Rope Podcast

RopuNawa first encountered Shibari and Kinbaku in 2008 at a performance in Australia with Arisue Go. This experience stayed with him, and he began his own journey with rope back in his home of Switzerland, first learning Osada Steve’s style with local teachers. Rather than stay with one style, however, he has been inspired by many, as he feels that there is not one way to tie - rather, the heart o...

‘Intent’ in rope is mentioned a lot in rope circles, but can feel a bit ethereal and hard to pin down. The podcast hosts think it’s pretty important to be on the same page about your intent in rope when you go into a scene - but what, then, IS intent in rope? And why, exactly, is it important? In this episode, Fox and Mya try to make the topic more practical and explore: * A definition of intent i...

In episode 127, the podcast hosts explored with queer and trans rope educators and performance artists Lief Bound and Icarus how they fell for rope, and each other. In this second part of the interview, they open up about: ◦ How the pair keep their inspiration alive in rope ◦ A great rope dinner party question ◦ Transitioning rope from a passion to a profession ◦ The ups and downs of making a livi...

Lief Bound and Icarus are queer and trans rope educators and performance artists currently residing in Los Angeles, California. Having enjoyed attending a number of their online classes, and their inclusive but practical style, fox and Mya were excited to explore a wide ranging set of topics with them. In this first episode with them, hear us discuss: ◦ Where Icky fell in love with rope - despite...

To music or not to music? Music can be a hot debate in rope bondage - when to use it, what to use - whether to use it at all! Mya and fox love music and often include in in their scenes. In this conversation, they talk about: * Where and when music can be used * When you might not want to use music * At what points during a scene you might change your soundtrack up * How different tops and bottoms...

Renee is a Canadian photographer and digital artist, whose kink journey started in the late 90's. Shibari photography for her became a visual expression of shapes in defiance of gravity, a delicate display of sadomasochism. Working with talented riggers, bottoms and self tying artists, she aims to create strong, clean kink images that respect the community and the artists. Mya and fox are big fans...

In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss how you might use rope bondage with water, something they like a lot! Listen to them chat through the joys and challenges including: * All the safety, all the time: This is edge play within edge play! * Many of the risks and how you might mitigate them to some degree * The importance and support of how one (or more) spotters can support * Different types of wat...

Tifareth is one of the Rope Podcast hosts’ favourite performers. In this episode, which continues the interview from part one (see Ep.122), we explore this topic with her, and discuss: ◦ How she developed her graceful rope handling style ◦ The drills she does and her attention to detail ◦ How she crafts her (amazing) rope performances ◦ How she works with her rope model during performances ◦ How s...

Tifereth's introduction to rope bondage came in 2011 in the form of a surprisingly enjoyable futomomo tsuri. Since then she's drawn on her dual background in high-performance athletics and figurative arts to push herself physically and aesthetically on both ends of the rope. Known for her dynamic style of sadism, performative rope and creative approach to harness construction, she loves conveying...

The Damsel in Distress trope and fetish is something that can often be seen in rope bondage, particularly Western rope. The trope itself in mainstream media ignited many a kinky person’s desires. Fox and Mya discuss the trope, along with: * The gendered aspect of the term, what this might mean and alternatives * The history of the trope * Examples in the media and how these are already being subve...

Marceline VQ is an internationally recognized shibari artist whose work challenges viewers with aesthetic and technically complex rope work. She engages rope from all perspectives—as a model in her own rope, with other models in her rope, and as a model in others’ rope—allowing for a deeper understanding of the medium as a creative and connective tool. She adores the sensory experience of being in...

In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss rope and ties that center on the butt. This topic is a particular favourite of Fox’s and he’s very enthusiastic. No, like really. Really really… Listen to the episode to hear a lively discussion about: * The kind of ties you might use for this rope, such as butt baskets and spreader ties * Special considerations in terms of negotiations and consent around this...

