Rope Knowledge

Shibari literally means “to tie” or “to bind,” but the practice is broader than a one-line definition. Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to shibari, kinbaku, rope bondage, why people practise, and why communication and consent matter.

If you've never tried rope before, it's easy to wonder: "Why would anyone want to be tied up?" The answer is surprisingly simple: there isn't one. People come to rope for many different reasons, and those reasons often change over time. What begins as curiosity may grow into a creative hobby, a way to connect with others, or simply a chance to slow down after a busy week. There is no single "right" motivation, and you don't need an elaborate explanation to be interested in ro

How to negotiate for better rope scenes. What Is Negotiation? A Beginner's Guide to Planning a Rope Session If you're new to rope, you might imagine that the first thing people do is start tying. In reality, one of the most important parts of any rope session happens before the rope even comes out. This conversation is called negotiation. Negotiation is simply a discussion between the people involved to make sure everyone understands what they're hoping for, what they're comf

Negotiating consent is a key component to consider when engaging in rope. Because the rope and ideas we are playing with can be complex, it is a good idea to consider a framework for how you want to negotiate. We start with the assumption that neither person wants to do harm to the other and that both want to negotiate for an enjoyable rope scene. 1. Define the type of negotiation you want to engage in and the consent model you want to follow. Broadly speaking there are three