Once it was over, I couldn’t even begin to articulate to the instructors how incredible the 2-hour Getting Started class was for me. I do not exaggerate it, this course left me at a loss for words. Best with a partner, but VERY solo friendly, the starting course is an amazing first introduction and/or refresher to bondage and even kinkdom at large. I wish I had taken this class ages ago — I wish this was my first introduction into the community. The safety-first wisdom shared by the instructors is both vital and life-changing, and it’s coming from real people who make it their priority to ‘get real’ with you!! Seriously, sign up. You’ll be a better for it.

This was my third in-person class with Dan and Renee. I’m more impressed with each class by their attention to detail, methodical approach, and level of skill. They managed to deliver relatively complex potentially challenging content in a way that is effective and entertaining. Our competence has soared and no question we’re taking the next level class. Only advice…be in the door and setting up 10 min before class start time.

Dan and Renee are a great team. A balance of enthusiasm and experience. Dan reflects the excitement of all of us who are jumping into something new and exciting. Renee is a cautious voice telling us to be aware and be educated. The class ramps up exponentially each session and by the end of week 6 my knowledge had expanded greatly.

What a pleasure it was to attend Dan and Renee’s Getting Started course & lab with ATUSD. Despite a lengthy tenure in the “kinkdom” I appreciated the specifics shared during this class, particularly aspects surrounding communication and safety. I left feeling more secure in my exploration with rope, using it as a conduit to deepen intimacy, communication and trust. Thank you!

Very thorough and well considered intro to the rope scene.

Seems like all the critical info was fit into the 2 hour class.

Makes me proud to be a part of a community that really cares.

Dan and Renee are great instructors and more they are great people. Who encouraged safe exploration for newbies and they are clearly experts. But the safety first attitude went a long way to help us explore this fantasy. We went with private session at our hotel which if you can afford it was a GREAT option. Highly recommend. We are already planning next trip to include this experience.

This was an awesome experience. The course is really well done with a very thought out scope and sequence that builds and connects skills. Before you know it you’re doing ties you never imagined you’d be able to do in a beginner course. Dan and Renee are both very knowledgeable and just good teachers. I enjoyed this experience so much we will be back for the next course!

Going in, I expected to learn some interesting ties (which I certainly did). What surprised me was how much more I learned. There is a nice balance between hard and soft skills and learning how to evoke emotional responses with certain ties made them much more enjoyable for myself and my partner.

The class is designed in a way that facilitates learning by starting with fundamentals that can be built upon through subsequent lessons. Using a hybrid of in-person and on-line allows the opportunity to get immediate feedback and then be able to review material multiple times as needed. Dan and Rene were warm and supportive and always got back to us quickly when we asked for feedback between classes.

I’m very glad we took this course and I would highly recommend it to people who are looking for more than just a couple pretty ties.

As a rope newbie I was not sure what to expect from ATU courses. After attending Getting Started and ongoing for 101; I can share that not only I am learning every day and meeting interesting knowledgeable fun people, but also increased the connection with my partner.

I miiiiight have learned more (concrete skills and strategies) in ONE night of the Getting Started class than in 11 years in the BDSM scene in Chicago. It should be a MANDATORY class for anyone venturing into Kinkdom… or even dipping their toe in. The pieces about the culture of Kinkdom and how to navigate it safely and smartly to create the best connections and scenes possible.