Snow Xu

Center for Beyond Wellness (CBW) is a self-therapy service station that offers cathartic touch therapy for vulnerable humans. CBW currently features Self-Discipline Pacifier (SDP), a neck-worn therapeutic device marketed for pacification and pleasure.

SDP inflates and deflates rhythmically around the neck to exert varying pressure, as seen in massage and pressure therapy. This intimate  human-machine interaction straddles care and transgression in the forms of somatic therapy and neck constriction. SDP offers the experience of self-care and self-discipline simultaneously to help audiences pay attention to their emotional and sensorial states. The unsettling intimacy encourages people reflect to on the vulnerability they often hide and find comfort in coming into terms with themselves.

Center for Beyond Wellness highlights a supplementary therapy framework that embraces both the pleasure and pain of human experience. Upon entering the installation, audiences are encouraged to sit in the propped chair and follow the instructional video for self-therapy. Following, they dual as the therapist and the patient to diagnose, understand and comfort their own bodies.

Excerpt of therapy procedure from Guide to Self-Discipline Pacifier (video above):

“ Rest your hands on the corresponding sides of your neck

Slowly increase the pressure to provide comfortable support for the neck”

….

“ Cross your hands at the front of the neck

Rest the thumbs on the front of the neck, and the rest of the fingers on the sides of the neck

Then, slowly massage the neck by mimicking the cupping motion with your fingers”

“ Then, gently place the Self-Discipline Pacifier on your neck.”

…

“Buckle up the Self-Discipline Pacifier by snapping the magnet buttons together”

…

“ Press the button on the Self-Discipline Pacifier Control Box to begin the therapy”

…

“During the therapy, focus on your thoughts

your feelings

and your body rhythms”