Self-tying Ritual | Hosted by Chido Muparutsa from Kuzvida Self Care | 2 September 2023

ABOUT

Self-ties & Erotic Intent

Self-tie Rituals for Self Awareness

Beyond the superficial, the considered phrase, "It feels right to me," acknowledges the strength of the erotic into a true knowledge, for what that means is the first and most powerful guiding light toward any understanding. And understanding is a handmaiden which can only wait upon, or clarify, that knowledge, deeply born. The erotic is the nurturer or nursemaid of all our deepest knowledge. The erotic functions, for me in several way, and the first is in providing the power which comes from sharing deeply any pursuit with another

Audre Lorde

Pursuits with another begin and end with us - the self . Self-tie as the embodied expression of one such pursuit can feel like a comforting hug, for some, it can heighten sensations with feeling because of body position changes and muscle contractions or the emotions that come up as a result. Some like the tactile sensation of the rope against their skin, the tension and negotiation of surrender and restraint. Whatever feels right to you is what informs your erotic knowledge.

The body is a site of non-rational knowledge and plays an important role in us being able to explore and choose to reach into ourselves to be our best selves. When one is self aware they are able to focus on themselves and how their actions, thoughts, or emotions do or do not align with their internal standards - what feels right, their desires and needs. Self awareness comes with being observant and checking in on yourself, managing your emotions - self-regulation, aligning your behaviour with your values, and understanding how others perceive you.

There is power in observing and understanding how to bear witness to your body by holding yourself and feeling held in yourself. A self-tie practice can help you build self trust and to discover new and exciting ways to be self intimate or caring for the self. In this way, self-tying can be one of the most self compassionate embodiment practises to have and share in community. This workshop is a collaboration between Embodiment CT and Chido Muparutsa of Kuzvida Self Care. Join us wherever you are in your self care journey to learn how to practice intentional self-tying within a closed intimate group setting.

The workshop is designed for anyone who is curious about practising self-tie as a form of meditation, as part of a self care practice or ritual, as a tool to create connection and self intimacy, or simply for it’s beauty and decorating your body/home.

In this 2.5 hour session you will be encouraged to develop basic rope tying skills, the fundamentals of curating a mindful self-tie moment and using what feels right to inspire your self-tie journey.

Date/time: Saturday 2 Sept, 10:30 - 13:00 (15 minute smoke and pee break in between)

Format: Workshop (demonstration, discussion, practice exercises, collective self-tie practice and solo spontaneous flow)

Minimum knowledge level: none, but experienced practitioners are also welcome

Solo/partnered: Solo

What I will teach you:

   •   Self ties for self awareness

   •   How to handle rope

   •   Intention setting

   •   Basic terminology

   •   Risks awareness

   •   How to tie a single & double column tie

   •   Space holding - being the top and the bottom 

Facilitator:

Chido Muparutsa (She/They/Them)

My approach to rope has been informed by four years of practice mainly through self-tie, as a bottom and most recently as a rigger and a range of influences that bring me joy and pleasure like yoga, foraging and meditation that I infuse in every practice. I joined the RopeyThingsSA community and was part of RopeyThingsJHB. I have co-facilitated workshops and performed as a bottom with Tapiwa, most recently, at Kinkmas 2021 in Cape Town. I was inspired to begin my rope journey after attending one of Astrid’s workshops and bottom for Astrid as often as I can .

As a knowledge sharer or teacher I aim to reflect all my experiences in my unique mix of practises. I have a strong belief in erotic intent, self ties for self care and that neither of these practices should be prescriptive. Everyone should do what feels right to them, adapt each tie and self care ritual to their body, to fit their needs and individual desires. My knowledge sharing process aims to enable this by giving workshop participants the fundamentals of shibari with a focus on practical ways to explore intentions, communicate, to be self and body aware.