New for 2012:

"The Reality of Abuse in M/s Relationships"

       In a society where abuse in relationships is rampant and pandemic, the Master/slave community is not immune to it.

       Master Taíno will address different aspects of abusive relationships, how to detect abuse, the differences between abuse and BDSM, empowering slaves to detect abuse and different types of abuse more common in Master/slave relationships.

       He is going to tell it and call it by its name.  Bring and share your own stories of abuse so we all can learn more from each other.

New for 2012:

"Misconceptions about Master/slave Relationships"

      Master/slave relationships are now more common than ever.  Still outsiders wonder about this dynamic and usually have problems understanding it. The list of misconceptions of M/s is a long one. 

     This even happens among those who are part of the Leather, BDSM, Kink and Fetish communities who still cannot understand the special relationship that many of their peers are embracing.

     This class also will help those kinky folks who have an interest in M/s relationships but are having a hard time understanding the dynamic.

      Master Taíno will address all this issues with the purpose of creating a better understanding of M/s among our kinky peers and to help those interested in the Master/slave dynamic but are afraid of stepping to the plate.

"The calling for Mastery and slavery"

     Particularly at the beginning of our journeys, we usually question our calling for Mastery or slavery.  How we know who we are?  How we know our true path? How can we be sure and comfortable about it?  What are the challenges that we face in this journey?   

     Through an exciting exercise, Master Taíno will lead attendees to go all the way to the start of their journeys that may bring the peace of mind that we all need and accept out journey as our reality.

        Presented at: Master/slave Conference 2006 & 2010 (Washington, DC); Colorado Leathermen (Denver, CO - 2006); BR 2006 (Washington, DC); Southwest Leather Conference 2007 (Phoenix, AZ); Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend - CLAW 2007 (Cleveland, OH); DC Leather Pride 2007- (Washington, DC); Great Lakes Leather Alliance 2007 - GLLA (Indianapolis, IN); Amatorius (Virginia Beach, VA - 2008); SINSations In Leather 2008 (Chicago, IL); The Resource Pool (Bethesda, MD- 2008;  MAsT Baltimore (Pasadena, MD - 2008); The Floating World 2008 (Edison, NJ);  Charm City Fetish Fair 2009 (Baltimore, MD); MAsT NYC, 2009 (New York, NY); TES Fest 2009 (Piscataway, NJ); Rio Grande Leather 2009 (Albuquerque, NM); MAsT Jersey City Gay Men, 2010 (Jersey City, NJ); Colonial Kink 2011 (Williamsburg, VA); DC Leather Pride (2011); Master/slave Retreat, 2011 (Columbia, SC)

"Dominant and Caring: A philosophy on Mastery"

      Many of those called to service are scared by the stories of physical, mental and financial abuse that way too often some slaves are subject to. 

     When creating His own philosophy on Mastery, Master Taíno combined the concepts of domination and control with the care and nurture of the slaves as well as the Master’s huge responsibilities towards His slaves and property. 

     Master Taíno explains the concepts of surrendering from the slave and the responsibility of the Master.

     This presentation will encourage questions and discussion from the attendees. 

       Presented at: Master/slave Conference 2004 (Washington); Together In Leather 2004 (Charlotte, NC); SPLF - International Master/slave Weekend 2007 (Dallas, TX); Black Rose - March 2007 (Washington DC); Galleria Domain -  May 2007 (Chicago, IL); Southeast Leather Fest 2007 (Atlanta, GA);  BRXX - 2007 (Washington, DC); SINSations In Leather - 2008 (Chicago, IL); SF Citadel , San Francisco, CA (2009); Brimstone 2010 (Edison, NJ); Black Rose - July 2011 (Washington, DC); Master/slave Retreat, 2011 (Columbia, SC)

"Masters in Service"

      More often than not, we hear that Master/slave relationships are about slaves serving their Masters. In this class, Master Taíno will address the different ways in which Masters are also in service.

