In this shibari tutorial, Fuoco and her model Gorgone discuss active bottoming in suspensions with examples of how more – or less – effort from the person being tied can influence their experience.

For many rope bottoms, learning about active bottoming can be an ‘a-ha!’ moment in their rope education as it’s a practice that enables them to better endure tough ties like suspensions and make their own adjustments to protect their bodies without relying entirely on the rigger. However, as Fuoco and Gorgone – both experienced bottoms and riggers – discuss in this class series, active bottoming is a spectrum that begins with even the subtlest of micro adjustments, and there are even times when passivity may be a better option.

Using three different suspensions as examples, they explore when active bottoming is necessary versus when there’s not much you can do for yourself, and how to tell the difference. As they explain, active bottoming shouldn’t be the thing that’s hardest but that which is most energy efficient. From the rigger perspective, they also demonstrate how observing your bottom’s adjustments can give you clues for how to offer them more support in your ties or make them more challenging…

This shibari tutorial series is suitable for both bottoms and riggers beginning to explore suspensions in rope. Always remember to keep your skill set in mind when applying techniques from any Shibari Study class to your own rope practice.