The Dance of Yes, No, and the Wonderful Maybe: Exploring Your Edges

Life is full of choices, isn’t it? From the small decisions of what to eat for breakfast to the larger ones about our relationships and paths in life. And with every choice, there’s often an inner landscape of “yes,” “no,” and that fascinating, sometimes confusing, territory of “maybe.” In my Exploration Workshops, we create a space to become more familiar with this inner landscape, to learn to trust our own signals, and to discover the growth that can happen when we dare to explore our edges with awareness and consent.

The words “yes” and “no” are incredibly powerful. A clear, embodied “yes” can open us up to new experiences, connections, and joys. It’s a feeling of alignment, of moving towards something with our whole being. A clear, respected “no” is just as vital. It defines our boundaries, protects our energy, and allows us to stay true to ourselves. Learning to feel and express both our “yes” and our “no” with confidence and clarity is fundamental to authentic living and healthy relationships.

But what about the “maybe”? That’s often where things get really interesting. The “maybe” can be a place of uncertainty, but it’s also a place of possibility, of curiosity, of potential growth. It’s the edge of our comfort zone, where we’re not quite sure what will happen if we take a step forward, but something in us is intrigued. In the workshops, we don’t try to force a “maybe” into a quick “yes” or “no.” Instead, we get curious about it. What does this “maybe” feel like in my body? What fears or excitements are present? What information do I need to move towards a clearer sense?

This exploration always happens within a strong framework of consent. This is non-negotiable. Consent isn’t just a one-time agreement; it’s an ongoing dialogue, a continuous checking-in with ourselves and with others. It’s about creating a culture where it’s perfectly okay to say “no” at any time, without needing to explain or apologize. It’s about understanding that a “yes” today doesn’t automatically mean a “yes” tomorrow, or even in the next moment. And it’s about recognizing that a “maybe” deserves time and space to be explored, not pressured.

We might use various exercises and interactions to play with these ideas. Perhaps through movement, exploring how our body wants to say “yes” or “no” to a certain touch or interaction. Or through verbal sharing, practicing how to articulate our boundaries and desires clearly and respectfully. Sometimes, just the act of slowing down and noticing our internal responses can be incredibly illuminating. We might discover that we often say “yes” when we mean “maybe,” or that we struggle to voice our “no” even when it’s strong inside us.

The beauty of exploring this in a workshop setting is that it’s a practice ground. It’s a place to try things out, to make “mistakes” (though I prefer to call them learning opportunities), and to get feedback in a supportive environment. When we practice listening to our own inner signals and communicating them to others, and when we practice truly hearing and respecting the signals of others, we build skills that are invaluable in all areas of our lives.

I believe that when we can “expand our yes, thrive with our no, and get curious with our maybes,” as the spirit of Touch & Play so beautifully puts it, we open ourselves up to so much more of life. We become more discerning about where we invest our energy. We build relationships based on deeper trust and authenticity. And in that curious exploration of our “maybes,” we often find unexpected strengths, hidden desires, and new pathways for growth that we couldn’t have seen before.

It’s not always comfortable to be at our edges, in the land of “maybe.” It can feel vulnerable. But it’s also where the aliveness is, where the learning happens. My hope in these workshops is to provide a container that feels safe enough, and inspiring enough, for you to approach your own edges with courage and curiosity, knowing that your “yes,” your “no,” and your “maybe” are all welcome parts of your unique dance.