     The concept may sound strange to many, but Master Taíno will explain this reality in our Master/slave relationships, both in everyday life as well as in the most difficult time life can throw to us.  Participation from the attendees is encouraged.

        Presented at: Master/slave Conference 2008 and 2011 (Washington, DC); MAsT Central New Jersey 2008; MAsT Metro New York 2008; MAsT Washington, 2008; Leather Traditions, 2009 (San Francisco); SPLF - International Master/slave Weekend 2009 (Dallas, TX); Southeast Leather Fest 2009 - SELF (Atlanta, GA); Rio Grande Leather 2009 (Albuquerque, NM); Master/slave Retreat, 2011 (Columbia, SC);

"The Journey of a Master"

      We do not become Masters overnight.  For most of us, it has been a long journey to find our calling, and discover out true heart and spirit.  And when we do, then the journey to learn the nuts and bolts of being a good Master just begins and that learning process never ends.  But, more often than not, the struggles emerge. 

      The balancing act between our lives as a Master and the so-called “normal life” become a clear challenge.  How priorities are set?  How out can we be? 

     Join Master Taíno in an honest and frank discussion on the journey of the Master.  You most likely will realize that you are not alone in your own struggles throughout your journey.

        Presented at: Master/slave Conference 2009; MAsT Philadelphia (2010); Charm City Fetish Fair 2011 (Baltimore); NDDs Boot Camp IV (Maryland 2011); Southeast Leather Fest 2011 (Atlanta, GA); TES Fest 2011 (Piscataway, NJ)

"Transition from BDSM to Master/slave"

        Most kinky folks begin their journeys by practicing BDSM. Everything was about S&M play. But one day many realize there was something missing. There may be more than just dungeon play on a Saturday night. And they discover that many of their friends are getting into the Master/slave dynamic.  

       In this workshop, Master Taíno will address the issues related to the transition from BDSM to Mastery and slavery and how to figure out where exactly we belong.

        Presented at:  Black Rose, April 2008 (Washington, DC); DC Leather Pride 2008 (Washington, DC); The Floating World 2008 (Edison, NJ); Dom/sub Friends (New York City - 2008); SPLF - International Master/slave Weekend 2009 (Dallas, TX); TES Fest 2009 (Piscataway, NJ; Black Beat (Washington, DC) 2009; BR 2009 (Washington, DC); Winter Solstice 2010 (New Jersey); Black Rose, March 2010 (Washington, DC); Brimstone 2010 (Edison, NJ); Southeast Leather Fest 2010 (Atlanta, GA); Colonial Kink 2011 (Williamsburg, VA);  CLAW 10 (Cleveland 2011);  NDDs Boot Camp IV (Maryland 2011); Master/slave Retreat, 2011 (Columbia, SC); International Olympus Leather (Los Angeles, CA 2011); MAsT Manassas (Manassas, VA 2011)

"Leather Families and Households"

       In this presentation, Master Taíno shares the dynamic of his diverse household and the issues unique to them, based on his own personal journey.  Issues discussed will include the origins of a Leather Family, relationships among the slave siblings, different gender and sexual orientation, structure, protocols and rituals. 

Based on his own experience, Master Taíno will also address the evolution and growth that our families experiences as we also grow and evolve. Active participation of attendees is encouraged.

      Presented at: Southeast Leather Fest 2001, 2002, 2011 (Atlanta, GA); Black Rose's Tuesday Event (2002 & 2005); BR 2002  & BR 2009 (Washington, DC);  Safe, Sane and Consensual - SSC  (Raleigh, NC - 2004); Master/slave Conference 2004 - 2011 (usually as part of a panel or roundtable).  CLAW 2008 (Cleveland, OH), DC Leather Pride 2009 (Washington, DC); Charm City Fetish Fair 2010 (Baltimore, MD); SF Citadel 2010 (San Francisco, CA); MTTA Retreat for Masters I (Baltimore 2010); MAsT Wilmington, November 2010 (New Castle, DE); CLAW 10 (Cleveland 2011); Dom/sub Friends (New York City, 2011); MAsT DC Pan, June 2011 (Washington, DC); Master/slave Retreat, 2011 (Columbia, SC); International Olympus Leather (Los Angeles, CA 2011); Black Beat University (Baltimore, MD 2011); Philadelphia Leather Pride Night 2011;

