Haag & Husalia – Announcing presenters

Haag is a Rotterdam based rigger who hosts weekly jams and various social and educational events at the Ellipsis Rope Studio. He has been teaching rope for several years now and has hosted a large number of international presenters who have influenced his style of tying immensely. Haag is a self-proclaimed rope nerd with a focus on safety, knowledge/experience-based improvisation, high paced tying, dynamic movement, and creativity. He has a very technical approach to rope which is complemented by his dance background, psychology studies and various hobbies that incorporate fine motor skills.

Husalia started her rope journey in Berlin in 2015 and over time she explored the scenes in England and France. She adapts her active rope bottoming to different styles of tying while focusing on the connection to the partner and the journey that one can create with the help of movement and interaction. She is a ballroom and latin dancer for more than 18 years and has an extensive background in gymnastics. With this knowledge she will share her insights with regard to tying in movement, body awareness and balance.

Haag and Husalia focus on teaching techniques and insights that can be incorporated in existing tying styles. We provide content for both the rigger as well as the model and facilitate switching during the workshop for couples who are interested in doing so. All our presented topics will include both theory and active exercises and are suited for all levels.

Workshops

Rhythmic movement and pace

(Workshop level: L1-3)

The pace of tying and movement is heavily influenced by an internal or external rhythm. Regular repetition of sound can improve our fluid movement, give many unconscious cues that help us move with (or against) our partner and encourage movement visualization to further facilitate muscle memory. Very often however, we tie in silence, but through movement we can either convey or distort expectations while tying. Through a series of exercises we can become more aware of this effect and how we can adjust this to fit the scene, focus our attention and quick decision making. Many of our exercises can be done standing or on the floor.

Physiology and Kinesthetics and mechanics

(Workshop level: L1-3)

What we (the presenters) enjoy most in rope is the engagement with our partner through the variety in activity, severity, and intensity of force. This can range from caring (while playing with deep touch pressure, mesmerizing flow of movement and touch), to rough play (characterized by physical impact, disbalance, and sudden changes). By incorporating techniques and theory we want to encourage exploration of this spectrum to further our experiences and connections. We discuss physiological changes that can influence the overall tying experience and how posture, muscle engagement and better awareness of one’s center of balance can make a tying session more active, fun and safe.

Structural asymmetry and improvisation

(Workshop level: L2-3)

This workshop is about an experienced based approach for improvisation and the construction of ties. We will start with general principles of division of tension, reinforcement of structures and efficacy of placement of rope. In other words: what is the basic shape of the tie and what is its supposed function. From there we will discuss and practice adding structures and layers that serve to embellish, further develop the function and the overall experience between the rigger and model. This creates variety and uniqueness in any given session with regard to how the tie is experienced, is used and how it looks.