How to Survive Thrive at a Rope Intensive
Intensives – day-long or weekend-long lessons – can be some of the most rewarding (and demanding) learning experiences in rope. In some ways they’re jumping into the deep end: immersion in new techniques, philosophies, and approaches to tying. They can also feel very sink-or-swim; a lot of information packed into a weekend, likely with an instructor who’s traveling and new to you.
If you know us, you know that sink-or-swim isn’t how we approach anything. So! Based on our collective forty-five (plus!) years of teaching and taking intensives, here’s how to set yourself up for success:
Know the Instructors (Not Socially)
Understanding who you’re learning from is step zero. Take some time to explore who they are – both philosophically and in practice. Investigate their background, teaching style, and philosophies of rope. Knowing what to expect from your teachers helps you arrive ready to learn – and to adapt when things are different from what you’re used to.
Consider:
- Are they known for a particular philosophy, technique or aesthetic?
If they always suspend from carabiners, that’s an element you should be excited (or at least open) to explore. - Are they teaching in a named style?
If they are, what’s their relationship to it? Did they originate it? Learn it from the originator? - How will you approach differences in values or norms around consent, communication, roles, et cetera?
These needn’t be dealbreakers, but you should have a ballpark expectation for how you want to handle mismatches. - What language will they be teaching in? Will there be an interpreter?
Even without language barriers, idioms and terms of art vary.
In short: you should know both what and why you are excited to learn from this instructor.
Understand the Structure
Before you start packing, take time to understand the structure of the intensive:
- What’s the schedule?
Look at the full weekend plan. How long are the days? When are breaks?
Plan your meals (and naps) accordingly. - What’s the level?
Make sure the listed prerequisites match your current ability level – for both folks tying and being tied. Showing up unprepared will compromise your learning and has the potential to compromise the workshop for other attendees. Many instructors will teach to what they believe is the lowest level of technical ability in the room. By preparing in advance we can make sure that our technical capabilities match the scope of the workshop. - What are your goals?
Do you want to refine your existing skills? Learn something totally new?
Make sure that the learning objectives of the workshop fit what you actually want to learn.
Research the Location
If you’re traveling (or checking out a new venue in your city), take a moment to familiarize yourself with the location.
- Do we have everything we need to travel?
If we’re crossing a border, do we have all the documentation we need? Will our IDs be accepted locally? Are we okay to travel with our prescriptions, etc? - What’s the neighborhood of the venue like?
Is it walkable? Can we find food that will work for us in the neighborhood? If we can’t, where’s the closest grocery store to our lodging? - Where do we want to stay?
Staying closer to the venue cuts down on costs for rideshares/transportation, but it may be more expensive (or further from other things we’d like to do).
Budget for both actual money and time/energy in your calculations.
Planning Your Intensive
Okay, now it’s time to plan. We strongly recommend making a packing list (even if you’re local).
Our lists always include:
- Rope
Do I have enough packed for the listed exercises, plus a little extra? - Hardware & Safety Gear
Does the gear I’ve packed match the workshop description and what I know about the instructor? - Appropriate clothing for the style of rope & venue.
Do I know the venue’s rules about dress/nudity?
Will I want to change my clothes to leave the venue for lunch?
Do I have layers in case the tying space gets too hot (or too cold)? - Water, snacks, painkillers and electrolytes (as allowed).
Again, venue rules vary! Try to pick snacks that are low-mess and quiet (avoid crinkly chip bags). - Gear to keep our bodies happy before, during, and after tying.
Does the venue provide mats? Is there seating?
Yoga blocks, bolsters, and folding stools can make a world of difference, particularly over a long weekend of learning.
When You Arrive
If you know us, you’ve been waiting for this one: get there when doors open. Take a moment to ground yourself and understand the layout of the space.
This is your time to:
- Confirm the venue (and instructors’) photo/video policy
- Make sure you know whether switching is allowed/encouraged
- Establish a ‘base camp’ where you can see demonstrations clearly.
- Warm up! Stretching and mobility work will help keep your body functional through some intense learning and tying.
During the Intensive
- Don’t Try to Do It All
The biggest trap of intensives is trying to do everything. You don’t need to complete every exercise to make good use of your time; manage your energy and attention like the resources that they are. Take breaks. Stay hydrated. When you need to step back, use that time to take notes, reflect, and observe others. - Ask Questions
It’s a cliche for a reason: you aren’t the only one wondering.
If something doesn’t fit you (or your partner’s) body, you can and should ask for adjustments based on your needs – within the bounds of the workshop. - Focus On Demos
Demonstrations are learning moments. Focus on observing and listening to the instructor, then use your own practice time to make notes or take photos (if permitted). Focusing on your phone screen while the instructor is demonstrating will ultimately hurt, rather than help, your retention. - Respect Shared Resources
The instructors’ time is a shared resource.
If you missed a step because you were focused on taking photos (or chatting), flag them down during practice time rather than during the Q&A. Similarly, consider saving that “more of a comment than a question,” for practice time. - Give Yourself Grace
Give each other positive feedback in addition to constructive criticism. Don’t pretend the work is perfect, but do be kind and thoughtful in identifying areas for improvement.
Remember: your capability isn’t (and shouldn’t be!) the same as the instructor’s. Expect that your work won’t be a 1:1 replica of the instructor’s demo and use each attempt to refine your understanding and gather feedback. This is data collection, not a pass/fail final. - Use Your Practice Time
If you finish an exercise early, that’s a great time to:- Ask questions and get feedback on your work from the instructors
- Update your notes based on your experience of tying the exercise
- Tie the exercise again (and again! and again!)
- Watch others tie and listen to the feedback they receive
After the Intensive
- Support Retention
One of the best things you can do to retain all that neat stuff you just learned? Take time to rest, eat, hydrate, and process after the workshop. Learning rope is intense, physical work for everyone. Caring for your body will help you recover better, remember more, and get back to tying sooner. - Compare Notes
Connect with other workshop attendees to compare notes and swap observations. We’re all observing from different angles (literally and metaphorically); there’s a good chance you each saw something the others missed. - Revisit The Material
Re-tying exercises on your own or with a partner can help lock in what you’ve learned. Make some time to revisit what you’ve learned, annotate your class notes, and explore the pieces that speak most to you outside of the high-pressure setting of a workshop. - You’ve Got to Be Kind.
Most importantly, be gentle with yourself. Rope practice is a long game. Workshops can bring up intense emotions, immediately or in their aftermath. Understand that you &/or your tying partner may have unanticipated responses, may experience drop, or may feel totally fine and chill and ready to get back to it, immediately. Whatever your response(s), talk about how you’re going to navigate them as a team.
Keep the Momentum Going
If you found this guide helpful, consider joining us for one of our upcoming intensives!