Seattle Shibari Presents Shibari Suspension: Fundamental Forms
A One-Day intensive with Jonathan & Sappho

Join Jonathan and Sappho of Seattle Shibari for an immersive, one-day intensive focused on the art and technique of suspension.

In this workshop, we will study and practice three beautiful foundational suspension forms: Hikyaku ('Running Man'), M-Suspension ('Chair Suspension'), and Aomuke ('Face up'). While stunning on their own, these forms are also great for fluid transitions in suspension.

What We’ll Cover

• Core Suspension Forms: Comprehensive instruction on Hikyaku, M-Suspension, and Aomuke.

• Harnesses & Foundations: A review of basic top-line techniques, alternative harnesses to the TK, and hip harnesses specifically for suspension.

• Anatomy & Safety: Essential safety protocols, risk management, and anatomical considerations for suspension.

.

Workshop Details & Logistics

• This workshop is welcoming and appropriate for all genders and sexual orientations.

• To ensure personalized, one-on-one attention for every participant, registration is strictly limited to 8 tying pairs.

•  Due to the highly technical and detailed nature of the material, one person per pair will focus exclusively on tying.

•  For safety and to prevent disruption, no late entry is permitted. Doors will be locked exactly 10 minutes after the start time.

Technical Prerequisites

To ensure a safe and successful learning environment, participants must meet the following skill requirements:

For the Person Tying

• Core Harnesses: You must be able to tie a structurally solid 2-rope gote shibari (TK/box tie) OR a hands-free chest harness accurately and efficiently (in 8 minutes or less).

• Foundational Skills: Proficiency with basic rope bondage techniques is required, including reliable, non-collapsing single-column ties, basic frictions, and standard lock-offs.

• Suspension Experience: You should be competent in basic partial suspension line locking and management techniques, with prior experience executing partial suspensions.

• Safety & Communication: You must have a clear understanding of potential nerve compression issues associated with rope bondage and feel confident maintaining active, ongoing communication with your partner throughout a tie.

For the Person Being Tied 

People Being Tied should be comfortable being tied, have prior experience with partial or full suspension, and be competent in monitoring themselves for nerve/circulation issues & communicating same to their partner.

Please bring:

• (8-10) 26' - 30' ropes, 6mm in diameter. Jute or hemp is recommended.
•  (2-4) 12' - 15' ropes, 6mm in diameter. Jute or hemp is recommended.
• (1) 26'-30' length of 5-6mm length of load-rated rope. We recommend Hempex, POSH, or Regatta Braid. 
•  (4) Pear-shaped or oval climbing carabiners. Your carabiners MUST be rated for climbing.
• -A Blanket

Please contact us if you need recommendations on where to purchase!
We have 8-meter lengths of 6mm Hempex available for pre-order, which makes excellent toplines and has a tensile strength of 1,142 pounds. —please contact us to pre-order

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 15 countries and 24 cities, including Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Barcelona, London, Shanghai, Los Angeles, & many more. As an educator, he draws on 20 years of professional work in education, specializing in curriculum design and differentiating instruction for diverse learning styles.

Jonathan has been deeply involved in Japanese cultural arts for more than 40 years, and holds a high-level shibari instructor license awarded by his teacher Hajime Kinoko 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. 

A doctor specializing in neuro-anatomy, Sappho expertly combines her professional knowledge of the body with a dancer's awareness of physical movement. She is passionate about sharing 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.

__________________________________________________________________

Please note that that this is small curated event, and therefore no refunds or credit will be issued within 14 days of the event