Boxed Set: a TK workshop series

Boxed Set: a TK workshop series with Sam Jay & Zero-Gi

The TK (takate-kote), also called a box tie or gote more broadly, is a classic shibari form that can be tied in many different patterns, styles, and variations from various lineages of shibari practitioners and for different purposes and aesthetics. This workshop series is an opportunity to refine your TK skills and expand your TK toolkit with highly knowledgeable instructors, Sam Jay and Zero-Gi of NYC Shibari.

Workshop dates:

Thurs. October 15: 真 後手 Shin Gote

Thurs. October 22: 行 後手 Gyō Gote

Note: Each workshop date covers **different content**(design, techniques, style) on the broad topic of Gote/TK/box tie harnesses.

Attending the first workshop is not a prerequisite for attending the second workshop, though attendees will get the most out of attending both workshops.

Participants may sign up for both of the workshops or for either of workshops.

Description: In this workshop series, Sam Jay & Zero-Gi teach skills for refining and deepening your TK tying and how to choose the TK details that are best for you. The Gote serves not only as a harness, but also as a training tool. The rich complexity of the Gote serves as an opportunity to practice tension, placement, frictions, rope handling, body handling, and flow. The knowledge and skills acquired in these classes will give insights, options and skills that can then be applied to other ties.

In these classes, Sam Jay & Zero-Gi will introduce you to two main Gote families for suspension, help you mitigate the risks, and discuss in deep detail the technical and interactive options at each step. Participants will learn skills and knowledge from Sam Jay & Zero-Gi's extensive "TK tool kit", drawing from their extensive international shibari training and practice, including a broad range of structural elements, pattern components, specific placement and tension. Participants will learn about the lineage/history of different TK designs and techniques, as well as "why" behind different and techniques. Participants will work on adjusting specific elements/patterns/tension/placement to the body of the specific person in rope and the specific purposes and context. Body mechanics, economy of movement, risks and risk mitigation, and more may also be included as part of the workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to receive individual feedback and assistance from instructors. Your craft, creativity and artistry comes in with how you apply these options to the partner you tie.

Thurs. October 15: 真 後手 Shin Gote

Shin Gote style typically involves the following constructions: forward tension, under-the-stem passes, extension of rope ends to rope bites, and more precise geometric finishing rope patterns.

Thurs. October 22:: 行 後手 Gyō Gote

Gyō Gote style typically involves the following constructions: reverse tension, over-the-stem passes, each rope tied off to itself, and more improvisational, asymmetric finishing rope flourishes, with the finishing rope only going on after an upline is attached and tensioned.

Prerequisites: While Gotes are sometimes considered advanced topics in some rope circles, they are considered introductory topics in many other rope circles. These classes are suitable for beginners who can tie a non-collapsable single-column tie, as well as for intermediate and advanced students.

Tying participants must at a minimum solidly know a non-collapsing single-column tie, as well as a square knot, half hitch, and how to apply and adjust rope tension evenly to bodies. Prior experience tying TKs is recommended. Participants who have little or no experience tying TKs--and who meet the minimum prerequisites--are welcome to attend the workshops if they are up for the challenge, and with the awareness that class pacing is geared towards participants who are not brand new to TKs but are looking to refine and expand their TK vocabulary.

Participants in rope (being tied) must be able to comfortably place arms behind the back in a box tie position, either with or without assistance from a partner. Prior experience in upper body ties, including both chest and arms, is required. Solid body awareness, particularly of nerves and joints and individual rope preferences in the arms and upper body, is also crucial. Prior experience in TKs is highly recommended. Participants who have little or no experience being tied in TKs--and who meet the minimum prerequisites--are welcome to attend the workshops if they are up for the challenge, and with the awareness that class pacing is geared towards participants who are not brand new to TKs but are looking to refine and expand their TK vocabulary.

All participants must be able to clearly and efficiently communicate about rope and body issues that may arise.

Partnering: Hands-on participation in the workshop requires a tying partner, with one person tying and one person being tied. Solo attendees welcome to try to partner up with another solo participant at the start of the workshop.

What to Bring: Each tying pair will need 3-4 lengths of rope in the typical/standard lengths (~25-35 ft. long each). Having one shorter length as well may also be helpful.

Rope is also available for purchase with workshop sign-up & at the workshop.

Ticket info: TICKET REQUIRED - If there are no tickets shown for a particular event date, it means that event date is sold out. Please review at checkout that you're getting the ticket type & event date you want!

Reduced Price Tickets - For every workshop, Coil & Cord offers dramaticaly discounted tickets for community members struggling with financial hardships. If there are no "reduced price tickets" listed for a specific event date, that means that those tickets are sold out for that event date.

"Waitlist" is not a ticket. Waitlist means that if a ticket becomes available, you will receive an email notification, so you could buy the available ticket unless someone else has already purchased it first.

Cancellations - View Coil & Cord's cancellation policies at coilandcord.com/policies

All workshop attendees must be over the age of 18 and must sign the Coil & Cord liability waiver.

Presenters: Sam Jay (Sam, he/him) and Zero-Gi (Gigi, she/her) are best known for bringing rope bondage to great heights, from skyscrapers to high fashion. They have made a splash through their iconic NYC Street Shibari project and without-a-net high-altitude urbex suspensions, giving them a unique perspective on suspension safety and dynamic risk management. Across New York and worldwide, they are also known for bringing jaw-dropping stunts, rip-roaring energy, feats of endurance, and breakneck speed to the stage, everywhere from Torture Garden and Dances of Vice fetish balls to Burning Man, underground raves, art festivals, intimate salons, destination resorts, off-Broadway shows, and television. They've been teaching and performing together internationally since 2020, most recently EURIX and Prague Shibari Festival, with Danish Shibari Festival next. But the dirty secret is that it’s really all about the hot ties at home with an audience of one.Before joining forces in 2018, Sam Jay picked up strong fundamentals from 2011 to 2017 in the Osada-ryu-based Melbourne Rope Dojo, where he was one of the first five students. In 2017, he decided to tie partners rather than to tie styles, and that has made all the difference. Zero-Gi caught the rope bug in 2017, and while she owes a great deal to rich education in a diversity of tying styles from tops, bottoms, switches, and self-suspenders worldwide, she has always rooted her core practice in dedicated solo study, challenging assumptions, interrogating standard forms, and eventually developing and crash testing new ties on her own body first. Together, Sam Jay and Zero-Gi have continually pushed the envelope on a global stage, from single toe suspensions and death-defying heights to popular new ties, techniques, signature transition sequences, inclusive adaptations, and dogma-ditching expansion of the standard rope repertoire. While Gigi and Sam share their motivations (“woo”), they don’t require you to adopt their fetish for adventure, and instead focus on highly technical rope education with an angle to accessibility.