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The Basic Suspension intensive focuses on full suspension techniques using single-point suspension on carabiners, with a stemmed gote or 3TK. Designed for students who are already confident in managing multiple uplines in partial suspension, this class builds on existing skills through focused instruction and practical exercises exploring suspension mechanics, technique, and scene construction. Emphasis will be placed on developing a working understanding of single-point full suspension and applying these techniques thoughtfully and responsively with different partners.

Time: Saturday and Sunday, Nov 7-8, 10am - 4pm Location: Chicago Rope Collective (CRC), Logan Square, off Western and Armitage. 2-3 minute walk from the Western blue line station.

Cost: $250 per tying pair. We don't want finances to be a barrier, source of stress, or burden to committed students who wish to seriously study kinbaku. If you find that to be the case, please contact us about paying an adjusted amount.

Prerequisites:

All participants: Basic understanding of consent, negotiation, and the general risks involved in rope bondage. Completion of HK Module 1 and 2, or equivalent private lessons highly encouraged. If you have questions about your readiness, please reach out to Syd (discord: @sydnasty98), or email us at info@heartlandkinbaku.com.

Tops: Partial suspension experience using a gote or box tie Ability to tie a safe and complete upline lock off Knowledge of nerve risks in rope

Bottoms: Awareness of how their body responds in rope Knowledge of nerve risks in rope and ability to assess and communicate Partial suspension experience in a gote or box tie

What to Bring: 6-10 lengths of jute/hemp/posh rope 3 fresh jute/hemp/posh uplines Safety shears 4-6 carabiners Climbing sling or similar rigging Water, snacks, lunch, and anything else you need to stay focused

Schedule (all times are approximate)

Saturday

10am - Introduction

10:15-11:45am - Gote breakdown/refinement

11:45-12:30pm - Upline lock off review

12:30-1:15pm - Load testing

45 min lunch break

2-4pm - 1st exercise: side suspension

Sunday

10-10:30am - Warm up!

10:30am-1:15pm - 2nd exercise: gyaku ebi

45 min lunch break

2pm-4pm - 3rd exercise: running person

Instructor Bios

Sydney (She/They) Insta: @betterthanabouyscout A True Switch™, Syd has both bottoming and topping rope since 2022 and continues to devote time to both sides of partnered tying. They began teaching in 2024 and specialize in beginner/intermediate education in TK partial suspension. Syd believes in tying to create feeling and tailoring that feeling to the person in front of you, all while maintaining a strong technical foundation. Outside of rope, Sydney enjoys live music, playing with their cats, or spending time in the garage working on their beloved, piece of sh*t Jeep.

Mel (They/Them) “Just a bottom,” Mel has been bottoming for rope since 2023 and teaching as a bottoming instructor since 2025. They love to experience new sensations and work through challenges.

RSVP Here!

The Basic Suspension intensive focuses on full suspension techniques using single-point suspension on carabiners, with a stemmed gote or 3TK. Designed for students who are already confident in managing multiple uplines in partial suspension, this class builds on existing skills through focused instruction and practical exercises exploring suspension mechanics, technique, and scene construction. Emphasis will be placed on developing a working understanding of single-point full suspension and applying these techniques thoughtfully and responsively with different partners.

Time: Saturday and Sunday, Nov 7-8, 10am - 4pm Location: Chicago Rope Collective (CRC), Logan Square, off Western and Armitage. 2-3 minute walk from the Western blue line station.

Cost: $250 per tying pair. We don't want finances to be a barrier, source of stress, or burden to committed students who wish to seriously study kinbaku. If you find that to be the case, please contact us about paying an adjusted amount.

Prerequisites:

All participants: Basic understanding of consent, negotiation, and the general risks involved in rope bondage. Completion of HK Module 1 and 2, or equivalent private lessons highly encouraged. If you have questions about your readiness, please reach out to Syd (discord: @sydnasty98), or email us at info@heartlandkinbaku.com.

Tops: Partial suspension experience using a gote or box tie Ability to tie a safe and complete upline lock off Knowledge of nerve risks in rope

Bottoms: Awareness of how their body responds in rope Knowledge of nerve risks in rope and ability to assess and communicate Partial suspension experience in a gote or box tie

What to Bring: 6-10 lengths of jute/hemp/posh rope 3 fresh jute/hemp/posh uplines Safety shears 4-6 carabiners Climbing sling or similar rigging Water, snacks, lunch, and anything else you need to stay focused

Schedule (all times are approximate)

Saturday

10am - Introduction

10:15-11:45am - Gote breakdown/refinement

11:45-12:30pm - Upline lock off review

12:30-1:15pm - Load testing

45 min lunch break

2-4pm - 1st exercise: side suspension

Sunday

10-10:30am - Warm up!

