Rope as bodywork

In the world of my mind, rope is considered bodywork.

I am focused on the human being and their relationship to their body from the moment they enter my line of sight. How are they sitting? What is comfortable for them? How can I add support? How can I take support and comfort away for more of a challenge? I am tuning into the form of their body for information and connection.

I find ways to inspire my subject’s experience using the tools at my disposal, rope being just one of them. Other tools that I tend to use are breath, eye contact, and touch, which are designed to engage nervous system. You can see in this series of photos how the energy shifts and how Magnolia's body changes as I get closer to her and begin to interact with her in a deep and attentive way.

My first move is proximity. I draw attention to the space between us by being still and initiating eye contact. As walls begin to break down and we become more aware that we are being watched, we navigate through the silliness (a laugh, a staring contest…) I am waiting her out. I'm waiting for her to really arrive in the space that we are building together.

As I get closer to Magnolia in the following photos, our breath began to link. We're both taking deep inhales at the same time and releasing slow exhales gently as I decrease the space between us bit by bit.

By the next photo you see me kneeling *on* Magnolia, applying pressure to her root and the eye contact disappears as her body gets so soft that her eyelids close.

Now we bring in the tool of touch. Depending on the quality of touch, we can create stimulation and activation, or deeper rest and relaxation. These processes are somatic and of course link to different emotional responses and mental responses depending on the person.

It’s not long before I am fully *on top* of Magnolia, almost merging our bodies. I use my body to move her body. I meld and push my body into hers. Then she starts to lean on me, release into me, give me some of her weight and pressure, and our bodies are working together.

That's when I have gained enough security in our scene to really begin. We have built enough safety in our bodies with one another that I can invite challenge in and it is welcomed by Magnolia’s body (and soul).

Our rope scene and our time together has created a space of vulnerability, trust and exploration. This is a reminder that our bodies are not isolated vessels, but interconnected entities that deserve pleasure and experience growth as a result. Rope is merely a single tool in the repertoire to engage. The human body is where the magic is.

Thank you Magnolia for being such a skilled and body aware rope bottom. The value of someone in your ropes who has such awareness and agency as well as familiarity with movement and flow is invaluable. Thank you for walking this path with me.