Overcoming Obstacles

Barefoot’s bondage A-Z is about my experiences and love of rope which, I think it evident in yesterday’s post not quite naked in nature. Today I want to look at the way we can make bondage accessible to everybody, just by overcoming obstacles.

If you have spent any time looking at bondage pages on Instagram or Fetlife, you will likely have seen the wonderfully flexible, strong and lithe bodies bound in beautiful rope. Suspensions, transitions, floor work. These incredible online spaces make me want to push forward in my rope practise; to grow and develop in my strength, flexibility and skills. I want to be able to achieve this style of rope work, and I am willing to work hard to get there.

A few years ago I met a rigger with hero-status at a house party.

(I almost didn’t go because I was so nervous to meet him- I’ll fill in the gaps soon, I promise.) Anyway, I got invited to support him and his bunny on a bondage shoot, and I was over the moon. He was incredible to watch, and his bunny, well… they blew my mind a little. Since then I’ve remained in contact with the bunny, and follow them on Instagram. The rope work they fly in is incredible, aspirational, and- for me, one day- achievable! Please understand that the word “achievable” only relates to me, and what my body is (going to be) capable of. I don’t wish anyone to compare their levels or desires to my own. Comparison is, after all, the root of so much unhappiness!

So, I approached them to ask if I could share their Instagram here, then shared the theme of the post…

A discussion opened up that I could never have expected.

You see, I had assumed that they found it all as easy as they make it look to an outsider. That the physical challenges they faced in bondage were purely as a result of the ropes and positions. But no, I was wrong. (Sir tells me never to assume anything, this is yet another example of why he is in charge!) It turns out they have a number of concerns which impede the way that riggers can tie them, the amount of time they can maintain positions, and the aftercare they need. I’m not going to lie. This revelation bumped my respect levels up even higher for them.

So, even the most incredible rope bottoms among us have to find ways of overcoming obstacles!

It’s hardly surprising that many of us don’t necessarily possess adequate core strength to maintain  certain positions. Or the flexibility to fold ourselves into seemingly impossible situations. What happens then? Well, this is where another kind of flexibility comes into play. The ability to adopt, adapt and… improve…

The picture I’ve shared is from a few years ago. CC was wanting to learn to tie the boy, and asked me to show her a Takate Kote, otherwise known as a TK, or box tie. Initially I was unsure, but after making a few modifications I was able to tie her into a reverse box tie. This happened for two reasons. Firstly, this was so she could see what I was doing, while I was doing it. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it needed to be physically achievable, without causing her damage. Arms behind her back would have been such a pain! This way, we had a lot of fun together.

Over the last few years I’ve enjoyed tying a number of people with limited mobility, including myself. Taking the wonderful tutorials and lessons I’ve learnt and making them work for EVERY body I tie is the most wonderful privilege. And now I have learnt that I’m following in the footsteps of great riggers

How did you enjoy Overcoming Obstacles? Read more of my fun times with CC in A rope munch after a kinky party.

Note: Please don’t try to copy the tie in the image. This was tied in a ten minute window at the end of a busy munch. It was a quick in-and-out tie, with pointers given at the time about my mistakes. This example would not be safe for an extended session of bondage, much less a suspension. It was a wonderful, bonding experience for myself and CC, providing a springboard for her and the boy.