Bootblacking is so much more than technical skills and a good shine.  All too often these days I see bootblacks in the room outside the dungeon or the end of a hallway or a hidden alcove, kept far away from the hot kinky dungeon.   In this class we will explore the ways leather care can be a scene from leather worship to full polish, how can this be incorporated into kinky fun?

We will also touch upon some basics for bootblack negotiations. What you need at a minimum and why. How to maintain your scene while blacking and what flavor do you want it to have?

This class is a combination of lecture, facilitated discussion and demonstrations. Please join me as we explore how to keep bootblacking hot, hot, HOT!!!

This class concerns the very basics of leather care. What products to use on which leathers and why. Depending on class size, we will do a bootblack kit tour and try hands on leather care. There will also be discussion about the differences between a bootblack, a leather care specialist and a shoe shine.  

We often hear that people want or need a Safe Space in order to communicate clearly or to express themselves fully. We try as a community to keep our local venues as designated Safe Spaces.  But what does it truly mean to create a Safe Space? How can we, regardless of which side of the slash we are on, help provide this to our partners and communities? How should we seek to use such a space when it is available? xiaoyi has modified her shamanistic class on the topic of creating safe spaces for rituals, and will be sharing with some of the skills, tools and “hands on” exercises that can help in fostering, maintaining and learning what sort of Safe Space you and your partners want and what type you can help create.

Whether talking about poly, tpe or relationships in general we often hear the phrase, “communication is the key”. Seldom do people take the time to talk about how we communicate respectfully and clearly. This class provides some great tools and resources for how to communicate with partners even when emotions are high. Partners and groups are encouraged to attend this class together when possible, but solo attendance is very useful as well. Many of the technique shared do work even if only one person is using them.

As a shaman and a protocol slut, xiaoyi adores the use of rituals, protocols and positions to help maintain headspaces, encourage connections and help sustain and support relationships. But how many and which ones should you use when? How many do you teach these things or come up with them and how often? Who do these actually belong to?

This class is designed as an interactive roundtable style discussion and facilitated discussion of these topics. xiaoyi will have examples of some of her favorites and least favorites. Please bring yours as well.

“I will do anything you want Master/Mistress!” Is there any phrase that is as arousing to say or hear as this?  Or more frustrating when we realize all we really want is their presence but the slave wants to do more? What do you do with someone who is willing to give you “anything”; what do you want to offer when you give “anything”.  In this class I will address some options on slaves and the treatments of them.

Taught by xiaoyi, a full time protocol focused slave.  This class will share with you ways to enjoy slavehood or Mastery be it for 5 minutes or for over 50 years.  I will teach some basic positions, commands and propose various ways to interact while in a M/s setting/play.  For me this is my life, but for anyone, it can be great fun, However you decide to enjoy it.

Let’s move beyond the concept of just kneeling or being a sex-slave and explore what else you can do with a slave.  

A slave has only to Obey their Master and all will be well.  But for some there is a need to go beyond obedience into anticipation. Or perhaps you are without a Master and still want to be ready for anything.  Maybe you are a new slave or new to attending event and are unsure what you should bring with you where. After serving for over three years as the “slave-mom” for a poly M/s household I learned a few things about what to always have with you when serving.  This class will include an overview of what should be in a slave’s daily bag, convention or class bag and their play bag so that at a moments notice they can provide what their Master, Household or even *gasp* they themselves need. Feedback and participation is strongly desired.  What things have you learned to never be without while in service? What thing did you wish your slave(s) had with them that they had to try and find last minute?

Sometimes we end up in conflicts with someone and for some reason, we cannot resolve it with them.  This class is a workshop designed to help resolve conflicts without having to address it with the other person so that we can continue our lives without the weight of having that conflict within us.  This can also be helpful in reducing emotional charge around an issue so that we can go into a discussion with others in a more rational and productive state of mind. No one “wins” an argument when they are still mad.  This will be an interactive, participation workshop. Please come with a willingness to address a conflict or emotional pain in your life and ready to show up and work on it in a safe space. Due to the very personal and intimate nature of the class we will “lock” the door ten minutes in and request no one else enter. (if people wish to leave they are welcome to)

The topic of Ethical Mastery is commonly taught and discussed within the community.  The topic of ethical slavery and slavehood, less so. What makes a slave ethical or unethical?  Obedience? And if so, are only owned slaves ethical? Please come join me as I tackle this very touchy subject on how slaves owned and unowned can and do remain ethical.  I will touch on how and if the standards for being ethical change with ownership as well. And in the end I hope to present a definition we can agree on as to what is an Ethical slave.  

