Steen Schapiro
KÆRLIG FESTIVAL
Conscious kink
With humor, presence, and experience, Steen takes us on a deep and heartfelt journey into the shadow work of dominance and symbol-laden transformations.
BDSM and fetish are meant to open us—our bodies and minds—to devotion, surrender, and polarity. The dominant guides the submissive on a journey, and together we can meet in the ecstatic space where hidden sides of ourselves emerge.
When we let go, allow ourselves to lose control, and surrender power to a lover—or when we allow ourselves to take the lead and dominate our partner sexually—it opens the door to a whole range of inner emotions.
It can heal, it can hurt, it can captivate us.
It is an ecstatic space driven by polarity and consciousness, and draws connections to tantra, shamanism, and spirituality.
Steen leads workshops and teaches courses on BDSM and fetishism in various sexology programs. Among other things, he wrote the chapter on sexual subcultures in the 2018 textbook on clinical sexology and has directed documentary films about sexual subcultures—which he also actively participates in himself. For decades, he has been exploring ecstatic kink, including through rituals in California with pioneers Fakir Musafar and Cleo Dubois.
There is an endless amount to explore on the journey of erotic domination, which is full of paradoxes:
- liberation and bondage
- empathy and brutality
- teasing and torment
- tenderness and power play
How will we dominate—and be dominated?
What does this stir within us, and how can we foster the best dialogue and create a sense of security amid the chaos and transgressions?
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Steen is facilitating three workshops at KÆRLIG, offering an introduction to “conscious kink”—a different way of looking at what we call BDSM, as opposed to the standard approach with its facades and protocols.
We must both share and explore this polarity in practice, in a warm space that makes room for both sensitivity and taboo desires.
WORKSHOPS
Conscious Kink and Meditative Bondage
Welcome to a conversation about exploring shadow aspects and dominance-submission dynamics in a conscious, empathetic, and open-minded way. Where the intention behind dominance and bondage is to encounter hidden aspects of ourselves and each other, on a journey into realms of surrender and devotion—and to guide each other in letting go. This can be done in countless ways and variations—let’s find our very own.
This evening will also focus on physical bondage—for example, using blindfolds and ropes—and we’ll provide a gradual introduction to these techniques for those who’d like to try them.
Once the body is physically restrained, a wide range of emotions can surface—and with sensory deprivation and calm music, many people reach a blissful, ecstatic state within themselves.
It’s important that we make space for one another on this journey, because letting go of control over one’s body is a vulnerable experience—and that’s why it can also bring out our darker sides, which can be both frightening and enjoyable, and from which we can learn at the same time.
By arrangement, we can also tease and touch the bound body—slowly and in a way that builds energy—using sensitive energy or vibrating eroticism, depending on what you want to get out of the experience.
Bring:
If you have a blindfold or rope, feel free to bring it; otherwise, we have some available for those who want to try them out.
Ecstatic Kink and Ritual
The focus is on the interconnected inner journeys of ecstatic BDSM—and you are invited to a beautiful and intense practice.
We’ll explore ritual kink and create a physical connection inspired by ancient body rituals.
In a modern and gentler version of Native American rituals, we can connect with one another through our heart chakra areas. I’ve brought a bunch of clothespins and string, and we’ll create a shared opening. We’ll pair up and physically tie ourselves together. And then we can dance...
The foundation is my experience with the work of American conscious kink pioneers Fakir Musafar and Cleo Dubois, whom I studied under in California. I’ll share my insights—and then we’ll practice!
Let’s explore the nature of surrender and guide each other on a sensitive journey into mutual devotion.
The ritual may involve a little pain, which we will seek to transmute into ecstatic opening.
We suffer a little, consciously and together. Perhaps you’d just like to watch—or maybe you’d like to dance with us?
Consensual Kink and Physical Domination
I’ll guide us into tantric flogging, energy-building spanking, and touch on the chakra zones—both gentle and intense. In waves of rhythm and frequencies, the intensity rises and falls in harmony.
We will move beyond the dualistic distinction between what feels “good” or “bad”; we will blend gentle and intense touches together. And we will connect—through eye contact and love—as we take each other there.
Before the exercises, I’ll start a discussion about conscious kink: The polarity and physical dominance can seem both exciting and intimidating. What we call “BDSM” in everyday life, however, is just a word, and it’s often associated with control and “punishment.” But we can practice it mindfully, inviting vulnerability, desire, fear, and our inner shadows into the experience.
Our focus is on the conscious, holistic journey in which we encounter ourselves and one another by entering into the dominance polarity. Our focus is on opening up, opening up, opening up.
Bring:
If you have a flogger, feel free to bring it—and if not, we have some available for those who want to try one.
