Masha and Mrghy offer this introductory class focused on basic skills both technically and relationally. We believe shibari is first and foremost a practice in connection, a deliberate conversation between vulnerabilities, and a possible place for growth.

In this interactive class, they cover the history and safer practice of Japanese-inspired rope bondage. They also discuss expectations on community accountability, consent-based interactions, ethical values, and mutual care, all seasoned with some basic rope skills learning.

This class is mandatory for anyone looking to take our core curriculum series: Roped-In, Beginners Rope Lab, Bound To, Flight Path, and Tied Up.

Beginner Rope Lab is hosted by Masha and intended primarily, but not only, for people who have taken Rope 0 at Temple and desire supported practice time for foundational rope techniques as they progress through the rest of the rope curriculum. If you have not taken Rope 0 but have had basic education on consent, history and safety for rope bondage elsewhere please contact masha@theropejourney.com with that information BEFORE signing up.

The first hour will be spent on demos of basic techniques including single and double-column ties, collapsible and non-collapsible knots, counter-tensions, and lock-off techniques. The second hour will be for practicing these skills on your own with hands-on support (peer support encouraged) and/or learning basic structures depending on the ability and desire of the group. Come with your partner or come solo and practice these fundamentals as self-ties.

We view this 8-hours course as the beginning of the journey to begin an intentional, body-based, connective rope practice. While lots of time will be spent on rope handling and techniques, this course will focus on both ends of the rope, to serve both folks giving and receiving it. Switching is welcome but not necessary!

The classes will cover:

Session 1: Basic tension, frictions and knots with some fundamental skills and drills;

Session 2: Body handling and affective rope skills; how to use rope to move the body.

Session 3: Somatics for rope; One-rope practice (Ipponnawa)

Session 4: Floor-based ties; how to use rope to bind a body in a shape for play.

Each session includes a discussion, a short demo, and plenty of practice time, leading to building a full, floor-based rope scene.

The course is offered as a weekend intensive or as a four weeks progressive series.

There are no technical prerequisites for this course but Rope 0 is required before you can take Roped In.

with William

It’s a hogtie ho-down! William will be demonstrating a variety of hogties ranging from single rope (ichinawa) to partially suspendable variations.  Want to turn your bottom into a suitcase? We can do that.  Want to immobilize someone so they can be your prey? Yes, we do. During these escalating ties, we will be going over body movement techniques, rope handling tips and tricks, and how to combine single and double column ties with hojo cuffs while employing a variety of frictions.  If you’re new to futomomos (leg binds) we’ll be going over simple versions that are great for floor ties and partials.  

Attendees should come in pairs and bring 6-8 lengths of rope depending on how deep you want to go in the ties.  Prerequisites for this workshop are Rope0 and Roped In.

with William

In this workshop, we will be working on the first two ropes that form the essential foundation of almost any variation of Tekate Kote. More importantly, we will be focusing on setting our bodies to their optimal posture for receiving these ropes. We will also be discussing nerve pathways and inherent risks of over-arm ties as well as introducing or reviewing up lines. This class will set you up to have a much better understanding of the basic form, ways to create optimal tension, and how to mitigate and manage risk. Participants will be able to learn a wide variety of TK structures building on this essential foundation. William will offer variations to suit people with less flexibility as well as hypermobile/ hyper flexible bodies.

Prerequisite = Rope0 + Roped In

Bring a minimum of 5pcs of Jute Rope about 8M in length

This is a Coupled Ticket, best that couples have previous tying experience together.

with William

Diamonds are timeless.  

This workshop will explore traditional ties that are based on the Japanese Hishi pattern, a series of diamond shapes that can create bondage that is both beautiful and structural.  Hishi ties are incredibly versatile and can be applied in a variety of ways that can easily be tailored to any body shape.  This style of tying can be used to create hands free and gote ties with the hands bound behind the back and can be applied as arm and leg binders.  

We will be presenting a series of ties that evolve from simple to more complex so that students who are still getting comfortable with single and double column ties can build their technique.  Those who are more practiced will have plenty of space to try more complicated variations. We will also introduce up lines for the final exercise and create a simple partial suspension.  As these are introductory exercises, no previous suspension experience is required to participate.  

Attendees should bring a rope kit of 10pcs of varying lengths if possible or 7 full and three half lengths.

Exercises will include- 

Review of Single and Double Column Ties

Hands free Hishi Chest Harness

Hands Behind Back (Gote) Hishi Harness

With William

In this workshop, William will be demonstrating multiple ways to tie off to a bamboo pole quickly and securely and showing ways to incorporate body bamboo into your ties.  Body Bamboo is a great way to add rigid structure into your floor work, predicaments and full suspension scenes.  We will be playing with floor and partial predicaments including introductions to setting up lines.  Body bamboo is a wonderful way to add structure and intensity to your rope play especially if you don’t have access to hardpoints on a regular basis.  

We’ll be going over specific hitches to use and various lashing styles.  Ideally, participants will be comfortable forming and using single column ties, hojo cuff construction as well as at least one simple hands free chest harness.  

