The other week we did Ichinawa class, at the special request of our students.
I was skeptical first, as for me personally a lot of what makes the rope bondage so impactful has to do with many ropes coming on the body and staying on the body. I also suspect the very fact that it stays makes rope more impactful than any other impact tool… Also, I don’t like being tossed around, so I was a bit scared 🙂
It turned out to be valuable research. We discovered a lot of depth, beauty and communication in playing with “just” one rope. And a lot of learning we can partake, even though we still like to tie maybe like 16 ropes on the body… in a way, one can do 16 ichinawa sessions…. Making every rope beautiful, meaningful, making it matter.
I believe, there was also a lot of learning for the person being tied.
I often say that opening our hearts is our choice. Feeling it – is our choice. Being present and available to the impact of the rope – is our choice. It is not specific to ichinawa. But it brings it even more on the point, in this focused time capsule of one rope length. Can you open yourself up to this encounter – already from the first rope?
When knots and frictions are not in the way, all the focus goes on communication, on what we are actually doing together. I found it magical. My partner says, if you cannot express it in one rope, there is no point in tying 16 of them. The communication needs to be that much more clear and intentional and impactful from one rope…
Again, the same can be said for the receiving side. Can you show up – already for the first rope? Bring in your mood, your flavor. There are so many beautiful expressions and qualities possible… we can play in resistance or seduction, to be fluffy, or bratty, or stoic.
How many ropes do you need for this transformation?
Can you start playing with the first one?
You also can claim the attention of your rigger. There is a lot of pressure and expectations on the riggers: “your attention must be on the person, not on the ropes“. Well, how about claiming their attention? The topic is so deep that I would rather write about it the other time.
All in all, it turned out there was a lot of learning in ichinawa. Even though it’s “just” one rope.