FRIDAY AUGUST 12TH
6 pm - 11 pm - Registration open - meet and greet
8 pm - Opening remarks and welcome
8:30 pm - 11 pm - Open play and practice
SATURDAY AUGUST 13TH
8:00 am - Doors open - registration available all day
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9:00 am - 10:30 am
Replay Cafe (1st floor)
Basics/Safety
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Prerequisites/Tools: please bring
at least 1 hank of rope and safety
shears
If you are newer to rope or just looking for a refresher on some basics and safety, this class was made for you! SMIRC encourages all skills levels to attend its full weekend classes/events. I’ll provide a good starting point, so everyone can hopefully take away more from the rest of the weekend classes.
We’ll start with an intro to basic rope terminology, types of rope, and basic knots (single column tie, double column tie, larks head if time permitting…). I’ll also review safety info such as sensitive areas on the body to tie, good communication between tying partners, safety checks, and tools to help get someone out of rope quickly.
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Oblige (2nd floor)
Full body lacing
Level: Intermediate/High Intermediate
In this class, we will explore traditional full body lacing bondage. We will begin by discussing and demoing various techniques needed for consistent rope flow and tension to tie full body lacings, as well as traditional aesthetics of this form. We will then explore dynamic body movements in full body lacing bondage through partial and full suspensions.
Prerequisites: basic rope safety for both partners, fundamental tying techniques, two-rope gote/TK/box tie and basic upline management for tops, some experience with predicament bondage for bottoms.
Tools: 8-10 hanks of 7-8 m ropes (preferably 5 mm in thickness)
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11 am - 12:30 pm
Replay Cafe (1st floor)
Wrestling with rope
Format: tie-along (partner)
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Skills required (tops): single column, half hitch, basic familiarity with restraining ties (recommended)
Skills required (bottoms): advanced body awareness, ability to communicate limits under stress
How many times has someone said they don't have the patience to get tied up? Well, who ever said bondage is supposed to be slow?
In this class, we'll combine body manipulation techniques with basic rope skills to create fast-paced, aggressive bondage. The techniques will focus on forcefully restraining a less-than-cooperative bottom, along with risk mitigation techniques for bottoms to help minimize injuries. These concepts can be good for dynamic scenes or switch-fights, and have the potential to be adapted to alter power imbalances. This is not an advanced wrestling or martial arts class, but if you have pre-existing skills along these lines, you may well be able to incorporate them here.
This class assumes a somewhat higher than average risk profile (primarily through incorporating rough body play and improvised ties) and will include a presentation to highlight key safety variables distinct from the rope scenes many of us are used to. Please be aware of your own body limitations and come prepared with any special supplies you may need to ensure that you can safely engage in rough body play (braces, wraps, etc.). All participants are expected to have an understanding of rope safety and to be willing/able to maintain body awareness and communication in challenging ties. You may wish to bring anywhere between 2-6 lengths of roughly 8m rope.
11 am - 12:30 pm
Oblige (2nd floor)
Lazy Rigger Guide to tears
Torture rope does not have to be hard, sweaty, or complicated (for the rigger). After a review of safety, we will show three basic elements that can be used to bring tears and pain. We will include a positional sequence that requires minimal effort and yields lots of hurt.
Intermediate
Prerequisites: none for floor work, chest harness and how to secure an upline for positional sequence
Rope: 3-5 8m pieces of rope, hard point for sequence
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12:30 - 2:30 pm - LUNCH BREAK
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2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Replay Cafe (1st floor)
Exposure and Closure
Have you looked at a photo of a person exposed in rope? Have you wanted to get someone to that vulnerable spot or how it must feel like to be that vulnerable? In this class we will explore the physical and psychological ins and outs of exposure rope on the ground. How to tie exposing rope, how can we create these spaces of trust, and how can we begin to open up to more intense scenes of exposure. And once we have taken someone apart, how do we put them back together? In this class we will also discuss ways of aftercare and healing for exposure rope.
Kind of Class: Floor tying, hands on, and demo
Skill Level: intermediate
Prerequisites: non-collapsing single column ties and general rope safety knowledge.
Materials needed:
Rope - 4 to 8 hanks of jute or hemp prefered, synthetic works fine.
Cutting Tool - Make sure you bring a cutting tool for safety. If you do not have a cutting tool, you will not be able to participate in the exercises.
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Oblige (2nd floor)
Widow Harness
Knowledge Base: Participants must be able to comfortably tie a TK. Please do not attend this class if you do not have a solid understanding of a TK!
Class Level: Intermediate to Advanced
The widow harness is a hands in front harness that is multi directional for suspension. This harness is designed to be tied as to relieve any strain on the wrist by using a handkerchief or a scarf as an alternative to rope around the wrist. This harness requires 2 - 3 hanks of rope as well as an upline. A handkerchief or a scarf. A working knowledge of the single column and an understanding of upline management.
