Exploring presence and connection through rope/bondage play (even if you’re not “into” ropes)
Are you Interested in exploring ways to be present with yourself and your connection with others?
Rope play is a uniquely great way to explore connection, control, surrender, pleasure, embodiment, and more
This is true whether you are “into” ropes or not
Lots of people don’t try it because they see it as something mainly for people who have a bondage kink. This is a shame. I want to help fix that.
This workshop is about playing with rope bondage in a way that focuses on sensation, body awareness, and interpersonal attunement between partners. We’ll play with somatic awareness, presence, control and surrender, and non-verbal communication, in a series of guided exercises. You aren’t expected to have any previous experience with rope play. (People who are more experienced with rope are very welcome, too, and may get a lot out of it).
Timing
Doors open at 6:30: and we’ll have a half-hour or so for mingling and snacks. You're encouraged/welcome to show up at 6:30 if you can: It's a good chance to get to know the other participants a bit before you dive in. We'll do a few things to make the mingling part fun and nice - we won't just leave you to stand around awkwardly
The workshop starts at 7:00 pm sharp: Please do your best to show up no later than 7:00. We want to start on time with everyone there
The workshop goes till 9:30 or so, but people are welcome to stay after. This sort of play is a fun way to meet people, and it can be cool to socialize after. In past instances - some people stay for a long time, and continue playing or just hang out and talk. We'll keep the space open and will have tea and snacks.
FAQ
Who do I play with in the workshop?
We will do a series of exercises, mostly done in pairs. If you come to the workshop on your own, you’ll be paired up with other participants through the exercises, swapping partners each time. You can also come with a partner- you can stay with that partner, or swap, up to you.
Do I need to bring anything?
We will provide rope. Bring a water bottle. If you have a yoga mat you love, bring that, but we’ll provide mats.
Is this a kink/sex event?
Rope play can be a lot of things for different people. Some people might find some of the play sexy, some people might not. The primary focus will be on themes like sensory experience, presence, surrender, intimacy, connection, etc. Those things can be hot, and probably will be for some people. They can also exist on their own without an erotic component. This is explicitly not a sex or kink event - there won’t be other kinds of play or sexual activity on site apart from the rope play.
Is this a public event?
No. We want to create a safe and intimate space. The event is open to Pluto members, their select guests, and a small number of vetted guests of the organizers.
Can I bring a plus one?
Yes. We ask that it be someone you trust and can vouch for. We also ask that each person coming register individually. If you want to bring more than one guest, contact the organizers.
What are the terms of engagement?
We want to make sure this space is safe, both physically and socially. We’ll have someone on hand with expertise to watch out for physical safety. And of course consent is paramount in all this work: it’s all about boundaries and communication. We also want this to be brave space as much as a safe space: We invite you to try things that feel unfamiliar, and expect everyone has a responsibility to care for themselves as they also look out for each other.
I’ve done ropes workshops before, how with this be different?
Lots of ropes workshops begin with basic technical skills - learning basic knots, etc. The focus on this workshop is not on technical skills but on the experiential components: What it is like feel the tension, friction, control, surrender, connection. It is my very strong belief that you can learn that without having to learn any technical skills first, and that often the technical focus gets in the way of this (because you’re too busy worrying that you have the knot wrong, instead of paying attention to your embodied experience)
What should I wear?
At past events, most people have worn comfortable clothes that let them roll around and get tied up. Some people have worn more kink-specific stuff, which is also welcome. Up to you.
Who is running this workshop
I’m Misha, I’m running the event. I’m a Pluto member, and I do lots of things in the city including the Trampoline Hall Lecture Series, the All About Intimacy conversation series, The Toronto Event Generator newsletter and microgrant program, and other things. I’m not a ropes expert by any means - I’m kinda new to them actually - but I’ve been running all sorts of workshops for a long time (including improv theater and music, some fun collaborations with the folks from Birdhaus), and I think I’m good at creating good spaces for learning and exploration. I’m running this with help from my friend Sofiya whose bio reads like this: “Sofiya holds dearly the values of depth, authenticity, and creativity. She spends her free time exploring her inner world, or in conscious relational practice.” She’s great.