Learn to fly in rope in this workshop with Parker RopeBoi & Juniper Quinn.

This hands-on workshop covers how to take your shibari practice from ground to air, while prioritizing safety, risk awareness, communication, and consent.

Topics and techniques in this workshop include:

* assessing if a rope harness is suspension-worthy (for a particular person and for a particular suspension) before getting off the ground

* attaching uplines to a rope harness for suspension - multiple means of attaching uplines and when & why to use each of these attachments

* locking off uplines - multiple methods for locking off and when & why to use them, including ways to lock off to carabiners, rings, and horizonal poles (such as bamboo)

* upline management and planning

* reducing the risk of upline rope jams, and unjamming uplines if/when an upline jam occurs

* assessing and communicating about suspension comfort and sustainability while in the air

* watching out for and minimizing impediment of nerves, breathing, and/or circulation in suspension

* exploring one's physical experience of and preferences regarding rope suspensions

* developing skills for proprioception, balance, and microadjustments while in suspension

* lowering to the ground with control and safety

Prerequisites:

Rope tops (people doing the tying) should be able to consistently, accurately, and quickly tie a Somerville Bowline single-column tie. Tops should be able to tie chest harness suitable for suspension (no specific chest harness is required, as long as the harness is suspension-worthy).

Rope bottoms (people being tied) should have experience being tied in a chest harness and in column ties on the hips, thighs, and ankles, and should be able to communicate sensitivities, limitations, and preferences about rope.

Note: This class is open to experience levels ranging from people with solid rope experience who are new to suspension, to experienced and advanced suspension practitioners who are interested in learning some new techniques to incorporate into their rope play.

About the Presenters:

Parker RopeBoi (IG: @parkerropeboi) is a queer, non-binary rope performer and educator who has been presenting workshops and rope performances across North America and Europe. since 2009. Known for their daredevil self-suspension performances, Parker is also a versatile rope top who enjoys tying others and sharing their passion for rope. Parker considers rope to be a versatile medium for enabling and disabling corporeal possibilities, presenting and overcoming impasses, instigating intense sensations, and suspending bodies in space. As an educator, Parker enjoys breaking down complex scenes and into teachable skills and techniques. Parker respects and appreciates that all bodies are different and that there are no “one-size-fits-all” techniques. Parker strives to foster an inclusive, affirming environment for adults of all bodies, histories, and identifications to learn and enjoy rope. Parker offers workshops and private lessons for levels ranging from novice to advanced. Parker lives in New York City and hosts the monthly event Queer Rope Social NYC.

Juniper Quinn (IG: @juniperquinn_) is a bubbly rope switch who loves using rope as a tool for pain, pleasure, silliness, and connection. As a rope bottom, Juniper delights in creating interesting shapes in the air, challenging herself both physically and mentally, and exploring new possibilities through self-tying. She enjoys rope’s demand for presence and mindfulness and employs a deep sense of connection to her body and to her partners when tying.

General Information

All attendees must be over the age of 18 years old. All attendees must agree to follow the event policies.

Tickets:

We offer a range of ticket prices, including reduced price tickets for low-income and underrepresented folks. If you cannot afford the reduced price ticket and you feel called to attend this workshop, please email ropeboi@gmail.com to inquire about how you could attend the workshop.

Supporter tickets enable us to offer these reduced price tickets to workshops. If you are able to do support these offerings, we appreciate your purchase of a supporter level ticket.

All ticket types provide the same entry (1 person per ticket) to the workshop.

Partnering:

To fully participate in the hands-on portions of the workshop, you will need a tying partner.

Solo attendees are welcome to observe and participate to the extent possible without a partner.

COVID Policies:

All attendees must be up-to-date on their COVID vaccines, meaning the original vaccine course plus a booster.

All attendees must show a photo of a negative result on a COVID rapid home test from within 12 hours of the start of the workshop. We will have some COVID tests available at the door for people, but we strongly prefer that people test at home before the workshop and bring a photo of the negative test.

The workshop instructors will not be wearing masks, for communication and demonstration. Attendees are not required to wear masks but are welcome to do so.

The venue has three HEPA air purifiers that will be running during the workshop.

If you test positive for COVID or you are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, or if you're experiencing COVID-like symptoms on the day of the workshop, please request a refund through the Eventbrite platform prior to the workshop and do not attend the workshop.

Intro to Suspension Intensive