Human Forest (Sydney): the art of platonic touch

Name: Human Forest (Sydney): the art of platonic touch
Start: 2026-08-30T13:30:00+10:00
End: 2026-08-30T13:30:00+10:00
Location: FlourMill Space Newtown

About

THE MEDICINE OF TOUCH
Your first language was touch.
Long before words, touch brought comfort, safety, love, and belonging. It soothed your nervous system and reminded you that you weren't alone.

Touch is one of our most fundamental human needs, yet somewhere along the way it became reduced to a brief hug, a handshake, or something reserved for romantic relationships.

The Human Forest invites us to remember another way.

Here, touch is offered with presence, care, and reverence in a carefully guided, fully consensual, and entirely platonic space. Each experience is unique. You may feel deeply relaxed, unexpectedly emotional, profoundly connected, or simply more at home in yourself.

Touch speaks a language beyond words. It calms the body, softens the nervous system, and reminds us of something we've always known—we belong.

Many of us have forgotten that touch can simply be an expression of human care, free from expectation, obligation, or sexuality.

A CALL TO RETURN TO THE BODY

This gathering is an invitation to reconnect with your body, your instincts, and your heart. To remember touch as a simple yet powerful source of nourishment for body, mind, and soul.

THE HUMAN FOREST format

Please arrive at 1:30pm for a 2pm start.
We'll begin with playful exercises, grounding practices, nervous system regulation, and exploring the Human Forest agreements, boundaries, hand signals, and the four touch elements: Ether, Water, Earth, and Fire.

Then we enter the Forest.

We'll divide into three groups. Two become Critters, offering touch, while one becomes Trees, receiving. Trees are blindfolded and communicate through simple hand signals and body language.

Each Tree is usually supported by two Critters—unless you request one—working together in service of the Tree to create a deeply respectful and nurturing experience. Consent is ongoing, with the Tree guiding every interaction. During their round, the Tree receives without the expectation of giving back.

There are six rounds of 15 minutes each. You'll experience two rounds as a Tree and four rounds as a Critter.

FOOD & CONNECTION
Healthy snacks will be available throughout the afternoon, and you're warmly invited to bring a favourite finger food to share.
We'll finish with a grounding meditation, followed by time to connect, reflect, and integrate the experience together.

BOOKINGS
For any questions, please contact Chris on 0412666010. To avoid booking fees, you can pay via PayID. Then use the access code PAYID to select the $0 ticket, register your place, and receive the welcome email. If for some reason you can't make it, your ticket can be used at a future workshop facilitated by Chris, including those held in other cities.