This article is for mature audiences only due to the sexual subject material.
As part of the “Sexual Liberation Week” campaign that helps destigmatize taboo sexual topics, the University of Connecticut’s Sexperts organized a rope and safety seminar taught by Seva and Corwin of Upline Rope Studio on Thursday, Feb. 13. The event was supposed to be in the Rainbow Center, but due to the high volume of interested students and space concerns, the event was held in the Women’s Center instead.
While waiting for Corwin to set up the truss-like rig used to tie people on, there were free condoms, lubricant and Valentine’s Day cards available on a table for attendees to take.
Seva and Corwin introduced themselves to the audience, explaining that they were both quite experienced in tying. Seva was the “bottom” who was going to be tied up and Corwin was the
“rigger.” Together, they were going to teach about the history, culture, safety and applications of tying as a form of sexual bondage. At the end, they would perform a professional demo.
“This stuff is dangerous. We’ll teach you stuff that is safe and easy,” Corwin said.
He began the history of rope bondage with the Japanese practice of hojōjutsu, which was a martial art of tying criminals up with rope when handcuffs weren’t yet available. “It was a martial art, it was not for fun,” Corwin said. The art of rope bondage in a sexual manner is popularly known as shibari or kinbaku.
After World War II, there was increased tourism to Japan. Shibari was implemented as a tourist attraction and artistic project. Some people’s jobs were to rig or get tied up as a performance. Westerners saw this practice when visiting and brought them to their own communities. Corwin noted that hogtying people came from farming cultures and not necessarily from shibari, recommending that attendees listen to “The Kinbakunomicon” a historical podcast on rope bondage, to learn more.
According to Corwin, rope bondage is its own niche in the BDSM community. There is a phenomenon Corwin noted called “rope-bombing” where people would tie others who consent to objects as quickly as possible.
Rigging is a very technical and detailed practice according to Corwin, who mentioned engineering terminology such as the “American Death Triangle” and several types of knots. There are communities of riggers who nerd out about how they tie and what knots they use.
“Rope is dangerous. There are various ways to injure somebody,” Corwin said. “Panicking or passing out in rope” was the first worry he addressed, recommending that riggers actively communicate with their partners. They should also invest in safety shears that EMTs use, in case the person who is getting tied up urgently needs to get out of the bind.
Scissors and knives add a level of danger to the cutting of the rope, whereas safety shears are dull and do not pierce. Corwin recommends replacing the shears every three usages, using the retired shears as regular scissors and not cutting rope in an emergency. An injury or death is way more pressing than ruined rope, which is replaceable.
“The second thing I worry about is face-floor and falling,” Corwin said. Falling can be prevented by having the person getting tied sit down, lie on the floor and have the rigger snugly hold the rope or the person being tied up by the shoulders.
Nerve damage was the third concern Corwin mentioned. If the person getting tied is feeling a sensation similar to pinpricks or a loss of strength, that is a clear sign that nerves are dying and the person should get out of the bind. A loss of circulation, however, is normal and no immediate concern. A good rule of thumb is to not tie rope on inside joints or the neck. Having the person getting tied do movement tests can be a preventative measure.
Corwin made a quick aside to explain how to properly and safely choke a consenting person. He said to squeeze at the jugular area and not the front of the throat because of the tiny bones that could be crushed. He also recommended having the bottom put their hand on the top’s arm, so that if they let go, it’s a non-verbal sign to stop choking.
Circulation loss was the fourth concern. Corwin said that purple or white skin was not a concern as long as the blood flow and circulation weren’t completely cut off. “Rope is not inherently comfortable. If anything’s uncomfortable, speak up,” Seva added.
The final main concern Corwin had in rope bondage was consent. “Generally speaking, you want to negotiate. The difference between kink and abuse is consent,” he said. The tops must respect the bottoms’ wishes or else the consent is lost.
Planned Parenthood’s “FRIES” acronym was cited: Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic and Specific. Mind-altering substances could cloud judgment and therefore invalidate consent. He likened participating in rope under the influence to driving under the influence.
Corwin shared that the scariest thing is when his partners say they’re willing to do “anything” because it means “nothing.” They need to be specific about what they want. “Go for what you’re interested in,” he said, not the opposite.
Aftercare is important. “How do I follow up with you the next day?” Corwin asked hypothetically. The endorphin rush from the pain could lead to euphoria and then depression, so it’s important for the tops to be available and a source of comfort for the bottoms. Corwin explained that some people are masochists and that the types of pain they enjoy vary and are not universal.
After passing out various ropes and explaining synthetic and natural ropes, Seva and Corwin showed the audience how to do a Somerville bowline knot.
“Rope is for everybody” who can consent no matter race, gender, sexual orientation or other human variables, according to Seva and Corwin. Corwin recalled tying a 62-year-old, for example.