Holding the Edge: Breath, Presence, and Power in Rope Bottoming

Holding the edge in rope isn’t just about suffering through the pain, it’s about finding power, presence, and connection in the experience. In this 90-minute class, Natalie Rose and etch share the tools, strategies, and lived experiences that make navigating the edge not only possible, but profoundly rewarding.

Nat and etch will offer practical tools for navigating intensity, expanding your capacity, and discovering the beauty hidden in discomfort, the intimacy inside struggle, and the strength found through choice and agency. We will explore:

• Breathwork for endurance – how to use breath to manage pain, calm the nervous system, and signal state changes.

• Nonverbal communication – tone, body language, and subtle cues that strengthen trust between tying partners.

• Body control and awareness – micro-movements and positioning strategies that make rope more sustainable without breaking connection.

• Integration drills – putting it all together in short practice scenes.

This class is designed for bottoms seeking to expand their toolbox, tops who want to better understand the embodied experience of their partners, and switches who move between roles. Expect to leave with practical skills, embodied awareness, and a deeper appreciation of the active role rope bottoms play in creating transformative experiences.

This is an interactive class with discussion, demo, and simple exercises which will be done without rope.