Creating Impactful Positions (2-Day Workshop)

In this Weekend-Intensive, we will introduce you to the main concepts and most iconic positions of the style we tie: Semenawa, which is for us about creating an intimate and intense, challenging rope session. Based on the fundaments learned before, especially a solid stemless Gote, we will designing positions that shape the bottom’s somatic body and challenge the emotional and physical state.

The intention is to deepen trust between both partners, and create emotional intensity and power exchange.

This workshop is for couples (of all ages and gender constellations) who already have some experience in Japanese-inspired bondage and want to engage with more challenging rope sessions. The willingness of both partners to get involved in the philosophy of Semenawa is the prerequisite for participation in this Weekend Intensive.

The rigger masters basic frictions and knots, and can tie a non-collapsing Single-Column-Tie in less than 1 min, a simple (one rope) Gote in less then 3 min, adapted to the body of their partners, have initial experience with (semi)suspensions, and in general demonstrate decent rope and body handling.

People in ropes must have some experience in being tied in floor based ties and especially in  arms-behind-the-back ties, as well as are effective in communicating their desires and boundaries.

Bring along: comfortable, flexible clothing and at least 10 jute ropes, 5 or 6 mm, cut to the Bottom’s body size

• building on the previous learned basic principles of Kinbaku
• understanding the concepts and philosophy of Seme-nawa
• safely mastering the first semi- and full suspensions in our style
• understanding important non-technical aspects, such as communication through rope and tools to create a shared experience of intimacy
• gaining confidence in your abilities and self-confidence for application in private or at a Jam

• bringing attention to your body, to your feelings and sensations
• gaining safety in (semi) suspensions by learning to give in to the force of gravity
• getting familiar with a rope impact and learning to enjoy it
• developing a feeling of your emotional and physical limits and positively communicating them
• unlearning common myths about being a rope bottom
• understanding your responsibility in ropes

We will cover the basic principles of our style, effective one to two rope patterns to tie the body safely, effectively, and beautifully(!) in challenging figures. Technically, we will focus on precision, rope tension, and body handling. We will emphasise movement, control, (non-verbal) communication, emotional and physical limits, as well as intention-based consent.

Intro to Semenawa * General remarks on safety & consent * Bondage without rope: taking control * Developing Patterns from Basic Principles (Wrapping, Friction, Single- and Double Column Tie) * Introducing time and progression * Learning a stemless 2-Rope Gote, suitable for torsion load * Additions to the Gote: 3rd ropes * Forming the body: expansion, compression and torsion* Creating tension: Giri-giri position * Adding gravity: moving towards (semi) suspension * Influencing feelings and moods through position * Effective methods for moving and controlling the partner