Klawdya Rothschild's Vortex

Self Bondage Class Notes

Klawdya Rothschild

Bondage Safety Rules of Thumb: SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILL!

-Check all toys and rope for damage, loose particles, or unwanted stragglers (like staples).

Take the time to lay out all your tools before use.

-Always keep EMT shears, keys to locks, a blanket, water or juice, and a phone nearby

– Health Conditions can affect Bondage play. Consider: Allergies (like to rope), Asthma, Diabetes, Seizures, Circulatory/Nervous or Heart Problems, Joint problems, Osteoporosis,  Bone or connective tissue disorders, Back problems, Emotional disorders such as panic attacks and claustrophobia, or previous history of trauma involving bondage or sexual abuse.

– Stretch before and after EVERY scene.

-Eat before play to keep your blood sugar stable.  Heavy drinking is always bad for BDSM.

-Arteries, nerve clusters, and joints (except hips) need a hand’s breadth above and below.

-A knot combining two ropes decreases the strength of the rope by ½

-Diameter of rope (thickness) x2= strength x2

-Don’t mix types of rope in possibly weight bearing situations.  Different rope types have different flexibilities and when combined the more rigid will snap first.

-*Frayed/damaged rope should never be used in suspension, or possibly weight bearing bondage.

-A bruise is a bruise, and bondage can leave some, especially rope.  Consider doctor’s appointments, children, and work when positioning bondage.

Self Bondage Specific Safety Precautions

– Stretching, is extra important. 10 minutes before, 5-10 minutes after

– Set up a check in from a friend or neighbor; 30 min, 1 hour

– Have a few sets of Shears hanging from rigs, off your body etc

– Change positions; don’t stay in one place too long

– Clothing

Pros: easier to slip out if knots bind; less bruising; fantasy play; more comfortable

Cons: easier to slip out; cloth gets caught, ropes don’t lay flat; crease/rip clothes

Know Your Bondage Goals…

Everyone has different goals in their scenes, and this is very true of bondage.  My personal goals lately have been to wind up inverted and suspended, and stay there as long as possible.  However, it used to be to train my waist to an 18″ Victorian corset.

Common Goals: Restraint/Tightness Fetish, Art, Trust, Ceremony, Force/Power, Surrender/Submission, SM, Role Play, Magick, Sensation

…and SELF Bondage Goals

Finding your sweet spots- some places are more enjoyable than others.  You may decide to train for increased strength or endurance, or simply for pleasure.

Finding your pace- burn speed, sub-space, smells etc depend on mood and are your responsibility

Common goals: masturbation, getting the bottom perspective, practice top/bottom, strength/endurance training, meditation………

 

Finding Your Fiber

Twisted vs. Braided

-twisted rope leaves better ligature marks, but braided unravels less.

-twisted rope never has a core, and braided sometimes has a core (core usually is a bad thing*)

Man-Made/Synthetic vs. Natural

-burn speeds: the silkier the rope the less the burn, although it moves faster

-tooth: the silkier the rope, the less it holds a knot

-end finishing: silkier rope needs more care to finish the ends.  Synthetic fibers can be burned (coned!), or use tip dip

Synthetics: Nylon, Multifilament Polypropylene (MFP), Rayon, Polyester,          Parachute Cord, Webbing, Unmanila, Rubber Tubing

Natural: Hemp, Cotton, Jute, Silk, flax

Pre-Staging: Tools and Rope

It’s always best to lay out your bondage gear before starting, for ease of use, and this is especially true for self bondage.  Sometimes these are back-ups for additional securing or positioning, other times they come in handy for total changes, to avoid the need to undo everything in between ties.

Ropes:

-On the Rack/Chair/Bed: 2 long pieces (25-30 feet); 2 medium pieces (10-15 feet); Optional 1-2 short (5 feet)

-On the Floor/Table (starting pieces): 2 long pieces, 2 short pieces

Hardware:

-Clips and Carabineers: 1-3 on the body; the rest hang from any equipment, linked to one another

-Rings or Anchors: should all be preset (1-3 depending)

Tips and Tricks:

-Tie in front first, then turn it! Be aware of knot location: spine, sternum.  Maybe pick sideways!

-Use furniture temporarily for tension and cinching: bedpost, chair, doorknob

-Your mouth is your 5^th appendage, and your 11^th prehensile digit (clean your rope!)

-“Cheat”, add a non-rope device for comfort, speed, or a finishing touch

Self Bondage Hand Cuffs

1 15 ft length, or shorter; one hangman’s knot on either end; tighten with dynamic tension; wrap under both wrists, tie overhand knot.

Optional: 1. Keep loop for extension 2. Wrap again for locked knot

~ by Klawdya Rothschild on January 26, 2009.

Posted in Bondage, Hand outs, Presenting
Tags: black rose, Bondage, Kink, Presenting, Rope Bondage, self bondage, washington dc, workshop