Rope 201 is a six-month, in-depth study of the fundamental concepts and skills of rope bondage for both tops and bottoms. The main focus is on natural-fiber rope in the Japanese style (typically called shibari or kinbaku), but many of the concepts can be adapted for other styles.
Prerequisites
Rope 101 or equivalent – This course requires a dedication to learning and a commitment to the study of responsible rope bondage over an extended period of time. We highly recommend an existing “101” level of experience and understanding along with enough time spent working in rope that you know you’re really interested in and ready for serious study and practice.
Key Concepts for Tops & Bottoms
For Tops:
- learning to tie well (fundamental skills for placement, tension, control, and structure and understanding the balance among intent, risk, efficiency, and aesthetics)
- learning strategies for effective practice, alone and with others
- learning to recognize and mitigate risk and to define responsible progression for your goals and risk profile
- learning to communicate with and lead a partner in rope for various types of interactions and floor transitions
- learning to fit the rope to the person (not the person to the rope)
- learning about preparation of mind and body as well as relevant body mechanics
- learning to assess potential partners, negotiate effectively, and adapt risk profile as needed
- learning common forms and patterns and understanding the choices and reasoning behind them, included but not limited to:
- single and double-column ties
- leg-tie variations (folded-leg, crossed-leg, legs together)
- chest harnesses variations (arms free, arms behind, arms to the side, and arms in front)
- armbinder variations
- full-body ties
For Bottoms:
- learning to recognize when something is tied well for your body (placement, tension, control, and structure as it applies to your body’s abilities and needs)
- learning strategies for effective practice, alone and with others
- learning to recognize and mitigate risk and to define responsible progression for your goals and risk profile
- learning to communicate with and follow a partner in rope for various types of interactions and floor transitions
- learning skills related to active bottoming, including micro-adjustments, pain processing, breathing exercises, and effective decision-making
- learning about preparation of mind and body, both as warm-up and as long-term preparation, as well as relevant notes about posture, positioning, balance, and body mechanics
- learning to assess potential partners, negotiate effectively, and adapt risk profile as needed
- learning to recognize common forms and patterns, understanding the choices and reasoning behind them, and understanding the implications of those for your body and experience in rope (see above for list)
Rope bondage of the type we practice at this level and beyond can be dangerous and is technically challenging. Serious study is necessary to practice it responsibly and well. It may be better to think of this as taking up the goal of learning an instrument or a martial art: something to which you must dedicate extended time and regular practice to gain mastery.