Leather worship and leather care are very different from each other.  You don’t need to be a bootblack or leather care specialist to enjoy leather worship as a top or bottom.  In this interactive class, xiaoyi discusses and demonstrates (if willing volunteers can be found) a few methods for giving and receiving leather worship and a few of the different ways it can look and feel.  From learning to set an intention, to the acts of delighting in a garden of leathery lusciousness, to touching the soul of your partner(s) she will help guide you through the beginnings of leather worship. Yes, WOO will happen! (translations may be available to non-woo fluent attendees on a case by case basis)

In Power Exchange relationships, poly is most commonly done with one couple as the ”primary” couple and any additional relationships as secondary. In this class I explore a different option for power exchange and poly. I have no primary partner and prefer to work in relationships where instead of focusing on primary vs secondary, focusing on each relationship as it's own entity without ranking them and with keeping each one as non-negotiable independent relationships. Discussions are welcome within this class. I look forward to hearing your views.

Often in M/s and D/s relationships there is discussion that the top will be there to help reprogram or deprogram the bottom if the relationship ends.  While this is indeed the ideal, often the hurt emotions and other pains prevent the top from providing such services or the bottom from accepting them.  When this happens, the bottom must find ways to repair themselves and recover from the structured life they have lived and build around their top.

In this class, we will discuss some of the ways xioayi has discovered over the years and over the course of her relationships and breakups that help deprogram the slave/submissive and leave us not only repaired and whole again but also stronger and more beautiful for the experience.

If you get a call or someone comes to you, can you ascertain abuse vs. healthy BDSM? Do know anyone who might believe that people who are kinky “deserve” abuse and crave it? When you think of BDSM, do you envision skin tight clothing and a dungeon from movies?  Has 50 Shades impacted you and your job?

Kink and BDSM are becoming more and more prevalent in our culture and society.  This class will give you an overview of what healthy kink/BDSM looks like, and what distinguishes it from abuse and domestic violence. Giving you tools to help you when engaging with those who are participating in these activities.  

Everyone agrees that consent is important.  In the many varying subcultures of kink and Leather however, there are different baselines of acceptable behaviors that are simply expected when you are in that group.  This class explores ways to understand the culture of the subcommunity you are in so that you aren't caught unaware by expectations that are "assumed" to the point that they aren't negotiated.  Sometimes being aware is what is needed to ensure your consent isn't violated.  

How to give and receive the best hugs in this world. Learn the different types and styles of hugs, how hugs and cuddles differ and how "May I hug you?" might be the start of an amazing negotiation for just what you need.  

As Someone with PTSD, xiaoyi knows that we all get triggered sometimes.  What we do after we are triggered is very important.  In this class we explore ways to manage our responses and find ways to care for ourselves when we are triggered in healthy ways.  

When we give consent, how do we know what we are consenting to? Where does our own personal responcibility kick in?  What is on us vs on our partners when it comes to consent?  How do you decide how you are going to negitatiate and give/revoke your consent? Let's explore what methods there are and what will be the best way for you to maintain your own agency and still enjoy what we do.  

xiaoyi has helped train slaves and submissives for Masters since 2013. Join us as she explores what it means to train someone, how to train people and what bonds can be created in doing so.  If you want someone to serve you, she can help you learn how to help them want to do so and help you express what it is you actually want them to do.  We will also discuss the pitfalls and responcibilities that are created when you train someone.  Class is open to all sides of the slash.  

It is not uncommon to find that we are living every day going from crisis to crisis instead of living with deliberate intentional purpose.  This often leaves us feeling drained, tired and far from our best.  Which means we are not being the kind of partners we strive to be.  Join xioayi as she guides you through a method of reducing that chaos and living a values based live rather than fear based so that you can show up in your relationships and life the way you choose.  

Note: xiaoyi will speak mostly on how this shift has effected her surrender, though in her "topping" relationships, she has also noticed it makes a huge difference.

full descrption coming...

Sometimes even with the best of intentions, we white folks end up doing racist things. please join us for a discussion on what we can do to catch ourselves, stop ourselves and how to support each other in being less racist humans.

All Black and POC welcome. we just aren't going to ask any of you to do the heavy emotional and educational work for us. 

* if this is part of a confrence, please speak to xiaoyi about the time-slot as she needs specific times when she teaches this intense class

often we allow our negative thoughts and believes about our bodies to limit us and stop us from being our best selves.  As someone who has struggled with eating disorders, chronic illness and more, xioayi has been through the cycle of loathing her body's restrictions many times.  Join her as she shares ways to love your body, even when it is hurting you or misbehaving and learning to forgive it the "flaws" you perceive so that you and the physical vessel you are in can accept each other with loving compassion even in the hardest of times. 

We all have mental health states,  Some are "healthy" while others have "conditions" we have to manage.  When it comes to kink play and relationships, how does one manage both their mental health and the excitements of play?  What need to be considered?  Are there discussions we need to have?  with who and when and how?  

Whether we are trying to play with triggers or they come up while we play, how do we know if they can be managed and incorporated into play or if we need to stop?  When can we be ok to keep going?  Why would we want to intentionally play with them?  What sort of aftercare does this kind of play need?

xioayi has been triggered both as a top and bottom in play and will share how she has learned ways to positively incorporate triggers into play and what precautions you might want to take to do so.  This sort of play is not to be taken lightly. 

