- Entering the Scene: How to Navigate the Waters of the BDSM Community
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Instructor: Sarah Sloane
If you're considering stepping out of your home and into the offline BDSM community—whether a party, a social group, or an educational event--you might find the process intimidating.
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How do you find a group that you'll be comfortable in?
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How do you pick a BDSM event to attend that you'll enjoy?
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How can you get to know great people?
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What are the "rules" for social & play events?
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How can you stay safe?
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And most of all... how can you make sure that you're finding what you want?
For some people, these questions are so confusing that they don't know where to turn. Many are held back by their uncertainty and never muster the courage to step into real time. Braver souls who go to an event unprepared may have a less-than-optimal (or downright negative) experience and decide never to return.
That’s a shame on both counts—and it doesn’t have to be that way.
Join Sarah Sloane, long-time BDSM educator and former newbie, in Entering the Scene, a two-week online course created especially for newcomers to the public scene. She will guide you compassionately and intelligently through the critical information and self-exploration that will help you to venture into the BDSM community with the best results.
This two-week mini course includes four self-paced multimedia lessons coupled with two optional live online discussions/Q&A sessions with Sarah and your fellow students. It will help you to build realistic expectations, understand social nuances, and gain a sense of personal comfort & safety during your first steps into the kinky world.
Experience Level: Novice
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Track Credits: 2 -
- BDSM for Lovers
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Instructor: John Warren, Ph.D.
BDSM for Lovers is a survey course for those who want to enrich a current or future relationship with BDSM play or simply learn more about it. It provides a broad authoritative overview of WIITWD (What It Is That We Do) for people of all sexes and orientations. Extending beyond simple how-to instruction, the course delves into a range of relevant topics to give you a well-rounded understanding of power exchange, whether your interest is in an occasional bedroom activity or a 24x7 lifestyle. We will spend a significant amount of time distinguishing real-life play from the unrealistic and often dangerous behavior shown in the media.
During this course we will explore
- The surprisingly rich history of BDSM play (did you know Aristotle was into pony play?)
- Physical, mental, and emotional motivators for tops/dominants and bottoms/submissives
- The specific characteristics that differentiate BDSM play from abuse
- Safety precautions—both physical and emotional (which needs a more hair-trigger safeword--pain or panic?)
- Basic techniques: spanking, flogging, bondage, sharps play, and waxing (including the latest research by Professor Spectrum)
- How to facilitate communication with your partner
- How to plan and execute creative scenes that will bring you and your partner back for more
- Resources and strategies for finding like-minded friends and partners
An ideal introductory course for novices, BDSM for Lovers also offers more experienced players an enjoyable review of the many facets of BDSM.
The course consists of self-paced presentations and readings, live interactive classroom discussions, and individual and group research assignments.
The instructor is John Warren, Ph.D.who in his vanilla life has been a member of several university faculties and is the author of five books on BDSM, including The Loving Dominant.
Experience Level: Novice to intermediate
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Track Credits 5 - D/s Communications and Relationship Skills for Couples
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An exploratory course where you and your partner will learn about the five styles of Dominance and submission and how they influence your own D/s dynamic. The course also examines internal communication values and provides introspective assignments to bring you closer together and reach a deeper understanding of your relationship.
You will learn valuable skills and techniques for improved communication, problem solving, and intimacy in your power exchange relationships. It’s ideal for couples who want to nurture a new D/s relationship or expand, deepen and enhance the one they already have.
- The Seductive World of Female Domination
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Explore the alluring and erotic world of BDSM with a strong woman in charge. The course is taught by Auburn Goddess with assistance from Her slave, Devious, offering you perspectives from both sides of the D/s equation.
Enrollment is open to Female Dominants and Switches who wish to learn how to begin a FemDom D/s relationship or expand and enhance the one they already have. Submissives of all sexes and orientations are also welcome to enroll to better understand how to serve, please, and communicate with a Mistress.
- Traditional English Discipline
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Instructor: Miss Simone of Chicago
Have you ever wondered why you (or your partner) wanted a spanking in such a specific way? Why a pulled-up skirt tucked in around the waist for a caning to REALLY sends you to the moon? Why it’s such a thrill to be kneeling at their feet being told what a naughty boy/girl you are? You just might be into Traditional English Corporal Discipline.
This class is designed to cover all aspects of traditional English discipline (TD) from two main perspectives: enjoyment and punishment. We will cover the historical facts behind it, how it developed, why our lifestyle has embraced it so, and how it is perceived today. Safety factors, both physical and psychological, will be presented in detail. The practical implementation part of the class will cover usage of instruments such as cane, rod, birch, hairbrush, strap and paddle.
Part 1: Psychology and History (2 weeks)
- History and Factual Basis for TD
- Psychological Factors
- Punishment vs. Reward
- Gender Differences
- School vs. Family
Part 2: Practical Applications (2 weeks)
- Beginning BDSM Applications
- Defining Punishment
- Reward TD: Is it Possible?
- Implements
- Practical Applications
- After care
Each part of the course consists of self-paced lessons, online discussion boards, supplemental online references and images, and up to 30 minutes of private mentoring or discussion with your instructor.
Your instructor is Miss Simone of Chicago, who has been a lifestyle and professional Domina and fetish performer for more than 15 years. A passionate educator and leather advocate, she has presented at educational events throughout the Midwest including Kinky Kollege, NELA, Shibaricon, Galleria Domain 2, and DomCon, and has given lectures at Northwestern University, Loyola, and the University of Chicago.
Experience Level: All
Prerequisites: None
Advanced Track Credits 5
e-Learning Courses