Some days ago we shared with you our first video about Rope Safety. This is a subject that always mattered us and that we keep on addressing on every workshop, on every Open Dojo, and to every new student or rope model that come to us. We feel that nothing is enough when you talk about safety, and repeting once and again the key points over and over is not redundant. That’s why we decided to make a video where we can put a face to it and explain the subject to those that because of the distance, or perhaps because they do not know us, didn’t have the chance to hear it.
Every and each one of the videos have a hard and conscious work behind. We try to pick the best phrases, the best way to address each subject so that everyone can understand them the same way we do. May any interpretation missunderstanding arise after that, or maybe some expressions could be done better… The fact is that we put our best effort and we’re trying to learn how to do it better each time. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
In this first video we focus on general aspects related to rope play, on the crucial importance of the proactive communication, on the crucial consensus between those participating in the rope session, and the expectations definitions from both sides.
ENGLISH SUBTITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS VIDEO
Some relevant phrases that we might remember from this video:
- “Rope play primary focus is always to have fun, enjoing a good time and, avoid hurting ourselves.”
- “It’s good to always remind that a well done shibari, in all general cases, should not hurt.”
- “All rope practice should always be done ALWAYS in a consensual manner, both before and during the same.”
- “Both parts should always be clear on what’s agreed and what’s not.”
- “It’s a good practice that both parts would put their expectations clear BEFORE starting the rope session.”
- “A rope session does not necessarily involve any kind of sexual activity. And if that was agreed, it’s always good to put ir clear BEFORE starting the rope session.”
- “Despite we should have agreed and respected the limits and expectations for any rope session, that should not mean that any of the participants should be forced to continue if he or she suddenly changes his/her mind.”
- “A shibari rope session does not necessarily imply that the people involved should be in a Dom/sub (D/s) role. If that was previously agreed and you go into D/s during the rope session, that should never impeede or bother neither safety nor communication between the rope model and the rigger.”
- “Neither wearing a choker nor dressing in leather, or in black, necessarily indicates that we’re into BDSM. Then also the fact that we enjoy ropes either as rigger or as a model should mean that we have any BDSM role.”
- “Phisical contact between rigger and model has a lot to do with the attitude that rigger drives in it while doing it. Any bound person may be impeeded to move during the session, but that does not entitles us to go beyond the limits both agreed before the session”
- “If anything that is happening to you bothers or hurts you … SAY IT RIGHT AWAY. Express it clearly and in a descriptive manner to avoid any kind of doubts. Such as…. my nose is itching, mi right arm is numb, or I feel tickles in my left hand .”
- “If any time happens to you having a bad time during a rope session and you didn’t dare to say it during it, what I suggest you first is that as soon as you can talk about it with your rigger so that both would learn from the experience and so to be sure this won’t happen again.”
- “Please remember that you can always count on the rope community support regarding bad practices and safety issues during rope sessions.”
- “Although the rigger should always be looking after the model’s wellbeing and safety, models themselves are still ALWAYS responsible, for communicating what is happening to them. Because there are ceratin things that unless said are really hard for the rigger to know that they’re happening.”
- “Whatever you can or can’t do and whatever you are willing or willing not to do does not turn yourself neither in a better nor in a worse rope model.”
- “Any rigger should be happy to receive any information about how do you feel. Because it’s going to help them to improve their technique and know you better by the moment as a rope model.”
- “As time goes by you’ll find how your body reacts with each one of the ties and how do you also feel being tied by different riggers.”
- “Don’t let anyone tell you what you have or do not have to endure during a rope session. You’re the only one that knows your own body and the one to know what you’re feeling at any moment.”
- “Pain management requires TOTAL CONTROL from rigger’s side. Rigger should be able to stop provoking pain at any time the rope model asks for it. And should be able to end the rope session without any damage or injury nor any rope marks that lasts more than a few minutes“
We want to thank those who helped us producing this video. When talking about rope safety we want all voices to be heard, adding to the leading HaruTsubaki’s wide experience, those experiences from dojo’s students and models they want to add from their personal point of view. We feel this adds to the content and let us all learn from each other.
We invite you to our next videos to come. Please “Like” our video if you found it helpful and join our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/kinbakumania) and our Vimeo Channel (https://vimeo.com/kinbakumaniadojo) so you can be notified of future uploads.
