wholesome anarchist training: consent fights capitalism!

"One day you will be called on to break a big law in the name of justice and rationality. Everything will depend on it. You have to be ready. How are you going to prepare for that day when it really matters? You have to stay “in shape” so that when the big day comes you will be ready. What you need is “anarchist calisthenics.” Every day or so break some trivial law that makes no sense, even if it’s only jaywalking. Use your own head to judge whether a law is just or reasonable. That way, you’ll keep trim; and when the big day comes, you’ll be ready."

 — James C. Scott, Two Cheers for Anarchism*

*I am using anarchism to mean a political philosophy that advocates for a society based on mutual aid, equity, voluntary cooperation, collective structures and the rejection of hierarchical authority & supremacy in all forms.

ABOUT WHOLESOME ANARCHIST TRAINING

For anyone questioning the scripts that society is feeding you and consciously choosing your own path. For those who realize that the way things are is an unacceptable way forward. For those whose existence is at odds with the world and are forging new paths to being, connecting, and loving each other. This weekend is a space to practice living our lives according to our values, and not the scripts, social rules and laws that society has imposed on us. We will practice tuning into what our bodies are telling us and communicating that to others. We will reflect on all the ways that our social structures have taught us to give up our agency and instead learn how to be accountable for our actions. From somatic exercises to a lecture on white supermacy culture, this is a great starting point for those looking to dive deeper into activism - or who see the flaws in activist spaces and want to try things in a new way ;)

Our main focus will be on the ideology of consent, which I define as "the politics of tuning into the body". It's not about agreeing to a sexual interaction, but consent as a radical tool for decolonizing relationships, dismantling hierarchy, and building resistance networks that last. Through embodied exercises, group discussions, and (optional) touch-based practices, we’ll lay the groundwork for a culture of care that doesn’t replicate the very systems we’re trying to escape.

Expect: 🍉 Snacks, breaks, and zero pressure. 🛋️ Space to participate how you want -- come, move, nap, listen, engage. 🍲 A potluck dinner to nourish our bodies and connections. 🌿 Time to integrate -- whether that looks like deep talks, cuddles, or just existing together.

Capitalism thrives on disconnection. Let’s rewire our ways of relating.

DATE & AGENDA

August 16th - 17th | 10:00 - 20:00 | Non-residential

 (there will be lots of breaks as needed!! that's why we've given ourselves so much time)

 10:00 - 10:30 Arrival

 10:30 - 13:00 Workshop

 13:00 - 14:30 Lunch

14:30 - 18:00 Workshop

18:00 - 19:00 Potluck dinner

19:00 - 20:00 Grounding, integration, snack, cuddles time <3

WHAT TO BRING

 🪺 Nesting materials (such as pillows, blankets, stuffed animals...) to create a cozy environment!

 🌱 loose, comfy clothes that allow you to move freely. Choose something that makes you feel good and doesn't take up a lot of your mindspace. If you're unsure about the vibe, feel free to bring extra clothes to change into if your mood shifts. Overall, we aim for a cute and friendly atmosphere :)

 🍲 Vegan/vegetarian meal for the potluck - enough food to feed maybe 3 or 4 people. If we all bring something to share, we can all feast!

 🥨 snacks snacks snacks snacks snacks

 🥤 waterbottle

 📓 journal / pen and paper

ABOUT ME

Ella Shields (they/them) works at the intersection of consent, conflict, and community. A radical intimacy educator and workshop facilitator, they are obsessed with the layered beauty of how we interact - how we ask, receive, push back, repair, and reach for each other. Their workshops use play as a method, a message, and a form of resistance. Play to disarm shame. Play to learn new patterns. Play to imagine new futures. Play to touch the grief we’ve been trained to suppress. 

Ella’s spaces are soft, brave, and deeply attuned. They are where the societal armor can fall away and complexity is held with both tenderness and teeth. They have a knack for translating critical theory into grounded, giggly embodiment, and for making even the heaviest topics feel like an invitation to connect.

ACCESS NEEDS

I want to create a welcoming space for everyone - you are wholeheartedly embraced as you are! If you have any access needs or specific questions and concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. The space is unfortunately NOT wheelchar accessible. I speak English, German, okay Dutch. I am COVID conscious to the best of my ability. I can't think of everything, so please bring yourself and your needs/desires into the space!

TICKET PRICES

Aaah the joy of ticket prices :') I would like the price of a ticket to be €225 to compensate me fairly for all my work plus travel costs, rent, and accommodation.

If, for whatever reason, that is out of your budget and denies you access to this space, P L E A S E send me an email at elladoesworkshops@gmail.com and I will happily negotiate a price or an exchange that works for both of us. Seriously - no one turned away for lack of funds!

I would rather do this than a three-tiered system. It's an experiment! Let's see how it goes ;)

Refund policy:

• Up to two weeks before the event (until Friday evening 01.08) -- 100% refund (minus service fees)

• Two weeks before the event (02.08 - 10.08) --  50% refund*

• The week of (as of 11.08): no refund

Day of cancellations due to illness will be refunded 50% as a thank you for not getting us sick <3 This is an honor system and I trust you to be honest!

*Due to my travel costs, space rentals and other costs that I cannot get refunded at that time.

CONTACT ME

I love questions, concerns, access need requests, feedback, everything!!

Email: elladoesworkshops@gmail.com

Insta: @elladoesworkshops

 Much love <3