Show Up Fully Clothed with Presence,
Not Distraction.

To maintain a platonic, non-sexual atmosphere all participants are requested to show up on camera fully clothed, present and attentive during group activities and discussions. Practice participating with as much awareness as you can. This space is not for multi-tasking. The more presence you bring to this space, the more you will receive.

Commit to Caring For Your Body & Attending To Your Needs.

Bio-breaks (time for snacks, water, bathroom) will be built into our weekly 2 hour time together to help you stay present and resourced when we gather. If you need to stand up and stretch or move about, that is welcome. Please take care of your body and let the facilitator know in your onboarding form if you have any accessibility needs in regards to participating fully in this group.

Use Conscious Communication.

Do your best to communicate with awareness, empathy, and clarity. Listen actively to others, ideally without judgment. If judgments arise inside of you, get curious about them but please refrain from sharing them with the group. Instead, practice speaking constructively, using "I" statements to express your thoughts and feelings. 

Participate Intentionally.

Engage actively in workshop activities and discussions. Share your thoughts, experiences, and insights openly and respectfully. Your contribution enriches the collective learning experience.

Support Your Buddy In Ways You Have Emotional Capacity For.

Everyone in this group will be paired with at least one other student as an added layer of optional support throughout our 15 weeks together. Be aware of your own desires, limitations and boundaries in terms of how much you want to be available for one another, and practice communicating those agreements pro-actively. With gentleness, notice if you have any tendencies to want to avoid intimacy or emotional connection, and see if this group might be an opportunity to practice approaching new connections with more vulnerability and a willingness to give and share emotional support in ways that might feel just outside of your comfort zone. Only you know your capacity and needs; you are encouraged to find and voice those to your assigned buddy. If giving emotional support feels like too much for you, consider focusing your buddy connection on integrating course content and filling each other in if you miss one of the live calls (the breakout room experiences won’t be recorded).

Maintain a Respectful and Brave Non-Sexualized Space.

We want to collectively maintain a workshop environment that prioritizes platonic interactions based on respect, courage, and authenticity. We recognize the importance of maintaining boundaries and upholding the integrity of our interactions. Therefore, we commit to refraining from pursuing romantic or sexual relationships with other participants who we are not already partnered with for the duration of this 15 week journey. While our time together is designed to help us imagine relating to each other in more expansive and alternative ways, this is not a space to find new romantic partners. We agree to interact with each other in a respectful and platonic manner, free from any romantic or sexual undertones.

Celebrate Differences and Alternate Modes of Expression.

This container is designed to be an inclusive, brave space for all expressions of gender, sexuality, race and class, not limited to LGBTQIA+, BIPOC communities, the polyamorous, non-monogamous, and monogamish. Embrace diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and communication styles within the group. Be open to learning from others who may express themselves differently from you. 

Encourage Gentle Accountability.

In this space, we commit to collectively challenging and unlearning dominant cultural norms such as monogamy, patriarchy and heteronormativity. We understand that this journey is one of growth and not perfection. Therefore, if unintentional harm occurs, we pledge to gently call each other in with the intention of fostering understanding rather than calling each other out. We acknowledge that mistakes are inevitable, but we view them as opportunities for learning and deepening intimacy. By taking accountability and actively repairing any ruptures, we strive to cultivate a culture of empathy and mutual support. We are all responsible for creating and maintaining a group atmosphere of respect, equity, and inclusion. If you witness or experience behavior that goes against these values, we encourage you to speak up, whether privately or with the support of the facilitator, so that it can be addressed appropriately. 

Practice De-Constructing White Supremacy Culture.

In our somatic practices, we actively decolonize our relational dynamics, challenging societal norms that prioritize certain bodies over others. We aim to create an environment where all bodies are equally valued, continuously reassessing cultural perceptions of worth. We commit to challenging and dismantling white supremacy culture, recognizing and addressing behaviors like perfectionism, individualism, and defensiveness that support oppression. We address microaggressions promptly to maintain safety and belonging, fostering open dialogue and learning. We engage in this work with humility and encourage white-bodied participants to approach discussions on race with curiosity and empathy.

