Intro to Suspension: Face Up Horizontal Suspension + Inversion

Upcoming dates:Saturday, November 7, 2026, 2pm-6pmLearn to fly in rope in this Intro to Suspension workshop!This hands-on workshop covers how to take your shibari practice from ground to air, while prioritizing safety, risk awareness, communication, and consent.In addition to teaching key skills for suspension in general, the specific suspension we'll be doing together in the class (with many variations/modifications available for different people) is a face-up horizontal suspension involving a chest harness, hip harness, and some single-column ties.Topics and techniques in this workshop include:assessing if a rope harness is suspension-worthy (for a particular person and for a particular suspension) before getting off the groundattaching uplines to a rope harness for suspension - multiple means of attaching uplines and when & why to use each of these attachmentslocking off uplines - multiple methods for locking off and when & why to use them, including ways to lock off to carabiners, rings, and horizonal poles (such as bamboo)upline management and planningreducing the risk of upline rope jams, and unjamming uplines if/when an upline jam occursassessing and communicating about suspension comfort and sustainability while in the airwatching out for and minimizing impediment of nerves, breathing, and/or circulation in suspensionexploring one's physical experience of and preferences regarding rope suspensionsdeveloping skills for proprioception, balance, and micro adjustments while in suspensionlowering to the ground with control and safetyPrerequisites:People tying in the workshop should be able to consistently, accurately, and quickly tie a Somerville Bowline single-column tie. Tops should be able to tie chest harness suitable for suspension (no specific chest harness is required, as long as the harness is suspension-worthy).People being tied in the workshop should have experience being tied in a chest harness and in column ties on the hips, thighs, and ankles, and should be able to communicate sensitivities, limitations, and preferences about rope.Note: This class is open to experience levels ranging from people with solid rope experience who are new to suspension, to experienced and advanced suspension practitioners who are interested in learning some new techniques to incorporate into their rope play.Partnering: This workshop is designed for tying pairs (with one person tying and one person being tied) and not for self-tying. To fully participate in the hands-on portions of the workshop, you will need a tying partner. Solo attendees are welcome to attend to observe and take notes. Materials needed: Tying pairs will need 8-12 ropes, each 25-35 feet in length. We recommend 6mm-diameter jute or hemp, and/or 5mm or 6mm POSH as most suitable for this class. For suspension uplines, synthetic materials such as POSH provide a safety factor far greater than that of natural fiber ropes--though many people also suspend with jute or hemp uplines, cautiously, and with an awareness of that risk. 100% nylon or MFP rope in similar diameters are also acceptable, though likely require adjusted rope handling, tighter tension, and additional frictions/knots compared to jute, hemp, or POSH. Coil & Cord also has rope (jute, hemp, and POSH) available for purchase with class registration that can be collected upon arrival at the class.For this workshop, donotuse ropes made of cotton rope, sisal, manila, polyester, or nylon/poly blends, or other hardware store rope or rock climbing rope.About the Instructors:Parker RopeBoi (they) is a queer, non-binary rope performer and educator who has been presenting workshops and rope performances across North America and Europe since 2009. Known for their daredevil self-suspension performances, Parker is also a versatile rope top who enjoys tying others and sharing their passion for rope. Parker considers rope to be a versatile medium for enabling and disabling corporeal possibilities, presenting and overcoming impasses, instigating intense sensations, and suspending bodies in space. As an educator, Parker enjoys breaking down complex scenes and into teachable skills and techniques. Parker respects and appreciates that all bodies are different and that there are no “one-size-fits-all” techniques. Parker strives to foster an inclusive, affirming environment for adults of all bodies, histories, and identifications to learn and enjoy rope. Parker offers workshops and private lessons for levels ranging from novice to advanced. Parker has hosted Queer Rope Social NYC since 2018 and is a founder and organizer of Coil & Cord Studio.