The best start is a guided workshop or course with an experienced rigger. Starting on your own without guidance is possible, but you will miss crucial knowledge about safety, anatomy, and risk areas.

Wat je als beginner zeker moet leren: de basisknopen (enkelvoudige kolom, verlengen), de anatomische risicozones zoals de radiale zenuw in de bovenarm, het herkennen van vroege signalen van te strak binden, en hoe je snel kunt losmaken in geval van nood. Hou altijd een veiligheidsschaar bij de hand.

In myL1 Basic Coursein Ghent, all these elements are covered in a safe, respectful environment. Check the website for dates and registration.

Shibari is a practice with real risks that must be taken seriously. The main dangers arenerve damage(especially the radial nerve in the upper arm) andcirculation disordersfrom overly tight knots or improperly placed rope.

Good precautions: learn anatomy and risk areas before you start, never place rope on joints or over areas with large nerves or blood vessels, regularly check sensitivity in hands and fingers, always keep safety scissors on hand, and continuously communicate with the person you are binding. Stop immediately if you experience tingling, numbness, or color change.

With the right knowledge and caution, shibari can be practiced safely. Always take a course with a qualified instructor before starting on your own. We address safety in the L1 lessons.See lessons 

Shibari(縛り) literally means "to bind" and is a broad Japanese term for rope bondage.Kinbaku(緊縛) means "to bind tightly" and refers more specifically to the traditional Japanese style where aesthetics, emotional charge, and the connection between the rigger and the bunny are central.

In the Western world, both terms are often used interchangeably. When a distinction is made, kinbaku typically places a stronger emphasis on the emotional and energetic dimension of the practice — the silence, the presence, the tension that builds up. Shibari is more often used as a general term for all forms of Japanese-inspired rope bondage.

Niet per se. Shibari is een Japanse kunstvorm van touwbinden met diepe esthetische en meditatieve wortels. BDSM is een veel bredere verzamelterm die staat voor Bondage & Discipline, Dominantie & Submissie, en Sadisme & Masochisme.

While there is overlap — shibari is sometimes practiced within a BDSM context — that is certainly not always the case. Shibari can also be practiced purely aesthetically, artistically, or meditatively, without any element of power dynamics or pain sensation.

In Shibari-Tantra, the focus is on connection, presence, and awareness. We approach the rope from a tantric perspective: as a means to a deeper encounter between two people. This fundamentally differs from classical BDSM dynamics, even though we respect each other's practices.

Certainly. That is precisely the core of the Shibari-Tantra approach. Tantra is not an esoteric system of sexual techniques, as is often thought, but a philosophy of presence, awareness, and full acceptance of the moment.

When you approach shibari from that tantric spirit, the rope becomes a ritual instrument: a means to be fully present with yourself and your partner, to consciously explore boundaries, and to create a connection that goes beyond words. The silence during the binding, the breathing, the trust — these are all tantric elements.

In the workshops and sessions at Shibari-Tantra, these two practices are consciously combined, with attention to safety, intention, and mutual attunement. You can also book it privately in aprivate session

The most commonly used material in traditional shibari isjute: light, breathable, with a pleasant natural feel on the skin. It holds knots well and has an authentic texture. Jute does require some preparation (walking, treating) and can feel rough on sensitive skin.

Cottonis a popular choice for beginners: softer, cheaper, and easier to wash. It slides a bit more, which can sometimes make knots looser.Hempfeels closer to jute and is also traditionally used.

For thickness, as a beginner, you preferably choose6 mm— thick enough to be comfortable, thin enough to work well. A standard rope length is7 to 8 metersper piece. Start with 2 to 4 ropes to practice most basic techniques.

I prefer to use 7mm jute for suspensions. See therope selection guide

In the shibari community, there are two basic roles: therigger(also "nawashi" in Japanese) is the one who handles and ties the rope. Therope bunny(or "bunny") is the one who is being bound. Both terms are common and neutral — they say nothing about gender, experience, or sexual preference.

Both roles require knowledge and skill. A rigger must master anatomy, techniques, and safety. A rope bunny must learn to communicate about comfort, boundaries, and body signals, and must be able to give trust.

Some people switch roles depending on the situation — this is called aswitch. In the Shibari-Tantra approach, both roles are considered equal and equally valuable.

Shibari-Tantra regularly organizes workshops and courses inGhent, Leuven, Tongeren. The offerings include the L1 Basic Course (for absolute beginners), advanced classes, and tantric shibari workshops such as Shibari meets Tantra and a Bind me loose weekend. You can find myworkshops here.

Additionally, there are several other shibari communities and organizers active in Belgium and the Netherlands, such as local rope jams (informal group practice sessions), festivals, and international workshops. Through the hipsy website, you can also find a nice overview of events in the Benelux.

For the current offerings from Shibari-Tantra, you can check theEvents and Workshopspage on this website, or contact via shibari.tantra@gmail.com.

De basisknopen leer je in een workshop van een dag. Het echt beheersen van Shibari — met oog voor veiligheid, comfort en esthetiek — is een voortdurende oefening. De meeste riggers groeien nog jaren in hun techniek.

Yes, you can practice floor bindings at home. Start by tying objects or practicing knots on a pillow.You should never practice suspensions alone.— an experienced person should always be present. Take a workshop to establish a safe foundation.

Shibari is a Japanese art form of rope binding that goes beyond simple restraint. It pays attention toaesthetics, ritual, connection, and meditation.The patterns are thoughtful, the positions are consciously chosen, and the entire experience — for both the binder and the bound — is central.