Introductory Course: Fundamentals of Shibari (by hua hua)

This is a progressive course on the Fundamentals of Shibari taught by hua hua. All Shibari play, no matter how complicated it may look, is simply a combination of basic skills. This course is aimed at complete beginners who want to build a solid foundation of Shibari regardless of styles. Covering both the hard skills and the soft skills needed to have a richer experience of Shibari.

Why this course?

You will gain an in-depth understanding of the foundational techniques and concepts through discussion, demonstrations, exercises and improvised play. You will be guided to tie with meticulous attention to the different aspects of Shibari, from the hard skills to the soft skills, the physical and the emotional.

This course offers a balanced approach sharing knowledge and attention to both roles - the person tying / top, and the person being tied / bottom, Shibari is an intimate partnership - it is crucial to understand the perspectives of both sides as well as what we can do within our roles to participate in this shared experience.

The course follows a progressive structure. We will build upon skills from each session, learn how to apply those techniques with clear intention.

Pre-requisites:

• Beginners/All levels
• Partnered only

What will you learn?

This course will include a compulsory introduction event and a 4-part class series. Each class will integrate the different techniques essential to Shibari: mechanics, communication and aesthetics, providing all the essential ingredients to begin playing and preparing students for more advanced courses. The class content will be tailored to each specific group so that everyone can progress together.

Dates

Friday 31 January 2025 1830-2130 (Introduction: Meet & Greet)

Tuesday 4 February 2025 1830-2130 (Class 1: Approach)

Tuesday 11 February 2025 1830-2130 (Class 2: Embrace) 

Tuesday 18 February 2025 1830-2130 (Class 3: Movement) 

Tuesday 25 February 2025 1830-2130 (Class 4: Stillness) 

* Doors open at 1800, close at 1830

Content and Structure 

Introduction: Meet and Greet

We will start with an introduction event where the whole group can get to know each other before the course begins. This event will be largely discussion based where we can all discuss our motivations for getting into Shibari. hua hua will also share a brief introduction to the history, heritage of different styles and discussion of the risks involved. At the end of the event we will engage in ice-breaker activities with rope.

Fundamentals of Shibari

Topics included are:

• Rope Handling
• Tension
• Consent practices
• Non-verbal communication
• Negotiation and aftercare
• Basic knots and frictions: single column tie, double column tie, reef knot, granny knot, munter hitch, half hitch, quick release
• Use of nawajiri (rope end) for play and aesthetics 
• Lock offs
• Building headspace

Please note that the structure and the content of each session will be subject to students’ progression.

Class 1: APPROACH - Hon musubi, single column tie, nawajiri

Class 2: EMBRACE - double column tie, frictions and building a one rope tie

Class 3: MOVEMENT - body handling, following reactions and timing

Class 4: STILLNESS - sinking into a tie, adding the next rope and finishing the rope.

What do I need to bring?

• If you have your own ropes, we strongly suggest that you bring your own set of ropes. We recommend 6-8 lengths of jute ropes, 5-6mm in diameter. Having ropes of varying lengths would be helpful. If you do not have your ropes yet, we will be happy to provide some for the class (first-come-first-served).
• Safety shears or any other suitable cutting tools (they will also be available at the studio for communal use)
• Notepad and a pen (we request a phone-free environment. If note-taking on your phone is a matter of accessibility, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate your needs)
• Comfortable clothing
• Snacks and drinks
• Aftercare items
• Respect, kindness and an open mind

What should I wear?

Please wear something that you feel comfortable tying in / getting tied in (in terms of movement and temperature). We advise against tight or restrictive clothing such as corsets, underwire bra, jeans etc. Please remove your accessories such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

You are welcome to get changed at the studio.

Pricing structure

There are two different pricing tiers for people with different financial means.

There is a limited number of solidarity tickets. We try to balance financial flexibility with financial sustainability for the space. However, if solidarity tickets are sold out and you would really love to join us, please email us at contact@studioyukari.com and we will try our best to facilitate.

We also strongly encourage people who have the financial capacity to get the regular tickets. This will allow us to offer more solidarity tickets in the future and support the growth of our community!

About hua hua (she/her)

hua hua (she/her) is a Shibari artist, Dominatrix and founder of Borderline Productions, currently based in London. She began the first public Shibari classes in Shanghai in 2017 and facilitated numerous events across China to help promote BDSM culture. hua hua left China in 2022 to access a wider community, and has taught in numerous countries across the globe. She runs a Patreon page where she can gather the international community and provide global access to resources of Shibari culture.

She believes that Shibari is a place to explore our inner most desires with authenticity and mindfulness. To her, ropes can create bonds beyond cultural, linguistic or social barriers. Her teaching style is more holistic than systematic, focusing on a slow pacing to encourage a more intentional practice and appreciation of small details.

Beyond teaching, she is passionate about developing Shibari culture through her project Borderline Productions. Working primarily with film, her work is often drawn from her personal journey navigating the world of Kink and life as a Dominatrix. She frequently collaborates with artists from other fields such as fashion, dance and experimental theatre to explore the relationship of BDSM with other subcultures.

Enquiries: contact@studioyukari.com