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Sex Ed Workshops

Venus Envy is an education-oriented sex shop and bookstore. Our goal is to provide everyone with a respectful (and fun!) place where they can find toys and tools to explore their gender and sexuality. Below you will find descriptions of all our workshops. If you want to see the current schedule of what's offered, follow these links:

We believe that one of the best tools you can have to enjoy a healthy and satisfying sex life is knowledge. To that end, we offer our workshops as an educational forum where people can ask questions and share their experiences in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Our goal is to make sex positive and accurate information available to everybody! Our workshop series covers many aspects of sex, sexuality, health and relationships. They are always evolving, with new topics being added all the time. We welcome any comments and suggestions that you may have.

Booking a workshop

The list below shows our usual slate of workshop topics. We are happy to arrange a special presentation of any of these at your convenience, and sessions can be tailored to the interests and needs of your group. The workshop fee is generally $20 per person (talk to us about a reduced flat fee for non-profit groups). All workshops are 1.5 hours unless otherwise indicated. Please contact us to inquire about sessions outside of the Ottawa or Halifax areas.

And please note our cancellation policy: workshops require 72 hours notice for a refund or credit.

You can now request a workshop booking online.

Blasting Off: Going Down and Eating Out

Eating out can be a mind-blowing experience for the both the giver and the receiver. However, oral sex can seem overwhelming for many beginners, and even for some of the more cunning of linguists. Knowing how to please your partner(s) requires communication, awareness of their body, and practiced technique. This workshop is great for people who want to explore the act of eating out (otherwise known as cunnilingus) from basic anatomy, to our pro tips on giving great head.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone who wants to go down.

Confidence, Consent and Communication: How Sex-Positivity Makes for Hotter Sex

Consider this sex positivity 101! Confidence, Consent and Communication focuses on creating a positive relationship with sex. Learn how to move beyond judgment and stigma to embrace what works for you, and to be more comfortable voicing what doesn’t. We will also discuss how to handle different wants and needs, and how to hear a ‘No’ with compassion. Sex positivity affects our self-image, our ability to communicate and establish boundaries, and gives us permission to approach new experiences with a resounding ‘Yes!’. Open to everyone!

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone
Alternatives: Consent & Sex-Positivity for Service Providers

Erotic Talk: Talking Dirty for Everyone

Know what you want, but not sure how to get it? Whether you're not sure what words to use, or how to start spilling them out of your mouth, this workshop will give you ideas on how to make talking about sex just as great as doing it.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone
Alternatives: Erotic Talk for Women, Erotic Talk for Queers

Everybody's Doing It: Talking About Sex and Disability

It's a persistent myth that good sex should be spontaneous and should involve (at least!) one party member hanging upside down with their legs wrapped around their ears. At Venus Envy we know that everyone and anyone can have hot sex, regardless of abilities, shapes, sizes, colours, gender, orientation, etc. In this workshop we will outline ways in which folks who experience pain, or altered mobility and/or sensation, can spice up their sex life using toys and position accessories.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone, geared towards people with disabilities.

G marks the Spot

Everything you've always wanted to know about the not-so-elusive G-Spot! We will cover history, anatomy, ejaculation and practical g-spotting tips. Open to all people with g-spots and/or who want to know more about g-spots in general!

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone 

Getting Wet: Choosing Your Lube

Never used lube? Been using the same tired tube for years and ready to try something new? Overwhelmed by all the choices? We’re here to tell you, the wetter the better! We can fill you in on all you need to know about the slippery sorts of lubes out there for every possible position. From vaginal to anal, blowjobs to handjobs, sexy massages to conquering that giant dildo, we’ve got you covered. 

Duration: 1 hour
Audience: Everyone
Alternatives: All about Lube for Medical Professionals, Choosing Lube for Menopause

Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio

Want to give your pal the blow job of their life, but aren't sure where to start or what to do once you get going? Then this workshop is for you! From basic anatomy (in all our lovely varieties) to tips for the advanced, we'll cover a wide range of information about the fine art of giving head. This workshop includes information for all folks who enjoy giving and/or getting head. Tricks and tips for cock play of the flesh and silicone variety will be discussed and everyone is welcome to attend.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone
Alternatives: Going Down: The Guide to Strap-On Blowjobs

Hot Safer Sex!

What's sexy and safe? Almost everything! Join us in a discussion about communication, play, and other ways of safely broadening your sexual horizons. Includes information about sexually transmitted infections and how to protect yourself and your partners.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone.
Alternatives: Eroticizing Safer Sex for Women, Safer Sex Queered

Hot Spots: G-Spot & P-Spot Pleasure

Mystery and mis-information abound about these two powerful erogenous zones. Where are they? What are they? And what the heck do I do now? In this seminar for everyone, we share info, tips and techniques to help you find your lover's hot spots... and what to do when you get there!

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone

How to Hook Up

Hooking up can be hard. How do you know when they are interested, if you are interested, and how to move from any mutual interest to some consensual mutual touching? In this workshop we'll talk online dating, pick up lines, confidence, and communication.We want you to feel comfortable hooking up, whether that means winking at someone from across a crowded room or hosting your very own sex party. The aim: to go forth and flirt.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone
Alternatives: How to Hook Up at Pride, How to Hook Up During Frosh Week, How to Hook Up in Residence

I'm Coming! A Guide to Women's Orgasm

Many women never experience orgasm, just as many can have orgasms once in awhile, or on their own, or never on their own, or ... you get the picture. Getting off can sometimes be rather elusive, and that can be ok — but it can also be very frustrating. This session will look at some of the reasons women have difficulty with orgasm, offer suggestions around play to enhance pleasure, and give lots of tips and tricks to improve time alone and with a partner!

