From The Ground Up

This series of classes is aimed at intermediate-advanced students. Those interested in participating should know how to tie single- and double-column ties, forward vs. reverse tension, common hitches & frictions (half hitch, Munter hitch, X-friction, L-friction, half moon friction, & hojo cuffs), lock-offs/how to burn rope, and solid/structural upper- and lower-body harnesses (at least one chest harness and one lower body harness).

The Classes:
1.) In this 5-part series, we will teach you skills and harnesses needed to grow from a rope bondage intermediate student into a beginner rigger, culminating in how to use these skills and harnesses in partial and full suspensions. The series consists of five classes:

• Harnesses Review and Preparation This class is dedicated to ensuring that you can tie at least one suspension-worthy upper body harness and lower body harness (such as a calf-binder or futomomo); we will also learn a suspension-worthy hip harness. We will also discuss safe suspension hard point options and how to set up a ring. We will discuss important safety concerns as well.
• Rope 301: Upline P0rn. In this class, we will learn several variations of hangers (how we attach an upline to a harness) and ways to build safe uplines. Bottoms will get the opportunity to see what safe hangers and uplines look like, allowing them to advocate for their own safety in suspensions. People will not be suspended in this class.
• Rope 302: Playing With Partials. Here we will get to practice harnesses and uplines by creating fun partial suspensions (one or more body parts suspended while you maintain contact with the floor). Riggers will get to practice uplines on their partners, while the bottoms will start to get a feel for how suspension will affect their bodies, therefore building body awareness (a very important rope bottoming skill).
• Rope 303: Predicaments. In this class, we will learn some fun predicaments, which are partials that force the bottom to choose/alternate between two or more challenging positions. This will allow riggers to practice uplines in more stressful or "urgent" scenarios while still keeping their partners partially on the floor. Bottoms will get to practice active bottoming, body awareness, and communication skills.
• Suspension 101: Intro to Suspension and Suspension 102: Basic Static Positions. In this last class, we will put all of the skills we've learned to use in our first full suspensions. We'll discuss different ways to get our partners off the ground. If time allows, we will explore some different static positions. This will give riggers and bottoms the opportunity to explore suspension in a supervised environment.

2.) Each class is 2 hours long and does not include time to practice after class. Each class is scheduled 2 weeks apart to give you time to practice the skills you learned at home. If you do not have a hard point at home, you might find our Open Studio Hours a good opportunity to practice the skills you're learning in a supervised environment. We may also be able to arrange private time for you to come practice on our rigs.

Group Rules:
3.) Please review our group rules. You can also print and sign our Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct Agreement from the same page on our website. If you don't, we'll have you sign them when you check in. If you have previously signed these, you don't need to sign them again.

COVID Policies:
4.) All attendees are required to be vaccinated against COVID, and WE WILL CHECK YOUR ID AND PROOF OF VACCINATION AT THE DOOR. If you can't be vaccinated for legitimate reasons, please reach out to us beforehand. You can securely send photos of your ID and vax card to Cait (cait@boxtiestudio.org) ahead of time if you'd like. If we have checked these previously, we do not need to check them again.
5.) Please don't attend if you're feeling ill or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 (review symptoms here). We do allow/schedule make-up classes for illness and other absences! We don't care what the CDC says about isolation; if you test positive for COVID within 5 days of this class, have had a known exposure, or are feeling ill, please do not come and spread your germs.

Buying Tickets & Event Capacity:
6.) Tickets are $150/pair for all 5 classes.
7.) We are limiting attendance to 4 tying pairs. We strongly recommend that you bring a partner to practice on, as not everything we teach will be self-tie-friendly.
8.) If you want to avoid Forbidden Tickets's fees, you can select the registration-only ticket and pay an alternate way. We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, PayPal (@BoxTieStudio), Venmo (@boxtiestudio), and Cashapp ($ropespaced). If you pay one of these ways ahead of time (not at the door), please indicate which order it's for (the email address on your order works).
9.) We strongly believe in making rope education accessible to all, no matter your economic status; if the ticket cost is a little out of your budget, please reach out to us and we may be able to work something out.

What/Who To Bring & Wear:
10.) Students should bring with them a full suspension kit. This should consist of at least six 8-meter/30-foot lengths, two 4-meter/15-foot lengths, two 8-meter/30-foot uplines (we recommend POSH or similar synthetic material), a suspension ring or rigging plate, a climbing strap, at least two rated carabiners, and an emergency cutting tool. If you need recommendations on what to get, please check out our guide here.
11.) Bring a blanket or yoga mat to sit or tie on, if desired; there are a few chairs. You may also want to bring water.
12.) Dress comfortably in clothing that isn't too loose or flowy and still permits a full range of motion (many people wear workout clothing). Vanilla to the door, no nudity inside; genitals and anuses must be covered.

Parking & Arrival Time:
13.) Doors open at 6:00. Please try to arrive early! We will be closing the doors at 6:30 so we can start ASAP. If you know you're going to be late, please text Cait at (207) 558-2930.
14.) There is plenty of parking. When you turn onto Ingersoll Drive, the parking lot is the first left, and we are the first building on the left. We are the second-floor end unit; you'll see large windows and skylights from outside. Please text Cait at (207) 558-2930 if you have trouble finding us.

Miscellaneous:
15.) No guns or other weapons are allowed on the premises.
16.) There is no smoking indoors. Please step outside to smoke.
17.) The use of drugs or alcohol is prohibited. If you're suspected to be under the influence, you and your partner will be ejected from that night's class. If a second infraction occurs, you will both be ejected from the rest of the series without refund.
18.) We have a dog and there will likely be dog fur throughout the studio, although we do our best to keep it as clean as possible. If you're allergic, please take note.
19.) There are 3 short stairs to get into the building and a carpeted staircase inside to get upstairs to the studio. Unfortunately, there is no elevator access.

If you have any other questions, please reach out to us! You can also contact @ropespaced (Cait) or @Griffin207 (Jack) on FetLife. Otherwise, we hope to see you there!