Intentional Third Rope

In this shibari course, hua hua teaches a series of Intentional Third Ropes for TKs with her models Dantianshi and Kahrin.

Why use a third rope in your TKs? As hua hua explains in the first part of this multi-class series, third ropes in shibari are a versatile and often valuable addition to your TK pattern, with various options to explore based on the type of sensation, function or play you want to add to your tie. In other words, determine your needs and intentions and you’ll likely be able to add a third rope approach to match. Applicable to both stemmed and stemless TKs, third ropes can reinforce or add stability to the structure in suspensions, can offer a deeper sense of restriction, or can be included for aesthetic reasons. After diving into the reasons why you might want (or need) to add a third rope, hua hua goes deeper into the how with three examples that you can add to your own favorite TKs, detailing how to tie them as well as the advantages of each.

In the Tasuki class, hua hua teaches a third rope pattern that places rope just inside of and over the shoulders for a chest-opening effect. Demonstrated on both a stemless TK and a stemmed TK, she shares insights into how the Tasuki pattern can offer functional support in stemmed versions, or alternatively, create more of a decorative element in stemless TKs. hua hua also offers tips on how to make it either more or less challenging for the bottom, depending – of course – on your intention.

In the X-shape class, hua hua teaches two versions of a third rope pattern that creates a cross-shape over the chest: one for stemless TKs and one for stemmed TKs. Much like the Tasuki, the X-shape can serve an aesthetic and a functional purpose but, due to the wraps that pass very close to the neck, has some important risk considerations too. An effective tool for amping up sensations of compression and choking, this pattern is best utilized with prior consideration and only when you’ve agreed that you intentionally want to incorporate breath play elements into your tying.

In the V-shape class, hua hua shares both a stemmed and stemless version of her favorite third rope pattern. Constructed to create a V-shape and stem at the front of the harness, this variation creates another supportive structure with which to play – whether that’s breath play, using it to help create more lift in a face-up suspension or for attaching to another part of the body depends entirely on your scene and your intentions.

This course is ideal for riggers who are starting to feel comfortable with tying harnesses and want to bring more intentionality into that area of their practice. While these third rope examples can add important structural support during suspensions, please keep your skill set in mind when applying techniques from these classes and only use these harnesses in suspension if that is already a part of your rope practice. Bottoms should be comfortable maintaining a box-tie/TK position.

* Captions available for this series: English