body control, and positioning

• Skin preparation, bruises, and aftercare

• Creative games and exercises for building comfort with pain

Emotionally, we’ll dive into the less visible forms of impact - those that leave marks on the psyche rather than the skin. We’ll explore:

• Shame, submission, fear, and other emotional themes

• Setting intention for the emotional arc of a scene

• Navigating and repairing unintended emotional outcomes

• Tools for presence, awareness, and regulation during difficult moments

Throughout the workshop, we’ll integrate verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, warm-up and cool-down practices, and approaches to processing pain in ways that deepen trust and connection. This work is about staying open and aware—never disconnected or overwhelmed.

Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is open to all - regardless of experience level, identity, or play style. Please note that we may engage with emotionally intense topics, and exercises may be physically or psychologically challenging.

No one will be required to do anything. Sitting, breathing, and simply being present is enough. Your presence alone helps hold space for others. That shared presence is often the most important element in confronting emotions like shame or vulnerability.

This is not a therapy session, and Saara Rei is not a licensed mental health professional. However, she brings extensive experience in facilitation and mediation, and will hold space with care, respect, and grounding.

In the end, this is your practice. You remain in control at all times. You decide how deep you want to go, and what you’re ready to explore.

If you are interested in booking this workshop in a part of the world near you, then please send an email.