BME: Body Modification Ezine

A tattooed person suspends from hooks, laying flat, one leg higher than the other. Their head is back, and they seem to be smiling, dark hair dangling like an anime character.

Celebrating body modification culture since 1994.

Tag: Suspension

  • Twelve Points to the Sky

    Written by

    Jonathon

    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex stepped into a space rich with the support and energy. The Superman suspension wasn’t just about the pose—it was about trusting the space, the practitioners, and their own strength. What unfolded was more than just flight. What was raised was more than just a Superman.

    Let it be known—Alex proudly claims the title of our very first BME Boy to grace the banner of BME News. A well-earned moment in the spotlight.

    This was also my first superman! I chose a superman for a couple reasons. The first reason is honestly that I wanted to feel like superman (lol). I wanted to soar through the air and really feel like I was flying. The other reason is in this space, surrounded by people doing some of the most beautiful suspensions I have ever seen, I wanted to push myself. I had only ever done two point upper backs before this, so the jump from 2 points to 12 points was huge. I knew that if I wanted to do something big, this was absolutely the space to do it, because at home we really didn’t have all the tools we needed yet. Being in the space made me all the more sure I was making the right call. The room was so full of love and support, people giving and receiving others’ energy as if they were doing something as simple and automatic as breathing. This was absolutely the space to push myself. 

    The suspension absolutely gave me what I needed in that moment. I had a lot of nervous energy build up over whether or not I was doing the right thing, or in the right place, all of the new facilitator anxieties were very real. With that suspension, I got to let all of that go and just be in my own body, and out of that anxiety. My brain got to stop running at a thousand miles a minute, and I got to just be Alex, and exist in that moment, surrounded by people sending their love.

    –Alex

    No comments on Twelve Points to the Sky

  • Ontario SusCon 2025

    Written by

    Jonathon

    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but not quite vintage) stickers and shirts. This is the first, of hopefully many to come, such attendances for BME. If you’re planning an event in the future please let us know!

    BME's booth at the Ontario Suspension Convension

    The venue was impressively organized with dedicated prep areas and massaged tables, meticulously stocked medical supplies, sharp containers, and probably every kind of bandage and antiseptic imaginable. Above us, eight suspension stations hung securely from the ceiling, including one robust enough for a swinging beam supporting two adults behaving like giddy children.

    The mornings started quiet, filled with briefings, presentations, and workshops outlining the day’s events. It felt worlds away from the casual backyard barbecue suspensions we experienced in the early 2000s This was refined, structured, and professional, yet no less powerful.

    Once briefings ended, facilitators and practitioners sprang into action—rigging ropes, prepping suspendees—and soon the day became a whirlwind of simultaneous suspensions across multiple rooms. I had to move around constantly, trying to be fully present, capturing people moving through cycles of pain, contentment, ecstasy, and release. It was intense, humbling, and deeply moving. I only hope the photographs do justice to the extraordinary experiences I witnessed.

    Faces around the venue were mostly new, but I did encounter a few familiar smiles—older now, of course, just like mine. It was comforting to see those familiar faces, especially remembering those we’ve lost along the way.

    Stay tuned for more OSC content, this was only a tease. We have plenty more photos to share and stories to tell! We are planning to attend more local events and would love to come see you so please let us know what upcoming events you are planning.

    Finally, if you attended OSC 2025 and haven’t been in contact with us or received your photos from the event please reach out to me directly (jonathon at bme dot com).

    Thank you. See you again soon.

    —Jonathon

    No comments on Ontario SusCon 2025

  • Helicopter Suspension

    Written by

    Jen Savage

    Steve Truitt recently did a suspension from a helicopter.  You can check out an article about it here. That link includes some video footage.  Unfortunately it’s the only video footage I could find.

  • Merry Christmas

    Written by

    Jen Savage

    It’s Throwback Thursday, so here’s a photo from 2011, submitted by aesthetic.

    bme

    Merry Christmas from BME! Enjoy your holidays, be safe and we’ll see you in 2016!

  • How nice – to feel nothing, and still get full credit for being alive.

    Written by

    Jen Savage

    T. Angel submitted this still photo from the documentary “Making of Coma”.

    bme1

    See more in Suspensions Gallery.

    Check out the video below!

  • The King of All Navels?

    Written by

    Coyote Black

    My friend Steve has probably the most impressive navel I’ve personally seen. With his permission I’ll share the glory with all of you.

    Steve1done

    Steve2done

    31mm of pure glory.

    A navel this size also has its uses, especially during suspensions.

    Steve3doneIf you were wondering what this looks like with no jewelry in, have a look.

    Steve4done

  • The King of All Navels?

    Written by

    Coyote Black

    My friend Steve has probably the most impressive navel I’ve personally seen. With his permission I’ll share the glory with all of you.

    Steve1done

    Steve2done

    31mm of pure glory.

    A navel this size also has its uses, especially during suspensions.

    Steve3doneIf you were wondering what this looks like with no jewelry in, have a look.

    Steve4done

  • Modified Music Monday!

    Written by

    Coyote Black

    Ran across Only Flesh the other day. They are a band local to me (Pittsburgh,PA) that really puts body modification at the forefront. The video features a ton of suspension/ pull stuff and the singer is heavily modified. Its nice to see bands going the distance to put on an unforgettable show and a unique aesthetic.

    From the lead singer Revina Lower
    “Only Flesh the sleazy rock n roll band with a nasty habit of hanging from hooks is back with a brand new video fr “crucivixen” off of their last release “…from the gutter to the grave” on Rotten Records. directed by Screaming Butterfly it contains all the thing youve come to expect from the glam trash hellions.. babes, blood, and… well what else is there? catch their disease at www.facebook.com/onlyflesh“

    Check it out!

  • Vampyra Suspension

    Written by

    Jen Savage

    3 point Vampyra suspension at the 2013 Vampire Ball submitted by toddy.

    Credit: Rev Butcher, Circus Carnis, Western Australia

    Credit: Rev Butcher, Circus Carnis, Western Australia

  • Dallas SusCon 2013 – Stelarc performance LIVE

    Written by

    Jen Savage

    Tonight at 10:30 CST log on to http://bodysuspension.org/ to view a live suspension performance by Stelarc!

    TOKYO – 11 MAY 1980. PHOTO: KENJI NOZAWA

    Stelarc has been featured on ModBlog before, most notably in the 2004 video interview he did with Shannon.

    Don’t miss out on a chance to watch this event!  As mentioned above it will begin streaming LIVE on bodysuspension.org starting at 10:30 CST (11:30 EST).

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News