Beyond the arm position, the upper body can be tied in a more complex way to serve different purposes. The torso is the heaviest part of the body and the widest surface which creates different opportunities:
A solid structure will allow for additional attachment points
Different aesthetic can be executed
A variety of sensations can be explored.
We have already tried out some of these concepts with chest harnesses and box ties, but it is also interesting to expand these ideas with different arms positions. We’ll often see those ideas with classic ties such as arms in front, bunny, strappado, demon and riffle ties.
Activities
Day 120: Shoulder straps – A common way to solidify a structure is to connect the front and the back of the tie by going over the shoulders. This prevents the tie from slipping down. When a lot of weight is applied on the structure, it is interesting to double up the straps to spread the load on more surface. Going above the shoulder is also an opportunity to get closer to the neck and explore with those sensations.
Day 121: Strong stem – Most structures on the torso will have a stem from the basic structure. To make it a strong attachment points that won’t deform under load, there are several strategies. You can add more rope around it, trap the bight in, or create a structure around it to act like a net. In particular, the hexagonal shape aka kikkō is very popular in Akechi Denki style.
Day 122: Adding a stem – Adding a strong attachment point opens up tying opportunities. This is often done by connecting two wraps. It can combined with the shoulder straps by lashing to the upper wraps but can also be done with a simpler cinch between the two wraps. This concept is reversible, if the initial structure had a stem in the front, then you can build a stem in the back or vice versa for attachment points on both sides.
Day 123: Waist – Including the waist in the structure can serve many purpose. Being the narrowest part of the torso, it is a solid anchor that will prevent sliding up or down. A rope around the waist can serve as a practical attachment point. It is also an important part of breathing, so adding a waistline can be a part of play and intensity. You don’t have to stop at the waist, attaching to the lower body will help prevent movement in the tie, we’ll explore that concept further in Week 19.
Day 124: Mountain Shape – Aka Tasuki Gake, Mount Fuji – This popular shape was originally designed by Akechi Denki. It combines shoulder straps with an X shape in front that creates interesting tension, add support and shapes the front of the chest. This principle can be used anytime you want to connect two paralel shoulder straps.
Day 125: Diamonds – Diagonal lines will make the forces on the body indirect. Diamond structures are popular both for their aesthetic and the way it compresses the body in a gentler way. It also creates a net that can be used as attachment points. Different methods can be used, spirals, Xs, open diamond, moving wraps, etc.
Day 126: Asymmetry – For feelings and for aesthetic, you can make the whole thing uneven on each side, it’s an interesting to create something study when asymmetric. This can start from an asymmetrical position, or mixing things up with asymmetrical rope on a symmetric position..
Chest harness improvised with intention of representing masculine energy. M: AlexK7 R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Feminine Improvisation
A chest harness improvisation with intention to showcase feminine energy. M: goodboots R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Chest Binder
Front - Chest Binder with a front stem and shoulder strap. Inspired by a design by honey_bare M:Billy R/P:Ebi McKnotty
Chest Binder
Back - Chest Binder with a front stem and shoulder strap. Inspired by a design by honey_bare M:Billy R/P:Ebi McKnotty
3-ropes Box Tie
Three ropes box tie with shoulder strap and front twist. M: Era R: Ebi McKnotty P: AlexK7
Kimono Box Tie
Structure with X in front and in the back inspired by the tasuki tie for Kimonos. M: Miss Soffia R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Front Prayer Tie
Wrist tied together in the front with elbow ties and shoulder straps to stabilize the position. M: Era R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Downward Reverse Prayer
Palm together in the back, pointing downward. Using a Kimono tie shape (X) to hold in position. M: Miss Soffia R: Ebi McKnotty
Elbow Out Box Tie
An unusal box position with the hands tied seperately. Using shoulder straps and elbow ties to hold the position. M: Miss Soffia R: Ebi McKnotty
Reverse Prayer Tie
Hands in prayer in the back pointing up, elbows tied and shoulder straps to stabilize the position. M: Miss Soffia R: Ebi McKnotty
Strappado
Horizontal wraps and shoulder straps to tie the arms parallel in the back M: Miss Soffia R: Ebi McKnotty
Bending Elbows
Tie the forearms together in the back and pulled them upward with shoulder straps. M: Nathaniel Flumen R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Wrists to the Side
Front - Wrists together and tied to the side of the waist. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Wrists to the Side
Back - Wrists together and tied to the side of the waist. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Wrists to the Side
Front - Wrists pulled to the side, with the front open with a diamond tie. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Wrists to the Side
Back - Wrists pulled to the side, with the front open with a diamond tie. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Demon Tie
Wrists and elbows connected to the back. Inspiration by Lizard. M: Nathaniel Flumen R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Chest Box Tie
A modification of the classic Box Tie where the wraps are on the chest. The bight is trapped in the friction to build a strong stem. M: AlexK7 R: Ebi McKnotty
Structural Bunny Tie
Front. Add a bunny tie and hojo cuff to an existing chest harness with Naka Panty. The chest harness has shoulder straps and square lashing to create an additional strong stem. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Structural Bunny Tie
Back. Add a bunny tie and hojo cuff to an existing chest harness with hexagon (kikkou) Naka Panty. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Structural Bunny Tie
Back. Wrists crossing, chest harness with hexagon (kikkou) and hojo cuffs. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
3-Ropes Box Tie
Back of a box Tie with shoulder straps and hexagon (Kikko) to created a solid structure. M: Miss Soffia R/P: Ebi McKnotty
3-Ropes Box Tie
Back of a box tie with shoulder straps and hexagon (Kikkou). M: Era R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Front Cinch Box Tie
Adding a stem in front of a regular two rope box tie. M: AlexK7 R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Front Cinch Box Tie
Adding a stem in front of a regular two rope box tie. M: Miss Soffia R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Mount Fuji Box Tie
A mountain shape structure as 3rd rope of the box tie. This design is inspired by Kazami Ranki with the crossing hitch in front tied to fix the top wrap. M: AlexK7 R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Box Tie over Hojo tie
Front - A 3 ropes box tie tied on top of an Hayanawa hojojutsu tie. M: Miss Soffia R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Box Tie over Hojo tie
Back - A 3 ropes box tie tied on top of an Hayanawa hojojutsu tie. M: Miss Soffia R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Experimental Box Tie
Improvised box tie trying to design a different structure. Used a mountain shape to lock the structure in place. M: Miss Soffia R: Ebi McKnotty
3-Ropes Box Tie
Naka style 3 ropes box tie with 3rd rope starting at the waist. M: -BOP- R: Mynx P: Ebi McKnotty
Wrists to the Side of Waist
Front - Wrists pulled downward to the side of the Waist. Used leftover rope to bind the upper arms to the chest. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Wrists to the Side of Waist
Back - Wrists pulled downward to the side of the Waist. Used leftover rope to bind the upper arms to the chest. M: Hanna R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Diamond Chest Harness
Open diamond chest harness. M: AlexK7 R/P: Ebi McKnotty
X Diamond Chest Harness
A chest harness created with consecutive X shapes. M: Era R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Spiral Diamond Chest Harness
A chest harness created with two spirals in opposite direction. M: Miss Soffia R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Wrists to Belly
Square lashing on wrists, then attached to the body with a diamond pattern. M: Wynter Fitzgerald R/P: Ebi McKnotty
3-Ropes Box Tie
A diamond pattern added as 3rd rope of a box tie. M: AlexK7 R/P: Ebi McKnotty
Open diamond Box Tie
Step 4 - Open Diamond Box Tie structure. M: FreakyFerret R/P: Ebi McKnotty