Better Bottoming: for Riggers & Bottoms
a 1 to 3-day workshop with Saara Rei
“Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? what could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.”
- Eckhart Tolle
Being in rope can be an incredibly intense and transformative experience. The sensations and emotions it evokes are often fluid, complex, and deeply personal. Navigating these internal shifts requires a delicate balance: the ability to surrender while remaining grounded, to let go while still staying present. This workshop is dedicated to cultivating that balance and building a personal, embodied bottoming practice.
Through a series of hands-on exercises practiced with a rigger, we will explore tools for physical and emotional self-regulation in rope. Using techniques from dance and mindfulness, we’ll develop greater body awareness and learn to process both physical and emotional intensity with presence and intention. Topics will include:
Managing physical and emotional pain in rope
Somatic awareness and mindfulness-based techniques
Body mechanics: nerve safety, blood flow, and muscle tension
Learning to follow rather than assist—supporting the rigger’s lead with your body
Identifying and working with personal thresholds, limits, and vulnerabilities
In addition to the physical, we’ll engage with the emotional body. What motivates us to do rope? What emotional landscapes are we drawn to - or afraid of? For each physical exercise, there will be a complementary reflective component to help unpack the thoughts and feelings that arise during practice. By exploring the feedback loop between body and mind, we aim to deepen the internal dialogue that guides our experiences in rope.
By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a more grounded understanding of themselves as bottoms - physically, emotionally, and intentionally. The goal is to help each individual develop a sustainable, self-aware rope practice that aligns with their personal desires, boundaries, and goals.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is open to bottoms of all experience levels. Participants are encouraged to attend with a rigger who is confident in their technical abilities, as the focus will not be on rope technique but on the bottom’s internal experience. Ideally, pairs will have tied together before and share a sense of mutual trust and comfort.
If you are interested in booking this workshop in a part of the world near you, then please send an email.