Shibari Workshop Cape Town: Lower Body Harnesses | Aug 2025

In Japanese rope bondage, lower body harnesses refer to rope structures tied around the hips, pelvis, thighs, or legs. These harnesses can be purely decorative, functional for restraint or suspension, or used to enhance sensation and intimacy.

Some common types and purposes include:

The Hip Harnesses, which wraps around the waist and hips and is often used as anchor points for suspension or for attaching other ties.

Leg Bindings or Futomomo, where the lower leg is tied to the thigh, creating a compact shape. This is common in floor work and partial suspension scenes.

The Crotch Ropes or Matanawa, where rope passes between the legs and may connect to a waist or hip harness. This can stimulate pressure points and be either functional or erotic.

The Mermaid or Leg Together Ties, where both legs are bound together. This restricts movement and can be part of a decorative or control-focused tie.

The purpose of a lower body harness includes restraint (keeping the body in a specific position where leg movement is restricted), support (acts as a weight-bearing harness for partial or full suspension), aesthetic (can highlight the curves of the lower body with symmetrical or artistic designs) or erotic/ sensual (certain ties, for instance a crotch rope, create pressure or stimulation).

In this 6-hour workshop we will have a look at them all, when and how to use them and also pros and cons of each form.

We will then hone in on two specific forms, the Agura and the Mermaid tie.

Agura Shibari means Cross-legged binding, and refers to any rope pattern that secures in this position. This can involve very beautiful and complex rope patterns. This structure is suitable for beginners and can be developed further, all the way to intense suspensions.

The "mermaid tie" refers to a style of leg binding where the legs are tied together closely, resembling the fused tail of a mermaid. This tie is also known as leg binder.

This is a technical rope and shibari workshop for people serious about broadening their rope practice. Lower body harnesses are an essential part of self tying and for this workshop you to do not need a partner. however, rope couples are welcome! Feel free to bring your own ropes. The space has rope for use available also.

Embodiment Rope Space is a welcoming and safe(r) space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. We practice rope communally and host occasional workshops for upskilling the community. Rope is never safe, there are only ways to do it more safely.

Please study the FAQ and Ethos of our space on our website, www.embodimentropespace.co.za, before attending.

Important Information:

Ropey things for sale:

We have limited treated rope from Sudo Jute (variable prices: R400 - R500 per 8m hank) and safety shears for sale.

We always attempt to practice rope safe(r), but rope bondage has intrinsic risks. By coming to and participating in this event, you acknowledge the risks involved in this activity. We recommend attending one of our Shibari Bondage Basics Workshops we host every 3 months as rope jams are not a replacement for formal tuition. We also urge all participants who have completed the Basics Workshop but haven't tied in a while to refresh their memory with this free rope 101 material: https://ropestudy.com/courses/101/

This workshop will be presented by Sudo and Firelily.

Fire lily is a rope bottom with deep experience in different styles of bondage and a rich insight into the psychology of rope. She enjoys exploring the opportunity for creative expression that rope offers; from the collaborative start in learning how to tie to image making in all its forms. She enjoys creative collaboration with fellow rope enthusiasts. She dreams of publishing limited edition hand bound Kinbaku art books. Fire Lily together with her partner Sudo runs Cape Kinbaku Salon. At Embodiment she teaches as Sudo’s tying partner, in bottom education development and is involved in the development of the physical space.

Instagram: @fire_lily_kinbaku

Sudo (he/they) has been a student of kinbaku for many years, and has been practising mainly semenawa for the last five years. He has studied widely – at Copenhagen Shibari Dojo with Yukinaga Max and in Berlin with Tamandua. He is part of Akechi Kanna’s study group and is a student of Naka Akira. He runs the private Cape Kinbaku Salon together with his wife Fire Lily. At Embodiment Sudo helps with teaching, curriculum R&D and sessions, as well as developing the physical space.

Instagram: @sudo_kinbaku_ @sudojute

Embodiment Rope Space is the love child of a group of volunteers from different walks of life coming together to actualize something we think the world needs: a queer safe(r) space for exploring kink as a healing, connective force. 

