[Pedro the Fisherman]

I found a small space near ‘G' who had agreed to be my ‘buddy’ as they call it. With everybody sitting down, I had a better view of my fellow course members...the female ones in particular! One I'd not noticed was a flame haired lady of about 30 who could have been a model and a kind looking lady of my own age with short hair and fuller figure. Looking past the large lady from Norfolk I could just see the dark short haired girl and I began to realise my plan to position myself next to someone before a certain exercise would not be an easy task if just locating them in this big room was difficult.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the course facilitators, both who has flown from the USA just for this weekend! A large 50 something black woman (250lbs plus) and a slim white guy of similar age with a grey beard. They introduced themselves and told us how jealous they were of us, at the start of the most incredible journey to discover the secrets of love and intimacy and how it would transform our lives and our future relationships. It sounded very intriguing!

Next, we were given basic information on how to behave! Firstly, hugging. How at HAI you hug each other and what not to do. We were to embrace upper bodies tightly, but never push groin into groin, which becomes sexual ...not sensual! We were told how a ‘melee' works, these would happen a lot and at any time. When called, everyone stands and walks clockwise (males) and counterclockwise (females) and as we pass, we must make eye contact with the person you encounter and smile whilst holding this gaze. Should you like the person, you say “would you like to hug?”. They then say “yes please" or “no thank you". You (depending on the answer) then hug in the prescribed way or smile and continue to circulate around the room until you try to ask the ‘hug?’ question again. This ‘melees' last about five minutes, so you get several chances to make physical contact with fellow course members. I found myself slightly aroused again at the thought of a naked melee!

My first melee was a bit of a mixed affair! I encountered G very early on and she smiled and readily accepted my invitation. Even with us both wearing tops, the effect of her very large (no bra?) breasts being pushed into my lower chest (she wasn't that tall!) was very pleasurable! Next, the lovely blonde who I thought I'd met before came before me “would you like a hug" I asked, smiling broadly. “no thanks" was the very quick reply...and without a smile either! Another rejection (flame haired beauty) followed and it was over. Bugger!

Next, we were taught how we sit at HAI when working with our ‘buddy’ and later when working ‘one to one' with others. This was a revaluation!

I don't know if I can explain this HAI seating position without a demonstrator (which we had), but I'll try as it's important to many exercises to come. A couple sit facing each other, and inter lock legs. One person puts their feet through the space below the knees of the other person and both then shuffle their bottoms until their heads are quite close. Hands can now reach most places on the partner and (the revelation) thighs are apart with sexual areas exposed and only a matter of about a foot apart, depending on the stature of the people. I suddenly thought of doing this naked and gulped!

We were told to find a nearby person of the opposite sex as a buddy (oh shit, where was G after the melee?) and practise this new position. Luckily, I found her quickly, just ducking past the large lady.

We found a space and placed our mats and my back rest (called back-jacks) into position and shuffled together. Now, G had done this before, which helped me a lot. I was stunned as to how close we were, our faces only inches apart and our legs fully intertwined. “crumbs, this is cosy" I said. “ this is just the start" she whispered, as the facilitators moved to stage two...stroking!