Hosted by Dennis from Returning to Slowness
A space dedicated to slowness, honest int/macy and ple/sure among Queers.
A night full of slowness and queer softness.
MAKE SURE TO READ THE WHOLE DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY.
“I revel in the lingering feeling of peace and belonging I have been searching for since moving to the city.” – attendee of one of the last Temple Nights
This is not a workshop. This is not a s/x party. This is not a speed dating event.
This shall be a space for you to just be. Be held. Express what needs to be expressed. In these times needed more than ever.
This space was created by Dennis out of desire and frustration. Out of need and love for community. A space dedicated to slowness and honest int/macy among queer bodies.
We believe queer bodies, queer desires and queer relationality carry wisdom for how we touch, feel, hold and meet each other. The queer soul is not something to be translated into heteronormative polarity language.
In this city there’s a lack of spaces that center queer bodies, hearts and ple/sure in their softness and complexity. Spaces for those of us who crave slowness, softness, laughter, and real, un-performative int/macy among queers are rare. Spaces aloof from peak-experience s/x-positive parties, k/nk workshops, or other hedonistic gatherings. That’s why this Slow Temple came to life ~ designed by queers, for queers (and the curious!), where your expressions are celebrated.
A beginner-friendly guided and curated container designed for you to explore slowness, sensuality, embodied consent and boundaries, intentional touch, your emotional world — all to create deeper connections in a group space and ritual, where we invite any form of expression, presence, care, joy or sadness ~ all is welcome. A cozy, consent-forward playground for exploring honest int/macy and ple/sure without pressure. A place to breathe, blush, stretch, and maybe discover that ple/sure can be as simple as eye contact, a giggle, or a really good hug.
This space is for all queer (and curious) adults of all genders, bodies, s/xualities, emotional states, spiritual paths and relationship styles. We explicitly welcome trans, non-binary, intersex, queer, questioning and gender-expansive folks — alongside anyone who feels called to explore int/macy in a queer-centered space with respect and care. No prior experience is needed, just the willingness and readiness to meet others where they are at and your curiosity.
(for clarification: this is NOT a BIPOC-exclusive space. It’s a mixed space.)
How can I imagine a Temple Night?
A Temple is a guided space to explore intimate embodied connection ~ solo, partnered, and collective ~ through the body, the senses, and a generous dose of curiosity. A space where we welcome all the facets to our human experience. Where we can explore our emotional body. Where er/tic energy might show up, without pressure and expectation; we’re letting it find us while we’re busy being our weird, radiant, consent-savvy selves.
You are guided gently before you are invited to follow your curiosity and ple/sure in a free flow ~ the Open Space ~, where you might get in touch with your edges and feel into and express your ‘Yes’ and ‘No’s’.
You will be guided through practices centering around embodied consent, intentional touch, body awareness. All to bring you in touch with your body in your own ways, your truth and inner world, to welcome you where you are at and to bring you in connection with others, if you feel it. You are invited to express in ways that feel true to you ~ to move freely, to be in silence and stillness, to (self) touch, to use your voice, to share, to actively listen.
The Flow of the Night
Arrival – “Landing Softly”We start and remain slow and soft. You’ll have time to arrive and to ground. There will be intros and agreements for the collective to understand how to co-create it safer and yet juicy.
Guided Space – “Sensual Exploration (With Structure)”You are invited to solo, partnered and group exercises, mindful touch, embodied consent, joint movement, compassionate sharings: exercises to build trust and to bring you into your body, to speak and express your truth from your body. Without expectation or pressure. You are at all times in the driver seat of your own experience and the level of your involvement. Your No’s will be celebrated.
Open Space – “Choose Your Own Adventure. Follow Your Desire”After the guided part, the space opens. Maybe you want to cuddle. Maybe you want to follow the cute encounter you just had before. Maybe you want to offer someone a sensual massage. Maybe you lie dramatically on a pillow and gaze at the ceiling. Maybe you brought your favorite toy and want to play with someone. Feel free to explore: Follow your desire, your ple/sure, without pressure, performance, or goals. The Open Space is musically and visually accompanied live by my dearest friend abstract (https://abstraqt.space)
Closing Circle – “Reflect, Express Feels And Gently Close”We gather again, share what stood out, wrapping up, integrate, and return to the world a little more tender, a little more alive, and hopefully smelling faintly of liberation.
