Wheel of Consent® - Sydney

★ Notice and value what you want 

★ Practice being able to ask for what you want

★ Feel how it is to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ with confidence 

★ Explore how setting limits can lead to more choice and expansiveness 

The Wheel of Consent® brings focus to the sensations and dynamics of touch, but it is relevant to kinds of interactions and relationships, whether or not touch is involved.

This workshop introduces you to practical tools from this simple yet powerful model.

Some of the things you can practice at the workshop:

• tuning into sensation, to notice what you like and valuing it
• asking for what you want (it's the asking that matters here, not whether the request happens)
• saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’ with confidence, setting some limits, and noticing how these feel in your body
• noticing how it feels to hear a ‘yes’, a ‘no’, or a limit from someone else
• making agreements that are full of respect, clarity and generosity
• exploring new definitions of ‘receiving’ and 'giving' to experience new possibilities in these
• asking 'who's doing' and 'who is it for' – to experience why these questions become crucial!

You don't have to be familiar with the Wheel of Consent to attend. It is an embodied approach - the best way to learn is through experience, and this will a day of experiencing many aspects of the Wheel. It's an opportunity to refresh your practice if you have experience already. 

There will be a variety of activities, including group discussion, talking in pairs or clusters, individual practice, and the opportunity to learn through exchanging touch with others in the group. Touch based activities are ‘opt in’ and there is never a requirement to engage in touch.

You are welcome whether you are shy or outgoing, comfortable in groups or less so. You are welcome to come with a partner or friend, or on your own.

I welcome diversity in groups, and the uniqueness each person brings. I recognise that many people and groups are affected by intolerance, prejudice and structural oppression. I welcome First Nations people, and people of colour. I welcome diverse bodies, sexualities, and genders; diversity of cultures, relationships, and expressions of self. I welcome sex workers. I welcome people with disabilities, and people living with illness. I am willing to do what I can to minimise barriers, so please contact me to discuss this. 

There are some tickets at $80 for people who are low income - please contact me to discuss.  

My role is to lead the workshop and support an inclusive, enjoyable and respectful learning space. Each participant becomes part of creating the group dynamic on the day, and together we create a ‘safer space’ to learn. If you are not familiar with ‘safer spaces’ I suggest you read this resource or a similar one: https://128aotearoa.wordpress.com/safer-spaces/

This is a 'clothes on' workshop. Its not a workshop for sexual touch. 

You will not have to touch or be touched by anyone if you don’t want to. All touch is to be by agreement – what a perfect setting to practice this!

About me: Stella Topaz, Abundant Body: I am a sexological bodyworker in private practice in Sydney, working with individuals, couples and poly/friend groups. I also run workshops, do speaking requests, and assist on courses run by others in my field.

I’m training with Dr. Betty Martin through the School of Consent to teach Wheel of Consent® workshops from her curriculum. I am assisting on the upcoming ‘Like a Pro’ 5-day trainings for practitioners that Betty is running in  in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.

I have over 35 years experience in nursing and community work, including clinical care, management and policy. I am a queer cis woman, a mother, and an occasional performer. I live and work on stolen land, and I strive to challenge the effects of colonisation and racism.

Wheel of Consent® is fundamental to my work as a practitioner teaching consent and offering bodywork. It profoundly influences how I interact in all my relationships, and how I relate to social and political dynamics in my close communities and the wider world.

I live and work on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of this land, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.