Shibari Rope Class to Jam | Ichinawa (One Rope) | Beginner friendly

Ichinawa or Ippon Nawa is a minimalistic type of rope bondage that use only one piece of rope, usually 6-10m in length. The focus here is more on the emotional connection between tying partners and on the smoothness of movement and rope handling rather than on building a technical rope structure or complex pattern. It is all about the interaction between you and your tying partner, or yourself if you are self-tying, connecting through that single piece of rope. Typically this involves a continuous tying and untying, and this more spontaneous and intuitive push-pull play of being restricted and being freed is what we will be exploring at this event.

In partnered tying as the rigger (rope top, or person applying rope) you really need to observe your partner and feel your partner’s responses. More than any other type of rope it’s about synchronicity and coming together in a fluid ‘dance’. Your ichinawa could be really slow and cuddly and tender or it can be really fast and hard and tight and even painful if you choose.

It’s about being on the same page with your partner, getting there through negotiation but also through perceiving your partner and responding to the signs your partner gives you in the rope. As a bottom (person receiving rope) it is one of the places where you can explore how you respond and offer your own verbal and non-verbal communication.

Join us to explore this technique of stripping away distractions and complexities and concentrating on the interaction in rope.

Themed beginner jams ( like this one ) are a low-pressure learning environment where we introduce a few rope ideas and techniques, provide a bit of direction on how to use them and then open the floor up for people to play and explore with those ideas. Our spaceholders will be there to assist with any questions and ideas, as well as maybe providing a bit of our own inspiration. We want people to be able to have fun and learn at the same time, so we don't want to get too technical, while still maintaining safer rope practices. Come explore, have fun and learn in a calm and social space where you can enjoy Shibari in a low-pressure environment.

In light of the increasing Mpox cases in Cape Town, we’re implementing some safety precautions to ensure you are safe(r) at our venue.

What we’ll do for you

Our infamous sl*tty class rope is monogamous, now

Please bring your own rope if you have some. We will have cotton rope for sale (at a much lower price than jute) for you to buy if you don’t have your own. We love jute, but it can’t really be washed. Cotton rope can be washed, and is available at your local hardware store.

Sanitiser as you arrive and leave

We will provide hand sanitiser for you to use as you enter and upon leaving. We will disinfect our mats and general area before and after each jam.

Fewer hoemies

Our jams are now limited to 8 tickets.

Our favourite fluffy cushions have gone to a better place

We’re crying. But they just have to be packed up for a while. Please feel welcome to bring your own.

What we’re asking you to do

Practise self-love

We encourage you to self-tie when you can. If you do tie others, please try to restrict your tying to your polycule or people who you regularly come into physical contact with.

Honesty is the best policy

If you have any symptoms (see the next page), please stay at home. There is no shame in cancelling your ticket. Take care of your community by taking care of yourself.

If you have recently come into contact with someone who is a known Mpox patient or consider yourself high risk, please stay at home.

Wash your hands

Washing your hands regularly and/or using an alcohol-based sanitiser helps prevent the spread

When to stay at home

You have a rash

• Lesions that develop over weeks that look like blisters on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or other areas of the body

You have a fever, aches and pains

• Muscle aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, back ache

You’re experiencing fatigue

• Profound weakness

You’ve come into contact with someone with skin lesions

• Including their clothing or bedding, or close facial contact, or when they were coughing or sneezing

Resources and references

What informed our decision

Our team received advice from a nurse and a doctor, and looked at the NICD and latest government guidelines

Getting vaccinated

At the moment, vaccines are in limited supply. They are available to healthcare workers, sex workers and high-risk people. For vaccines:

Ivan Toms centre WhatsApp: +27 79 716 4001

Reliable resources

https://www.nicd.ac.za/communication-resources/

https://www.gov.za/news/cabinet-statements/health-provides-update-mpox-cases-south-africa-23-sep-2026

Look after each other <3

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

Absolute beginners and experienced rope practitioners are welcome. Rope Jams are spaces where you can come and practice Shibari in a peer-to-peer setting. Switching is allowed and encouraged. In this jam we will have some rope instruction in the first hour, thereafter the floor will be open for peer-to-peer learning and having fun together. Any skill levels are welcome. If you do not have a partner(s) to attend with, you may have to self-tie or enquire with other participants to pair up. Class rope will be available for use for free on the day if you do not have your own rope.

Events start promptly at 19:00. Please DM us via Instagram if you are running late. Please arrive by 18:45. Doors are closed at 19:05. We will be strict about this because late-coming can be very disruptive to those in the space. Pre-booking is essential (cash on the night is available by arrangement via Instagram DM). Please have your tickets ready to be scanned on arrival.

We have limited treated rope from Sudo Jute and safety shears for sale. Non-alcoholic drinks (Coke, water, tea, coffee) will also be for sale.

Come dressed however you like - comfy, sexy, sporty, fetish. As long as your booty is covered, you are welcome here.

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. 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.

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 feelings of depression and more. 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.

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 might be seeing on the night)

@faeriebunnyrope (she/her)

@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 some, it is a way to reclaim their agency after trauma. For some, it is 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.).

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 our jams 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 encourage all jam participants, regardless of skill level, to practice and experience rope through the act of self-tying. Some of our jams and workshops may require participants to come partnered and will be outlined as such in the event description itself. For this jam, you are welcome to come solo. We do not pair up jam participants. This means that you may find someone on the night who will be willing to partner with you after walking through some pre-tying negotiation, but this is not a guarantee. If you are unpartnered, we encourage participants to watch, chat with our team, and self-tie.

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 :)