10:30am-1:15pm - 2nd exercise: gyaku ebi

45 min lunch break

2pm-4pm - 3rd exercise: running person

Instructor Bios

Sydney (She/They) Insta: @betterthanabouyscout A True Switch™, Syd has both bottoming and topping rope since 2022 and continues to devote time to both sides of partnered tying. They began teaching in 2024 and specialize in beginner/intermediate education in TK partial suspension. Syd believes in tying to create feeling and tailoring that feeling to the person in front of you, all while maintaining a strong technical foundation. Outside of rope, Sydney enjoys live music, playing with their cats, or spending time in the garage working on their beloved, piece of sh*t Jeep.

Mel (They/Them) “Just a bottom,” Mel has been bottoming for rope since 2023 and teaching as a bottoming instructor since 2025. They love to experience new sensations and work through challenges.

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Being tied up/tying in the bedroom can be an arousing experience as well as an exercise in vulnerability and trust. It can allow us to tap into fantasies of power imbalance and helplessness. Overly technical tying can be a detractor when trying to enter an aroused headspace. Together we’ll use direct and to-the-point rope bondage for s*xual access and objectification, for all orientations. We will incorporate sustainability, angles, and simplicity as key factors for this class. We’ll also cover how to lay the groundwork for physical and emotional safety when engaging in this type of play. This is a combination lecture and hands-on floor play class.

Schedule

10:45 a.m. | Doors open
11:00 a.m. | Instruction Begins

Prerequisites:

Skill level: Beginner/Intermediate.

All participants:

• Ability to be vulnerable with one another in an intimate setting.

People tying:

• Ability to tie a non-collapsing single and double-column cuff.

People being tied:

• Awareness of how their body responds in rope

• Knowledge nerve risks in rope and ability to assess and communicate

Both instructors are queer and will be teaching from that perspective. We encourage attendees from all orientations to attend.

What to Bring

Required Gear: (2-3 pcs) natural fiber rope 6mm or similar, 7-8 meters long, and an open mind.

Pricing

Sliding scale:

• $15–50 for audit spot

• $50-140 per tying pair

Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Message email ChicagoRopeCollective@gmail.com for a scholarship code.

Instructor Bios

CreepyJane (they/them) is a weird little freak from Chicago. They are an organizer for Chicago’s Lakeview Munch, operator of Chicago Rope Collective, staff for Twisted Tryst, and former chair of the Chicago Rope (F)unconference. They have demo-bottomed and presented on topics including emotional sadomasochism, sharps, and rope in Chicago and the greater Midwest and is a passionate advocate for bottoming-focused education.

Chingón Cuerdas (he/him) is a Chicago-based kinbaku educator, performer, and photographer whose work emphasizes adaptability, efficiency, and embodied understanding. He began his kink journey in 2013 and quickly developed a deep passion for rope bondage and rough body play, approaching both as systems of communication and intensity.
Drawing from a background in bio-anatomy, experience in martial arts, and a healthy dose of general perversion, his teaching focuses on body mechanics, spatial awareness, and uncovering moments of erotic vulnerability. His style prioritizes engagement—physically and mentally—breaking complex concepts down into clear logic and practical exercises students can immediately apply to their own practice.

Chingón has been involved in local rope education initiatives including Tying by Twilight, Chicago Rope, and Second City Kinbaku, and has presented and performed at events such as Ropecraft, Kinky Kollege, B.A.N.K., Snowbound, and Dark Odyssey. As an educator, he is most at home guiding students toward adaptable skills that evolve with their bodies, partners, and intentions.

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In this class, participants will learn to:

• Make critical decisions about uplines based on their intended outcomes and risk profile

• Evaluate potential failure points of different decision pathways

This class will cover decision making and options for:

• Rope materials - Decision making for high friction rope types (e.g. natural fibers, POSH). We will not be covering strategies for lower friction rope (e.g. nylon, paracord, amsteel).

• Lockoffs - Where and how to lock off in different situations

• Hanger types - Collapsed vs. open hangers - To double bight or not to double bight?

• Using hardware - When and why to use a carabiner or o-ring

• Using excess upline - Clean, crunch, or capture

• Lifting strategies - Body mechanics and direction of lift

Prerequisites:

For People Being Tied:

• Ability to self-assess sensations, evaluate differences, and provide feedback

For People Tying

• Ability to securely lock off on bamboo or single point

• Ability to tie at least one suspendable harness

All Participants:

• Basic understanding of consent, negotiation, and the general risks involved in rope bondage

Materials

• Full kit of your own preferred rope, including 3 uplines

• Any hardware or equipment you use for suspension (e.g. slings, ring, carabiners)

• One carabiner or o-ring

• Cutting tool

Schedule

• 6:30 PM — Doors open

• 7:00–10:00 PM — Class instruction

Cost

• $20-40 per audit ticket

• $30-60 for a self-tier ticket

• $40- per typing pair, which includes one hard point.

No one turned away for lack of funds. We always have at least one scholarship spot available for each class.

