Polyamory & Open Relationships 101:
Exploring Non-Monogamy
Thursday, November 10th
Downtown Northampton
(exact location address provided with purchase)
6:30-8:30pm // $20 // 18+ // limited seating
2-Class Discount Special! Purchase tickets to both Polyamory workshops (Polyamory 101 on 11/10 & Polyamory 201 on 11/17) upfront and save $5! See Eventbrite for ticket details.
>> PURCHASE TICKETS HERE <<
Workshop Description:
Despite its most prevalent stereotype, non-monogamy is not all sex, sex, sex, but is actually mostly talk, talk, talk. Unlike monogamy, open relationships rarely come with a list of pre-determined rules, so we need to make our own. But how?
This workshop offers a guide through this very terrain, introducing participants to the many different forms of non-monogamy (polyamory, open relationships, monogamish relationships, polyfidelity, clopen relationships, etc) and helping participants consider if these alternatives to traditional monogamous relationship styles are right for them.
Topics will include both the joys (sexual variety! honest communication! self-growth!) and challenges (jealousy! creating solid relationship agreements! communication!) of non-monogamous relationship structures with a focus on helping students gather the tools needed to embark on their first(ish) non-monogamous experiences.
Participants should bring a pen and notebook as each participant will walk away with a customized collection of worksheets & reflections to get them started on their journey through non-monogamy.
This workshop focuses on partnered non-monogamy styles as these are the most commonly practiced by folks new to non-monogamy however all are welcome as the skills learned in the workshop are easily applied to other styles of non-monogamy as well. Single folks, partners, couples, triads — all relationship configurations and styles welcome!
2-Class Discount Special! Purchase tickets to both Polyamory workshops (Polyamory 101 on 11/10 & Polyamory 201 on 11/17) upfront and save $5! Details on ticket-purchasing page.
Workshop Rules:
This workshop aims to be open to all sexual identities, orientations and bodies & is taught with the belief that our sexual experiences & selves exist on a spectrum. Yana’s workshops work to create a welcoming & comfortable space for all to explore crucial aspects of our holistic, sexual selves such as pleasure, communication, consent & the body. All participants are reminded to help in the creation of this safe space by refraining from substances & come-ons during the workshop and to use mindful language when asking questions or making comments.
About the Presenter:
Yana Tallon-Hicks is a pleasure-positive sex writer and educator who’s been stumbling her way through
polyamorous, monogamous, open, and clopen relationships for over a decade.
Yana is a Hampshire College graduate (’08) and currently studies Marriage & Family Therapy at Antioch University on her path to becoming a sex therapist. She practices couples and relationship counseling at Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley as their MFT graduate student intern for reduced, sliding scale fees where she sees couples and individuals across the spectrum of identity, sexuality & relationships.
Her sex writings have appeared in both national and local publications and can be found most regularly in her weekly sex column, The V-Spot, on the back page of the Valley Advocate.
Read more about Yana on her About Me page.
Testimonials
“Thank you! It is so important to create spaces for people to initiate their own learning and exploration of potentially scary topics (and you did so in such an open, endearing & light way!”
– Polyamory & Open Relationships // Easthampton Co.Lab // February 2016
“Wheaton Sexual Health Advocacy Group loved having Yana come and do her Polyamory 101 Workshop with our community. She was so inclusive in the content of her workshop and her language. We look forward to inviting her back to Wheaton in the future to experience more of the workshops and talks she has to offer”
– Wheaton College // November 2015