Falling Into Form

Foundations of Fluid Transitions

“Falling Into Form: Foundations of Fluid Transitions” is the first in a series of workshops exploring Gestalta’s style of tying through the lens of transitions—not just as movement between shapes, but as a core expressive element in rope itself.

Transitioning—moving a tied body fluidly from one shape to another—has always been central to my personal style of rope. There’s a common misconception that transitions are purely performative, a kind of “circus rope” reserved for stage work. And while I do use them extensively in performance, transitions are equally at the heart of how I tie in play. They offer a way of creating narrative within a scene—shaping experience through movement—not just for visual effect, but to build emotional depth and physical connection.

We’ll explore how this approach to tying shifts the headspace of both model and rigger—how movement brings a different quality to pain and acceptance, a different rhythm, and a different way of being present together.

I also believe that the skills I developed in order to perform transitions—fluid handling, efficient technique, quick decision-making, body awareness, and attunement to my partner—have made me a stronger rigger across all styles of rope, including those grounded in stillness and suffering, such as semenawa. These abilities don’t just serve dynamic movement; they refine every aspect of rope.

In this first workshop, we’ll focus on simple transitions as a way to explore the foundational skills needed to perform them well. I’ll share the methods I developed as a self-taught rigger and refined through choreographing performances. This material will act as a springboard for more complex sequences in later workshops in the series.