Japanese Rope Bondage: Tying people, not parcels: Part I

What you will learn here

This course is the first part of a comprehensive set of tutorials in Japanese bondage (aka shibari) techniques based on my best-selling 2-DVD set, 'Japanese Rope Bondage: Tying people, not parcels' Not only will it guide you every step of the way in learning to tie but it also reveals how to take this art beyond 'just tying' into the passionate 'dance' with rope that is the essence of shibari. You will gain a whole new perspective as you discover the language of rope and its power as a tool of erotic communication. This approach will change the way you tie, regardless of whether you are a beginner or already know the ropes.

Who is this for?

Anyone with an interest in bondage, whether it be merely for restraint games, intense connection or artistic purposes. Japanese style bondage (aka shibari or kinbaku) might seem complex, but it is easily learned using my methods. Whilst there are some theoretical topics, the bondage classes are very much hands-on. I have developed a methodology for teaching bondage to simplify and accelerate the learning process, whilst encouraging your own style and creativity.

Many people think learning shibari requires an extensive knowledge of knots. There is much more to it than simply a means of restraint, it has the power to create a very intense form of communication. It is as much about what you do as how you do it. This is not something that cannot easily be learned through books or the internet. In this course, I explain the nuances, distilled from well over a thousand of sessions, that turn it into a passionate 'dance with rope'.

It's not really about knots

In fact, there a only a few basic knots used in Japanese bondage. Once a few simple standard techniques have been mastered, these can quickly be used to build up more complex ties, the only limit being your imagination. I am constantly amazed how quickly students produce very professional looking work. You will learn not only how to create a beautiful result, but, most importantly, also how to maximize the erotic potential.

However, bondage is like many things, if you don't know what you are doing people can get hurt. There is a lot of knowledge about that suffers from 'Chinese Whispers' type inaccuracies and consequently many people are learning ties that suffer from fatal flaws. It is very important to know how to tie correctly, safely and how to avoid accidents. This is a subject I take very seriously and cove comprehensively.

What makes this course unique?

This 2-part series is probably the most comprehensive and extensive resource available on-line. As my teaching has been a major force in spreading awareness of a more connective and tactile style, the focus on this sets it apart from any other tutorials which tend to concentrate on the purely technical aspects. This is what transforms it from 'just tying' into something far more powerful.

In addition, I have had the benefit of direct tuition from some of Japan's most acclaimed masters: Yukimura Haruki, Osada Steve, Kinoko Hajime, Naka Akira, Kazami Ranki and Arisue Go, which means you can be guaranteed of the best techniques and backed by sound knowledge. As one of the early adopters of this art, in the west, I can offer extensive practical experience from tying, teaching and performing worldwide for over 15 years.

What will you gain from this course?

You will learn step by step how to use the key 'ingredients' of shibari through a series ties in a way that will allow you to adapt your own 'recipes'. 'Painting by numbers' is not very sexy so this sort of creativity is essential. Whether you are a beginner or already have some experience, you will discover how to tie efficiently and with flow using tips gained from my own extensive practice and from my formal training.

The most important thing you will gain is the ability to make to rope a tool of communication to convey sensuality, eroticism and dominance, not merely a means of restraint before the 'main event'. Western bondage has not really concentrated on connection, whereas it is central to shibari in Japan. Few westerners who have not had direct tuition by Japanese teachers are aware of this, although they might be familiar with the patterns of the ties. It is not what you do but all about how you do it. This is the 'secret' of shibari that you will gain.