I have recently decided to reformat my classes to accommodate the widely varying skill levels that now abound. The classes will now be short modules in specific subjects rather than general classes. I feel this will allow students the flexibility to ‘mix & match’ based on their individual needs and preferences. To facilitate this, classes will be graded according to the required skill level:
All = All levels
B = Beginners, i.e. no or minimal experience
I = Intermediate, i.e. some experience of authentic shibari techniques
A = Advanced, i.e. some experience of authentic shibari suspension techniques
E = Expert, i.e. extensive experience of authentic shibari suspension techniques
P = Performer, i.e. Experts wishing to learn performance techniques
Some of the subjects planned will include:
• Tying people, not parcels (All)
The use of rope for domination and communication.
• Bondage safety and nerve injury (All)
Essential information for all levels with special attention to avoiding nerve injury.
• Protocol and bondage (All)
Combining rope and D/s protocol for domination and control.
• Elementary bondage (B)
What is says on the label! Many ways to use 1 and 2-column ties.
• Bondage for sex and play(B)
Tying for ‘Access All Areas’ for bedroom fun and games.
• Lacing legs & arms (B)
Attractive and restrictive ties to fix limbs to each other or to furniture, poles etc.
• Pole bondage (B)
How to use poles, e.g. bamboo spreader bar, to enforce positions.
• Hip harness (I)
A versatile tie that can also be used as the basis for comfortable suspensions.
• Takate-kote (Kazami ryu) (I)
Kazami Ranki’s box tie.
• Takate-kote (Esinem ryu) (I)
My box tie, inspired by Yukimura and others.
• Takate-kote (Osada ryu) (I)
Osada Steve’s box tie.
• Hishi takate-kote (Kazami ryu) (I)
Kazami Ranki’s diamond pattern box-tie.
• Hishi shibari (Kazami ryu) (I)
Kazami Ranki’s diamond pattern lower body tie.
• Floor-based suspension (I)
A stepping stone into suspensions where the model’s weight is mainly on the ground.
• Suspension basics and rope control (A)
An introduction to suspension: How to safely place and manage the ropes and load.
• Yoko tsuri (Osada ryu) (A)
The classic sideways suspension
• Futo momo (Osada ryu) (E)
A spectacular and intense bent leg suspension using Osada’s clean and simple method.
• Futo momo (Esinem ryu, bent leg suspension) (E)
A spectacular and intense bent leg suspension using less structured methods.
• Performance technique (P)
How to create a performance not just a demonstration. Tips from hundreds of shows.
Booking
All classes will be 2.5hrs unless otherwise stated. The fee will be £30 per rigger with partner/model but blocks of 10 classes can be bought at a discounted rate representing a 25% saving.
IMPORTANT BOOKING CONDITIONS
Classes marked All (All levels) or B (Beginners) are open to all over the age of 18 regardless of experience and provide the foundations that are essential for solid, safe technique and good rope handling. However, I teach communication and domination with rope right from the beginning as if this cannot be achieved with a single rope, adding more will not enhance the effect. I firmly believe one should start to tie as one means to go on.
Attendance at all other levels of classes, i.e. other than those marked All (All levels) or B (Beginners), is only open to those who have been pre-approved. Pre-approval will be by prior personal contact, either by using the Contact Form or in person at a beginners class or other event. This precaution is for safety and to avoid others being held back by students who do not have the correct basic skills.
By ‘authentic shibari techniques’, I mean those used by the masters in Japan and not ‘Japanese style’ or fusion as is frequently taught in books on the subject. Unless you have had first hand tuition from a Japanese master, or from a competent student, you are unlikely to be aware of the important nuances of their methods or aesthetics. Be cautious about over-estimating your skills, as I constantly find serious errors in reproductions of ties, such as the ubiquitous takate-kote, even when people have had classes with experts. It is all too easy to produce something that looks like an aeroplane but doesn’t fly like one! In spite of being able to do this tie blindfold, I spent a very productive couple of hours with Osada Steve recently studying it in detail. Do not underestimate its complexities. Like many things, it takes a short time to learn but a lifetime to master.