Shibari 103: TK & Floor Ties

The gote shibari / takatekote shibari (TK / Box Tie) is the most iconic tie of Japanese-style rope bondage. It's beautiful, highly versatile, and can invoke intense headspace...and it's great for floor ties.

In this 3-hour workshop, we'll learn & practice a solid gote shibari/TK form, and then explore several classic floor positions with it.  We'll cover:

• anatomy considerations and nerve safety
• modifications & adaptations for different bodies
• precise rope positioning
• proper rope tension
• different types of frictions

We'll also discuss consent & negotiation associated with shibari, and learn tips & tricks for tying fluidly.

Prerequisites:

People Tying should be comfortable with fundamental knots, frictions, and harnesses: for example, single column ties, chest harnesses etc. You should be able to tie these in a timely and accurate fashion.You should feel comfortable communicating with your tying partner.

People Being Tied should be comfortable having their arms tied behind their back for an extended period of time, have good body awareness, and be familiar with signs of nerve impingement. You should feel comfortable communicating with your tying partner.

This workshop is appropriate for all genders, sexual orientations, and body types.

Please bring:

• (6) 26'-30' lengths of soft rope, about 6mm/1/4" in diameter
• (2) 13'-15' lengths of soft rope, about 6mm/1/4" in diameter

Need Rope? We have quality jute rope available for sale that can be delivered to you at the start of the workshop. Please contact us for details.

This workshop is limited to 8 tying pairs.

No refunds or credit will be issued within 7 days of the event.

About the Educators:

International rope artist Jonathan Ryan (Seattle Shibari) performs on stage, ties for photoshoots, and teaches the art of Shibari worldwide. He has taught & performed for sold-out audiences in 13 countries and 23 cities, including Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Barcelona, London, Shanghai, Los Angeles, & many more. 

He has been deeply involved in Japanese cultural arts for more than 40 years, and holds a high-level teaching license awarded to him by Kinoko Hajime of Tokyo, Japan. Jonathan’s personal style of rope combines his knowledge of body movement principles, psychology, and rope art to create his distinctive style of tying. His website is SeattleShibari.com.

Sappho is an unabashed lover of rope who brings expertise in Latin dance forms and a spirit of sensual inquiry to her kinbaku. She and Jonathan have taught & performed together in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. 

Sappho combines a methodical analysis of physical movement with a deep professional knowledge of neuro-anatomy in her approach to rope bottoming, and loves to share this knowledge with others. Together with Jonathan, she directs activities at the Portland Shibari Salon

For Jonathan & Sappho, rope is more than a beautiful & sensual art form; it is the invisible connection between two people made visible.