Women doing womanly things (not fisting)

I'm in the midst of a weekend-long women's conference - and not a kinky one, for a change. It's taken some mental readjustment. I can't remember the last time I went to a non-kinky/non-sexual conference. Hardly anyone is wearing black, and everyone is fully clothed. Nobody is talking about fisting or cunnilingus. The women are much freer with touching strangers than I'm used to, since in the kink scene the social etiquette is to ask before touching. Most of the humor in this crowd is about bras, feisty old women, and hot flashes - despite being female, I am decidedly not the target demographic. And unlike kinky women's events, there was no controversy about who was woman enough to attend.

I've got to say, this event is a blast from my past. The focus is women's wisdom, spirituality, and empowerment. I'm exposing my unbleached, all-natural, hippie woo woo roots here. I was raised with plenty of woo and spirituality, and I went to Evergreen, where meditation, vegan cooking, and tie-dye are nearly obligatory. I understand and speak passably the language of the mind/body/spirit genre. Since I moved to Seattle, I've moved further from those pursuits, and I rarely consider my spiritual leanings. Mark Yu is always a great reminder of how to plug in to that part of myself and why I should. (By the way, this conference is why I'm missing Mark's Chinese New Year shindig tonight. Sorry, Mark and Cecily! I hope I'll see you soon!) Most of the folks in my regular social circle are skeptical scientific atheists, and while they have no ill intentions, it's easy to absorb their cynicism. It's relaxing this weekend to be in a large group of supportive women who don't ask that anyone prove the veracity of their beliefs, and who are largely unselfconscious of their own.

I'm thinking of this conference is a refresher course in getting plugged in - and enhancing my kinky and poly skills. Even though I'm not learning bondage technique or power exchange dynamics, I can apply all this knowledge to my everyday kinky life. Most of the workshops I'm attending are focused on self-care, awareness, and intentionality - concepts that are key to thoughtful topping, engaged bottoming, and clear communication. You don't need to be a woo woo woman to think that's wise.