What is Shibari & Kinbaku? 

"Shibari and Kinbaku, often used interchangeably in Western culture, are forms of Japanese erotic bondage that require a deep understanding and respect for their traditional roots. The ancient art of Shibari or Kinbaku involves intricate knot-tying techniques that symbolize power and restraint, drawing inspiration from Japanese aesthetics. When practicing Shibari or Kinbaku, it is essential to undergo proper training to ensure safety and proficiency.

In these practices, a Shibari ring serves as a vital component for suspensions, acting as a central anchor point for creating elaborate rope configurations. By tethering knotted ropes to the ring and connecting them to an overhead anchor or suspension frame, practitioners can craft aesthetically pleasing and functional bondage setups. The artistry of Shibari and Kinbaku lies not only in the physical act of tying someone up but also in the emotional and sensory experience it creates for both the rigger, who orchestrates the bondage, and the ropebunny, who surrenders to the bindings.

What is a shibari bondage ring? 

Mostly used as an accessory to the ancient art form of Shibari suspension or Kinbaku suspension, a Shibari ring is used as an anchor or base for your rope suspension set-up. Use the ring as a central location to tether your unique configuration of knotted ropes, and connect by rope or chain to an overhead ceiling anchor or suspension frame.

Putting a new spin on the classic Shibari rings, ourswivel suspension rings come with an integrated swivel, giving you the ability to spin your rope partner or maneuvre them safely. Whether you’re putting your partner in partial suspension or full suspension, our solid stainless steel suspension bondage gear and even extra-strong wooden Shibari ring are ideal accessories for your Shibari practice or bondage restraints.

How to tie off a suspension ring for rope bondage? 

The ancient art form of Shibari or Kinbaku should be practised with adequate training. Alluding to the restraint of prisoners using rope, symbolising power, this Japanese style of decorative BDSM bondage involves tying someone up using pieces of rope to create intricate and aesthetically pleasing knots. 

If the ropes break due to weak knots, weight or friction, your rope partner could suffer serious injuries. As such, Shibari requires skill, dedication and practice. If you’re a beginner, you should practice tying off a suspension ring before engaging in actual Shibari with your rope partner.

To tie off a suspension ring for rope bondage, follow these steps:

1. The Running Overhand Knot
   Take a rope, bend it in half and tie it to a suspension point. Now pass both ends of the rope through the ring from behind, take them around the ropes, then over themselves and tie a knot as shown in the video. Pull and tighten the ends of the rope and the running overhand knot is done.
   
   
2. Spiral Half Hitching
   After completing the Running Overhand Knot, bring the 2 cords of rope to the left from behind and form a loop. Pass both ends of the ropes through the loop, pull and tighten. Repeat multiple times until you form a beautiful spiral pattern.

Safety measures for suspension bondage 

Both the suspension rigger and the restrained partner have to take safety precautions. An improper position or haphazardly tied rope could cause nerve damage, blood clot or other injuries.
 

The rigger should:

• Know what you’re doing
  Learn and practice. Find an experienced mentor to guide you or watch video tutorials. Practice suspending techniques and rope control using heavy free weights. 

• Find a trusted rope partner
  Find a bottom that you can communicate clearly with as you take the next step in doing your first live suspensions. An experienced bottom can tell you where your knots are too tight or if there’s pressure in the wrong place, which will help improve your rigging.
  
  
• Be aware of your partner’s medical issues
  Find out if they have joint or muscle issues, blood pressure issues or diabetes. These medical conditions make someone unsuitable for rope play. With a healthy partner, make sure they’re hydrated before you begin.

The restrained partner should:

• Work on flexibility
  Being suspended requires your body parts to be maneuvred into positions that can be uncomfortable. One way to reduce discomfort is to do exercises that increase flexibility and core strength.

• Communicate

If you have any medical issues, are experiencing numbness or pain during suspension, you need to let the rigger know. If the ropes aren’t positioned correctly or if you can’t move a limb or wiggle your fingers or toes, you need to tell the rigger immediately. 

• Find a trusted rigger

If you’re a beginner, you should do your first suspensions with an experienced rigger so you can learn the right way to be suspended. This way, you can pass on your experience to beginner riggers as you work with them. Whenever you partner with a new rigger, don’t allow yourself to be gagged as it’s verbal communication is crucial until you’ve established a relationship that allows non-verbal communication.

Other BDSM suspension equipment for rope play

Though these are regular mountain climbing equipment, they are useful accessories for BDSM suspension and rope play and can be part of your Shibari toolbox.

• Carabiners
  These are widely used in rope-intensive activities, allowing you to make fast and secure connections between components. They also reduce friction and allow the restrained to easily pull up their body weight. The rigger can pass a rope through a pear-shaped and D-shaped carabiner and attach it to your shibari ring or connect it to a swivel suspension ring.
  
  
• Rigging Knife
  This is especially handy for emergency situations where you need to unjam knots or cut part of a rope to free your partner.
  
  
• Suspension Frames
  You can make suspension frames out of swingset hardware that allows you to attach anchor different types of restraints to for suspension and rope play.

How can you keep a rope bunny engaged while focusing on knots and ties?

To keep a rope bottom engaged during knot tying, incorporating movement is key. You can sync your rope movements with the bottom's body movements, such as taking steps or making small twists. These movements can serve different purposes like sensual stimulation, exerting fatigue, or stripping away control. Despite feeling somewhat awkward initially, integrating movement can greatly enhance scenes by adding variety and maintaining the bottom's engagement. Allowing the bottom time to react to the movements creates a more interactive and engaging dynamic, making them more than just a passive recipient of the rope work.

Where can one learn Shibari?

If you are interested in learning Shibari, a good place to start is the Shibari Academy, where you can receive expert instruction in the art of rope bondage. The academy offers a comprehensive course from beginner to advanced levels, taught by an experienced practitioner named Eve. Additionally, there are various online resources such as video tutorials from Twisted Monk, Watts The SafeWord, Two Knotty Boys Videos, Crash Restraint, and Rope365 that can help you master different ties and techniques. Another option is to join local Shibari communities or online forums like the Shibari + Kinbaku subreddit for inspiration and support. By exploring these resources, you can develop your skills in Shibari and become proficient in creating beautiful and intricate rope designs.

How can one practice Shibari rope bondage by themselves?

One way to practice Shibari rope bondage by yourself is to use a mannequin with an attachment base to prevent it from moving around. Alternatively, you can consider tying your own legs or using creative approaches such as getting a full-body mannequin for practice. It may also be helpful to sand the surface of the mannequin with sandpaper to provide better grip for the ropes. Additionally, you can explore the option of incorporating friends in a fun and non-BDSM context to practice Shibari rope bondage techniques.