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National Retreat Schedule
Friday September 10th*
3:30 – 6:30 PM
Check in4:30 – 5:30PM
Newcomer’s CircleNew to Poly or Loving More Conferences? Orientation is a great place to get your questions answered and hear basic information on Loving More and the conference, as well as polyamory.
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Dinner
7:30 – 10:00 PM
Welcome Announcements Opening CircleJoin us as we begin a wonderful weekend and learn about what we have in store for you; get a chance to meet the staff, presenters and other attendees for what will be a fun filled and informative weekend.
10:30 – 11:30 PM
Talking CircleSaturday September 11th
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast9:00 – 10:00 AM
Announcements/ Group Meetings
Announcement of the day’s presentations by the presenters gives you a great way to decide what sessions are best suited to you. Any schedule changes or other important announcements will also be made. Meet with support groups.
Presentation Session 1
10:15am-12:00pm
Polyamory Essentials
"What characteristics need to be present for a polyamorous relationship to become successful?" We will discuss several different "flavors" of polyamory. Using music and humor in addition to several examples from our personal life we will compare poly and monogamy with respect to intentionality and the unique character of this lifestyle.Darrell and Nancy Casey
Poly Without Drama, Security Without Commitment
What would relationship be like if everyone took 100% responsibility for their own feelings? The more we do our own spiritual work, the more available and loving we become. We no longer cling to rules that we hope will keep our partners from triggering painful emotions in us; rather, we welcome those emotions, work through them, and delight in our connections whatever form they might take.Sarah Taub and Michael Rios
My Body and Me
What do you like about your body? What don’t you like? What’s keeping you from unconditionally loving yourself? In this workshop we’ll explore how we feel about our bodies and how our feelings may keep us from being all we can be to ourselves and in our relationships. In a safe clothing-optional environment we’ll have the opportunity to take some risks and open ourselves to sharing those parts of our bodies that keep us from unconditionally loving ourselves. No one will be admitted once the workshop begins. Everyone will always be at choice as to how they participate and what they share.Lee Hencen
12:15 – 1:15 PM
Lunch
Presentation Session 2
1:30pm-3:15pm
We're Special . . . Aren't We?
Whether or not polyamorists are more "evolved" than non-polyamorists, there's no question we're "different". But just HOW are we different? Are we polyamorous because we are different? Or are we different because we're polyamorous? Does it take a different skill-set to succeed in multi-partner relationships than in monogamous ones? Do we learn things from our polyamorous lives which are useful in the rest of our experience? And what do we teach and model for our children? Come and hear Valerie White's reflections on this topic, and add your own.Valerie White
Growing through Change
How do you successfully survive unexpected change? How do you compost the "muck" of an acute crisis into the possibility of personal growth? This program explores the change process, based on Virginia Satire's theories, using discussion, guided visualization, music and humor. The only constant in life is change. Join us in this adventure.Darrell and Nancy Casey
Sensual Awakening; The Art of Giving and Receiving Sensual Touch
Relax and enjoy giving and receiving sensual touch. Enact the sacredness of being through balancing, relaxing and take pleasure in giving and receiving sensual touch. This hands on workshop will give you the opportunity to work with two to three others giving and receiving sensual touch using essential oils. Each person will have an opportunity to talk about and set boundaries, ask for what they want and feel the pleasure of giving and receiving touch. To anoint means to connect with Spirit by the placing of oils. The experience is a blissful, aromatic journey with amplified intention. Bring a sheet or towel to lay on and be ready to feel divine.
Robyn Trask and Jesus Garcia
Presentation Session 3
3:30pm-5:15pm
The Spirit of Compersion in Polyamorous Relationships
Compersion? 'What's that?' you ask. Compersion is a term that describes the positive emotional state of feeling happy for the love and happiness our partner(s) get by being in relationship with someone in addition to us. Some people are skeptical about whether such a state of mind is even possible. Yet it is indeed achievable and a source of spiritual joy for all concerned when we learn to overcome negative thinking and emotions and find security in our relationships no matter who else our partner(s) also love. Come hear more about how to get to an emotional and spiritual state that transcends jealousy and possessiveness and brings instead both peace of mind and bliss for all concerned.
Anita Wagner
Connecting through the Mandala; Sacred Sexuality for the Polyamorous
This in depth interactive workshop combines the teachings of Taoist and Tantric Sacred Sexual practices to take you on a journey exploring what is possible when we tap into our most powerful creative energy. Using techniques of Tantra and Taoist fire breath, heart connection and energy exchange we will connect to ourselves and others in dyadic partnership, with multiple partners and with the entire group. It is recommended that you have some knowledge of Sacred Sexual breathing.
Robyn Trask
6:00 – 7:00pm
Dinner
Evening
7:30pm – 8:15pm
Keynote
Community & Compersion
One role that polyamory plays in culture is to help us rebuild our fragmented communities. Households meet other households, lovers meet one another’s lovers and group events based on intimacy appear in cities around the country. What makes that possible is dedication to multiple relationships. This in turn is facilitated by compersion, the emotion of allowing and embracing the pleasures and life path of the people we love. Compesion is based on the recognition that your partner is a whole person, based on your own experience of yourself as a whole person. This sense of wholeness is extended into our community experiences and becomes the experience through which we embrace one another in a cooperative rather than competitive way.
Eric Francis
8:30pm – 10:30
Dance, Touch, Play: Contact Improvisation in Relationship Contact Improvisation is a dance about relationship. Through this practice we can understand more fully the ways in which we meet each other physically and intimately. In this workshop we will explore play, touch & dance/movement with the intention of broadening our touch vocabulary, deepening intimacy and finding more joy with our partners. We will teach some of the basics of Contact Improvisation so that you get some grounding and confidence in the form. We will also touch upon some of the relationship metaphors inherent in the dance. Then we will open it up for an open, delightful jam! The workshop is open to beginners who have never experienced Contact Improvisation and to people already familiar with the form.
Victor and Elena
10:30-11:30 PM
Talking CircleSunday September 13
8:00 – 8:45 AM
Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Morning Announcements and Group Meetings Announcement of the day’s presentations by the presenters give you a great way to decide what sessions are best suited to you. Any schedule changes or other important announcements will also be made. Meet with network groups.Presentation Session 4
10:15am-12:00pm
12:15pm-1:15pm
Closing Circle
Close the weekend with some final announcements and a chance to say goodbye to your support group as well as people you are connected to.Closing Circle
1:15pm-2:00pm Lunch 3:00pm Departure Time and check out
