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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.