June '25 Rope Classes

The Classes:

• Rope 201: Demystifying the TK - This class is dedicated entirely to the TK (takate kote, gote, box tie). This class is unique: while a TK pattern will be taught to the tops, we will primarily be focused on bottoming for TKs. For tops: we will teach a modern 2-band TK with an emphasis on placement, tension, and technique. For bottoms: we will be teaching multiple strategies for being tied in TKs, including communication, self-checks, and basic nerve information for safety, and multiple modifications to make TKs doable, comfortable, and sustainable. We will finish off the class by allowing every bottom who wants to feel a properly tied TK to have one tied on them and then loaded (either by their own rigger or by a “demo rigger” we will provide). This class is for tops and bottoms alike; both will get something valuable out of this. Prerequisites: tops should know how to tie a single column tie and some basic hitches & frictions (X friction, L frictions, half moon friction, half hitch, and munter hitch); bottoms should be familiar with self-monitoring in rope and comfortable with communicating changes in their condition. Bring 3-4 hanks of rope (30ft or 8M) and a cutting tool.
• Rope 110: Intro To Rope - If your skills aren't quite up to the intermediate level yet, don't worry - we'll have a beginner class going on at the same time! In Intro to Rope, we will learn the fundamentals of rope or shibari, including consent & negotiation, general rope safety, the differences between multiple types of rope, and some common knots. This class is ideal for students with no previous rope experience.
• The classes will run from 12:30-2:00. Following that, we will have our usual free time (2:00-3:30), where you can socialize, have scenes, practice tying, or use one of the rigs.

Suspending at Box Tie Studio: If you want to do any partial or full suspension, you must be vetted to do so. This means you must be familiar with tying harnesses, hangers, and uplines, as we cannot guarantee that there will be someone knowledgeable to supervise or help you. If you want to be vetted to do suspensions at Box Tie Studio, please reach out to Cait ahead of time (cait@boxtiestudio.org).

Group Rules: 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 signed these previously, you don't need to sign them again.

COVID Policies:

• We are no longer requiring attendees to be vaccinated against COVID, though for community safety we would prefer if you are up to date with the latest booster. We will not be checking proof of vaccination any longer.
• Please don't attend if you're feeling ill or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 (review symptoms here). If you can't attend due to illness, we'll refund your tickets fully. 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:

• We are implementing a maximum capacity of 24 attendees due to limited space, so if you want to come, you should quickly reserve your tickets online!
• 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).
• "Our pricing is on a sliding scale, a system developed to fight against economic injustice and widen access to education and other events to build community. Please pay according to your available resources" (wording borrowed/slightly changed from the Boston Rope Collective, with their permission). If the ticket cost is a little out of your budget even at the lowest tier, please reach out to us and we can work something out.

What/Who To Bring & Wear:

• Bring a blanket or yoga mat to sit or tie on, if desired; there are a few chairs.
• Also bring water, rope, and safety shears.
• We will have loaner rope available to borrow and raw jute for sale if you don't own any.
• 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.
• You can come alone or with a partner, but we won't match up single attendees for you. You can pair yourselves up if desired.

Parking & Arrival Time:

• Doors open at 12:00. Please try to arrive early! We will be closing the doors at 12:30 and making opening remarks so we can start ASAP. If you know you're going to be late, please text Cait at (207) 558-2930. If you arrive and the door is locked, please knock loudly and/or call Cait, as our doorbell is broken :(
• 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 tall windows and skylights from outside. Please text Cait at (207) 558-2930 if you have trouble finding us.

Miscellaneous:

• No guns or other weapons are allowed on the premises.
• There is no smoking indoors. Please step outside to smoke.
• Use of drugs and/or alcohol is not allowed. If you are suspected to be under the influence, you will be ejected from the event without a refund.
• 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.
• 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), @Griffin207 (Jack), @ragdollbaby (Grace), or @Bratty_Beck (Beck) on FetLife. Otherwise, we hope to see you there!