This workshop will run 12:30 - 18:30 both days.

About the workshop

For this intensive Tamandua and partner Briki will share their approach to doing and learning kinbaku, using some of Tamandua's commonly used ties.

The class concept is based around ability to control the intensity of a tie, giving more confidence for sadomasochism and play, and appreciating the beauty of the scene.

Each tie is approached by getting to know the basic building blocks first; by learning the technical construction of the harnesses used, and exploring how they feel and function under load of suspension.

We start off applying some of those skills into somewhat simpler semi-suspension ties. Following that, we will use the total knowledge collected by working through longer and more challenging shapes at the end of each day.

Tips on how to tie and get tied more fluently, in a more natural feeling way, using body/rope management and communicative cues, will be an important part of this class for both riggers and models. This includes topics of relating, and what it means to be active and passive in the roles of tying and being tied, particularly in the semenawa context, through discussion and exercises.

This way of learning is based on the principle that studying kinbaku is about developing skills that are both practical and intuitive. And that all situations inherently involve both the perspective of someone tying and of someone being tied.

Prerequisites

Primarily aimed toward intermediate or upper-intermediate level, this weekend course is suitable for couples with solid skills and significant practice in suspension line management. TK will be used several times (although not in every tie!) therefore riggers need to have solid basic skills in how to tie a suspendable TK of stemless variety, prior to the event. Both rigger and model need to have actual experience using TK in suspension prior to event. Suspension line technique and TK need to be learned from an experienced instructor. Video tutorial or improvisation as primary source does NOT count.

Being able to recognise and avoid nerve impingement is a must in order to prevent serious damage.

About the teachers

Tamandua

Tamandua is a Swedish rigger based in Berlin, Germany.

He has been working with rope professionally, primarily through teaching and offering intimate sessions to clients, since 2016.

Although topping in rope most of the time, he has significant experience bottoming for rope as well, and highly values the ability to relate to both perspectives.

As a queer person, he appreciates tying with people of various genders.

"I am drawn to the semenawa aspects of kinbaku; to enjoy the heightened state when struggling to process torment, and to have the power to control it. I consider kinbaku to be an erotic art form, consisting of aesthetic and empathetic expressions ofattraction in the realm of power exchange. It is a thing of continuous exploration – where new doors open as you go deeper, over the course of a session or over the course of an ongoing partnership. My way of tying can be challenging for both the one tying and the one being tied, demanding a lot of technical clarity in order to be taught well. As a teacher I set out to consider the various needs of students, and the ways content can be adapted so that they can implement it into their tying in a meaningful way."

Briki

Briki is a rope bottom and a rope switch with deep knowledge of the body, originated in contemporary dance and yoga.

"My passion for rope bondage centres around sublime border states and the beauty of erotic extremes – where I believe the partnership and the cooperation between tying and tied to be the core of the practice. In the role of being tied, I’m often drawn to the complexity of power exchange, objectification and suffering. I'm also interested in bottomhood, the practical knowledge developed in the one being tied and the exploration of self through submission."

What to bring?

Single ply jute intended for shibari: minimum 8 of regular length and 2 cut shorter around half length. A cloth useful for blindfolding or gagging.

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For our Code of Conduct see here.

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