It’s time to get out the rope again and tie!  Are there things you’ve forgotten since the last time you took a rope class?  This is a quick refresher course for all things rope.  We will start by talking about what we as a class remember, have forgotten, or about which we know everything except for “that one step that always eludes us”.  We will cover the basics: single/double column ties and a basic chest harness.  We will also practice some basic knots, frictions, and rope handling skills that transfer to just about any type of tie we might want to do.  Bring your rope.  If you don’t have anyone to tie you can practice most of these skills self-tying.  Let’s get our fingers caressing our ropes again.

Format: Hands-on
Level: Beginner
Bring: 2-3 ropes, 20-30+ feet in length

The Karada or “rope dress” is a way to surround the torso and body with ropey goodness. It can be worn comfortably for hours (even secretly under one’s clothes). We will cover as many variations of the Karada as time allows, with knots, without knots, diamond or tortoise-shell shaped. We will discuss modifications including how to tie rope out of the way for access to the naughty bits (or prevent access) and how to include the arms in the tie and/or continue the tie down the legs.

Format: Hands-on
Level: Beginner
Bring: at least 1-2 longish rope 20-40+ feet in length (two ropes can be combined if needed)

This is the rope class for everyone! This class is not about learning specific ties in a specific way. This class is about improvisation and fun. Participants will be invited to start with the rope secured to the body somewhere, pick a direction and then see where the rope goes and where you and your rope bottom take it. Participants will be invited to tie wrists, arms, torsos, legs, ankles to each other in creative ways mostly using two simple hitches: the munter hitch and the cow hitch. We will start with a guided tie and then each participant will set out on their own. We will discuss different techniques that make these basic ties work, rope tension, anchoring, reversing direction, and taking up slack as the body changes position.

Learn quick/easy ways to add rope into your role-play scenes.  Capture/restrain/hobble up your prisoner/slave/princess/pet/etc.  We will talk about safety, fantasy vs. roleplay, and safety/consent considerations for when you engage in any type of roleplay.  We will work on simplified and quick versions of the bowline, the chest harness, and of course, the classic hogtie. Bring in your favorite roleplay ideas, anime/hentai artwork and we can discuss safer ways to create those ties.

Format: Hands-on
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Bring: 2-4 ropes 20+ feet in length

Do you like secrets? Want to feel rope on your skin, to be bound or restricted when no one else knows? Do you like the idea of wearing rope to dinner, work, school, family gatherings or other vanilla settings? Are you a top who likes the idea of requiring your rope bottom to wear a rope reminder of their submission or to improve/modify their posture? We will learn a few ties that are easy to conceal. We will talk about how to modify our ties for whatever your intention might be: posture, submission, sadism. Most ties we discuss can be modified for self-tying. We will talk about rope diameter and texture and how that can add to the experience and incorporate some simple microbondage ties and techniques to safely bind nipples, genitals, feet, and more.

Format: Hands-on
Level: Beginner
Bring: 1-2 ropes 20-30+ feet in length, and some smaller diameter rope or paracord you can cut up 10+ feet.

Box ties on the upper torso and Hip Harnesses on the lower are the two main components to most suspension ties. A thorough understanding of how to tie both of these and make them secure is a prerequisite to getting someone off the ground. In the first half of the class we will learn the Box Tie (takate kote) with a few variations to accommodate different body types and styles. There will be an emphasis on tying safely and securely in preparation for suspension. In the second half of the class we will learn 2-3 variations of the Hip Harness. We will discuss the pros and cons of each, as well as adjustments and variations that can be made for different body types and sizes.

This can be two 90-minute classes or one 1.5 hour class.

Format: Hands-on
Level: Intermediate
Bring: 4-6 ropes 20+ feet in length.

You know how to create a box-tie (takate kote), chest harness, and a hip harness. You know these work for suspension. But why do they work? We will discuss the underlying principals of safe suspensions and break them down to the most basic elements. We will discuss how to be flexible in your approach and how to make choices based on your bottoms body type, flexibility, comfort level, and overall intention for the scene. We will discuss and share different techniques for uplines and effortless/safe transition from floor to suspension. This class is for those experienced riggers who are new to suspension as well as suspension veterans. Participants will learn the basic elements and then actively participate in discussions on how to make those elements work in different suspension situations.

Format: Hands-on, participatory
Level: Advanced
Bring: 3-4 ropes for ties, 3-4 ropes for uplines, suspension gear not required for class but encouraged if there is ample suspension frames in room.

Consent and scene negotiation have become standard practice before starting a scene. We as a community have sought to make these conversations standard and have done a pretty good job modeling it in the classes we teach and in our interactions at play parties and other events. But, what if these conversations could be more? What if these conversations could be done in a way that also connects us to the new person we want to play with or even connects us closer to the person we’ve been playing with for years. In this class we will practice building intimacy with each other, with strangers, and/or with our partners within the context of a scene negotiation. We will practice creating a safe place, sharing each of our desired intentions, negotiating these intentions, and setting our consensual boundaries. We will model various effective and non-effective ways of saying “no” for both tops AND bottoms and discuss how power exchange can often get in the way of such frank and open intimate conversations.   You will need to bring a partner if you want to do the in-class exercises with us.  However, it is not necessary to be paired up to take this class.

Class Handout (PDF)

This class will discuss, model, and allow attendees to practice creating intimacy within the context of giving and receiving pain. We will start by discussing the brain chemistry that occurs during intimacy, sex, and pain, and how the three can be cultivated and combined. The top and bottom will be encouraged to create a safe, intimate space where pain/discomfort is balanced by submission, connection, and pleasure. The bottom will be encouraged to practice various ways to give feedback to the top as they identify their personal thresholds of pain. Through this process, both top and bottom will be encouraged to learn more about themselves and their partners. For those who want to participate in the exercises for the class, please bring a partner with whom you’ve negotiated intimacy, power exchange, and sadomasochistic play.T