Prerequisite = Rope0  

Temple does have some body bamboo available for class use but please bring a piece of bamboo that is between 1-2” thick and 3-5ft in length if you have it.  

All couples should bring a kit of 6-10 ropes, ideally jute or hemp and not synthetic ropes.  

Bring a minimum of 8pcs of Jute Rope about 8M in length

This is a Coupled Ticket, best that couples have previous tieing experience together.

with Sydona

Description goThis is a suspension level class exploring “classic” forms.  Through in depth guided instruction and hands-on practice we will examine the artistry and function of commonly seen static shapes. Emphasis will be placed on creative expression, sustainability in suspension, and awareness of safety and risk considerations.  Students will refine their rope handling, tension, control, precision, and flow, while continuing to build the scaffolding of their Shibari technique.

This class is best suited for tying partners who have a strong grasp of fundamentals (see prerequisites below) and tie together frequently. This class is not recommended as anyone’s first suspension, but all steps, including building uplines, will be shown in full.  

More often than not, these forms will be demonstrated with a TK.  It’s not required for students to recreate the tie with a TK, and students will always be encouraged to adapt their ties to their wants and needs.  Adaptability, sustainability, and creativity will be greatly emphasized and encouraged in this class. Some time will be dedicated to each class to work through the nuances and particularities of the TK or the harness alternative of the students choosing.

Rigger prerequisites: experience building and assessing suspendable harnesses, some experience with tk is encouraged but not required, some experience building static uplines, confident in rope communication skills, knowledge of safety and risk in rope

Bottom prerequisites: confident in-rope communication skills, knowledge of safety and risk in rope, confident ability to monitor and communicate signs of nerve compression, some experience with tk is encouraged but not required

Supplies: One full rope kit. This class will be taught on bamboo, no additional rigging gear is required.

with Sydona

A deep dive into the Tengu – a sustainable yet restrictive chest harness, and the shapes that go with it. Each class will focus on a distinct form, varying in intensity and complexity, examining how the Tengu’s structure, as opposed to any other chest harness, influences both the aesthetic and sensory experience of each position. Through guided instruction and hands-on practice, we will analyze the nuances of tension, weight distribution, and body mechanics to refine our comfort, control, and flow.

This class is best suited for tying partners who have a strong grasp of fundamentals (see prerequisites below) and tie together frequently. This class is not recommended as anyone’s first suspension, but all steps, including building uplines, will be shown in full.

The first portion of this class will be spent “pattern building” the Tengu. Students will be guided through variations and adaptations so that they can create the ~Tengu of their dreams~ crafted perfectly for them. Adaptability, sustainability, and creativity will be greatly emphasized and encouraged in this class.

Rigger prerequisites: experience building suspendable harnesses, some experience building static uplines, confident in rope communication skills, knowledge of safety and risk in rope

Bottom prerequisites: confident in-rope communication skills, knowledge of safety and risk in rope, confident ability to monitor signs of nerve compression

Supplies: One full rope kit. This class will be taught on bamboo, no additional rigging gear is required.

with Sydona

An exploration of choosing the hard route. With complicated patterns and challenging positions, this class serves as a reminder to both tops and bottoms that you don't need uplines to make rope hard. 

Rigger prerequisites: any single and double column tie, basic frictions, some experience building complex structures, confident in rope communication skills, knowledge of safety and risk in rope

Bottom prerequisites: confident in-rope communication skills, knowledge of safety and risk in rope

Rope0 is a prerequisite for this class. At least one person in the tying pair must have attended.

Materials: A full rope kit, a cutting tool, and a fabric blindfold

With Sydona

A monthly study group for folks working in suspension wishing to hone their skills in a collaborative setting, facilitated by Syd.

Each month, the group will collectively decide on a shape, sequence, concept, or pattern to work on.  The evening will start with a demo (either by Syd or by a preselected couple). Afterwards, each pair will be able to work through the “project”, with the collective support of the group for ideas and problem solving. In the last part of the class, the group will come together to discuss what worked well and what didn’t, successful changes and adaptations, ect.

Prerequisites:

Riggers must be able to: 

Confidently tie several suspendable harnesses

Confidently build and manage multiple uplines

Have excellent in-scene communication skills. Be well informed on safety and risk in rope suspension

Bottoms must be able to:

Have excellent in-scene communication skills. Be well informed on safety and risk in rope suspension

While those newer to working in suspension and partial suspension are welcome, this shouldn’t be either partners’ first suspension class. 

In this interactive class, Anya Demure & Donna With The Mouth will discuss important bottoming skills such as body awareness, communication, and vetting. They will also cover physical and emotional aspects of safety before, after, and during a scene. Anya and Donna will incorporate hands-on exercises throughout so that attendees can practice some of these skills.

This class welcomes bottoms, tops, and switches alike, because these skills are valuable for everyone. But the discussion will center the voices, perspectives, and needs of rope bottoms (people in rope / people who get tied). People of all experience levels, ranging from people curious to try being tied to experienced rope bottoms, are welcome. Attendees do not need a partner for this workshop.

If you have not taken Rope 0 but have had basic education on consent, history, and safety for rope bondage elsewhere please contact us via email with that information BEFORE signing up.