Bodypoems: A Night of Erotic Dance & Poetry
Join Lauren Nagel and Joy Sullivan for a beginner-friendly night of poetry, play, and sensual movement. This 2- part workshop is structured as a writing workshop and moving meditation.
The body is the source of endless wisdom, sovereign knowing and deep intuition. We view the erotic as our source of power. And from that place, we write and we move.
Saturday, December 6th
5-9 pm PST in Portland, OR
Investment: $350
w/ Joy SuLLIvan
& Lauren Nagel
Bodypoems: A Night of Sensual Dance & Poetry
First, we’ll write into our erotic essence—finding new language to name and awaken. We’ll write from the sovereign self—our life-force, our hunger-center, our magic deep. Through embodied craft techniques, you’ll leave with a written anthem that speaks to your singular sensual power.
In between sessions, you’ll have time to connect, snack, and gather.
Writing: 5-7pm
In our second session, we’ll move. Sensual embodiment is a mindfulness practice of using your senses to feel into the pleasure of your own body.
You’ll discover what language your body longs to speak—whether in arch, curve, roll, drape, crawl, or shake. You’ll find your flow and leave with a new vocabulary of movement.
DANCE: 7-9pm
Your Guides:
Lauren Nagel
Joy Sullivan is a poet, teacher, and author of the national bestseller, Instructions for Traveling West.
She received a Masters in poetry from Miami University and has served as the poet-in-residence for the Wexner Center for the Arts. Her work has appeared in places like Goop, Oprah Daily, and The Sunday Paper among many others.
In addition to leading international writing retreats, Joy has guest-lectured in classrooms from Stanford University to Florida International University and is the founder of Sustenance, a community designed to help writers revitalize and nourish their craft.
Joy Sullivan
Lauren is a dance artist, musician, and slower-downer-er. She has practiced Sensual Embodiment for 15 years and is certified in S Factor, Liquid Motion, and Floor Flow modalities, as well as trauma-informed movement practices.
Lauren is deeply passionate about breaking free from patterned “dance class” movement and inviting curiosity, play, and pleasure into embodied experience. Building this movement in community has been one of the most compassionately connecting and healing practices she’s had the honor of experiencing. Ready, set, slow…
“When I speak of the erotic, then, I speak of it as an assertion of the lifeforce of women; of that creative energy empowered, the knowledge and use of which we are now reclaiming in our language, our history, our dancing, our loving, our work, our lives.”
-- Audre Lorde
FAQ
This is a two session event. We'll write and then dance. Please plan on staying the whole time.
Not at all. In fact, we designed this event for beginners. Sensual Embodiment is a trauma-informed practice open to ALL bodies, no experience needed.
Bring a notebook and something to write with. Also, bring cozy clothes and layers that can be put on or taken off. We will be barefoot and in socks (as desired). No nudity is permitted, but many participants choose to dance in whatever makes them feel both sensual and comfortable. Think layers, dance shorts, tights, athletic wear, lingerie etc.
We totally get it. Movement is vulnerable and sacred. That’s why we specifically found a place where we could control the lighting so you can rest in the soft dark. The practice will be structured and guided with gentle invitations to move.
We’ll have snacks but best to eat dinner beforehand. We’ll release at 9pm so you can grab late dinner or drinks on your own (or with some of the new friends you will have made). Feel free to bring a water bottle and an additional snack if you like.
Unfortunately, due to the limited space, all sales are final. If you do purchase a spot and cannot attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.
This isn’t a pole class or a choreographed routine. We won’t use poles, and you don’t need special shoes. This is a workshop space where you’ll learn to move into your own unique erotic language through guidance and encouragement alongside other women and non-binary folks.
We’d also like to acknowledge that Sensual Embodiment would not exist without its origins in erotic dance, strip clubs, s3x work, and the majority of BIPOC founders and dancers carrying this practice forward. We’re deeply grateful. xx
