Description

Workshop information

Arrival any time after 7pm. We will start with a personal warmup and begin the main event at 7:30. Please do not arrive any later than 7:20 to have time to change and get ready.

Play fighting is all about connection to your own body and energies flowing through it first. Only from that space you can wrestle and play in a wholesome, connected, delicious way with other beings. What you discover in this kind of deeply embodied connection with others is likely to surprise you! Perhaps your body, and spirit, crave gentleness and flowing, perhaps there’s a lot of passion, fire and wildness yearning to be expressed. You might awaken your creativity or meet your inner child or feel silly and full of life!

You won’t know until you dive into it full in!

In the workshop, we will talk through and demonstrate safety aspects of play fighting, demonstrate techniques and go through a series of exercises to warm up and connect with others. Importantly, we will explore boundaries and consent, communicating them in both verbal and nonverbal ways.

Everyone who wants to, will have an opportunity to challenge another for a play fight in the circle. Typically, rounds last 2 minutes and can be include 2-4 people, depending on space and skill levels.

You are welcome to bring in all your energies – playful, silly, competitive, gentle, caring, soulful or in eros. However, please note that this workshop is not sexual.

We will finish at 10:30 pm at the latest.

Plan 

• 7 pm arrival for 7:30 start
• 7:30-8:15 body warm-up, stretches and connection games
• 8:15-8:55 play fight!
• 8:55-9:15 break
• 9:15-10 play fight!
• 10-10:30 winding down (optional cuddles)

Important information

• Please do not consume mind altering substances for 24 hours prior to the event
• This is a non-sexual space
• Bring snacks to share. Water and tea will be available
• Venue address will be emailed to all attendees before the event (nearest station is Limehouse, 3 minutes walk)
• Bring a water bottle (no open drink containers allowed in the space)
• Wear yoga/gym clothes
• Avoid strong perfumes or scents
• Please remove watches, all jewellery and sharp or loose piercings before the workshop
• No prior skill is necessary, and all body types and abilities are welcome
• We welcome all genders, sexualities and identities.
• We do not tolerate any prejudices, biases or othering.

Pricing

• Normal: £35
• Generous: £45 which helps us offer accessible tickets to those on low or no income
• If you are on low or no income please contact Roy to inquire about reduced and assistant positions

Your facilitator: 

Roy Graff is a counsellor, life and relationship coach who draws on his training in Psychosynthesis psychotherapy, Radical Honesty, Non-violent Communication and Wheel of Consent training to offer coaching and mentoring to individuals, couples and polycules. He can help you with relationship issues, honesty and authenticity in relating, life transformation and major life crises.

Roy has been facilitating play fighting workshops and consent workshops since 2022 in London, Manchester, Brighton, Nottingham and Bristol as well as festivals in the UK and Europe.

You can read more about Roy on his bio.

Venue details

The exact address will be emailed to guests before the event. The nearest transport station is Limehouse, DLR which is less than 5 minutes walk.

Accessibility: The venue has a couple of steps to enter and a ramp can be used for wheelchair access.

Booking conditions

• Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
• Full payment is needed to secure a place.
• There are no refunds, but tickets are transferable to another person, or to use at another date (only with more than 24 hours notice).
• An email with venue details and other important information will be sent to you 1-2 days before the event.

Testimonials

“Play Fighting workshop was everything I had hoped for: well-organised, fun, energetic and intense. It was lovely to witness a variety of play fighting styles from competitive to sensual to almost erotic (had I stayed for the optional Temple, I’m sure eroticism would have been the main energy ingredient). I was pleased to see how quickly a bunch of standers are able to authentically connect with each other on a wide range of levels within the safety of the play space. Kudos to the organisers, for their excellent team work and professionalism. I can highly recommend to anyone to attend it.”

Kristina

“It was with great anticipation that I went to the Play fighting workshop and temple. I was not disappointed it provided a space for me to be physical, powerful and playful with others. Wrestling, pushing, grabbing, snarling, rolling around – I loved it. A place to let out my inner animal without inhibition. I came away more confident and grateful to experience this part of my erotic nature with others. I learned so much about myself thank you.” 

Dee

“I was quite apprehensive before attending, but it couldn’t have been a nicer or more welcoming and inclusive experience, with great care taken of every participant and a carefully-structured build-up to the more intense stuff. We were regularly reminded of choice and consent (also safety), but not in a way that interfered with enjoyment. A lovely experience altogether.”

Matt

“Thank you for providing a safe and welcoming space to explore play fighting for the first time. I felt comfortable throughout to explore movement and touch in the warm up exercises and supported to try a play fight. the rules were easy to follow and everything felt intuitive. Such a warm and supportive group of people to share and try something new.”

EJ

“I felt the workshop was very well presented and it demonstrated how best we should both control our emotions and desires.”

“Roy did an excellent job at explaining the rules and boundaries, as well as giving excellent examples of how to engage into play fighting. He gave rules and boundaries for the group, but also made sure the space was open, welcoming and accepting of personal boundaries. The warm up games were a great way of bringing people into the space and connecting people with each other ahead of the play fights. This really helped to bring some connection before getting physical.”

“Roy was an excellent and very knowledgeable facilitator who really communicated the guidelines and boundaries well. He created a lovely vibe and safe space.”