Kink 101: A Beginner's Guide to Conscious Play

Curious about kink but don't know where to start? This is your invitation to explore with intention, care, and zero judgment.
Whether you've never tried anything beyond vanilla or you're looking to deepen what you already know, this workshop is a grounded, educational, and honestly really fun evening. We believe kink is about trust, communication, and connection. Not chaos. And we'll teach you how to explore it safely and consciously.

This class is for both couples and solo learners.
What We'll Cover:
• Power exchange and dynamics... what it actually means and why people crave it
• Hands on basics: proper spanking technique, flogging fundamentals, safe hot wax play, and other sensation tools
• Consent, communication, and boundaries... the real foundation of everything
• Safe words and gestures that honor limits in all states
• Risk awareness and aftercare... because what happens after is just as important as what happens during
• Tips for solo exploration or bringing conscious kink into your relationship
What to Expect:
• Live demos so people can see proper technique
• Interactive discussion and Q&A
• A judgment free, consent first space
• No one has to participate in anything physical. Come, watch, learn, ask questions. That's enough.
Who This Is For:
• Total beginners who are curious but nervous
• Couples who want to explore something new together and solo people who want to learn new things
• Anyone who's been interested in kink but wants to learn the right way first
• People who value intention and safety alongside exploration
What Attendees Should Bring:
• An open mind
• Comfortable clothes they can move in
• A notebook if they want to take notes
• A partner if they have one, but solo is just as welcome
No experience required. No judgment. Just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Come curious. Leave empowered.

Facilitator Bios:

Barbie Jean is the host of Sweet Release, a podcast where shame around sexuality, pleasure, and connection gets released, and real conversations begin. Through candid solo episodes and interviews with tantra practitioners, sex educators, kink enthusiasts, and everyday people sharing their stories, she creates a space for people to explore their desires without judgment.

She's been a guest speaker for college human sexuality courses, breaking down topics like relationship diversity, kink, and consent with openness and vulnerability. Whether she's teaching workshops on tantra and shibari, guiding individuals through their own sexual exploration, or sharing her journey through open relationships and embodiment practices, Barbie Jean brings warmth, presence, and permission to be fully human. She believes pleasure is sacred, intimacy is brave, and your authenticity is your superpower.

www.barbiejeanxo.com

Olivia Pool, M.A. is a Spiritual Psychology Coach with over 15 years of experience guiding individuals and conscious businesses to evolve from the inside out. She holds a Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology and weaves together subconscious reprogramming, Gestalt Therapy, Shadow Work, Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, somatic release, deep presence, and trauma-informed approaches to create deep, sustainable transformation.

Known for her rare blend of strategic clarity and intuitive depth, Olivia bridges the mystical with the practical—helping people not just envision change, but embody it. She is the creator of the Evolve Academy of Conscious Learning, a modern school for seekers, leaders, and creatives ready to live, lead, and build from soul-aligned power.

www.oliviapool.com

www.evolveacademy.love

The Evolve Academy of Conscious Learning is located inside The Schoolhouse at 720 Magnolia Road, Suite 21, Charleston, SC 29407.

Please park on the Magnolia Road side of The Schoolhouse building and enter through the double doors labeled “Events.” Once inside, turn left and you’ll find Evolve Academy in Suite 21.

As a center for adult personal and professional development, many of our classes take place in the evenings and on weekends. If you happen to arrive late and find the exterior doors locked, simply knock gently on the window to the left of the doors—this is the Evolve classroom window. (Arriving a few minutes early is the smoothest way in.)

Evolve is a serene, cozy space designed with nervous-system comfort in mind. You’ll find calm lighting, soft rugs and cushions, warm herbal tea, and neutral tones—intentionally curated to help you feel safe, grounded, and cared for. All are welcome. We love all of our neurodivergent friends, all of our friends of various genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, physical challenges, and more. There is a handicap accessible ramp to enter the building. This is a safe space for you.

Many of our classes are taught with our students seated on comfy cushions on the ground. If you need or would like a chair, we are happy to accommodate you.

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Host or Publisher Evolve Academy of Conscious Learning