Rope Podcast

Fox and Mya discuss a listener suggestion from @z4DDy who said he would love to hear a discussion about sensuous rope. He suggested topics included: different means to create sensuousness, rope handling for sensuality, physical connection to enhance sensual connection, suspension types with sensuality and experiences of sensuality in rope. Fox and Mya dig into the area and address his questions as well as: * Sensual versus sexual rope * How tops can use their bodies and physical sensation to create more sensuality * Sensual rope handling * How the bottom can increase the level of sensuality in a rope scene * Non-rope factors to increase the level of sensuality in a scene * The importance of creating a sense of safety with each other to increase sensuality * The pros and cons of music * Creating more sensuality in the different phases of a suspension tie * Micro-expressions and why to pay attention to them in your partner * How different types of bottom’s touch can express different emotions * Mindfuln

Fox and Mya continue their interview with author and educator Andrew James, Ph.D.on building eroticism through power exchange and rope. In the episode, AJ discusses with Fox and Mya his thoughts on: * How a Rope Daddy might express himself differently from a Rope Master and how partners can express different power exchange archetypes with rope * How it might work when a D-type is inside the rope, and the s-type is outside the rope * Practical tips on how to make a rope scene more erotic * Re-affirming consent and desire in a rope scene in a power exchange context * Playing with emotions such as erotic shame and fear in rope * Rituals in rope to enhance the power dynamic * Practical constraints on play in the real world - including doing rope with a disability * His experience with the queer and LGBTQ+ community and how he has seen the rope world change in ways that echo that * The huge variety of diversity in rope now, and what that means Note - If you haven’t already listened to part 1 of this epis

Fox and Mya go deep into power exchange, erotic slavery and rope with in this interview with Andrew James, Ph.D., an author and educator in the field of alternative sexualities. Author of 6 books on alternative relationships and sexuality, including the wonderful Erotic Slavehood (as Christina Abernathy) and the way of the pleasure slave, AJ is A trans man who identifies as both a Master and a Daddy. Involved in D/s and the kink community since 1992, he has been in a 24/7 authority-transfer dynamic with his wife for 8 years. In the episode, hear Fox and Mya talk to AJ about: * AJ’s entry into the kink scene and how he first encountered rope * Terminology and what power exchange means to him * How to come back to sex and kink after a period without it in a relationship * Using rope to meet different emotional needs * How power dynamics can develop and strengthen intimacy * How to integrate rope into a power exchange relationship * How a D-type can demonstrate strong power exchange in a rope scene * Ho

Fox and Mya explore the world of cosplay, fetish modelling and the challenges of navigating the kink world as a person of colour with the vibrant and creative MakiRoll. Based in Washington DC, in the USA, she has over twelve years of cosplay and seven years as an entertainer where she has entertained the masses as a panelist, shibari model, burlesque performer, side show performer, and much more. In the episode, hear Fox and Mya talk to MakiRoll about: * Her rocky start in the world of rope bondage, and some of the challenges she had as a new rope bottom * How she developed her bottoming skills and a discussion of the importance of bottom advocacy * How she creates her incredible cosplay looks * The sensations of mixing latex and rope * Discussion of some of her rope shoots, including favourites and the most challenging * How she collaborates on shoots with riggers and photographers on shoots * How rope and cosplay have helped her build a healthier relationship with herself * Her work facilitating the Kink i

Fox and Mya discuss bamboo in rope - specifically when it’s being used directly within the tie; such as tying limbs to the bamboo, or sliding it into the tie. They also talk about: * Why you might want to use bamboo, and some of its mechanical properties * How might you use bamboo in a tie and what it can do * Ideas to use bamboo really painfully! * Challenges of tying with bamboo and how you might overcome some of these * And of course - safety and risk management with bamboo

In part two of the interview, and Fox and Mya go behind the scenes with Zero-Gi and SamJay about one of their photos, the incredible TK vertical hang from a bridge in Central Park. In the episode, hear them discuss their stunning collaboration further, including: * Walking through how they created their iconic shot against a bridge in Central Park * How SamJay and Zero-Gi’s D/s relationship does - and doesn’t - play out in this project * They answer some of the wilder questions people have about how they create the art (spoiler alert - it doesn’t involve helicopters or cranes!) * The toughest challenges of their shoots from each of their perspectives: rope model; rigger and photographer * How they manage risks and danger * New York city’s unique history and how their project has been the beneficiary of the work of pride and the LGBTQ+ community * Advice on how you can improve your own photos * Their collaborations and what they’ve got coming up with Feterotica * Weather play! The incredible NYC Street

