The Chicago Rope Dojo

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Chicago Rope has cancelled all classes and other events until further notice. We encourage everyone to practice social distancing at this critical time and to avoid all unnecessary social gatherings. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to eventually resuming our regular event schedule. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or feedback.

The Chicago Rope Dojo is a series of ongoing rope training sessions. It meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 7pm to 10pm. Drawing from a range of somatic and movement arts, instructors lead students through exercises designed to improve communication skills, footwork, body manipulation, and rope handling. Students can attend alone or with a partner.

Prerequisites

Those who wish to handle ropes should have a general fluency with the fundamentals of Japanese rope, including a single column tie, standard frictions and hitches, and a basic chest harness. Those who wish to be in ropes should have body awareness regarding nerve impingement and circulation and the ability to communicate effectively during a tie. Students should be comfortable moving and tying in front of other students and being observed.

Before taking this class, we recommend that students finish our fundamentals series. At a minimum, students should be able to tie a single column and a basic chest harness. Students should also be comfortable tying in front of other students and being observed. All attendees must be 18 or older. You must have a government-issued ID verifying your age to be admitted.

Partner

While most topics covered in this class will involve people tying with other people, students are welcome to attend with or without a partner. Students may also attend in groups of three or switch roles during class at their discretion, but those interested in doing so should keep in mind that exercises might not allow for enough time for more than one person to practice tying. Because this class deals with highly personal material, we recommend that you attend with someone you trust and feel comfortable working closely with both physically and emotionally.

Materials

Please bring at least four lengths of medium-diameter natural-fiber rope, such as jute or hemp. We have some loaner ropes available and we will have both processed and unprocessed 6mm Ogawa jute available for purchase at all Chicago Rope events.

Dress Code

The dress code at all Chicago Rope events is rope casual. Casual means something you would feel comfortable wearing shopping, running errands, or in any other conventional public space. Clothing that would not be appropriate in public spaces, such as fetish gear, is not a good fit for our events.

The rope part is a suggestion to wear something suitable for moving around, being on the floor, and physically interacting. Many people find that yoga or fitness-oriented clothing works well. Business suits or other kinds of more formal dress are generally not ideal.

Please note that Outerspace Studios is a no-shoes venue. We ask that you remove your shoes at the top of stairs prior to entering the studio.

Inclusivity

Chicago Rope aims to create an inclusive space that is safe for people regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. For more information on how we do this, see our policies and mission statement.

Accessibility

Our studios at Outerspace are at the top of a long flight of stairs and have no elevator. We regret that this limits access to our events. We are happy to provide whatever accommodations we are able to. Please contact us directly for more information.