Getting in Touch with Touch

Curious about how touch can deepen connection—both with yourself and others? This workshop is a playful, guided exploration of platonic touch (L2) in a safe, supportive space.

Through four interactive rounds—self-touch, object touch, hand and forearm touch, and a “bossy massage” triad—you’ll practice giving, receiving, and asking for what you want. Along the way, you’ll learn the basics of Betty Martin’s Wheel of Consent and how it can transform the way you understand boundaries, desires, and communication.

Whether you’re new to sex-positive spaces or simply want to sharpen your awareness of touch, this workshop will leave you with fresh insights, practical tools, and maybe even a few surprises about what feels good.

Come curious. Leave more connected.

Event Structure

We will start with an overview of Betty Martin’s Wheel of Consent framework. After the workshop, it will be organized into four “rounds,” each exploring different levels of negotiated touch.

Round 1: Self-Touch

1. A grounding exercise to connect with your own body, from head to toe.
2. Reflection and group sharing to notice what you discovered.

Round 2: Object Touch

1. Paired activity exploring objects by feel alone, then with sight.
2. A playful way to sharpen awareness of texture, curiosity, and sensory focus.

Round 3: Hand and Forearm Touch

1. With consent, partners touch hands and forearms while focusing on their own experience of giving.
2. The receiver remains silent except to communicate boundaries or comfort levels.
3. Group reflection afterward.

Round 4: Triad “Bossy Massage”

1. Small groups of three rotate through the roles of Receiver, Giver, and Witness/Timer.
2. The Receiver requests specific touch (within L2 guidelines), and the Giver provides it.
3. Every 20 seconds, the Witness offers prompts for re-negotiation, helping the Receiver refine their requests.
4. Each massage lasts 10 minutes, with all participants rotating roles.

If you are new, here is a description of our Level systems. This will help you understand what Level 2 means.

What to Bring:

1. A reusable water bottle or cup.
2. A snack to share.
3. If you have mats, massage tables, or other items that would help to create a comfortable massage space for you, please bring them (If it's not convenient for you to bring these things - no worries - just bring yourself.).
4. Dress in comfortable clothes.

Guests:

Please include that guest when you RSVP. We will only allow 30 people in the space!

Parking:

This is a residential dead-end street. Please double-check to make sure you are not blocking a driveway. If there isn't any parking left, you may park on Victory Blvd. Read The Signs. Ranchito and Costello are close residential streets with parking as well.

Acknowledgement

Members of Sex Positive Portland designed this workshop. We want to give them full credit for their creativity and care in shaping the structure and practices we’ll be exploring in this workshop.