Learn Shibari at Shibari-Tantra in Flanders
Learning Shibari starts with curiosity. Maybe you've seen a photo of beautiful rope patterns, or you've heard that shibari brings couples closer together. But how do you start? What do you need? And is it safe?
Free shibari initiation in Ghent
Have you followed a free initiation and want to know more about the knots?
In this guide, I'll take you through everything you need to know to get started with shibari: from choosing your first rope to tying your first knots, and from safety rules to the tantric side that makes shibari so special. I've been running workshops in Flanders for years and am sharing here the knowledge I also pass on to my participants.
What rope do you need to learn Shibari?
Learning Shibari as a couple
Learning Shibari in flanders : Lessons and workshops
What is shibari?
Shibari is the Japanese art of decorative and expressive rope bondage. The word literally means "to bind" or "to tie" in Japanese. Its roots lie in hojojutsu, the ancient Japanese martial art of binding prisoners. In the twentieth century, this evolved into kinbaku: the aesthetic and sensual binding of a partner.
While many people associate shibari with BDSM, it is much broader than that. In my approach, shibari stands for connection, trust and presence. The rope becomes a means to feel the other person, to slow down, to come together in the moment. That is what makes it so powerful as a practice for couples and for anyone who wants to engage more consciously with touch and intimacy.
The person who ties is called the rigger or top. The person being bound is the bunny, bottom or rope partner. Both roles require practice, trust and communication..
What rope do you need to learn shibari?
The choice of your rope makes a big difference in how shibari feels. There are three main types:
Jute and hempare the traditional ropes in shibari. They have a natural grip on the skin, keeping knots in place. The texture feels warm and organic. I mainly use jute in private sessions, where I make, maintain, and condition the ropes myself. Very important for jute: much jute is industrially made for packaging and contains harmful JBO oil that is not suitable for the skin. SeeAvoiding JBO.
POSH (polyester over spun hemp)is a beautiful and expensive synthetic rope that feels natural and is easier to maintain. You can simply wash it in the washing machine. This makes it ideal for workshops where multiple people work with the same ropes. In all my group classes, I use POSH.
Cotton I never use. It absorbs moisture and odours the fastest, making it unhygienic for shared use.
For beginners, I recommend ropes of 6mm thickness and 7 to 8 metres in length. Start with two to three ropes, that is enough to learn your first ties.
Do you want to delve deeper into the differences? Then read mycomprehensive guide to choosing shibari rope. You can buy shibari rope in theshop.
Basic Knots of Shibari
Shibari is not about knowing as many knots as possible. It's about mastering a few fundamental techniques well, so you can work safely and creatively. These are the knots I start every beginner with:
Single column tie.This is the first knot you learn. With this, you tie a single body part (a wrist, an ankle) with a loop that does not tighten under tension. Safety is built into this knot: no matter how hard you pull, the loop does not get tighter.
Double column tie. With this knot, you tie two body parts together, for example two wrists or a wrist to an ankle. Like the single column tie, it is designed not to tighten. The safest single and double column tie
Frictions. A friction is not a knot in the traditional sense, but a way to secure rope to rope by wrapping it around itself. Frictions are the building blocks of everything you do in shibari: they hold tension without hard knots.
Lark's head (connecting knot). With this, you connect a new rope to an existing rope when your first rope runs out. This way you can continue working without starting over.
Shibari is a language you learn to speak, not a recipe you follow. I encourage you to practice your knots in theworkshopsand rope jams.
Learning Shibari as a couple
Shibari is particularly a practice for couples who want to deepen their connection. It requires something that often gets overlooked in daily life: being truly present with the other.
As a rigger, you learn to listen with your hands. Every movement of the rope is a question: does this feel good? Is this comfortable? Can I continue? As a bunny, you learn to let go and trust. You relinquish control, not because you have to, but because the safety and support feel so good that surrender comes naturally.
In my workshops, I consciously alternate these roles. Both partners experience what it is to bind and to be bound. This creates a mutual understanding that many couples experience as a breakthrough. My workshops also include the basics of tantra, which deepens the shibari experience.What can you expect at a shibari workshop. The types of workshops I offer are:Types of shibari workshops
What makes shibari so special for couples is that it creates a clear framework for intimacy. There is a beginning and an end, there are agreements, there is attention. This framework makes it easier to feel and express things that can sometimes be difficult in everyday life.
Want to learn more about shibari as a couple experience? Visit the page shibari for couples.
Safety and consent in Shibari
Safety is the foundation on which everything rests. Without safety, there is no trust, and without trust, there is no surrender.
Physical safety.Before you start binding, you learn about the areas of the body where you need to be careful. Nerves and blood vessels in the inside of the wrists, the elbow crease, the groin, and the neck are vulnerable. I do not teach this through a text on the site; I recommend taking a class to see the explanation on a body. In my classes, I always start with a "rope interview": you learn to ask questions about injuries, sensitivities, and boundaries before any rope is touched.
Consent and communication.In my workshops, we work with continuous check-ins. This means we constantly ask questions: "How does this feel?", "Is there any tingling?", "Do you want me to adjust something?" We never work towards positions that cause pain. We consciously avoid pain. We do work towards surrender, but a surrender without pain, which arises because the safety and support feel so good.
Not a BDSM workshop.This is an important distinction. In my workshops, there is no punishment component, no dominance in the BDSM sense of the word. There is control, certainly, but it is the play of control and the art of loving. What do you need to let go of in order to give control?
Safe materials.Always use ropes that are suitable for shibari (no hardware store rope). Keep a safety scissors within reach to quickly cut the ropes if necessary.
Shibari and Tantra: why both?
Tantric shibari is the approach I use in all my classes. It combines the technical side of ropework with tantric principles: breathing, presence, energy and conscious touch.
