Strappado(s) + 3rd ropes
Model : Soft Armor
The strappado is a position where the arms are tied straight behind the back. Building one that is viable, safe and as comfortable as possible requires a high level of precision in rope placement and tension.
This workshop will focus on the detailed construction of a strappado, as well as on adding a third, and sometimes a fourth rope. These additional ropes can be particularly useful in different situations, depending on the body, the position and what you want to do with the harness.
We will explore several variations of the harness and how to adapt them to different body types. We will also look closely at body mechanics, rope placement and tension, and how these choices affect the person in the ropes.
For bottoms, a strappado can be a challenging position to get comfortable in. It can take time and experience to get used to the sensations it creates, and the way the harness is built and adjusted can make a significant difference. Throughout the workshop, we will pay attention to these sensations and to the information given by the person in the ropes, so that both sides can better understand what makes a strappado work for them.
Bios:
Bänana (she /they) has been practicing bondage since she was young and discovered shibari about ten years ago, drawn to its raw and authentic nature. Fascinated by the expression of emotion, she sees rope as a space for exploration, intensity, and creativity.
As a switch in her personal practice, she brings both the rigger’s and the rope bottom’s perspectives into her teaching, paying close attention to the experience of both sides of the rope. She explores rope beyond fixed roles and expectations, making space for different bodies, experiences, and ways of practicing.
As a teacher, Bänana emphasizes understanding the reasons behind techniques rather than simply learning them by rote, encouraging students to develop a deeper understanding of what they practice.
Drawn particularly to semenawa and emotional exploration, she regularly teaches internationally in both French and English, while remaining deeply attached to her cozy Paris space, La Cabäne.
Soft Armor (They/Them) is a NYC based rope bottoms and self-tier who travels and ties in LA, Paris, and beyond. They found rope later in their life and immediately fell in love with the ways rope allows for explorations in their body-trust, art making, and interpersonal connection. As a queer, chronically ill rope model, they love to nerd out about pain processing, internalized ableism, and the ways that the containers we make together in rope can feel like "aftercare" for vanilla life.