What to Bring to Class: 6-8 hanks of rope
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4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Replay Cafe (1st floor)
Torture ties - just rope
Format: tie-along (partner/solo)
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Xeno enjoys devising new ways to elicit profanities, screams, and similar reactions from bottoms who enjoy challenging sensations. This class will focus on how you can cause intense pain, using only rope. Xeno will focus on three simple ties in this class. Each of these, using only basic rope skills and no additional materials, will present a considerable level of discomfort. The first two are bastardized versions of a tie known as the guatemalan. The third is a hellish futo-inspired tie of his own creation. If you have 2-3 lengths of roughly 8m rope, please bring them to class with you. Skill level required is minimal; some basic rope knowledge would be beneficial, but is not required, and a prior understanding of general rope safety is highly encouraged. Self-riggers are welcome.
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Oblige (2nd floor)
4 S's of predicaments
Level intermediate/advanced
In this class we will go over the 4 S’s of predicaments then show 2 different predicaments that the class will then get to try for themselves. Predicaments can be very challenging and risky. Know your risk profile before coming to class so you can make a choice to participate or not.
Prerequisites
People tying should know a single column tie, knots, frictions and have good tension. Good communication. Must know uplines and lock off and good rope management. People being tied need to have good body awareness and good communication.
Materials needed
8 hanks of rope, saftey shears, carabiners, and strap.
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6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - DINNER BREAK
8:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Rope performance
8:30 pm - 1:00 am - play party and open rope time
SUNDAY AUGUST 14TH
8:00 am - Doors open - rope space available for practice
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9:00 am - 10:30 am
Replay Cafe (1st floor)
The Lonely Bottom
Knowledge Base: none! Come hang out with us!
Knowledge Level: All levels are welcome!
Ever felt disconnected while being tied or tying. This is a discussion based class that
focuses on how to keep the energy up and stay engaged while working with rope.
What to Bring to Class: Your inquiring mind!
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Oblige (2nd floor)
Suspension 101
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites/Tools: basic rope safety
knowledge, single-column tie;
3-6 hanks of 8m rope, safety shears
In this class, we’ll break down rope suspension into its basic components followed by step-by-step practice of the individual parts. Those participating should have a solid grasp of a single-column tie, maintaining rope tension, and basic safety as suspension has added risks for injury. As this is an introductory class, we’ll focus on suspending a single limb and line management. If time permits, I’ll assist those who can confidently tie a secure hip harness with a basic full suspension.
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11 am - 12:30 pm
Replay Cafe (1st floor)
Grounded
Beginner/intermediate
We will go over floor rope concepts. We will show a few different floor ties that you can either copy or take it and make it your own. Floor work is about playing and having fun. The ties that we are going to show will be intense and on the sadistic side.
Prerequisites
People tying will need to know a single column tie, good tension and frictions and people in rope will need to have good body awareness.
Materials needed
Yoga mat or blanket, 5 hanks of rope and saftey shears
11 am - 12:30 pm
Oblige (2nd floor)
The Joy of Tying
We’ve all been there, going through a tie and we’ve finished whatever pattern or binding we’ve set out to tie only to find that we have an extra arm length of rope dangling in the breeze with a single thought on our mind… “What am I supposed to do with all this?!” Well friends, fret not. In this class not only will we give you options of exactly “what do” but endeavor to change your very perspective on the extra rope. We’ll help you show how that excess rope can be an avenue to let your creativity flow into the tie and help you think where that happy little rope can live in your world.
Beginner/Intermediate
Prerequisite: Know to tie a thing.
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12:30 - 2:30 pm - LUNCH BREAK
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2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Replay Cafe (1st floor)
In-Tension and Flow
Whether you've just started tying or you've been tying for years - there's no better time to work on your "in-tension" and flow! Patterns and suspension are only one part of what rope can be; if you want to improve your floor rope skills, this class is for you! In this class we will learn techniques for rope handling, body manipulation, and tying with intention to convey feeling through rope. You'll leave this class with exercises that you and your partner can utilize to co-create your own unique floor rope flow practice.
Kind of Class: Floor tying, hands on, and demo
Skill Level: beginner
Prerequisites: non-collapsing single column ties and general rope safety knowledge.
Materials needed:
Rope - 4 to 8 hanks of jute or hemp prefered, synthetic works fine.
Cutting Tool - Make sure you bring a cutting tool for safety. If you do not have a cutting tool, you will not be able to participate in the exercises.
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Oblige (2nd floor)
Ebi-Agura
Bondage Level: High Intermediate/Advanced
In this class, we will explore Ebi-Agura form of bondage. We will begin by demoing floor version of this form with traditional Japanese aesthetics. We will then add uplines to progressively explore this form from the floor to air. For more advanced students, we will study few transitions in the air and discuss their emotional intent.
Prerequisites: basic rope safety and strong communication for both partners; for tops: basic rope safety and strong communication for both partners; for tops: fundamental tying techniques, two/three rope gote/TK/box tie, solid upline management, some experience with static/dynamic suspensions, understanding of body mechanics. for bottoms: experience with predicament bondage, partial and full suspensions, torsions, and compressed shapes.
Tools: 8-12 hanks of 7-8 8m ropes.;1-2 hanks of 4m ropes; 1-2 hanks of 2m ropes
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4:15 pm - Oblige (2nd floor) - closing remarks
4:00 - 6:00 pm - rope space available for open rope and practice
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