Mermaid and Agura Ties

The mermaid and the agura are both beautiful and distinct lower body ties that each have their own possibilities for play. Using demos and hands-on portions, students will learn how to tie suspension-worthy versions of both ties. They will learn how to load the mermaid in a suspension and how to transform the agura into an ebi on the floor and in a partial. Bottoms will take away options to increase sustainability, such as adding more support, and knowledge of common body sensations. 

Prerequisites

Tops should be able to tie a single-column and X-friction and be able to maintain rope tension. Bottoms will need experience being in rope and good communication skills. Tops who plan to suspend should know a basic arms-free chest harness.

We will not be going over upline techniques as part of this class; only tops who are experienced performing partial suspension and managing uplines will be allowed to load the harnesses–all others will be asked to audit the suspension portions. 

Equipment needed

• (5-6) 25-30’ lengths of 5-7mm rope
• If suspending: (2) 25-30’ lengths of rope worthy of critical upline use* (POSH, HempX, regatta braid, reinforced jute, 8mm hemp, nylon**, etc)
• An emergency rope-cutting tool, such as EMT shears or a diving hook
• If suspending: (2) carabiners rated for climbing
• If suspending: (1) climbing sling

*Students may exercise their best judgment to decide what type of rope they use for critical lines, but teachers will not allow natural fiber of less than 8mm.

**Many of the frictions used in this class are designed for the texture of natural fiber. Synthetic ropes are acceptable but may not hold frictions as well for these techniques.

Other Important Information:

• Pay-what-you-can scholarships are available for all Pan Eros Foundation workshops. If you need financial assistance, please email Leah at education@pan-eros.org
• No late entry will be allowed due to the intimate nature of this workshop. Doors will be locked at 10 minutes after the start time.
• Gallery Erato is a historic building with limited accessibility. The main Gallery floor is fully accessible, and the lower level Studio is currently only accessible by stairs. We will be using the lower level for this class.
• Water available. Please bring your own cup or bottle.
• Open to all 18+
• Attendance is limited to 10 tying pairs.
• All sexes, genders, races, ethnicities, bodies, body types, sexual orientations, relationship orientations, abilities welcome and celebrated.
• Please let us know by email if you have any access needs or things that would aid in your learning.
• Questions may be directed to: education@pan-eros.org

About the Educators:

BlamingLilith: Roxanne (she/her) has been tying since 2016 and topping suspension since 2018. She ties as a creative and social outlet and teaches because she adores showing people what they can do with rope. Among other rope pursuits, she co-hosted the Witchy Rope Enthusiasts Group in Seattle for four years and is an advocate for empowering tops of marginalized identities. Despite being a safety nerd, she loves exploring with her friends and her rope kit, and she’s usually down to try that wild idea. Find her on Fet @Blaming_Lilith and IG @BlamingLilith.

BlushofaLush: Stella (she/her) is a rope bottom who’s been participating in the Seattle area kink scene for a decade. She is a dungeon monitor and volunteer educator at Subspace Seattle and co-hosts the monthly RBU:Munch. Stella is passionate about people of all genders, abilities, and body types doing rope so she began teaching and facilitating experiences for those tying and being tied to create positive rope experiences together. She has lots of opinions on rope techniques and tools, but she can usually be distracted by cute pets or cake.