Video Tutorials
The following are a few of the ties that I use for self-suspension, including a hip harness, chest harness, foot cuff, uplines, hangers, and more. These videos are intended to supplement in-person instruction, never to replace it! Find Bay Area educational events here, here, and here, and join our Twisted Windows mailing list to get notfied of new opportunities.
If you prefer to learn from books, well, I wrote one of those too! 😊 This site has lots of information about bondage safety, as well.
Interested in seeing these harnesses in action? Performance videos here!
Most of these ties are widely taught in the bondage community. Where I can, I have sited originators or who I learned from.
Self-bondage is dangerous, even potentially deadly. No form of bondage is ever without risk. Self-suspension is an aerial activity with many inherent dangers. Never self-tie alone or without appropriate in-person instruction. By choosing to engage in self-bondage, you take responsibility for your own well-being. Upon viewing these videos, you agree to hold harmless all persons and organizations involved in their creation.
Simple single-column tie
A larks head/half hitch combination to create a single-column tie. Not the "one twue way" to do a single column (many others, like the Somerville Bowline, have advantages). I like to start with this one because it is relatively easy to learn, and these knots are the building blocks of most of the harnesses I tie.
Simplified Hip Harness
A simplified hip harness that I use for self-suspension. It is based on a "Swiss seat" style hip harness, which I originally learned from this video by Topologist. This version minimizes hitches, making the harness quicker, simpler to tie, and somewhat less bulky. If you find the tensions slipping, you might want to try an alternative version below that includes more hitches to lock off the tension.
Simplified chest harness
This is an absolutely simplified version of the chest harness I use for self-suspension. It is based on classic Shinju chest harnesses, which are widely taught with numerous variations. This variation is intended to be loaded from the front or side. If you find that this isn't lying flat for you, or you'd like to experiment with a more involved version, see the modified version below!
Attaching a hanger
This is a method for attaching a hanger to the hip harness shown in the previous video. In this video I'm using 6mm POSH from Twisted Monk.
Attaching support lines for self-suspension
Tips on managing support lines for self-suspension. Several of these techniques are inspired by/learned from Topologist – this article of his also discusses support lines. Get in-person instruction for self-suspension; this video is intended only to supplement other safety and technical teaching. Always self-suspend with a qualified spotter. In this video, I'm using 6mm POSH from Twisted Monk.
Rope Jams (and how to avoid them)
This clip shows how to make a rope jam...so you can better avoid them! Three rope jams are shown, as well as the upline management techniques I recommend to avoid jams.
Gravity Boot
This is a basic gravity boot tie that I use for self-suspension (and partnered suspension). I learned a basic gravity boot years ago, and I'm afraid I can't recall who I learned it from, otherwise I would credit them here! I've since modified it to be faster to tie for performances. :-)
Back loading chest harness
I use this chest harness for self-suspension when I want to load the harness from the back. It is based on shinju chest harnesses; variations of this harness are widely taught in the bondage community. Remember that loading from the back can be strenuous; chest compression can cause difficulty breathing, and you can cause damage to your ribs, intercostal nerves/muscles, brachial plexus, etc.
Foot cuff
This basic foot cuff for suspension is intended to substitute for a single-column tie around the ankle. This is not intended alone but as non-critical support for a suspension. As opposed to a gravity boot, which is intended to load from the bottom (and which can be used for single-point suspension), this cuff is intended to load from the top.
Butt Rainbow Thigh Tie of Doom
This video shows how to tie a lower body harness I call the Butt Rainbow Thigh Tie of Doom. This particular pattern was created by myself and my partner Angel; it has similarities to “Naka panties.”
Butt Rainbow Thigh Tie of Doom, part 2
Attaching a hanger to this harness.
Butt Rainbow Thigh Tie of Doom, part 3
Flying the Butt Rainbow.
Woven Hip Harness
Reinforcement for hip harness
If you have problems with your hip wrap slipping up, or just want to make the hip harness more comfortable, this variation might help.
Hip harness version 2
This is a somewhat more complicated version of the hip harness shown above. It adds more hitches, which could be useful to you if you find you are having difficulty maintaining tension in the first version. In this video I'm using 6mm hemp from Twisted Monk.
Chest harness version 2
This is a somewhat more complicated version of the chest harness shown above that adds in some weaving and other variations. In this video I'm using 8mm (5/16") MFP from Venus Rope.