An interview with SamJay and Zero-Gi of the NYC Street Shibari team Fox and Mya interview two of the team behind the incredible NYC Street Shibari project, which consists of rope model Zero-Gi, photographer The Dirty Archangel, and rigger Sam Jay. Their project brings shibari to the streets with iconic backdrops from New York city contrasted with Zero-Gi doing incredible feats of rope, such as hanging from a vertical chest harness off a bridge in central park. Fox and Mya talk to SamJay and Zero-Gi about the project, its inspiration, and how they work together with The Dirty Archangel to make their art. In the episode, hear them discuss their fascinating collaboration, including: * How they both got into rope, and how the NYC Street Shibari project started * The extent they go to to research the risks of their ties * The unique blend of experiences and talents the team possess between them * The unusual culture, laws and history of New York that enable them to create their art * The reactions from bystand

Fox and Mya introduce a new type of episode, a Rope Field Report! @-Cad- and @-Miscellany- came to Bangkok and taught two workshops, Freeform Floor Rope and Freeform Suspension Rope. Fox and Mya share their experience of the workshops including: * Some of the exercises included * The differences between the very switchy rope relationship of the teachers and Fox and Mya’s power exchange rope * Pre-requisites that you probably need to have for this type of rope * What skills Fox and Mya developed from the workshops * What a bottom can bring to workshops about tying * Fox and Mya’s different approaches to workshops and face to face learning * The concept of ‘no plan’ in rope and how we found a middle way * Ways to get the most from this kind of workshop * The concept of making things go wrong on purpose, and how that can help your rope practice more generally * The learnings we took from the workshop into our rope Spoiler alert: Fox has dubbed this ‘Chaos Rope’!

Fox and Mya discuss active bottoming in rope - what it does (and doesn’t!) mean to them and the pros and cons of being an active bottom in scenes. They also talk about: * The different things people call active bottoming in Rope, and how Fox and Mya differentiate what they call active bottoming * How bottoms might prepare for active bottoming by knowing their strengths and development areas in rope * Mya gives some examples of what she knows about herself in rope, and how she uses active bottoming to compensate - and where she doesn’t have the skills to do this * What a bottom might be ‘active’ about and how * Why you might active bottom - and why you might not * Safety in active bottoming * How and why you might want to discuss active bottoming with your top in advance, to make sure you don’t accidentally change the dynamic of the scene

Fox and Mya interview Miranda, the person behind Friction Live, who host video conference classes live streamed to the comfort of your own home. They partner with experienced presenters, so individuals can access high-quality educators outside their locality, and educators can reach multiple communities at the same time - brilliant for those of us who don’t live close to more formalized rope education. (Or, you know, in a global pandemic where you can’t leave home.) In the episode, hear Miranda talk about: * How these kind of events work and what’s different from video courses * How to get the most from this style of event when you attend * How the Covid-19 crisis has affected the business * What’s next for Friction Live (check out this week’s question to make suggestions on future classes in the comments)

We know you love these! Fox reads one of his recent pieces of erotic writing, this time writing in advance of a scene he planned for Mya on Valentine’s Day. Read about the wicked delights he had in store for her. Contains rope suspension, sadistic rope, fear play and needles.

Fox and Mya discuss the pleasures and pitfalls of using rope bondage photos as an inspiration for tying. They also talk about: * Why we might want to use rope bondage photos as inspiration * Where to find such photos * The pros and cons of there being so many rope photos out there * The risks of tying from photos * How you might use photos for inspiration in creative ways They also play a quick game where Mya selects three photos from Fetlife in real time, and Fox shares what he might do to recreate them.