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone welcome, the focus is on women's orgasm. 

Jilling Off! The Ins and Outs of Solo Sex

Whether you're a newbie to solo play, or looking to change up your usual getting off routine, Jilling Off can give you some new ideas and techniques to try out on your own. In this hands-off workshop we will talk about some reasons for masturbating, breathing and other techniques for better and/or more frequent orgasms, toys for playing alone, lube and other slippery stuff, anatomy, and resources, as well as good one-handed reads. Open to women of all histories and identities.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Women

Knotty Fun: An Intro to Rope Bondage

Learn to tie knots and, more importantly, how to untie knots. We will also discuss safety, buying tips, and teach you how to tie enough knots to keep your friends tied up tight. This is an interactive workshop, and a length of rope will be provided for practice. As an added bonus we'll be showing off all forms of bondage gear.

Duration: 2 Hours
Audience: Everyone

Long-Distance Relationships

Long-distance love can be a difficult challenge, an exciting new adventure, and everything in-between! In this workshop, we'll discuss the all-important issues of the LDR: relationship structures, expectations, communication, and ideas to keep the fire alive. We'll also talk about the art of long-distance sex, including tips, tricks, and useful toys!

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone

More Knotty Fun!

Are you already a fan of rope bondage and want to learn more? This hands on workshop is a continuation of Knotty Fun: An Intro to Rope Bondage. In this workshop you will learn some fundamentals of rope bondage including three complete ties that build on each other and can be modified for your own play. For this workshop you will need to already know basic rope safety, and basic knots. Please bring at least 4 lengths of rope measuring 30ft each, safety shears, and a small blanket or mat for you to work on. Rope will be available for purchase. 

Duration: 2 Hours
Audience: Anyone who already has some basic rope knowledge, or who has attended our Knotty Fun! workshop.

Mouthing Off: All About Oral

Many people have asked us for a session that talks about oral sex on anyone so here it is! Mouthing Off is all about fellatio and cunnilingus and includes info about anatomy, safer sex, positions, technique for mouths, lips, tongues, and hands. Great for anyone who wants to know more about going down, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Duration: 2 Hours
Audience: Everyone

Next Level Sex: an Out of Box Experience

This workshop is designed to give you pussy-pleasing powers, cunt-creaming confidence, and box-eating boldness. Being a vagina whisperer is no easy feat, but this workshop will help you rise to the occasion. We’ll discuss tips and techniques for communicating for pleasure, going down on your lover, practicing the fine art of finger-banging, lubing it up, and choosing sex toys that wow.

Duration: 1.5 Hours
Audience: Everyone

Non-Monogamy 101

You've heard the terms poly, non-monogamy, and open relationships, but what does it all really mean? In this workshop, we'll take a look at some terminology, discuss some basic building blocks for building non-monogamous relationships, and facilitate a brief discussion to get those burning questions out in the open! This workshop is open to anyone who is curious about non-monogamy and open relationships. 

Duration: 2 hours
Audience: Everyone

Strap on Tools

Strap-on play can be a fun way to penetrate a partner, express your gender, get off on watching your honey perfect their deep throating technique, and more! This workshop will cover the ins and outs of harness play: what's available, what toys to use where, and the lay of the land you'll be exploring. We'll talk about vaginal, anal and oral play and include handy tips, safety and how to maximize pleasure for the wearer as well as the receiver. We will discuss toys and play for everyone, regardless of identity and/or gender expression. Everyone will get a chance to try on a harness with some dildo's (over your clothes), but no pressure, you can just watch and listen too!

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone
Alternatives: Strap-On Tools for Queers, Pegging 101

The Big O! Tips and Tricks for Bigger, Better and More Frequent Orgasms!

So you know how to have an orgasm, but now you want MORE... in this session you'll learn tips and techniques for multiple orgasms, g and p spot orgasms, more frequent and/or bigger orgasms! We'll talk about solo and partnered play, as well as lots of fun toys and tools you can use to enhance your orgasmic experience. This workshop includes information and fun ideas for women of all histories and identities and everyone is welcome. 

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone, centered on vulvas & vaginas, gives tips for people who have them and/or people who love them

Toygasms!: Sex Toys 101

"What is it? What do I do with it? Where do I put it?" Pleasure anatomy, vibrators, butt toys, dildos, penis toys, lube and other slippery stuff: this workshop will give toy novices a chance to learn how to use a wide variety of toys in an even wider variety of situations. This workshop is a great primer for folks of all genders, orientations, and relationship statuses.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone
Alternatives: Sex Toys for Queers, Toys for Queer Boys, Sex Toys for Queer Girls, Sex Toys 201, L'Art de Jouer, L'art de Jouir, Sex Toys 101 for Medical Professionals

Up Yours!: The Anal Sex Workshop

Butt sex can seem intimidating at first, but the key to great anal play is knowing how everything works down there (and always adding more lube!). This workshop is an intro to anal that focuses on playing safely and feeling good. Pick up practical and fun tips about toys, positions, lube, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Open to all genders & sexualities!

Duration: 1.5 hours
Audience: Everyone

Whip it Good! A 101 Guide to Power Play and Kink

This is a beginner-level workshop for those with an active interest in BDSM. We will discuss some terms and definitions, communication and negotiating boundaries, safety and safe-words. We will also talk about toys for sensation play, floggers and other spanky stuff, basic knot tying and rope safety, as well as using common household items in new and kinky ways.

Duration: 2 hours
Audience: Everyone