What is Body Suspension University?
Body Suspension University is a place where anyone interested in body suspension can received an education in all aspects of the practice. For decades the few with knowledge in this practice have largely kept methods a secret, requiring indefinite subservient apprenticeships for those they decide are worthy. Body Suspension University is the end of suppression of knowledge. It is the declaration that knowledge is the answer, and not the problem.
Course availability
Body Suspension 101: Modern Application of Ancient Rituals - Starting soon!
A carefully constructed curriculum has been developed to standardize the process of doing suspensions and serve as a foundation for facilitating all suspensions that is deliberately simple, and requires as little equipment as possible. By reducing the complexity of the process students are able to rapidly master the techniques. With less variability between suspensions, the process doesn't change, reducing the chance of mistakes.
This course is heavily technique oriented with an emphasis on safety protocols. There will be discussion of ethical and legal considerations of doing suspension for profit, be it a service fee, or as a performer. There will also be discussion of the modern to ancient history of suspension.
The Founder
Lukas Larson began studying body art and suspension 23 years ago. During this time I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world learning from some of the greatest minds in the field.
He has personally suspended around 100 times and in most every conceivable way. He's helped hundreds of other people suspend, and was responsible for facilitating the longest suspension in history at 24 hours.
Since 2008 he has been designing and manufacturing the tools used for suspension and has shipped thousands of hooks and suspension rigs to practitioners in over 40 countries.
In 2015 he crowdfunded the film “The People Who Suspend,” and traveled through 11 countries suspending with some of the most amazing practitioners in the world. The film premiered at festivals in New York City, San Francisco, and Tokyo, among others, and is currently distributed through Random Media for worldwide distribution on streaming platforms everywhere. It is also available on DVD, through the website https://www.ThePeopleWhoSuspend.com
The Campus
When I began organizing this educational program and working out the logistics, I intended on doing a workshop that would be in person five days with two days of suspensions at the end. However the challenge of fitting so much information into such a short period of time could lead to retention issues, and the cost of doing a workshop like that was high. Between airfare, location rental, and hotels, the workshop would quickly become unaffordable for many people, and those that could afford it might not be able to take a week off of from work, school, or family responsibilities.
Then the pandemic hit, and the idea of an in-person workshop became completely unrealistic. The pandemic taught us that more education is possible online than ever imagined, but sometimes the education quality isn’t quite as good. Thankfully, I’m pretty good with a camera, and I believe I can turn a live-streamed, interactive lecture into an experience on par or even superior to some in person learning.
Although the restrictions have been lifted in many places, I now feel that this is a much more practical approach, that is much more affordable and accessible. So from the comfort of our own homes, we can learn everything about suspension, and meet up for the part where we actually suspend. The risk is practically zero before skin is pierced and feet leave the ground. So with after thorough preparation and with careful supervision at the graduation retreat, we will ensure no injuries occur and everyone has a transformative experience while gaining confidence in their skills.
What makes this system unique
There is no one perfect system. In the beginning suspension was performed using sharpened bones, and without any kind of sterilization. Somehow people survived to tell the tale. That being said, techniques and processes evolve over time and we must never stop expanding our understanding of this practice.
I've been involved in over a thousand suspensions, and learned from some of the most experienced practitioners. Many of whom have systems that work perfectly in a studio setting, but wouldn't work at all at the top of a mountain. On the other hand, I've also seen an unnecessary number of compromises made to perform a suspension at the top of that mountain. We can always do better.
I've spent the past seven years documenting my process and using video of all types of suspensions to find a universal system that works for facilitating all suspensions. Everyone has different aspirations in suspension and those aspirations will require different equipment and techniques. This is the foundation that students can build upon, without needing to replace any part of it.
This system is deliberately simple, and does not change with different types of suspension or the environment where the suspension takes place. There is an emphasis on using an almost completely disposable setup, therefor reducing the chance of contamination.
Class Schedule
The class schedule is still tentative, but the plan is to meet once a week for interactive virtual classes lasting three hours. Homework will be assigned each week, so you should expect to spend additional 3 hours a week preparing for the following class.
There are three one-on-one sessions with your professor.
An orientation meeting to establish equipment needs, and work out any logistical or technical issues.
A midterm meeting to evaluate progress and ensure all educational needs are being met.
A one-on-one virtual final where students will facilitate a mock suspension while answering questions in an oral exam.
The graduation will be for a long Friday-Sunday retreat in Las Vegas, NV, USA. This is planned for outdoors, but the actual location is still to be established. In future classes I hope to hold graduation retreats all over the world to accommodate international attendees.
Learning Objectives
Students will gain an understanding of the importance of suspension as a practice and the responsibility we have as guides.
Students will be able to demonstrate the setup and application of a basic mechanical advantage system for use in body suspension.
