Thai Bodyworkshop

please show up 15 minutes early. we will start on time, and all info in the intro is important

Saturday 20 September 2025
2pm - 4pm

🌟 register here 🌟

Saturday 18 October 2025
2pm - 4pm

🌟 register here 🌟

Club Era

305 S Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701

what is Thai bodywork? it's basically fully-assisted yoga. done on a mat, the giver supports the receiver's body in a twist, a stretch, a press. the practice is nurturing and intimate. It’s truly a gift for both the giver and receiver.

the sequence will last about 45 minutes, and then givers and receivers will switch!

Class Timeline

• intro discussion (10 minutes)
• individuals pair up (existing pairs stay) (5 minutes)
• pairs discuss expectations and set up their space (10 minutes)
• give & receive one way (45 minutes)
• give & receive the other way (45 minutes)
• reflection (5 minutes)

Accessibility

the class is beginner friendly. humans of any shape can do this! a giver/receiver pair can be very different sizes

Receiving

as a receiver, you need to be able to sense and communicate what you want and what would feel good. you're the only person with direct access to what those things are! you need to be able to communicate with your giver when they do things that aren't what you want

when you're a receiver, it's all for you! you are responsible for your experience

Giving

for physical ability, if you can kneel and lunge, you can give

the giver has a range of choice for how much exertion to apply. and in the practice, we use leverage, orientation to gravity, and bone stacking to help the giver focus on precise and therapeutic movements while saving their own energy

as a giver, you need to be able to understand what the receiver wants while sensing and only doing what you are willing to do, what would leave you feeling whole and content

when you're a giver, it's all for the receiver! you are responsible for your experience

What to Bring

1. something to lay on. a yoga mat or blanket will do. if you happen to have a thick mat, that is the best. remember that you'll be with a partner, so you can combine what you both have to make a comfy spot
2. a comfy outfit that's loose-fitting and/or stretchy. keep in mind that giving is more exertion, and receiving is passive, so layered options to regulate temperature is ideal
3. optional and very nice, a pillow or bolster to help support the receiver's body in various positions. the more the better!
4. optionally, a partner. people who come alone will pair up after the intro and before practice. in the intro, I'll include guidance about how each person can decide and communicate their desired touch tone and specific actions that they are comfy with
5. and of course, a commitment to honestly communicate what you want when receiving and what you are willing to do when giving

Touches & Tone

in this session we'll be exploring some options to lean into the closeness as the giver presses in. I will guide a conversation at the beginning and present the options in a way that makes it easy to modify to the givers' and receivers' desire and ability. in any case, the giver will provide care to help the receiver to feel calm, safe, and blissful

some things to consider as a receiver:

• where do I most want to be touched? how far up my legs am I comfy with? do I want the giver to use any specific technique on my butt or avoid that area entirely?
• what spots on my body need extra care? Any injuries to work around? Any tender spots to focus on?
• do I want the giver to nestle my body or maintain more separation?
• what do I want the tone of the touch to be? friendly? nurturing? tender? sensual and sexual are other valid options generally, which won't be options during this class

some things to consider as a giver:

• where am I okay touching?
• am I okay with nestling my body around the receiver, or do I want to maintain more separation?
• what tone of the touch am I okay with? friendly? nurturing? sensual? if that's different than what my receiver wants, am I able to maintain that?

this workshop is a gift from me to anyone who wants to receive it. I think the experience has value that is difficult to translate into financial norms

I would be glad for you to come and enjoy and then spread that goodness into the world. if you felt inspired to reciprocate by supporting me financially, I would gladly accept. it's important to me that the choice is a generous expression of reciprocity rather than the completion of a transaction

understanding that premise, Venmo (@dav-mcg) or Cash App ($davmcderp) both work great, and so does cash delivered hand-to-hand, paired with some kind words

also, I am so grateful to Club Era and its owner for hosting me, and for many things they do to create a queer haven. I'd be thrilled for people to pay it forward by supporting them

here are some other yogic events at Club Era, led by @father_disco_

Saturday 1 March 2025, 2pm - 4pm

Saturday 15 March 2025, 2pm - 4pm

Saturday 19 April 2025, 2pm - 4pm

Saturday 28 June 2025, 2pm - 4pm

Saturday 26 July 2025, 2pm - 4pm

Saturday 30 August 2025, 2pm - 4pm