Recognize Power, Privilege and Intersectionality.

We commit to understanding and acknowledging our own positions of power, privilege, and marginalization, utilizing tools such as Sylvia Duckworth's Wheel of Power/Privilege and an intersectionality lens. We pledge to engage in self-reflection, empathize with the experiences of others, challenge bias, and create space for marginalized voices. We all contain multitudes. By learning to more clearly recognize our own levels of power/marginalization, we can practice relating to one another with more intentionality. Additionally, we recognize the influence of couple/partner privilege and its potential impact on unpartnered participants, striving to ensure their experiences are valued and supported throughout the workshop. Through dialogue and action, we strive to foster awareness and dismantle systemic injustices within our group and society at large.

Step In & Step Back.

Respect others' need for space, silence, or reflection. Allow everyone the opportunity to contribute and be heard. Practice patience and empathy in your interactions.  If you are someone who is eager to share in a group, balance your desire to step forward with the willingness to create space for others who may be more shy to open up and share. Again, note your proximity to power and privilege, and practice stepping backwards to encourage marginalized voices to step in.

Commit to Personal Growth.

We recognize that creating a truly inclusive space requires ongoing reflection and personal growth. We encourage all participants to engage in self-reflection, education, and action outside of our sessions to deepen their understanding of privilege, oppression, and allyship if necessary.

Ask for Help When You Need It.

Don't hesitate to reach out for support or clarification if you're struggling or unsure about anything. The facilitator and your fellow participants are here to help and support you on your journey. Should you sense distractions, resistance, discomfort, negativity, fear, sadness, anger, or a desire to depart, you might be on the brink of a breakthrough or a significant turning point. 

Bring Awareness to Your Triggers.

We recognize that our interactions may trigger painful memories or judgmental thinking. We commit to being mindful of our own triggers and how they may impact our participation and interactions with others. We commit to offering support to anyone who has been triggered, acknowledging the courage it takes to share vulnerable experiences. We will provide space for them to process their emotions and offer assistance if needed. We agree to communicate openly and honestly about our experiences and feelings, including any triggers that may arise. We will use "I" statements to express ourselves and actively listen to others without interruption or defensiveness. If we notice that someone else has been triggered, we will respond with empathy and understanding, refraining from judgment or criticism.

Take Responsibility for Your Own Experience.

Recognize that you are in charge of your own emotions, reactions, and interpretations. Be accountable for how you engage with the material and others. You may find some of the exercises in this container will challenge your inherent ways of thinking or trigger painful memories; you are empowered to take breaks as needed, get a drink of water or a breath of fresh air and return to the group when you are feeling resourced. The coach's duty is to support participants by steering the group toward achieving the program's objectives. Our aim is to facilitate the creation of an exceptional experience for you.

Remember, This is Coaching, Not Therapy.

Therapy is primarily focused on looking backwards and healing old attachment wounds and traumas from our family of origin or past experiences. Somatic coaching is a forward looking system of support. As a somatic relationship coach, Aria works in partnership with you to transform towards something that you long for. Together we’ll develop fluency around the somatic shapes you once inhabited, where you are now, and where you desire to go in terms of how you show up in relationship with others.

This coaching process can become the catalyst for deep introspection and growth, and over time, will help widen the window of tolerance where our nervous system can find safety and belonging and dignity in situations where we might have run from in the past. This can be a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation. If on our journey together, you discover or aggravate an old traumatic wound that is still present for you and may require support beyond the capacity of this container, please reach out to Aria, who is building a resource list of non-monogamous therapists who may be able to help you find additional support.

This program does not aim to replace medical, psychological, or drug-treatment therapy. If you require such assistance, seek guidance from a licensed professional. 

By adhering to these group agreements, we create a safe, respectful, and inclusive space where each participant can grow, learn, and connect authentically.

You will be asked to sign and date the Onboarding Form to acknowledge that you have read this entire document and are committing to showing up in these agreed upon ways.

Thank you for your commitment to the success of our 15 week transformational journey together!