### For Whom?
This workshop is best suited for those who are comfortable handling rope, have a basic understanding of anatomy, and have already explored various harnesses in workshop settings. It is aimed at those who enjoy (or want to explore) dynamic movement in, and an active approach to, rope. Those already tying at an advanced level will encounter new ways to tie their existing harnesses and will be able to review and challenge their preexisting rope handling skills.
### Workshop Content
Instead of focussing on patterns we will instead focus on movement techniques, rope handling skills, body manipulation and anatomy. Improving one's flow, rope application and understanding of the human body will greatly benefit our future rope sessions and improve the overall experience and safety for both the rigger as well as the model/bottom. During the workshop many exercises will be repeated so that participants have the option to switch if they so please, while others have the opportunity to go into further detail with the additional tips provided. Content will focus on the education of both the rigger as well as the model/bottom. We encourage attendees to make their workshop experience their own by focussing on the aspects that interest them the most in the content provided. Expect a high density of information with a lot of freedom for creativity and personal exploration <3.
Throughout the workshop we will focus on the following subjects:
#### The Joy of Movement
Haag has a background in dance and thus has a focus on dynamic movement, pace and engagement. Often in rope sessions we can get lost in the details of rope, frictions and patterns and judgment of the success of our scene gets measured by observing the end result (goal oriented) rather than the movements and experience of the session itself (process oriented). We will offer exercises and discuss concepts to be able to better enjoy and understand how we move, facilitate flow state and connect with our tying partners. The teaching bottom Pendragon has no prior background in dancing but has nonetheless somatically discovered ways of following her partner while actively engaging in the co-creation of the session.
#### Advanced Rope Handling & Body Manipulation
Our style of tying is based on dynamic and fast movement (speed-tying). We incorporate a lot of tricks and techniques to ensure the flow of our scene, constructional integrity of our ties, continued engagement with our partners, and the desired level of (dis)comfort and safety while tying. This content can be highly detailed and personal, and aims to raise awareness on how we move ourselves and move with our partners (and their ropes).
#### Movement & Balance
The workshop will have a focus on both proprioception (sense of body position) as well as equilibrioception (sense of balance). Exercises will focus on both tying while standing, how to move when on the floor (kneewalking) and how to combine these to create fluid scenes. Those that prefer to focus on either of these positions are free to do so since this can take some time getting used to.
#### Movement in Flight
Instead of static suspension positions, we will explore continuous collaborative movement in the air. Where constant change might seem demanding, it is also an engaging and immediately rewarding experience which is not a measurement of physical endurance but rather of adaptability. It is an immersive practice in active bottoming and rigging, facilitated by clear verbal and non-verbal communication.
### Requirements for riggers (r) and models (m):
Ability to communicate limits and wishes to your partner (r/m).
Ability to tie a single & double column tie with little to no effort (r).
Basic understanding of physical signals that indicate nerve compression and blood flow issues (r/m).
Basic understanding of various frictions, rope tension and general rope handling skills (r).
Have attended at least one full (4+ hours) in-person suspension workshop with experienced teachers(r/m).
Have experience tying and being tied in a variety of upper and lower body harnesses (r/m).
Able to manage secure uplines on a single point (r).
10 or more lengths (8+ meters) of NATURAL FIBRE rope. Synthetic rope is not suited for the speed of the exercises, though can be used for uplines if preferred.
Suspension gear for single point (ring and/or carabiners).
Please note that because this workshop is focussed on movement techniques, we do not have high requirements with regard to your technical rope skills as movement can be explored and enjoyed at different levels. This workshop is however not suited for those at the very start of their rope journey due to a lack of rope handling experience.
Cost: 420 per Couple
Haag (he/they) is a professional rope bondage teacher and runs the Ellipsis Rope Events Foundation based in Rotterdam (NL). He has hosted many rope events varying from international workshops, performances, demonstrations and rope jams for more than a decade. Haag is passionate about photography, community work and teaching, and his tying style is focused on safety, knowledge/experience-based improvisation, high paced tying, dynamic movement, and creativity. He has a very technical approach to rope which is complemented by his dance background, psychology studies and various hobbies that incorporate fine motor skills.
Pendragon (she/they) has been rope bottoming since 2018, tying with Haag since 2019, teaching since 2020 and volunteering at Ellipsis Rope Events in Rotterdam since 2023. In ropes she enjoys experiencing passionate yet conflicting feelings, physical/emotional challenges and power dynamics, be it playful or dark. As a rope bottom, she benefits from her emotional and physical awareness, and, with her background is literature, enjoys writing stories in ropes whenever so inspired. She values integrity, authenticity and solidarity in rope bottoming, and these values are reflected in workshop settings where relevant. Having been a teacher in a previous life, she enjoys sharing her experiences and seeing people immediately feel skillful and joyful.