Learn the Fundamentals of Shibari Suspension

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 10AM-1PM Workshop Part 1

1PM-2PM Lunch

2PM-5PM Workshop Part 2

 In this six-hour workshop, we will study and practice three beautiful suspension forms: Tate-zuri, M-Suspension, and Gyaku-Ebi (Facedown) Suspension. All of these suspension forms are wonderful on their own, but they are also great for moving through transitions. We'll cover:

• Suspension & Informed Consent
• TK Review and the Basic Kinoko-Style Hip Harness
• Alternative Harnesses to the TK
• Review of Basic Top Line Techniques
• Anatomy & Safety Issues 
• The M-Suspension Form
• Tate-Zuri Suspension Form
• Gyaku-Ebi Suspension Form

This workshop is appropriate for all genders, and sexual orientations. To ensure personal attention to each participant, class size will be limited to 4 tying pairs. 

If you are uncertain if this workshop is physically feasible for you, please message us and we'll be happy to have a phone consult with you.

Due to the detailed technical nature of this workshop, one person per pair will tie. For safety, no late entry will be permitted; doors will be locked at 10 minutes after the start time.

Technical Prerequisites:

People Tying should already be comfortable tying a structurally solid gote shibari (TK/box tie) or a structurally solid chest harness in a timely and accurate fashion (8 minutes or less). They should also be comfortable with basic rope bondage techniques such as a reliable, non-collapsing single column tie, basic frictions and lock-offs, be competent in basic partial suspension line locking & management techniques, and have prior experience with partial suspension. They should have awareness of potential nerve compression issues associated with rope bondage, and be confident in communicating about them in an ongoing fashion with the rope bottom.

People Being Tied should be comfortable being tied, have prior experience with partial or full suspension, and be competent in monitoring themselves for nerve/circulation issues & communicating same to the rope top.

Please bring:

• (8-10) 26' - 30' ropes, 6mm in diameter. Jute or hemp is recommended.
• (2-4) 12' - 15' ropes, 6mm in diameter. Jute or hemp is recommended.
• (1) 26'-30' length of 5-6mm length of load-rated rope. We recommend Hempex, POSH, or Regatta Braid. 
• (4) Pear-shaped or oval climbing carabiners. Your carabiners must be rated for climbing.
• -Optional Gear: steel suspension ring or rigging plate
• -A Blanket

Please contact us if you need recommendations on where to purchase!
**We have 8-meter lengths of 6mm Hempex available for pre-order, which makes excellent toplines and has a tensile strength of 1,142 pounds. —please contact us to pre-order** 

Questions about equipment or class prerequisites: contact the instructors at portlandshibari@gmail.com

To ensure personal attention to each participant, class size will be limited to 4 tying pairs. Due to the small class size, early registration is recommended. 

About the Educators:

International rope artist Jonathan Ryan (Seattle Shibari) performs on stage, ties for photoshoots, and teaches the art of Shibari worldwide. He has taught & performed for sold-out audiences in 13 countries and 23 cities, including Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Barcelona, London, Shanghai, Los Angeles, & many more. 

He has been deeply involved in Japanese cultural arts for more than 40 years, and holds a high-level teaching license awarded to him by Kinoko Hajime of Tokyo, Japan. Jonathan’s personal style of rope combines his knowledge of body movement principles, psychology, and rope art to create his distinctive style of tying. His website is SeattleShibari.com.

Sappho is an unabashed lover of rope who brings expertise in Latin dance forms and a spirit of sensual inquiry to her kinbaku. She and Jonathan have taught & performed together in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. 

Sappho combines a methodical analysis of physical movement with a deep professional knowledge of neuro-anatomy in her approach to rope bottoming, and loves to share this knowledge with others. Together with Jonathan, she directs activities at the the Portland Shibari Salon.

For Jonathan & Sappho, rope is more than a beautiful & sensual art form; it is the invisible connection between two people made visible.