This class will discuss many triggering topics such as Rape, Age Play, Abuse, and actively ignoring negotiations.  There may be others things included as well.  Please be warned and have your own aftercare plan ready in case it is needed.  

Does your body or mind differ from others?  Do you want to fly in rope but are wheelchair bound? Many of us live with different disabilities, including xioayi. With a bit of creativity and effort, we can find a way for people to enjoy any kinky activity, with some accommodation.  Let's explore some of our options together!

I am a Leather Kajira!  wait, what? xioayi has been told by many people in both the Gorean communities and the Leather communities that such a thing cannot exist.  Join xiaoyi as she shows where the overlap between these two cultures is and how they can and do intersect a lot more them either side wants to admit.  

Sometimes in scenes what we are and are not ok with changes.  Can we give fluid consent that adjusts in our scenes and relationships or is it a complete violation to adjust things midscene and change our consent.  If we can and do change it, how do we express this and communicate it with our partners?  Let's explore this topic together.

Whether talking about poly, tpe or relationships in general we often hear the phrase, “communication is the key”. Seldom do people take the time to talk about how we communicate respectfully and clearly. This class provides some great tools and resources for how to communicate with partners even when emotions are high. Partners and groups are encouraged to attend this class together when possible, but solo attendance is very useful as well. Many of the technique shared do work even if only one person is using them.

Being single as a slave or sun can be challenging. We want to surrender and give ourselves to another yet we don't have that person yet to do so. How do we find ways to be fulfilled and reinforce our identities without an Owner to help us? 

In this class xiaoyi will discuss and share some of the techniques she uses to celebrate her identity even without an Owner.

When you have mental health conditions, how much information do you need to share when preparing to scene so that people can give Informed Consent.  There is still much stigma around mental health and not many know how to handle it with grace simply due to lack of knowledge. How much do you share of your conditions for Pick up Play, Long term play partners or for life partners?  do they always need to know everything?  Join xiaoyi in a discussion about these questions and more. 

Does tying someone up seem boring and dull?  Does untying them after a scene seem boring and more like a duty than play?  Have you never quite “gotten” why some people seem to enjoy rope so much?

Join xiaoyi for a class on Rope Work with Intention – Making Rope Fun.  She will review and demo some of the kinds of energy and excitement you can bring into your rope play as both a top and a bottom.  Rough rope work for CNC al the way to sensual seductive play will be covered as well as just how to have fun with rope and how your mindset as top, bottom, or even spectator can add into making rope play fun and sometimes a scene all by itself.  

xiaoyi is a huge rope slut.  She learned how to top in rope just so she had that many more chances to play with it (and because it helps her teach).  She identifies as a slave and bootblack.  

For six years she co-hosted the Denver Shibari Jam, a once a month open group dedicated to exploring the artistic side of rope. Now she plays and uses rope as one of the many tools in her trade and tool box both as a top and bottom.

Learn at lest 2 basic ties( single and double column)in this class to be able to play around with in this class.  Lets get started on the fun knottiness right away! Will include a brief overview of the history of Shibari and also of rope safety.  

We will learn 2 advanced ties for the whole body, that are lovely and binding.  From Turtle shells and ladders we can explore how to enjoy these ties as we go.  

Embrace the beast within you.  What is Primal?  What words come into your mind when you Hear the word Primal? have you ever wondered if you might be primal or have a primal side?  If so join us as we delve into this delicious topic of desire and animalistic enjoyment

Enjoy the feel of rope on your skin, but don't have a partner handy to help?  xiaoyi will guide you through a few self bondage techniques in simple easy to use language.  Safety and comfort as well as discomfort will all be addressed in this hands on class.

They want the information.  They want to break you.  How do you not break?  How do you endure?  What can you do to “win”? This class goes into as the bottom what can you do to enjoy this play, from negotiations to doing it and aftercare and follow up. A demonstration from start to finish will happen, then a chance to ask me questions about my experience.  Please join us for a different take on a fun form of play. 

How can bottoms improve their scening experiences and become a better play partner? xiaoyi will share tips and tricks learned over 10+ years of bottoming to help engage you and your tops fully in the scene.  This will include connecting, breathing, mindfulness techniques and communication and much more. 

Learn and enjoy ways to wear rope in public without fears of judgement.  we will explore  Corset ties, Ladders, Chest harness and the ever popular Crotch ropes in this class.  Bring your rope and let's enjoy this!

xioayi lives with PTSD, so does her roommate.  When they both trigger each other, will there be an Earth Shattering KaBoom!?  Let's explore what can happen when baggage hits another persons baggage and discuss how we can both respect ourselves and our needs and those of partners and others in hopes that we can all be ok in the end.

full descrption coming...

full description coming...

full description coming...

full description coming...