This is one of those areas where I am proud to know both magicians and consider them valued friends. I also have both effects. It is hardly a case of one better than another but a case of transition within the show.

Both are real contributions to rope magic that belong in any working magician's tool box.

Thanks to both of you for giving us more options for entertaining audiences.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Bottom line, I didn't start this comparison. However, as far as awakening. The moves are clever but for me, its already been covered in my lecture as well. I did the similar effect in Daytona last year (just to add some additional PN moves to my other PN moves.
Any, variation to the PN will thrill a magic club. My "dances" has similar arm moves, that is laying of the ropes by the center over the arm. THAT is the only similarity other than it is in the context of doing several PN effects. Dances, has 4 distinct PN original moves as the patter discusses other magicians who do it.
Now, I built "dances with ropes" around the linking ropes. Then, I give an ungimmicked version of the same effect. The term "awakening" is a clever play against the "nightmare". I had several names for parts of my effect such as "Dream" (as one aspect was a dream).

Yes. I used to perform The Awakening. It offers a different take on the PN. However, I have a few other routines I am currently doing in my shows. I have to agree with a few comments that it does expose the method of PN in the demonstration part. It has bothered me. So I no longer perform this. I do like it though.