Better Bottoming for Riggers and Bottoms - with Saara Rei & Swen Brandy

About the workshop

Being in rope can be an incredibly intense experience. The array of sensations and emotions that can be felt is limitless and often ever-changing within the experience of being tied. Processing, managing, and allowing these sensations and emotions requires a continuous, real-time evaluation of what we are feeling, and if we can accept the situation we are in or not. We need to be able to relinquish control and at the same time maintain absolute oversight so that we are able to react appropriately and responsibly. This level of balance is no easy task and exactly what we hope to develop a practice for during this workshop.

In this workshop, we will go through a series of hands-on tying exercises, practiced with a rigger, designed for those who are being tied to develop a personal bottoming practice. We will explore how to manage physical and emotional pain while in ropes as well as use techniques derived from dance and mindfulness meditation for developing body awareness. We will learn about body mechanics, including blood pressure, nerve compression, and muscle tension. We will practice working together with those typing to co-create a shared experience that is desired by all involved. And we will dive deep into our own personal strengths, limits, and weaknesses in order to develop a better understanding of what we are comfortable with, what we would like to work on, and what we would like to leave well-enough alone.

We will also work on the emotional body. We will seek to understand our own intentions for doing rope as well as our intentions for doing rope with others. We will look into what we hope to gain and explore emotionally, and what emotions can be challenging for us to face while in rope. For every exercise focusing on the body, there will also be an analogous exercise for the mind. We will hopefully see throughout this workshop that there is a feedback loop between the physical and emotional bodies that feed into each other through our thoughts and feelings. In this workshop, we hope to reach a place where we can understand how this feedback loop works for ourselves and how we can use this channel of communication within ourselves to allow the body and the mind to speak to each other.

By the end of this workshop, every bottom should hopefully leave with a better understanding of themselves in rope as well and an understand of how they would like to practice rope, from their intention to their fitness. As well, every rigger should come out of this workshop with a better understanding of the bottom’s point of view and how to work together with that understanding to form a deeper means of communication; when each role understands the experience of the other better, communication will inevitably be more empathetic.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is for any rope bottom at any skill or experience level. It is best if the bottom comes with a rigger who is fluent with tying so that there is little to no need to focus on tying technique during the workshop, allowing both to be able to fully concentrate on the conceptual content within this workshop. And, as usual, it is also best if both parties have tied with each other before and feel comfortable with each other.

About the Facilitator

Saara Rei is a workshop facilitator and performance artist with a background in music, dance, education, and public speaking. Saara's work generally centers around the exploration of suffering, both physical and emotional. Through their kink practice, Saara has come to understand that suffering comes from the comparison of what has been or could be to the present moment. And with that, Saara enjoys teaching about how to use suffering as a path to presence and enjoyment in life. Having a Ph.D. in mathematics, Saara’s academic experience adds an intellectual flair to complement their performative approach to bodywork. Playfulness and humour make up a big chunk of Saara's personality and approach to life, giving their workshops a very exploitative and light atmosphere, even while approaching some of the heaviest of topics: bodywork, kink, and more.

What should I bring and what do I wear?

If you are planning to suspend, you must bring your own ropes that are suitable for suspension lines. Our communal rope is not advisable for suspension lines.

We have a communal kitchenette, fridge and microwave. Tea and coffee are free but you should bring your food and snacks (we have plates and cutlery you can use). People usually wear comfortable clothing like yoga or dance attire. We advise against loose fitting clothing and also jeans can sometimes feel a bit restrictive to move around in and difficult to tie on.

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For our Code of Conduct see here.

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Please note that tickets can only be refunded or transferred up to 7 days before the event after which they become non-refundable. If you are unable to attend within 7 days, please join the 'Ticket Exchange' channel on our Discord server.