I’d like to thank the respondents on the survey I posted on ShibariClasses. Based on the responses and thread replies, it seems that suspension is by a long way the preferred subject. Almost a third of requests were for basic techniques and transitions, with semenawa as the runner-up with around 12%.
As a result, we have decided to make a series of suspension tutorials. We will be based these on ties covered in other tutorials, e.g. Old-style & Contemporary Gote, Nina’s Hip Harness, and also the methodology from Tying Techniques and elsewhere. In addition, we will be using some new ties for our suspensions. Based on the survey, it looks like we should add another gote and a standard hip harness.
As with our other tutorials, we will be going into a lot of depth and adding many pro tricks and tips so you don’t waste time figuring these things out for yourself. Small but important points like how to minimise rope snags, how to avoid jamming suspension lines, smart lifting techniques, working with and not against gravity and much more. You can only work efficiently and competently if you understand these things. Being a skilled rigger doesn’t come naturally, it requires a solid basis of know-how. Trial and error is not a good route for you or, most importantly, your partner, which is why we want to share these things. Being a great rigger is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. We can reduce the perspiration by giving you what takes years to learn otherwise and, hopefully, provide some inspiration. Once you understand rope, you are no longer restricted to patterns because you know how they work, you can be creative. Take the tie in the header picture, which got massive Like’s on Fetlife. It’s not rocket science. It’s really very simple. Mind you, I think most of the adulation was due the model and photographer, rather my rope 🙂
We believe that these tutorials, whilst no substitute for expert hands-on tuition, will fill in a lot of gaps. Even with the most assiduous study and best 1-2-1 instruction, some things are only learned after years of practice. Most of us aren’t that lucky and learn by whatever means we can. Very often this produces a confusing mix of information and misinformation which is hard to build upon. Our mission to make your journey as safe, easy to follow and as smooth as possible. You will be gaining the benefit of our experience, some of it from the ‘school of hard knocks’ and some simply from 1,000’s of hours of tying, teaching and performing.
We already have some existing material shot for Ground to Air, which we will use. In fact, the two existing gote tutorials are from that shoot. We have also covered some aspects of that key building block, the single-column tie, and tension in several tutorials. Inevitably, there will be a preamble discussing safety, plus the pro’s and con’s of suspension. We’ll then move onto the physics of suspension. Don’t worry, no calculators are required. It will be more about the practical aspects and how to make things work for you without brute force and ignorance. Nina will demonstrate the more practical aspects. Her approach is particularly illuminating as it has to utilise the most effective methods as she always works at a weigh disadvantage, unlike most riggers who usually weigh a lot more and and much stronger than their partners. It goes to show that anyone can suspend anyone if it is done right.
The next step will be about tie-offs, suspension equipment and handling a load. You’ll be shown how to make it look easy whilst using sound technique and minimum effort. From there, we will start with some very play-friendly floor-based suspensions, then move onto partials before we end up with full suspension in various positions. Using the understanding of physics and rope handling that you will have learned, you will finish by transitioning from one position to another.
We will be shooting the first ‘rope on flesh’ sequence this weekend and, meanwhile, I’ll voice-over and edit the physics section. We’ll keep you posted on progress.