Shibari is a Japanese practice of erotic binding. Mastering this art can take a lifetime. But you can start by trying the basics of rope bondage. It’s also not easy, but it’s very interesting. The practice has become popular not only because of its aesthetic aspect, but also because of the unique physical and psychological experience it gives. It helps to strengthen the emotional connection and gives a lot of pleasure to both participants.
Getting ready
Shibari starts with ropes. The most versatile are made from jute, hemp, or cotton. The natural fibers are quite fuzzy, so the knots hold better on them. Their significant advantage is that they are not stretching, which is essential for the security of the binded person. Synthetic ropes are not recommended because they are difficult to control, and because they are not fuzzy at all to hold the knots. So they can cause injuries.
The optimal rope thickness for starting exercises with rope bondage is 5-8 mm. This rope will not get tangled up. Because of its heavy weight it is possible to better get the feel of control. For starters, we recommend buying 10 meters of rope.
Shibari is a dangerous and complex practice. This art can only be mastered after training and through continuous practice.
Below will tell you the basic rules and principles. This is what you need to remember, regardless of the complexity level of the knots:
- Binding is prohibited if you have diabetes and varicosis
- Never tie the neck
- Avoid tying joints and radial nerve compression. You have to tie the know at least palm width above or below
- Always have sharp scissors nearby for emergency rope cutting
- Suspension can only be performed by experienced practitioners due to the high risk of nerve retardation
- Always ask for feedback and monitor the state of the binded person
- Agree on a safe word beforehand
Maintaining safety will help to feel confident and relaxed in the process, which is important for enjoying it.
Scenario
Classical shibari is often slow and meditative. It’s successor — rope bondage — can vary in tempo and mood. But before introducing this practice into your erotic play, you should practice with basic knots.
The knots are the foundation of shibari. They secure the rope and the captive partner. The correct knots are adjusted when tied and do not tighten completely when under tension. This is critical for safety. We recommend starting with the basic hands and legs binding. If you plan to use ropes to tie to something, you can study those.
After mastering the knots, you can practice with basic breast bondage. But it is not necessary to get carried away and memorize a million combinations — ropes allow improvisation.
Bondage is a process of interaction with the partner. It’s a transfer of control, and the psychological aspect of shibari is as important as the technical one. You can do a very simple binding of the entire body, but you can work the rope in a very soft way, slowly, looking into the partner’s eyes.
Rope bondage fits perfectly into role-playing with captivity, disobedience. It can be a disciplinary practice, or it can be a reward practice.
After removing the ropes, it’s very important to take care of the partner. To get into a familiar state, to hug, to ask about the sensations they felt.