The Science & Art of Pain & Pleasure

What is up with us k!nksters that makes us seek out pain - for fun? In this workshop, we'll dive into the science behind both pleasure and pain - and learn how we can utilize both in kink, intimacy, and even personal transformation! Whether you crave intense sensation, want to push your limits, or seek catharsis through pain, it's important to learn as much as you can to be able to wield pain and pleasure responsibly.

This workshop explores the way we register both pleasure and pain in our nervous system - and what happens before and after. You’ll learn to expand your pain threshold, regulate sensation during play, and refine your communication around pain to create safer, more fulfilling experiences. There is a big difference between simply hitting someone and hitting someone as art - and this workshop can help you unlock the delicate balance of flirting while hurting.

💡 What We’ll Explore:

🧠 The Science of Sensation & Why We Crave Pain – Explore how the brain and nervous system processes both physical and emotional pain, the psychological and physiological reasons we seek out intense sensation, and the pros and cons to both!

🔥 Harnessing Pain for Healing & Play – Learn how pain—both physical and emotional—can be a tool for catharsis, empowerment, and deep transformation in k¡nk and beyond.

⚡ Working with the Pain/Pleasure Threshold – Discover practical techniques to progressively expand sensation capacity during a scene, including breathwork, nervous system regulation, and intensity shifts.

🛠️ Communication Around Pain – Develop strategies for negotiating pain, reading the body's feedback, and integrating aftercare. Learn why safewords should be a backup rather than the first signal of discomfort, and why the 1-10 pain scale is outdated.

We are having a 2-part evening of indulgence and learning. Come for the workshop and stay for the Jam to practice what you learned and meet other like-minded folks!

Workshop Format:

1. Feel Free to Take Notes! If it helps you learn, we encourage you to bring a notepad to jot notes and reflections.
2. Discussion and Practical Exercises: The workshop involves communication-based exercises and/or negotiated opt-in non-sexual touch.
3. Interactions: Participate to the extent of your comfort - you can also opt-out at any time and observe others!
4. Come Alone or With Someone! Come solo or bring a partner, a friend, a group of coworkers, your frenemies, or your entire polycule! During the exercises, you'll have the opportunity to interact with other students & switch partners, which allows for practicing with familiar partners and new acquaintances. We do not pair people up and encourage guests to make friends and engage to their level of comfort. Couples can stay paired the whole time or choose to practice with others.
5. Dress Code: Feel free to dress however you want, whether vanilla or ready to practice. There is a place to change outfits.
6. Who Can Come: This workshop is open to all gender identifications, sexuaI orientations, lifestyles, singles and couples. All experience levels welcome. 18+

Jam After the Workshop:

A Jam session is a practice participation-based gathering where we focus on practicing what you learned in the workshop or know within the context of the curriculum. The Jam is tailored to the interests of the students and may involve live demonstration scenes, guided practice time, and other applications of class material. Opt to engage to your comfort level or simply observe and learn. This is not a hookup-style event and the focus is on practice (Non Sex-Based).

Pricing:

● Workshop: Early Bird $30, Classic $40

● Workshop and Jam: Early $55, Classic $75

LATE ENTRY & REFUNDS

1. Refunds must be requested 7 days prior to the event.
2. Doors open at 7:30pm and close at 7:40pm. Please be on time and text ahead if you are delayed. To protect the space and ensure a seamless experience for all, doors will close promptly. Late arrivals may not be admitted, and refunds will not be available.

Connect Ahead of Time!

You can RSVP, join the event chat, and connect with people before:

https://plra.io/m/org/pagans-paradise

Questions or concerns?

📧 Email: PagansParadiseNYC@gmail.com🌐

Website: PagansParadise.com📸

IG: @pagansparadise | @the.sirenatrix

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

It should go without saying, but we are going to spell it out clearly nonetheless: k¡nk and lntimacy activities are inherently risky. Safety requires practice and cannot be guaranteed. By attending, you agree to participate at your own risk, conduct your own risk management, accept known and unknown risks, and agree to hold the event facilitators and facility harmless for any type of physical or emotional harm that may occur.