Fox and Mya introduce a new type of episode, a Rope Field Report! Most of us are stuck at home right now, and kinks events are (rightfully!) cancelled. Fox and Mya came across a new type of event for them, a live streamed class, and were thrilled to attend from the comfort of their home in Bangkok. The workshop was hosted by @FrictionLive, and presenters @YumYumPanda and @ShaktiBlissBunny did a great job educating through this format. Fox and Mya share their experience of the workshop including: * An overview of the workshop and what to expect if you attend * The things they enjoyed about the workshop and this format * The knowledge and skills Fox and Mya took from the education and where they’ve applied it already * The pros and cons of this kind of workshop versus face-to-face learning

Fox and Mya discuss the aspects of what makes a good rope scene from a top point of view (whilst reminding us that what good looks like might be different for every top!). As a rigger/rope top, Fox shares his experience as a case study, and they explore the factors that make scenes good for him. They also discuss: * Connection for tops * Working successfully with a bottom * The idea of competence and how tops can feel it * The notion of flow and how it applies to tops and rope * How bottoms can support their tops in having a great scene

Fox and Mya discuss the less common topic of rope top health, and how to keep our rope tops (whether we’re the rope top ourselves, or the rope bottom!) in good emotional and physical health. They discuss: * The types of common physical injuries rope tops might sustain * Potential emotional and mental health challenges rope tops might face * Ways to warm up physically before rope * Tools, adjustments and props to help with rope top health * Preparation before a scene to manage potential emotional and mental issues * Some things to do after a scene for rope top health

Fox and Mya interview rope power couple, @WykD_Dave and @clover! The pair have just celebrated their 10th anniversary together and gotten engaged, and this year they also opened their amazing rope space, Studio Kokoro. Fox and Mya discuss with them how they’ve evolved as a rope couple, the changes they’ve been through and their rope journey, and how they’ve seen the scene change. In the episode, hear from them about: * Their couple origin story * Their power exchange relationship and how it’s evolved over time * The shocking news they’re not just into Japanese rope bondage! * The origins of the Rope Bottoming Guide * The journey to get Studio Kokoro up and running * What they see as being necessary to evolve and stay in the scene long-term * How they’ve evolved their own teaching and practice as rope culture has changed and grown See behind the scenes into the relationship and lives of these well-loved but down to earth rope experts.

A listener’s question from Co, who asks: What’s a good way to respond to a bottom asking them to tie them - when the bottom has no idea what they want to do. Fox and Mya discuss the topic, talking both in the abstract and concrete, looking at how rope tops can deal with this very common situation. They explore: * Why different types of rope bottoms (experienced and new) might respond with ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I don’t mind’ when a rigger asks them what they want in the scene * Why this kind of question is important, and why it shouldn’t be treated lightly * The type of negotiation style they’d recommend in this situation * Balancing the risks of this situation * Why every rope top isn’t necessarily a good match for every rope bottom * Reminding both parties of some of their ‘responsibilities’ in rope, as well as the importance and detail of communication and consent (we continue to recommend the FRIES consent model) * What you might need to do after the scene * How rope bottoms can avoid the ‘I don’t know’ r

Fox and Mya build on their previous episode and go deeper with the minimalist technique of ‘one-rope’ (also sometimes called Ichinawa or Ipponawa) - with one rope, two people. They share: * What’s awesome about it and why they love it * The benefit of preparing some ‘ichinawa forms’ and muscle memory * Why Fox both loves it and dreads it * The risks and the challenges * Rope top Fox’s perspective on this kind of rope * Rope bottom Mya’s perspective on doing one-rope * Some of the scenes they’ve done that involved ichinawa They also get some input from friend long-time rigger @Jake_Wing.

Fox and Mya discuss the minimalist technique of ‘one-rope’ (also sometimes called Ichinawa or Ipponawa) - with one rope, two people. They discuss: * What it is and some definitions * How you do it * How to start * Where music fits * Safety and difficulty levels They also get some input from friends experienced rigger @ChristianRed and the host of the Japanese bondage podcast, ’Kinbakunomicon’, @Faviola_Llervu.

Once again, Fox and Mya have cajoled their interviewees from the year into sharing some bonus materials, in order to bring you a very special Christmas present episode - details of their favourite scenes. The rope couple then share their thoughts on the themes, learnings and ideas that the rest of us might be able to draw from their scenes, whatever our levels of experience. This year, Fox and Mya also share their top and bottoming perspectives on one of their favourite scenes on a holiday in rural Thailand. The episode includes: @GuiltySmile talking about objectification at Eurix @Pyth01 playing with subtle tension, movement and control between rope top and bottom @Kinky_Engineer sharing a scene with playful rope that started with him as the rigger, and ended with him being tied @Jake_Wing recalling a magical scene with fear play, outdoor rope, eroticism and heightened senses @FoxofBangkok (Fox) and @MyArms_BendBack (Mya) share a scene they both loved with impact, sex and exposure