                (Sometimes it has been presented with other members of His family or other Head of Leather Households] 

"Cathartic Flogging"

      An introduction to the spiritual, healing and sometimes therapeutic value of flogging, based on many years of Master Taíno's experience with this aspect of the popular SM practice. 

     The class will include the presentation of a complete powerful "cathartic flogging" scene.  During the scene, getting in or out of the room will not be allowed.

            Presented at: DC Leather Pride 2007 - 2011 (Washington, DC); CLAW 2008 (Cleveland, OH); The Resource Pool  (Bethesda, MD - 2008); The Floating World 2008 (Edison, NJ); BESS (Baltimore, MD - 2009); TES Fest 2009 & 2011 (Piscataway, NJ); Black Beat 2009 (Washington, DC); BR 2009 (Washington, DC); Winter Solstice 2010 (New Jersey); Brimstone 2010 (Edison, NJ); Dom/sub Friends (New York City, 2010); Colonial Kink 2011 (Williamsburg, VA);  NDDs Boot Camp IV (Maryland 2011)

"Overcoming years of abuse in Master/slave dynamic"

Presented with slave david and Master David Cook, Ph.D.

      This class will be an open discussion about the real experiences of a slave that endured an extremely abusive Master for 20 years; and his carefully planned 5 year path back to a safe, nurtured and respected service slave.

      Besides the testimony from slave david, the class will include how Master Taíno, as his Owner for the past five years, and Master David, as a psychologist friend of the family, worked together to help him.

            Presented at:  MAsT Washington 2010; Master/slave Conference 2010; Black Rose, 2010 (Washington, DC); Charm City Fetish Fair 2011 (Baltimore, MD)

"Mentoring the Masters and the slaves"

       One important tool in the process of learning about the Master/slave dynamic is finding a mentor.  Both Masters and slaves can benefit from being under the guidance of a good mentor. 

      The Master/slave community has been exposed in the Internet during the last decade and it has brought an incredible interest for the Dominant/submissive lifestyle.  Many newcomers are learning the hard way and many people end up hurt physically or emotionally in the process. 

      Master Taíno will address the need to mentor newcomers, the different ways to achieve it and how experienced leather community members can become mentors.  The presentation will be suitable to those interested in becoming mentors as those in need of it.  This presentation will encourage questions and discussion from the attendees.  

           Presented at: Together in Leather 2003 (Charlotte. NC); Southwest Leather Conference 2003 (Phoenix, AZ); SPLF - International Master/slave Weekend 2007 (Dallas, TX); Master/slave Conference 2007 (Washington, DC), Winter Solstice 2010 (New Jersey);

"Dealing with illness and death in a M/s household"

      Based on his own personal experience, Master Taíno addresses the issues involved when serious illness and eventual death occurs in a Master/slave household.  He discusses the process including preparing yourself, deterioration of the loved one, and realization of the outcome, the reversal of roles, emotions and grieving, dealing with biological family, aftermath, memories and legacy. 

       This is a very emotional issue but it presents the reality of life and death that we all have to face. This workshop is based on the Master's experience with the illness and death of His slave tommy and recently updated to relate the experience of Master Taíno dealing with the back surgery of His slave david in January 2009.

            Presented at:  SPLF - International Master/slave Weekend 2005 (Dallas, TX);   Master/slave Conference 2005 (Washington, DC) ; Together In Leather 2005 (Charlotte, NC); MAsT Washington 2010 (with slave david and others); Southeast Leather Fest 2010 (Atlanta, GA) with slave david;

"Introduction to Leather"