Rope Arts Group promotes education and the exchange of knowledge about rope bondage. We welcome and embrace everyone, of every skill level, every gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, and design of relationships. We will be holding this event the 4th Sunday of each month at Sanctuary in Portland. There, you will find several hard points and plenty of floor space for ropey fun. Please bring barriers to put between you and the floor or furniture.

Rope Arts Group is sincerely grateful for your support.

Doors open at 8:00pm.
Classes start at 8:30pm.

The OG “Meeting” format was so successful that we brought that back for everyone to enjoy. Each month we will have an intermediate AND a beginner class as well as some space for the chaos group (those who want to do their own thing). Meetings always involve questions, answers, demonstrations, and discussions about the various aspects of rope bondage. Most important, the meetings allow ample time for people of all experience levels to practice in a safe and respectful environment. After class enjoy a lower volume atmosphere to do rope and socialize with others about rope. All play is welcome, dungeon furniture and hardpoints are available for use and DMs will be scheduled.

Moments Before Contact

This class focuses on the first few seconds of a rope scene. We will slow down those first moments to explore ways of initiating rope with sensual dominance. No prior experience required. Current practitioners might find the class to be a helpful refresher, or discover new inspirations.

Event details

Hosted by Rope Arts Group PDX at Sanctuary Club, Oct 22, 2023. $20 cash. $22 card. Doors open at 8:00pm. Class starts at 8:30pm. Socialize and play after class. Taught by @BlueBicycle and @_Tesla_.

Class outline

Introduction: 15 mins

• Caressing style shibari
• Negotiating contact and intentions
• Comfortable ways to say no
• Creating a safe container

Demos/exercises: 60 mins

1. Invite gently, receive firmly
2. Tension, tension, tension
3. From three directions
4. Texture and timing
5. Versatility (time permitting)
6. No rope (time permitting)

Closing: 10 mins

• Discussion
• Summary

Before you attend

Partners and comfort — Rope dynamics can range from platonic to sensual to erotic. This class is on the sensual side. By its nature, a class on sensual rope will involve sharing personal space. You may want to attend with a partner with whom you can negotiate consensual levels of slow sensation play and physical contact. The rope exercises will not involve any contact with the face, chest, or between the legs. Alternative exercises will be provided for folks who prefer less closeness. If you plan to find a practice partner at the event, be prepared to negotiate and respect boundaries. Be prepared to use alternative exercises or skip some of them according to individual comfort levels. We will cover negotiation and ways to say no specifically for sensual rope.

Experience level — This introductory class does not require prior rope experience or any knowledge of knots or patterns.

Accessibility — Both partners can participate while sitting/kneeling/cross-legged on the floor or on the sofas. Some exercises can be done standing. We will have a whiteboard with large visual prompts. Demos will be on the floor.

Materials — If you use the floor, bring a barrier between you and the floor, such as a blanket (3-4 ft). If you are tying, bring a piece of any rope material between 20-30 ft length. Rope Arts Group will have a limited number of community rope available to borrow during class. This event does not allow the use of phones in the main space, so bring pen and paper if you want to take notes.

Appendix

Free online tutorials for beginners

• Basic rope safety — https://www.noblerope.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=6f3f368cc8d54269af2e8cce9d2e6f85&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jct7p2dy
• Somerville bowline — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qliQibxyPqc
• Double column — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSWdii8HMnQ
• “Single column ties” — https://www.noblerope.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=8e95cea126014f77a6a1dedb3a8c8006&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jct7p2dy
• Wraps and frictions — https://rope365.com/frictions/

Reflections on caressing style shibari

• Essay comparing the caressing and sadistic styles of shibari. https://www.kinbakutoday.com/aibunawa-and-semenawa-pleasure-and-endurance/
• “It’s not about the rope” – a video essay. https://www.noblerope.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=8e95cea126014f77a6a1dedb3a8c8006&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jct7p2dy

Thanks

Thanks to @OneBrattySub and @PlayfulGames for hosting. Thanks to @ZanAwake for review and additional content. Thanks to @DashOfRope, @AceyBean, @OceanBlack, and @TheTasteOfInk for feedback. Thanks to @Noble for permission to include some techniques from his lessons.

Chaos group: please do rope where you see the space to do so

The bar will be closed so no food, beverages or alcohol will be available for purchase.

Sanctuary is 21+, LGBTQ+, ADA, anti-racism, and celebrates diversity. Enter on Ninth

Join the Rope Arts Group PDX Events group HERE
Join the Rope Arts Group PDX group HERE

Dress to tie or be tied (clothing optional inside)
$20 cash
$22 card