“I can’t emphasise enough how good of a learning tool I think self-suspension is. Of course you learn tying techniques, but also skills relating to the experience of being in rope. As a person in rope, self-suspension is an invaluable tool: to lab your preferences, to learn to differentiate between warning signs of damage and sensations that are intense, but not harmful.” Shay Tiziano

CW: Mentions self-harm, domestic abuse.

Shay is the author of Tying and Flying: Bondage for Self-suspension, BDSM and sexuality educator, medical professional and host and facilitator of many kink events.

One of our most-asked for interviews, Mya and Fox are also big fans of her online performances and classes, and were thrilled when Shay agreed to come on the podcast.

Though the podcast focuses on self-suspension, as Mya and Fox will attest, there’s plenty of useful ideas for ropes bottoms and tops too

In the episode, discover:

- How Shay got into self-suspending initially

- The role of intention in self-suspending and how it makes a difference to your practice

- Flow, self-suspension and different feeling states it can create

- How Shay works self-tying into partnered play

- The skills self-suspenders might need before going in the air

- How to mitigate the risks of self-suspension, especially some that are less well-known

- What can rope tops and bottoms learn from self-suspending?

- Why she thinks a spotter is critical for self-suspenders, and great practical tips to help spotters

- Circus rope - what is it, and how the BDSM scene needs to embrace it more