Shibari 401: Full Suspension
Progressive Rope Classes in Downtown Los Angeles
Shibari 401 is the final track of our Studio Series — held twice a month at Devil Mask Studio in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles. These classes are for tying pairs who are already working in full suspension and want to go deeper: more complex forms, more nuanced approaches, more room to experiment, play and explore.
We won’t be teaching upline mechanics here, that’s Shibari 301. What 401 does instead is dig into the structure, sensation, and scene-building potential of full suspension forms. Expect hands-on time, conceptual depth, and people who take their practice (but not themselves) seriously. Topics rotate on a six-month cycle and each session stands alone – drop in at any point in the rotation.
The Studio Series also runs Shibari 102 for foundational skills, Shibari 201 for harnesses and patterns, and Shibari 301 for suspension preparation.
Schedule & Pricing
📅 First Saturday of the month · 10:00 AM-Noon
📅 Fourth Sunday of the month · 4:00-6:00 PM
📍 Devil Mask Studio · 529 Lindley Pl #305 · Downtown Los Angeles
🎟 $100/tying pair · $35 to audit · Memberships Accepted
Prerequisites: Students should be very confident in building and loading suspension-worthy harnesses, creating and managing uplines, and working with hardpoints in partial suspension. If you’re still building that fluency, Shibari 301 is the right track.
What to bring: At least ten 8m/30ft lengths of rope, all of which should be in great shape for suspension. Either use a synthetic like POSH or a natural fiber rope with no breaks or high-stranding. Our loaner rope is not suitable for suspension and cannot be used during 401 classes. We provide climbing straps, carabiners, and bamboo; you’re welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer.
Need to refresh your kit? We’ve got you covered with POSH, jute, and more – order online for pickup at class.
401 Class Topics:
Upright Suspensions:
M Shape & Running Person
Two iconic shapes. Infinite variations.
A deep dive into the M Shape and the Running Person – why these poses have become staples in rope, what makes them compelling to both tops and bottoms, and how to riff on their structure to meet your scene goals.
Hashira Suspension
From parks to sidewalks, trees to lampposts, hashira techniques make the world your playground. Suspending from a pole or vertical post adds meaningful complexity and risk to suspension, and this class covers how to set a point for hashira suspension, adapt common harnesses, and navigate the unique considerations of tying to and around vertical structures.
Inversions
Inversion is more than flipping off gravity – it’s a test of skill and stamina. Focused instruction on structural requirements, harness selection, and suspension line management, plus in-air techniques for communication, adjustment, and scene pacing. We cover what makes inversions both exciting and challenging, and how to handle the inherent risks with care, clarity, and purpose.
Side Suspensions
Float, twist, or strain – side suspensions open a world of possibilities. This workshop explores the structural, anatomical, and aesthetic considerations of placing the body sideways in suspension: adaptations for different harnesses and body types, safety concerns unique to side suspension, and methods for balancing comfort with intensity.
Torsion in flight
Twist, turn, and torque. Torsion – the rotation of body parts in different directions relative to one another – is one of the more demanding and rewarding effects in suspension. This class focuses on structure, harness choice, communication, and the in-air techniques required to apply torsion effectively. No static recipes, just adaptation and problem-solving in motion.
Dynamic Suspension & Transitions
What if the journey is the whole point?
Transitions aren’t just how we move between shapes, they’re where the magic happens. This class breaks down our approach to dynamic suspension transitions: how to build them, how to survive them, and how to use them to deepen connection and expression in flight. Managing tension between uplines, shifting weight in the air, and moving smoothly between shapes without losing sight of your partner or your purpose.
F.A.Q.
If you’re regularly working in partial or full suspension and you’re comfortable managing uplines and loading harnesses under tension, you’re likely ready. If you’re still building those skills, Shibari 301 is the right track.
Yes – bringing your own rope is required. Our loaner rope is not suitable for suspension work. Bring at least ten 8m/30ft lengths – either a synthetic like POSH or a natural fiber rope in excellent, uncompromised condition (no high stranding, puff-balls, or breaks in twine).
Yes. Devil Mask Studio has a suspension frame with climbing straps and carabiners available. You’re welcome to bring your own hardware if you prefer familiar equipment or tying on a ring.
Yes. Audit tickets are $35 and a good option for experienced practitioners who want to observe specific topics before working through them with a partner.
No. Topics rotate and each session stands alone; drop in whenever a topic is relevant to your practice.