Playing with Bamboo: Incorporating Bamboo into Suspension with Miss Acacia

This class will teach attendees how to tie bamboo to people, both directly and indirectly by incorporating bamboo into existing suspension-safe harnesses. You will learn how to enhance your rope scenes by manipulating bodies using bamboo to create novel and strenuous positions and shapes in the air. You will learn how to maneuver bamboo during suspension with upline placement and anchor management. You will learn how to add and remove bamboo during suspension without affecting the integrity of your suspension harnesses.

The presenter prefers attendees to have taken the bamboo floorwork class prior to this more advanced suspension class, however, it is not a requirement.

Prerequisites: knowledge of a single column tie, working knowledge of basic uplines and anchors, a suspension-safe chest harness, and a suspension-safe lower body harness.

Materials: basic rope kit for suspension harnesses, suspension gear including carabiners, rings, safety shears, uplines, etc.

About the Presenters

Miss_Acacia has been creating art in rope bondage and suspension since 2014. With a preference for symmetry and a focus on detail, her goal is to create a tie that works for her bottom’s body while still showcasing the beauty of rope. Starting with self-suspension, she progressed to suspending others with an understanding of both sides of the suspension experience. She continues to focus on the fundamentals no matter how far her rope journey takes her, because she wants to understand the how and the why behind the structure of each tie. Once she feels she understands the purpose of each part, she is able to use them to transition and contort her bottom with the right ties for that sequence. She is frequently brainstorming with fellow rope enthusiasts to improve harnesses and make the most sustainable ties for her bottoms. In teaching, she focuses on making sure that bottoms and tops both grasp what the rope should look and feel like. She teaches for understanding of how each part and pattern works instead of memorizing patterns so that her students are better equipped to continue their education.

Alyssa (zzafalyssa) has been in the rope scene since 2021, participating in local events at Upline Studio in Connecticut. She entered the scene after admiring rope suspension from afar for many years. She has developed skills and passion as a rope bottom with particular interest in chest-heavy suspension and hashira.

Alyssa began teaching with Miss Acacia in 2022 including classes at Upline Studio, Tethered Together, and Ropecraft Chicago. When not being strung up in rope, Alyssa can be found drinking coffee, doing puzzles, and napping with her cat.