5 Mesmerizing Shibari Sessions To Inspire Your Rope Practice

Step-by-step rope bondage classes and tutorials are undoubtedly useful but it’s watching a shibari session unfold at its own deliberate pace and seeing that intent and intensity in practice that takes you beyond the how-to and into the why-to. Whether you’re looking at how to incorporate your favorite ties and shibari skills into scenes or you’re after some ideas for creative ways to play, these free inspiration sessions from Shibari Study are #ropegoals. Keep in mind that some of these videos depict advanced rope play and are designed to inspire, not to follow along – please do not recreate anything you see here unless your skill set allows it.

1 Strappado Session

The behind-the-back strappado arm binder is one of those ties instantly recognizable to any shibari enthusiast – and as this beautiful performance with Tamandua and his model Mie Neko demonstrates, it’s perfect for creating intense tying sessions. Using a suspendable version of the strappado combined with a leg binder and waist rope, this session focuses on utilizing seemingly simple ties (and a good dose of empathetic sadism) to build powerful sensations and emotions.

2 Hashira Session

Hashira shibari is a specialized type of rope bondage that involves tying to a vertical beam, which adds different dimensions to play and offers intriguing ways to explore rigidity and restriction in ropes. This mesmerizing session with Tamandua and his model Mie Neko demonstrates an advanced hashira suspension and, aside from being breathtaking to watch, also offers an insightful look at all the creative potential to be unlocked when you look not just at tying in a new way but at your environment too.

3 Predicament Session

Predicament bondage is one of the most wonderfully wicked ways to apply your rope skills. It’s all about playing with headspace, endurance and stress – and, perhaps unusually for BDSM play, giving your rope bottom choices… although neither of them may be very pleasant. In this free-tying demonstration, rigger Fred Hatt – together with his model Briki – gets a chance to show exactly why this is his favorite form of rope play, with an insightful interview giving their perspectives on the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of this delightfully challenging type of rope scene.

4 The Pleasure of Self-Tying

Mention a ‘shibari session’ and most people likely imagine a rope scene with one person doing the tying and another being tied. However, as Anna Bones demonstrates – with herself as her model – there’s no reason not to be your own bottom… or your own top, for that matter! Beginning with an insightful look into the benefits and challenges of tying oneself as well as what the internal negotiation and consent process might look like, this organically flowing freestyle self-tying session is a beautiful reminder of the validity of self-tying as an empowering and rewarding bondage practice.

5 Floor Performance with Lief and Icky

It’s a common misconception, especially among those new to shibari, that you need advanced rope skills to start playing or that suspension is the pinnacle of the practice and that other types of play are somehow less worthy. Not so! This tender floor performance by Lief and Icky, rope partners of four years, showcases just how evocative a session structured around even basic shibari skills can be, with the added bonus of greater risk mitigation. Intimate and improvisational, this dynamic performance is a reminder that the connective magic of rope is available at every level.

Finding shibari classes near me

Where possible, we will always advocate for a combination of learning shibari online and in-person tuition. Each type of learning offers its own distinct and different benefits. If you’re not sure how to find shibari classes in your area, try turning to, well, the internet. FetLife can be a great resource for connecting with kinky folks and for finding your local rope bondage community. The Shibari Study Discord is also an online rope community space that connects Shibari Study members from around the globe.