Consent
It is not only the s/xiest thing in the space, it is the bare minimum: Enthusiastic ongoing Consent. We move slowly and with care. We ask first. We listen with our whole bodies. We renegotiate. We normalize awkwardness, because sometimes “uhh can I…?” is the s/xiest sentence in the room. Every ‘Yes’ is sacred. Every ‘No’ is not only respected but celebrated. Every ‘Maybe’ is a “check in later.” You are always in the driver seat of your own experience.
What else is important to know
Energy in the space: welcoming a co-creational space of desire, sensuality and potentially er/tic energy (and it’s totally ok if that is not your vibe at that moment of time).
Group size: You can expect a group size between ~10-30 people, depending on the level of attendance.
There will be a self-regulation zone: a quiet corner for solo time, snacks, or existential reflection.
Opting out: totally okay. You can say no at all times, step aside, nap in the corner, or stare into the void — we love that for you.
Clothing: optional. Fashion statements welcome, but no must. Bring your juicy lingerie and comfy sweater and decide what mood you are in in the moment. Whatever makes you feel comfortable and like you. Nudity is just one of many ways to express comfort and sensuality. Panties stay on though (because it is no-penetration-or-genital-stimutlation-space).
Atmosphere: part Temple, part cuddle fort, part queer family reunion where deep emotions are welcome.
Support: expect emotional support and grounded facilitation throughout.
Snacks: provided, but don’t expect a proper dinner. So please come well fed.
LGBTQIA + neurodivergence + beginner friendly: As a queer, Black, and neurodivergent human, I warmly welcome those of similar heritage and lived experience to join the Temple.
For those of you who need slowness
I see you. I am one of you. You don’t have to be overly outgoing and expressive, extroverted, confident, loud or flirty to belong. Feeling shy, awkward, intimidated, nervous before and in these experiences is absolutely common. This space invites you where you are at. This space moves slow and built on softness and slowness. We ease in gently, setting clear agreements and moving through clearly-guided practices. Partnering up is always a choice, never a demand. Move at your own rhythm. Take a pause, step out, giggle, tear up, or just breathe. Every version of you belongs here.
What to bring:
Yourself, your Temple clean body without heavy scents
Feel free to come alone or to bring your partner(s), lover(s), bestie(s)
Comfortable clothing (as described above) + underwear you can move comfortably in
A full water bottle
Your fav tools to play or be spoiled with
Any object that supports you in a space like this
About the facilitators
DENNIS (HE/THEY) is based in Berlin, creating spaces of int/macy and deliberate slowness. Dennis accompanies individuals and groups toward greater authenticity, self-acceptance, and int/macy - with themselves and others. Their work is guided by the principles of slowness, curiosity, and presence, holding space (and hands) in moments of shame, awkwardness, or self-doubt.
Some facts about Denis: They are a certified SOMA Int/macy® practitioner. They are also trained in Nuad Thai massage and Reiki. They weave these modalities together in spaces of slowness, primarily in Berlin, through group workshops (up to 50 participants so far), festivals (e.g., STRETCH, Whole, The Palace, Waking Life), and 1:1 accompaniment.
Live Audio & Video Performance
ABSTRAQT (THEY/IT) is a multimedia body that inhabits physical and digital spaces. In its practice it searches for and builds relations between humans, communities, media, as well as between art and activism. Deeply reliant on digital tools, abstraqt’s work is an act of extension of physical environments. It creates spaces where new forms of within-technological spirituality emerge. Multimedia by nature, abstraqt’s installations, live performances and curated events let sound, image, light, space and body move as parts of one organism.
Tickets: sliding scale from 29€ to 49€