Level II: Shibari suspension techniques
Suspension techniques: Parts IV,V & VI bundled at a discounted price
This course bundle includes next three parts of the shibari Suspension Techniques series and is the logical progression from Level I: Shibari suspension techniques. If you haven't already studied the contents of Level I, we urge you to do so as you could miss very important information. We have also included Nina's hip-harness tutorial, which provides other options for this element, and the Old-style gote. The upper wrap and anchoring techniques are sufficiently similar to be used as a variation or the entire gote could be used to provide another option. Our aim is to make you see ties as a way of achieving engineering criteria with many ways to achieve the same goal, rather than a set formula that you repeat without any creativity or flexibility. Your tying becomes bespoke to your partner, not merely 'off the peg'.
This is not intended to be an 'everything you need to know about' suspension since this subject deserves proper attention. However, assuming you have some solid basic skills, these classes will help you begin suspension safely and create a solid skill set upon which you can build . As with all our tutorials, they go into a lot of depth so you understand the ingredients that you are using and how they behave. This means you will be able to spot and correct your own mistakes but, most importantly, tie with confidence, creativity and feeling.
In these tutorials, we will show the iconic M-shaped and yoko zuri (side) suspensions and introduce full 360 degree transitions using a hip-harness based suspension. We also explore how you can safely and creatively begin to vary the 'ingredients'. In the process you'll pick up a lot of tips gained from years of experience and some of the best teaching available. It's amazing how some minor changes in the way you work, which might take you years to figure out yourself, can yield massive results.
Russ performing the 360 degree suspension at Coven
Whilst what you will learn here can greatly accelerate your progress, please do not use this as a short cut and exclude the basics. You need underlying competence. If you are not already doing fairly complex ties and have some experience, go back to practice and study so more. Make sure you have absorbed the information on nerve injury and common mistakes. Tying Techniques is a great help, even if you already know some rope, since it teaches some very useful handling techniques and lays essential foundations
Your Instructor
Esinem is a shibari artist who has regularly appeared at UK and international events such as Pride, Torture Garden, Erotica, Rubber Ball, Wasteland, Boundcon, Nuit Demonia and recently represented the UK at Japan's first international kinbaku event, Toubaku. He is also known for his teaching both in the UK and internationally and was co-organiser of the London Festival of the Art of Japanese Bondage and BOUND, Europe's premier monthly shibari event.
Over the last few years, he has been improving his skills in Japan with the help some of their best known and respected kinbakushi, Arisue Go, Osada Steve, Kinoko Hajime, Kazami Ranki and, grand master of newaza, Yukimura Haruki. Whilst drawing from classical methods, his style is distinctive and epitomizes the art of communicating with rope, often departing from the typical serenity of shibari shows and flying in the face of tradition to produce some striking and unusual performances.
In addition, he has worked on various videos, e.g. Primal Scream's 2013, artistic collaborations and photo shoots both on and off camera. He has been involved in projects providing inspiration for Tom Ford's 2013 collection and, Raqib Shaw, an acclaimed artist who has exhibited at the Tate, Metropolitan and White Cube galleries.
He contributed to Rope, Bondage & Power, edited by Lee Harrington and is currently involved with a number of documentaries on kinbaku. He is also author of the first English language tutorial DVDs: 'Japanese Rope Bondage: Tying people, not parcels'.
Nina Russ is a London based, shibari performer, rope artist and educator. She became student of Esinem in 2011 and their collaboration gave birth to BOUND shibari night (2012) and ShibariClasses (2015). She had also the fortune to participate at workshops with different Japanese shibari masters, like: Kazami Ranki, Yukimura Haruki, Kinoko Hajime.
She has performed internationally, most notably at the London Festival of the Art of Japanese Rope Bondage and RopeFest in St.Petersburg. In addition, she participates in numerous artistic, fashion collaborations and local performances. Her passion for rope has lead her on a route of discovery of concepts, philosophy, aesthetics and benefits behind this Japanese discipline.
She sees shibari as an art form which creates deep connection between the participants and also aids personal development. Due to its martial arts roots, it brings self-discipline, efficiency, effectiveness and, thus, growth in confidence and awareness. She believes these skills allow a greater focus on the most important aspects: you, your partner and your shared experience.
Course Curriculum
Courses Included with Purchase
