Before the Bruises

Before the Bruises is a guided discussion space focused on the emotional and psychological layers of intense scenes—before marks appear, before attachment sets in, and before the drop hits.

We'll explore:

• The highs of deep connection and shared intensity

• The frenzy that can blur judgment, boundaries, and pacing

• The drop—emotional, physical, and relational—and how to recognize it early

• The difference between healthy intensity bonding and unexamined trauma or dependency patterns

  
  

Rather than teaching “how to hit,” we ask:

• Why do we chase intensity?

• What are we actually bonding to?

• What do we need in place before we go there?

  
  

Participants are invited into conversation—not confession—around expectations, warning signs, emotional aftercare, and how to stay grounded when scenes feel intoxicating.

This class is ideal for:

• People exploring or escalating into high-intensity scenes

• Tops and bottoms who’ve experienced emotional whiplash after play

• Anyone who wants to understand what intensity does to the nervous system and attachment

• Folks who want to scene with intention instead of fallout

  
  

No war stories required. No judgment. Just clarity, language, and tools—before the bruises even form.

Photo credit @MissBiscotti

Tickets are sold per person. Tickets are available on a sliding scale to promote inclusivity and accessibility. Please choose the ticket price that makes this event accessible to you. All ticket types provide the same access to the event.

This discussion group does not require a membership. Doors will open 15 minutes before the start of the class.

@LadyFreyAnna (she/her) is a lifestyle dominant who’s been an active member of the Ottawa community since 2014. She’s known for her dynamic and creative impact play style, Florentine flogging and her extensive impact toy collection.

She’s been a regular feature at several explos and open house events since 2018. There, she can be found running her impact station, introducing attendees to the wide world of impact play, both giving or receiving. She creates a fun, welcoming and informative atmosphere that encourages participation and fosters a better understanding of safe, sane and consensual impact play.

She became an impact educator in 2022. In her classes, open labs and workshops, she guides participants through various activities, providing an interactive, hands on approach to learning safety in impact play and having fun with it. She makes sure that each participant progresses in their impact learning journey, refining and expanding their skills with their hands, floggers, canes, paddles etc.

In her hands, just about anything has the potential to be an impact toy.

@TherapyDoll (she/they) is an experienced practitioner and educator specializing in fire cupping, fire massage, and heat-based sensation play. Lee brings 20 years of hands-on experience in teaching from their family's martial arts school. She has worked with a wide range of bodies, limits, experience and age levels.

Over the past year, she's reawoken her love for teaching in the scene. With a strong emphasis on consent, risk awareness, and intentional technique, their teaching balances technical skill with grounded safety practices.

So, lets foster confidence, communication, and respect between partners!