An early question for most rope enthusiasts is which rope should they use - with hemp, jute, nylon, cotton and even coconut rope available, how do you know which one you should tie with? Before you can decide, you need to think about some key questions to make sure your rope choice works for you. In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss some of the factors you might consider when deciding which rope t...

There’s a surprising amount of communication required in rope, and that can be done in a huge number of ways. In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss when and how communication happens before, during and after a rope scene, and make suggestions about how to do this effectively. They also discuss: * Methods of communication and when they might be more or less helpful * Pros and cons of using different...

When Fox and Mya met, they weren’t living in the same city, and so rope getaways - opportunities to go stay somewhere different, usually at least overnight, and do rope there - have been part of their history together from the start. In this episode they discuss what to plan for when thinking about a rope getaway, and some useful tips to think about when you get there. They also discuss: * How you...

Fox and Mya discuss the Bunny Ears tie in this episode - also sometimes called the Duck Tie or Pillow Tie. This is a tie they use quite a lot in floor rope, and they share their experiences with this tie, including: ◦ What it looks like ◦ How it feels to be in ◦ Potential risks and safety ◦ Hair management issues that go along with the tie! ◦ Versions Fox has tied, and why he is tying his current,...

Addie is a rope switch in all the ways - she ties, is tied, self-ties, teaches and performs, some of this with her equally well-known partner rope partner Barkas. There was so much good stuff when talking to Addie we had to split the content split into two episodes! In this episode, part 2, you can find out: ◦ How to create your own narrative in rope ◦ Ways you can investigate your strengths as a...

Addie is a rope switch in all the ways - she ties, is tied, self-ties, teaches and performs, some of this with her equally well-known partner rope partner Barkas. A very popular request as an interviewee, Mya and Fox were super excited to interview her for the podcast. In the episode, learn: - How she developed her experiences in the different realms of rope - How she and her partner experimented...

As is now the tradition at end of year festivities time, Fox and Mya revisit all the interviews on the Rope Podcast during the year and ask their guests what their favorite rope scene was. Discover how they do rope in their personal life, what touches them, and what stays with them. Happy New Year!

As is now the tradition at Christmas time, Fox and Mya revisit all the interviews on the Rope Podcast during the year and ask their guests what their favorite rope scene was. Discover how they do rope in their personal life, what touches them, and what stays with them. Merry Christmas!

“My main motivation is to improve the literature. People need to know what we do is okay…. hearing all the ways people experience pleasure in rope, whether it’s athletic, or meditation, or grounding, or that complicated pain-pleasure, I just love that.” @-Ropeology- Fox and Mya love to deepen their understanding of rope. When they came across Zoey (@-Ropeology-), a BDSM researcher who also does ro...

In this vulnerable episode, Fox and Mya discuss the challenge of chronic pain in rope, inspired by a listener - a rope bottom with fibromyalgia. Both Mya and Fox have some chronic health issues which include the symptom of chronic pain, and they share some of their own challenges as a rope top and rope bottom in this context, as well as some ideas for handling this. In the episode hear them discus...

“I can’t emphasise enough how good of a learning tool I think self-suspension is. Of course you learn tying techniques, but also skills relating to the experience of being in rope. As a person in rope, self-suspension is an invaluable tool: to lab your preferences, to learn to differentiate between warning signs of damage and sensations that are intense, but not harmful.” Shay Tiziano CW: Mentions...

The 30Q Rope Challenge was created last year to gather and explore a diversity of people in the rope community’s experiences with rope. So many thanks to everyone who completed it so far! This is the second part of a two-episode special Fox and Mya discuss (without sharing any details from any individual respondents) themes and the most popular answers to questions that included: * Rope in the mou...

The 30Q Rope Challenge was created last year to gather and explore a diversity of people in the rope community’s experiences with rope. In this, the first part of a two-episode special on the results, Fox and Mya discuss (at an aggregate level, with no one’s experiences shared apart from their own!) themes and what the most popular answers were from the community to questions such as : * What was...