Students will develop confidence and coordination when inserting (throwing) hooks.
Students will be able to demonstrate setup of supplies and tools needed for skin preparation and piercing.
Students will develop a thorough understanding of safety protocols as they apply to rigging a suspension and aftercare wound treatment.
Students will leave the final graduation retreat as part of a new community of alumni, ready to share the joy and transformation that suspension brings to the rest of the world.
Students will learn the history of suspension, from ancient to modern, and its rapid adoption in recent decades.
Tuition and fees
Tuition: $800 USD
Tuition fees includes:
8 weekly interactive virtual classes, 3 one-on-one meetings with the instructor, as well as all the social gatherings in between classes.
All supplies for the final exam at the graduation retreat.
A signed DVD of "The People Who Suspend."
Supplies: $100 + shipping
Supplies for course:
A small quantity of all disposable supplies needed for skin prep, and post suspension aftercare products.
Rig line and splicing tools.
Synthetic skin material to develop hook throwing coordination.
Equipment: $150-850
Required for class:
A basic mechanical advantage system including pulleys, rope, carabiners, and shackles. (This will be covered in the orientation and I will help you pick out your gear if you don't already have it.)
Suspension hooks and Rig: You must have at least one simple suspension rig for learning rig line management, and at least one suspension hook to practice with. Options are available for purchase.
Graduation: $__
The graduation is planned for Las Vegas over a 3 day weekend. All supplies for suspensions are included as well as food and snacks for breakfast and lunch.
You'll need to arrange camping, or lodging (depending on final plans)
We are in Las Vegas, so if you are interested in doing more that suspending, plan accordingly. Some low cost group activities will be planned for the evenings.
Certifications
As much as I think it would be great, there is no realistic chance of this ever being an accredited university that can give out degrees, but you will receive a number of benefits:
You will be listed as an alumnus on the BSU website directory where people in your area searching for a guide can find you.
You'll receive a full supplier list for all the tools and supplies used in this course.
You will receive lifelong access to the ever growing database of tutorials and demonstration videos.
You will have the opportunity to attend the annual alumni suscon that will be held in different cities and exotic locations every year.
You'll receive early access to all new suspension products and special discounts.
The completion of this program is not the conclusion of your training, but rather the beginning. You will have the foundational skills to begin adding to the system as needed to suit your application. It is critical to continue your education. Only through working with other practitioners can we find the flaws in our technique, as well as share our individual innovations to the process.
Professional photography will be taken at the graduation retreat.
Future classes
Body Suspension 102: Permanent rig point construction
A condensed seminar on building a permanent installation in a studio setting, and adapting to low overhead clearance situations.
Body Suspension 201: Advanced body suspension rigging
Prerequisite - Body Suspension 101
This course is dedicated to learning advanced techniques such as:
Setting a rig point between two anchor points - required for many suspensions over water.
Tandem (2 person) suspensions - whether connected to each other, or just in close proximity, the complexity of these suspensions increases greatly and cross contamination becomes much more difficult to prevent.
Transitional suspensions - Shifting from one set of hooks to another on the same person without coming back to the ground.
Body Suspension 202: Long duration suspensions
Recommended prerequisite - Body Suspension 101
I led the team responsible for what is currently the longest suspension in documented history at 24 hours. This took many attempts to achieve. Many challenges and risks are present past the one hour mark. By the time people (the few who have) reach 6-7 hours the experience is unbearable and they have to come down. Only one person, Nick James, has ever been able to push past this, and he will be my assistant in this course.
Body Suspension 203: Expedition suspensions
Prerequisite - Body Suspension 101
Course overview:
For the adventurers out there. This is my personal favorite type of suspension, albeit the highest risk. Students will learn:
The risks involved when suspending in a place where no one can immediately help you if things go wrong.
First aid and wilderness safety
Building an ultralight rigging system, and a waterproof suspension kit.
Increasing efficiency of process, reducing waste, and decreasing overall weight.
Students will complete an online element of this course prior to a 3 day 2 night backpacking trip to the summit of a mountain where everyone will suspend. Everyone will receive professional photography to document the experience of a lifetime.
LOCATION: Aside from the online portion of the course, we will be backpacking in none other than Yosemite National Park in Northern California. If you have never been, I assure you that hooks or no hooks, Yosemite will change you. It's like no other place on this earth.
WARNING: This class is for people who are conditioned enough to hike in the forest for up to 10 miles and thousands of feet in elevation. Hiking experience and ultralight camping gear is required.
Body Suspension 204: Aesthetic and performative suspensions
Prerequisite - Body Suspension 101, Body Suspension 102 is highly recommended
Course overview:
In this course we discuss suspensions that have an emphasis on art.
There are many new variables present when the focus shifts away from the actual experience of the person suspending to the person viewing the suspension. More details to come, as well as a list of several expert guest speakers.