In practice, this means that we are not only focused on "how do I tie this rope", but also on "what do I feel while tying this rope?" The rope becomes an extension of your attention. Each wrap is a touch, each friction a moment of contact.
That may sound abstract, but in the workshop you notice it immediately. When I ask participants to slow down, to breathe, to feel what is happening under their hands, the whole energy in the room changes. It becomes quieter. The focus shifts from "am I doing it right?" to "what do I feel?"
Shibari helps participants adopt the mindset that the goal of intimacy is art: the art of loving.
I do not offer pure tantra. My specialization is tantric shibari, the combination of these two worlds. This combination makes it accessible for people who may be hesitant about a "tantra workshop", but are open to a creative, physical experience with rope.
Read more about my approach on the pageshibari and tantra.
Learn Shibari in Flanders: Lessons and Workshops
I offer various ways to learn shibari, tailored to your pace and preference. Want to get a first taste of shibari? Start with the introduction workshop.
Free online course.Start immediately with the free online shibari course. You will learn the theory and basic techniques at your own pace through video and explanations. This is the ideal first step if you want to discover if shibari is for you.
Group lessons in Eke (near Ghent).The course is structured in three levels:
L1: Shibari basics, knots, rope, and connection
L2: Harnesses, groundwork and flow
L3: Semi-suspensions
Group lessons cost 50 euros per person for 3 hours. There is a discount when you book L1, L2, and L3 as a bundle.
Private lessons for couples.Do you want to learn at your own pace, without a group? A private lesson costs 275 euros for 4 hours and is fully tailored to your needs. You choose what you want to delve deeper into.
Group lessons on location.Put together your own group (minimum 3 couples) and I will come to you. Starting from 100 euros per hour.
I also regularly organize free shibari initiations in Ghent. They often fill up quickly, so keep an eye on thescheduleor sign up using the form below.
Shibari Basics: Knots, Rope & Connection
We begin with the essentials: materials, safety, and the first knots.
Not to follow a fixed pattern right away, but to learn how to play freely.
You’ll discover how rope can be a medium for improvisation and connection—rather than just “tying down.”
What’s included:
- Rope knowledge: different types and how to care for them
- Basic safety: nerves, blood flow, and the “interview” with your partner
- Single & double column tie
- Working with frictions
- Introduction to one-rope flow and improvisation
- First steps in emotion & connection with rope
Ideal for those who want to start and immediately experience how Shibari can become a game of connection.
Harnesses, Floorwork & Flow
Discover your Shibari as a dance: leading and following, tension and release.
We build further on the foundations and bring movement, flow, and emotional depth into your practice.
What’s included:
- Basic harnesses (chest harness, futomomo, …)
- Floorwork: dynamic partner work on the ground
- Flow: from technique to improvisation
- Conscious use of rhythm, breath, and energy
- Exercises to deepen trust and connection
Perfect for couples or partners who want to go beyond technique and experience the magic of “connective Shibari.”
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Semi-suspensions
Here you’ll learn everything you need to work safely and consciously with partial suspensions.
The focus is not only on technique, but also on the intensity and surrender that arise when someone is (partially) lifted off the ground.
What’s included:
- Construction of sturdy harnesses suitable for semi-suspensions
- Working with lines, anchor points, and body mechanics
- Transitions: safely moving from ground to semi-suspension
- Physical and emotional safety in more challenging work
- Maintaining trust & consent in more intense experiences
For those who want to deepen their rope work and are ready to play with more intensity and strength.
Prices
Private lesson for couples
Ideal for those who want to begin or go deeper at their own pace.
- A private session tailored to your rhythm
- You choose the areas you want to explore more deeply
- No stress about keeping up with a group
Group class in Eke
Sign up for a group class in Eke. Multiple times are scheduled.
- Cheap
- Can be at your home
- Create your own group of friends or peers
- Can be canceled if there are not enough registrations
- Discount for L1, L2, L3 bundle
Group class on location
Create your own group class. We will contact you for details
- Cheaper from 3 couples
- Can be hosted at your home
- Create your own group
- Online support after the group class
I bring people together for group lessons
Leave your details and we will schedule a time
Upcoming workshops and classes
Frequently asked questions about the lessons
No, not at all. The course is structured in three levels and starts from the absolute basics: material knowledge, safety, and your first knots. You don't need any prior knowledge. I also regularly organize free shibari initiations where you can get acquainted without obligation.
The free online course allows you to discover the theory and basic techniques at your own pace through videos and explanations. The live lessons and workshops go deeper: you practice with a partner, receive personal feedback, and experience the tantric side of shibari. Think about breathing, presence, and connection—things you can only learn in physical practice.
Absolutely, the course is actually very suitable for couples. Shibari is a powerful tool to deepen connection and trust. During the lessons, you alternate between the role of rigger (the one who ties) and bunny (the one who is tied), so you both get to know the experience. There are also private lessons specifically for couples available.
Safety is central to every class. From the start, you learn about nerve pathways, blood vessels and how to conduct a proper "rope interview" with your partner. We work with continuous check-ins and adjust the ropes immediately to avoid pain. This is not a BDSM workshop. We work towards surrender without pain, in an atmosphere of respect and care.
The group lessons take place in Eke (near Ghent). Additionally, there are regularly workshops and events at other locations in Flanders. Private lessons can also take place at your home. Check the schedule for the next dates, or sign up via the form on this page.
The online course is completely free. Group lessons in Eke cost 50 euros per person for 3 hours. Private lessons for couples are 275 euros for 4 hours. There is also a discount when you book the three levels (L1, L2, L3) as a bundle. Group lessons on location start at 100 euros per hour, starting from 3 couples.