For scholarship promo code email ChicagoRopeCollective@Gmail.com

Photo Credit: sara_rope (FL)

Instructor Bios

Honey (they/them) is a self suspender and rope switch who has been roping for a little over two years. They’ve obsessed about and made a million mistakes with their uplines and are excited to share what they’ve learned from that exploration. They bring insights in anatomy and body mechanics from their experience with bodywork, yoga, dance, and weightlifting. (IG/Fet - HoneyTheRopeFox)

Sara (they/them) is a top leaning switch who has been exploring rope for the past six years. Their style draws heavily from traditional semenawa, while experimenting with nontraditional structures, elements and themes. (IG - sararope , Fet - sara_rope)

Honey and Sara have been rope and life partners for the past year and a half and are based in Chicago, IL.

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Join us for a rope jam centering dykes, lesbians, and the general lavender menace. Dyke is used intentionally in this space to reflect its politically subversive lesbian history along with the focus on community.

Please note that while flagging and (rope) cruising is welcome at this event, sex is not permitted and nips and bits must remain covered.

Who is Welcome

Dyke will always include gender fuckery, and all gender expressions of dyke are welcome at this event. This event will also always stand with and welcome our bi and pansexual dykes.

This event is open to all experience levels. While this space will be centered on dykes, people may bring non dyke tying partners with them as well.

What to Bring

Your rope kit or other bondage supplies.

(Some community rope will be available to borrow for the event)

What to expect

Tying, skill sharing, socializing, and general queer shenanigans.

Accessibility

The building has an elevator as an alternative to the steps. However, the elevator is operated from the inside, so please reach out to the hosts in advance so we can make sure accommodations are able to be accessed smoothly.

Air purifiers are run during the event. Masks are welcome, while not mandated.

Location

Chicago Rope Collective
(Exact address included in ticket)

Schedule

10:30 a.m. | Doors open
11:00 a.m. | Opening circle
11:15 a.m.–1:45 p.m. | Rope Jam
1:45-2:00 p.m. | Closing circle

Pricing

Free!

(Donations appreciated and contribute directly to the Chicago Rope Collective and costs for the studio)

For any questions reach out to:

Foxy - Arctic_Foxglove
Brooklyn - --brooklyn--
Sara - sara_rope

Hosts

Foxy (She/They) - Foxy is a femme-dyke switch who has been bottoming for rope since 2020 and topping since 2023. She likes to explore objectification and the gray areas of horniness in rope. She is inspired by traditional semenawa aesthetics, and blending styles to create a queer interpretation of rope bondage.

Brooklyn (They/Them) - Brooklyn is a Chicago-based rope switch and educator. Their primary focus and educational background is in Naka-inspired semenawa, and they are interested in interpreting rope bondage in ways that center queer and genderqueer sexuality and desire.

Sara (Any) - Sara is a top leaning switch who has been exploring rope for the past six years. Their style draws heavily from traditional semenawa, while experimenting with nontraditional structures, elements and themes.

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What to expect:
This is a figure drawing session hosted by trauma-ties. It will Include short poses, several medium length positions, a short break and one long pose. No art supplies provided, dry media only.

Perfect opportunity for figure studies in dynamic and unique positions, and for those curious about shibari suspension.

This will be an uninstructed session.

Artists of every level are welcome. You do not need to know anything about rope to attend. If you are here for the figure studies, come for the figure studies. If you are curious about shibari suspension and want a low-pressure way to see it up close, this is one of the best seats in the house.

Schedule
Doors open at 6:45pm.

-Short poses | Quick gestures to warm up
-Medium poses | Several longer positions with room to develop
-Break | Short intermission — stretch, refill, reset
-Long pose | One extended suspension to finish on

(Exact timings announced at the start of the session.)

Class Prerequisites:
None

What to Bring

• Your own supplies - none are provided.

• Dry media only. Graphite, charcoal, conté, pastel, colored pencil, pen, and markers are all welcome. No paint, no ink washes, no wet media of any kind.

• Your own paper, sketchbook, or board

• A rigid drawing board is strongly recommended — seating is mostly on the floor, so you'll want something to work against (see Seating below)

Seating
Seating is mostly floor seating. We have some cushions and a limited number of chairs, available first come, first served. Bring a cushion or mat if you have a favorite, and plan on a board rather than an easel.
If you need a chair to take part comfortably, email Galen at errant@finch.pictures ahead of the session and he'll hold one for you.

House Rules

• Respect the model's space and the rigging area; stay clear of the hardpoint and the rope path at all times.

• The model is working. Applause and appreciation between poses are welcome; approaching, touching, or directing the model is not.

• Arrive on time - late entry during a pose is disruptive to everyone.
  
  Pricing
  Sliding scale, $15–40.
  Every ticket gets you the same spot - pick a price that fits your situation right now, not the one you think you should pick. Nobody turned away for lack of funds. Email ChicagoRopeCollective@gmail.com for a scholarship code.
  Sales capped at 40 tickets.

Organizer Bio:

trauma-ties (he/him) (ig: @errant.knots, fl: trauma-ties) Chicago based rigger and photographer, has been messing around with cameras for over a decade. With an early background in film and video production, he found still photography as an art form around the same time he discovered BDSM and kink, and has been exploring the intersection of objectification, documentation, and erotic image making ever since.