Shibari Workshop Cape Town | Rope Bondage Fundamentals I

Shibari is a special, intimate but also complex practice. It is necessary to understand the basics to enjoy it more fully. In this workshop we spend a 6-hour day covering the various knots and frictions used in Shibari and instil a deeper understanding of where to start and how to build or play safely.

This is a technical rope and shibari workshop for people serious about nailing the basics. Whether you want to kickstart deepening your technical skills or just want to find your feet while you're getting started, this is the workshop for you. This workshop (or equivalent private tuition) is a pre-requisite for our other intermediate classes and non-beginner rope jams.

A partner is required for the last part of the workshop, but if you're not attending with a partner, you can pair with someone over the course of the day within your comfort zone. Please bring something for the snack table to share, but if you need any food specific to your dietary requirements, bring that for yourself.

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 is a full-day intensive, and during the whole day we will cover the following topics to get you started on your Shibari journey:

1: Fundamentals of Safety:

- Physical Safety

- Emotional Safety

- Relational Safety

- Introduction to Communication in Ropes

- Navigating Uncertainty

- Intention in rope

- Basics of Rope Handling

2: Fundamentals of Tying:

- The single-column tie

- Single column variations

- Single column placement

- Creative single-column application

- The Inline cuff

- Wraps and Frictions

- Yuki Knot (quick release)

3: Fundamentals of Body Handling:

- Transitioning the body on the floor

- Moving with the breath

- Ichinawa (one rope ties) with intention

By the end of the day, you’ll learn an upper-body harness that brings together many of these techniques—perfect for practicing at home !

RopeFu (@rope.fu) has loved knots since being a kid making bows and arrows, snares, and natural rope from plants. The sensations and emotions that rope creates are just as important to him as the beauty and artistry of the tie. He seeks to create the feeling of being bound and held at the same time.

Kay (@faeriebunnyrope) enjoys free-flowing with rope to see the journey it will take her on. She will hold space for anyone around her. Her approach to life is to treat everyone with care & mindfulness.

Shibari, the art of rope bondage, requires a deep understanding of both physical and emotional dynamics to ensure safety, trust, and mutual enjoyment. Consent and negotiation are essential foundations for this practice, especially for those new to rope play.

Informed Consent

Consent is more meaningful when you fully understand what you're agreeing to.

Understanding Risks

Shibari involves physical and emotional risks, and informed consent includes acknowledging and deciding to take these risks. Emotional risks, such as the "drops" after a scene, can range from mild fatigue to more intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts. This is due to hormonal changes triggered during the scene and can affect both tops and bottoms. Recognizing and managing these responses is vital to emotional well-being.

To navigate drops, aftercare is essential. Aftercare can include rest, nourishment, feedback, and honest conversations about the experience. For example:

• Tops may need reassurance that their partner felt safe and feedback about what worked or didn’t.
• Bottoms may need validation, comfort, or time to process the experience.

Self-Reflection

Understanding your motivations and emotional patterns is critical before engaging in rope play. Consider questions such as:

• Why do I want to explore rope? What draws me to this practice?
• Am I engaging with rope in a healthy and self-aware way, or am I avoiding deeper personal work or indulging in escapism?
• Is my approach to risk informed by trust and care for myself and others?

Relational Considerations

When tying with someone new—or even with regular partners—take time to negotiate and assess your shared intentions. Key questions include:

• Do I trust this person to listen and respond to my needs and feedback?
• Are there any red or orange flags in their behavior or communication?
• How am I feeling mentally before the session? Have I addressed my own needs (e.g., taking medication, ensuring self-care)?
• Clear and ongoing communication about intentions, boundaries, and emotional states ensures that both partners feel safe and connected, making the experience enriching for all involved.

Self-tying

Since Shibari often involves new physical and emotional experiences, starting with self-tying can be a great way to build familiarity and awareness.

Self-tying allows you to:

• Experience the sensations of rope on your own body—such as tension, pressure, and placement—without external pressure.
• Connect with your body and preferences, which helps both tops (those tying) and bottoms (those being tied) communicate needs and expectations.
• Develop technical skills, muscle memory, and patience before engaging with a partner.
• It’s important to note that self-tying offers personal insight but doesn’t translate directly to understanding another person’s experience with rope. Everyone’s sensations, preferences, and boundaries are different, making clear communication essential.

Exploring Shibari is a journey of discovery, trust, and vulnerability. By prioritizing consent, self-awareness, and open dialogue, you create the foundation for safe and meaningful rope play.

Resources to explore:

https://rope365.com/communication/

https://shibaristudy.com/

Embodiment Space Rules - Click Here

Embodiment Code Of Conduct - Click Here

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.

1. Be on time.

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. Please do not use any recreational drugs before coming or while on site. 

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 

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 :)