Those who love Shibari understand the allure of entwining their subjects in a series of intricate knots and ties. With your partner utterly helpless, maybe wrapped in a blindfold, maybe even with others watching, you can enjoy hearing their breathing quicken and watching their enjoyment, as you push the rules of submission and dominance to their limits.
Shibari is the sensuous, traditional Japanese art of rope bondage. When your subject is tied up, decorated with beautiful knots, suspended in midair, and unable to move an inch..well, it’s not hard to see why we love it so.
Shibari is also a popular form of bondage for lots of reasons – it requires relatively simple, inexpensive kit, it’s highly aesthetic, and not least of all you can try it at home.
But where to start?
Beginners rope bondage events in London
One of the best ways to learn Shibari is to get yourself (and your partner, if you like) along to a rope jam and learn in person, while meeting likeminded rope lovers. A guaranteed fun evening out…
If you live in London, you’re spoiled for choice. There are plenty of ‘rope jams’ for you to visit where you’ll be able to learn basic knots, the theory and how to safely practice shibari. There’ll often be the chance to watch more complicated, artistic knots as well on a willing member of the audience.
- BOUND UK – Regular rope performance nights, usually held in a south London pub. Very casual, and great for those who are feeling a bit nervous about going to their first jam.
- Hitchin’ Bitches – a women-only Shibari night designed to inspire and empower
- Anatomie studios – The UK’s first full time rope studio holding regular events
Websites about Shibari for beginners
The internet is brimming with advice on Shibari and rope bondage (not to mention many beautiful and erotic photos and videos).
- EsinEm – 200+ photos, videos and tutorials for your enjoyment…
- The Dutchy – An easy way to learn your first knots, with step-by-step, clear photos from basics up to hog ties and more.
- ShibariShamster on Youtube – A comprehensive collection of all kinds of Shibari videos, from basic ties to much more advanced styles (though learning purely from YouTube can be a little risky, please always be careful.)
- Bones and Rope – Erotic, beautifully shot and highly stylised photos depicting the art of Shibari
- Shibasics – A great history lesson, examples of different kinds of ropes, helpful how-to graphics and more from rope enthusiasts in the Reddit community
- Go Get Knotted on Tumblr – GGK’s blog covers all kinds of essential information for those who are serious about learning Shibari, from basic knots and gravity cuffs to detailed breakdowns of the risks of nerve damage and how to practice together safely.
Books about Shibari for beginners
Books are helpful to have, particularly within in arms reach at a moment’s notice during those more kinky nights at home…we’ve been building a bit of a collection.
- Complete Shibari 1 – Packed with helpful pictures to take you through your first ties step by step.
- Shibari You Can Use – – Described as the ‘perfect beginner’s book’, this is a really practical hands on guide
- Miumi-U Teaches Shibari – Excellent illustrations, photographs and information.
- Two Knotty Boys Showing you The Ropes – Clear, well-paced instructions from start to finish – this is the first book of two, but most people end up getting both.
Here at the Serpent Rooms, which you can hire for 2 hours for £80 (or for longer, or even overnight, for those who want to really enjoy pushing their boundaries to the limit), we have plenty of rope and ways for you to play with your new-found skills…. get in touch about hiring us.