Studio Series: Shibari 301
Our in-house curriculum – the Studio Series – runs on four tracks: Shibari 102 (formerly Ground), 201 (formerly Containers), 301 (formerly Preflight), and 401 (formerly Flight).
301 classes prepare tying pairs for full suspension by building strong habits and technical fluency.
Topics run on a six-month rotation and are taught twice a month:
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on the second Saturday of the month, and
• 4:00 – 6:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month.
Prerequisites:
students should be confident in tying harnesses on the body;
please come to class with harnesses you know well.
Supplies:
At least six pieces of 8 m/30 ft. lengths of rope, at least one of which is suitable for upline use –
either a synthetic (like POSH) or natural fiber rope that is in excellent condition (no breaks or highstranding).
We have climbing straps, carabiners, and bamboo for use during class, but you’re also welcome to bring your own.
301 Class Topics:
Uplines, Attachments, and Lockoffs
What’s uplines? Not much – what’s up with you?
It’s hard to get into the air without, well, uplines: the rope that connects our partner to the suspension point. This class focuses on three core components of suspension: tying & attaching uplines, managing them in suspension, and locking them off safely and efficiently.
Partials & Predicaments
What if practice time was also play time?
This hands-on workshop explores the delightful world of predicaments with partial suspension. We’ll use uplines and lock-offs to create scene-ready predicament ties: offering our partner a choice (or the illusion of one) between two challenging outcomes.
We’ll demonstrate and practice multiple partial-based ties that prioritize tension, intention, and emotional connection. This class emphasizes frontloading communication and scene-building to allow your rope to flow with more ease, meaning, and care.
Physics for Suspension
The body in suspension is a physics problem.
Whether you’re prepping to lift off or already testing the limits of your floor work, this class unpacks what’s really happening when we put bodies in the air. We’ll cover key principles like force vectors, line tension, and how harness placement affects loading.
The Leftovers: Nawajiri for Play
Make gravity your ally.
This class focuses on using balance and leverage to create dynamic, responsive positioning in partial suspensions. You’ll learn how to work with the nawajiri – the running ends of your uplines – to fine-tune placement, redistribute weight, and guide unbound limbs with ease.
Together, we’ll explore how to use the body’s natural alignment to increase control, create smoother transitions, and elevate the flow and precision of your suspension practice. Whether your goal is elegance, efficiency, or adaptability, balance is the key.
Under Tension
Or: Bringing The Scientific Method to Shibari
This workshop is a deep-dive into our process for testing how suspendable a harness is – maximizing ‘finding out,’ while minimizing ‘fucking around.’
We’ll break down what “suspendable” really means, how to test your tie on the ground, and how to make mid-scene decisions about whether it’s a go, no-go, or scenic detour.
Body Bamboo
Bamboo is more than just a suspension point – it can become part of the body itself.
In this workshop we’ll explore the unique possibilities that emerge when bamboo is attached directly to the body. You’ll learn foundational techniques for securing bamboo safely and effectively, balancing aesthetics with structure. We’ll cover pressure distribution, movement, and creative applications for both floor play and partial suspension.
Whether you’re after striking visuals, new body mechanics, or inventive sensory play, this class offers a hands-on introduction to bamboo as a partner in your rope practice.