Scheduled Events

Class Descriptions

This is a sample collection of some of the classes that Punzel teaches. Many other general topics are available and older "retired" classes are still available on request. If you are organizing an event, you may be surprised at the diversity of topics that Punzel can bring to your event schedule. (Including leading social activities and games and teaching origami or hair-braiding!)

Unlocking Communication

We talk about the importance of communication, but how do you practice it and get better at it? This class throws light on the nature of communication and how and why it can bring us together or break down. We will survey many communication theories, styles, strategies and tidbits of advice that are "out there" for the learning and exploring, and cover common obstacles that we hold on to that keep us from using the powerful communication skills that we already know. Sometimes the things we think we know and the stories we tell ourselves are so strong that no amount of good communication can overcome them. Understanding the close connections between perception, personal boundaries and communication can increase your ability to listen and be heard and enhance your confidence and courage to communicate.

Polyamorous Dating: Table for Three (or More)

How do you deal with poly dating as more-than-two? What makes for a fun and relaxing group date? This session covers practical and emotional issues when creating new inclusive connections, from introductions to early dating to relationship-building for groups and the subgroups within them. Includes a compassionate look at common pitfalls, myths and fears. Come talk about the joys, delights and lessons of building healthy inter-bonded groups. Sharing and discussion encouraged. While this class is not primarily an introduction to polyamory, this all-levels special topic is still an excellent class for the curious.

Your Personal Safer-Sex policy

• Part I -- Why it's personal and what it is. "DESIGNING YOUR SAFER SEX POLICY"
• Part II -- A survey of STD's and STI's. "SEXUAL HEALTH FOR EVERYONE"
• Part III -- Fun things to do that are safe. (Includes etiquette and materials) "SUPREME SAFER SEX"

Your sexual tastes are uniquely personal, and so are your safety concerns. Are your safer sex choices personal and informed? A universal safer sex plan doesn't even account for how each person's needs will change over time. Come boost your awareness, knowledge and understanding so you can wisely choose what's best for you and your partner(s) with confidence, contentment and enthusiasm. Learn about how to navigate the information, misinformation and missing information on STIs (STDs), as well as typical attitudes and obstacles that you may encounter (in your personal situation) with potential partners. We'll talk about balancing your medical, emotional, philosophical and carnal needs, and what you can do to become an informed and equipped to include safer physical intimacy in your dating, play or your developing ongoing relationships.

Secrets and Privacy

This is a class about safety and integrity. How do you balance one loved one's need for privacy and another's need to know? We'll cover some effective strategies for negotiation and building understanding which can lead to solutions, and the mechanics of how trust moves through (and vitally supports) a network.

Escape Games: the Struggling Rope Art

There is entertainment and intimacy in the dance between the rigger as artist and the bottom as ACTIVE subject. Come explore the paradoxes of cooperation and competition in this fine subgenre of erotic rope play, and all the noble and dastardly roles that we can play in this realm. We'll talk about philosophy, emotion and technique, and work as a group to share and devise totally new challenges and games. This session includes discussion, personal reflection, and explorative rope practice. Be prepared to have fun, to be inspired, and to look closely into your kinky heart!

Polyamorous Hopes: Stalking the perfect Poly

So you're sold on the benefits, comforts and excitements of polyamory. Should you have a specific poly vision? How could that create a self-sabotaging or unattainable goal, or how might it help you to recognize and nurture your dreams? How do you recognize your unique strengths and weaknesses for what they are rather than taking them for granted or discounting them? We'll talk about how to drop the stereotypes, acknowledge the fears and hopes, and move on to being real and personal. Includes small-group breakout discussion activities.

Scene it Better: Negotiating fresh for greater success

Does scene negotiation frustrate, intimidate or bore you? Ever wanted to tackle doing something larger or edgier than ever before and feel CONFIDENT about it? Have you ever been so burned by a bad experience that you swore off for far longer than you really wanted to? We'll talk about what makes a scene go well and why scenes sometimes go disastrously awry despite careful negotiation, and how your personality, mood, values and demeanor affect your negotiating. We'll talk about the strengths and weaknesses of some classic models for negotiation as well as some innovative material that I've developed in this area (G.E.M.S.). This class gives generous helpings of food for thought and suggestions for both the beginner and the experienced player alike, whether your scene is for 2 people or 20 people. Extensive handouts.

Your Journey: Getting the most out of it

No class will take you to your best if you don't know what you want or how to get it. Get practical tools for pursuing your path with integrity so you can head off problems and recognize opportunities with ease and grace. This class with have two parts: first, we'll cover a few community-specific questions such as: Why do people expect certain behaviors in this community? What's the point in knowing about history and trends and traditions? What do I need to know about getting started? How can I get the hang of things? We'll also cover general questions like: Should I find (or be) a mentor? How can I get the most out of a convention's social and educational opportunities? What about privacy concerns? Come learn about payoffs that hold you back, navigating community life, connecting with positive people and possibilities, and recognizing and avoiding poor behavior. This will be an information-filled session. Our goal is to get you to where you have the tools and the confidence to go after doing YOUR thing. [This class is tailored to its audience community.]

Floor It! Accelerate your erotic rope floor work

Come explore great ways to tie and re-tie someone to themselves or another person while on a horizontal surface such as a bed or floor. You'll increase your speed, confidence and creativity with rope, and learn ways to avoid the "boredom" that causes many folk to misunderstand or completely miss the fun of rope play. We'll cover strategies for tying so that you can modify and expand as you go, basic modifications for dealing with extraordinarily flexible or inflexible bottoms, shortcuts for classic hogtie and Japanese ebi (shrimp tie) positions, and how to generalize these quick and dirty tricks to other situations. We'll also cover a couple of new basic foundation chest ties that I've been working on for speedier tying. We'll talk about what this kind of rope play can teach you about more advanced kinds of bondage. This is an intermediate-level topic designed to catapult you to greater confidence and conceptual understanding, yet still provocative and useful for beginners who know how to tie a single- and double-limb cuffs.

Erotic Rope: Japanese-style Diamond Bondage

Explore the new frontier opened by the Japanese-style diamond body harness (Hishi-Kikkou)! Use different and more parts of the body, work in layers, change your knots and weavings, even go knotless or add o-rings and shapes. Learn new transitions and make quantum leaps past the basic form. Find opportunities with the rope, your environment and your partner's body. Reawaken your connection to the drama, sensation and energy of moving your ropes. Includes detailed presentation of my diamond armbinder, its mechanics and advantages, why it works on nearly all body types. We will cover as many body areas and adaptations as possible, possibly concepts on using diamond bondage for types of bondage for which you wouldn't think it would be so useful! There will be a short introductory section that will focus on connecting to the drama, sensation and energy of moving your ropes and how to move them more expertly, and this section will also serve as a quick review on a basic body harness (ideally, you should already know the Hishi/Karada). This mostly-hands-on format is well suited to drop-in participation at any time.

Erotic Rope: Arm bondage

Arm binding gives you a universe of physical, psychological and artistic options. You can create challenges, provide support and even inspire emotional moods through binding the arms forward, behind and elsewhere. We'll explore options both simple and intricate for people of various body types and flexibility. Includes my Diamond Armbinder, a beautiful tie adaptable to all body types. This mostly-hands-on format is well-suited to drop-in participation; join us at your whim.

What Now?

Get in touch to schedule your event or ask your questions on the Contact page. References for Punzel are on the Biography page.