Weekend Workshop with Tamandua and FearieBruises

Tamandua will visit together with FaerieBruises to share his personal approach to erotically tormenting kinbaku by introducing some of his commonly used ties and concepts.

The format of each day will start by getting familiar with the basic building blocks that make up a tie, focusing on harnesses that are unique to Tamandua. We will start by learning the technical details of the harnesses used, and exploring how they feel and function in the floor, and under minimalistic use of suspension lines.

As the final exercise each day, we will deepen the knowledge collected during the day by utilising it in a more complex tie, with tips on how to tie and get tied more fluently. Practising tying the tie in a more natural way, using body/rope management and communicative cues, will be a big part of the learning material for both tops/riggers and bottoms/models.

Tamandua explains how these factors play into the “soft skills” of rope bondage, and into the power exchange aspects of erotically tormenting rope especially.

Priority will first be given to pairs that wish to attend both days. If there are remaining spots we will open single day slots.

Requirements:

Day One:

Both tops/riggers and bottoms/models need to have prior experience with suspension and be comfortable locking off uplines without reminder about the basic technique.

Day Two:

Both tops/riggers and bottoms/models need to have prior experience with suspension as above, and experience tying and being tied in a TK/gote.

Students need to have these skills up to certain proficiency, and model/bottom students feel sufficiently confident in the tie, to be allowed to complete certain exercises such as certain suspension variations etc.

Skills brought to class should have been learned through an experienced instructor in person.

Please review your own skills before applying as we will not be assessing you directly. The class will move at the average speed of the attendees, you are welcome to join as an observer if you do not meet the prerequisites.

Bring:

Ropes suitable for shibari specifically: single ply jute ropes around 6mm thick. At least 7 ropes around 8 meters long each. And 2 random shorter lengths for when you need to add a little extra to finish a pattern.

Hardware store ropes are not well suited for the type of tying taught this weekend. Ignoring this advice WILL disadvantage you in the workshop. If you need more rope you can buy them from us at That Rope Place.

Cloth strips of a good size to be used as a blindfold (for example tenugui).

Tamandua

Tamandua is a Swedish kinbaku instructor and rope switch based in Berlin. He has been working with rope professionally since 2016, offering intimate sessions, and travelling the world to teach his perspective on tying and to being tied.

He is a queer person, who appreciates tying with people of various gender. As a switch, he draws his inspiration both from the models/bottoms he ties with, and the riggers/rope tops he models for, which has allowed him to experience various styles from the inside as well.

"I consider kinbaku to be a complex erotic art, which is empathetically sadomasochistic at it's core. Often tying in a way that can be challenging both for the one tying and the one in the ropes, my shibari usually demands a lot of technical clarity when in the role of a teacher. At the same time, the student’s individuality is a priority when it comes to learning methods and intention.

By working with subtle adjustments and calm assertiveness we can gain confidence needed to stay present and indulge in the moment when tying with our partner.

I view kinbaku as a practice of continuous exploration – where new doors open as your go deeper and further with a partner, over the course of a session, or over the course of a long partnership. Sometimes though, the magic that defines kinbaku can be just that one alluring image that sticks with you, a moment suspended in time."

Tamanduakinbaku.com

FaerieBruises

Kitten (she/they), an NYC-based rope bottom, has spent five years practicing across international communities. She is drawn to attentive, communicative, embodied practice, and delights in helping others deepen their relationship to rope through curiosity and care.