You can follow us on Instagram here: 

Rope Team: (who you will be seeing on the night)

@faeriebunnyrope (she/her)

@rope.fu (he/him)

@creaturelie (they/them)

@sudo_kinbaku_ / @sudojute_v2 (he/they) 

@fire_lily_kinbaku (she/her)

@hotsqueak (they/them)

@embodiment_ct 

This workshop is open to rope tops who have attended our Beginner Basics workshop or equivalent workshops, attended private tuition with us. If in doubt reach out. Please attend in pairs. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, no switching will be allowed. Do not buy a ticket if you do not meet the requirements. We will not refund tickets to those who purchase, and arrive on the day of the workshop, not meeting the above outlined minimum requirements. 

Please do not purchase tickets for someone else without their knowledge or consent. Shibari is a practice that involves physical and emotional vulnerability, and it’s important that people make an informed choice to attend. Surprising someone with a ticket, even with good intentions, can lead to discomfort or distress. We encourage open communication and informed decision-making to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone.

Embodiment Space Rules - Click Here

Embodiment Code Of Conduct - Click Here

Otherwise, our regular event rules apply:

1. Don’t be late.

2. Respect the space. Leave no trace - whatever you bring, take it back with you. 

3. Ego has no place here. Learn and share with humility. 

4. Ask for people’s pronouns and use the ones you are given. 

5. No shoes. Keep underwear on at public events. Nipples may be free. 

6. Do not make unsolicited comments about anyone else's body.

7. Do not take any photos of anyone in attendance without consent. 

8. Do not post photos without the consent of EVERYONE in the photo. 

9. Do not reveal the identity of anyone you meet in the space once you leave. Many people prefer anonymity. 

10. Be mindful of making noise in the space when others are tying around you, this includes loud talking and laughing. 

11. Be discrete when moving through other parts of the premises. Clothes are optional in the space but not outside the door.

12. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell.

13. This is a sober space. Please do not use any recreational drugs or alcohol before coming or while on site. 

14. Acknowledge and accept that you are participating in high-risk behavior at your own risk.

15. No suspension is allowed unless you have been given permission, please message us beforehand via Instagram DM to tell us about the suspension you would like to do.

What is Shibari/Kinbaku/Bondage? 

The art of binding the body of a consenting adult. 

Is rope/Shibari always sexual?

Rope/Shibari has many benefits and practitioners outside of the sexual paradigm. For some, it is about pushing their bodies not unlike engaging in strenuous exercise or extreme sports. For others, it is a way to reclaim their agency after trauma. It can also be a way to experience a connection with others without the scripts and expectations associated with genital contact. As long as what you are doing is consensual and intentional, we consider it healthy and valid.

What should I wear?

This is a friendly learning environment, not a sexual one, so crotches are to remain covered. Other than that, you are free to wear whatever you like. We find that it is easier to tie with minimal clothing or clothing that you can move in easily (leggings, shorts, etc.). Comfy, sexy, sporty, fetish - as long as your booty is covered, you are welcome here. Just remember it will be a long day, so the more comfortable the better.

Should I bring my own rope?

We encourage all participants to bring their own rope if they have any. For those who do not have rope, we have quality rope from SudoJute on sale at our rope kiosk. Additionally, we have class rope for use during the course of this workshop as well. All our class rope is quality 6mm Tokyo Asanawa rope from SudoJute which has already been pre-treated and pre-used. We do not permit any fluids or crotch rope/face rope/mouth rope with our class rope.

Do I need a partner?

We recommend all participants to come in pairs. Please note tickets are sold per individual and both individuals require a ticket. If you do not have someone to tie during this workshop, you can learn the majority of the content through self-tying, however, the last exercise in this workshop will require a partner. You may also find someone on the day who will be willing to partner with you after walking through some pre-tying negotiation, but this is not a guarantee. 

Note on accessibility:

We believe rope is for every body. At the same time the building we are currently occupying does not allow for wheelchair access to ground floor ablution facilities. This is an ongoing negotiation with the current landlords. However the space itself allows for wheelchair access :)