The Single Column

The single column is the most fundamental binding in shibari. It is the starting point of almost every rope creation: the first anchor to the body. Whether you are binding a wrist, an ankle, a thigh, or a bed style, the principle is the same: you make a loop around a "column" that does not tighten when tension is applied to the rope.

This is where safety begins. A well-placed single column protects blood circulation and nerves, even as you later build on it with more complex patterns. Take the time to truly master this technique before moving on. Everything that follows builds on this.

Why not the reef knot?

The most common knot that beginners encounter for a single column tie is thereef knot. This knot is widely used in Japan and works well in many situations. But there is a fundamental problem: the reef knot iscollapsing. This means that the loop around the body part can become smaller under load or tension. The knot then tightens around the wrist or ankle, and that is exactly what you do not want.

That is why the reef knot is not a good choice to learn as your first knot. You then build a habit that later poses a safety risk with more complex bindings.

The collapsing of a single column tie

A single column tie "collapses" when the loop around the body part becomes smaller under load or tension. The tie then pulls tighter around the wrist, ankle, or other body part. A collapsing tie can suddenly turn from a safe wrist cuff into a constricting band.

Why is this a problem?

In a large (box tie), the wrist tie must contain a locking mechanism that prevents the tie from pulling tighter. It is safer to let the bight run under the wraps to avoid secondary tightening.

A crucial insight:nerve conditions do not require pain as a warning sign. "It doesn't hurt" is not evidence that it is safe. A collapsing tie can compress a nerve without the bound person feeling immediate pain. By the time tingling or numbness occurs, damage may already have been done.

How do you prevent collapsing?

The core of a non-collapsing single column tie lies in how the lock (the knot or cinch) is set up:

• Most good single column ties have afriction-based lockthat holds without pulling tighter. The goal is security without constriction: the rope should fit snugly, not bite.
• Thedirection of the trianglein the knot matters. If you pull in the direction of the triangle, the tie remains flat and comfortable. If you pull in the opposite direction, the tie rolls over and becomes uncomfortable. This is a subtle but important point: the knot should be finished in the direction of the expected pulling force.

Non-collapsing alternatives

ThePrusik head single column tiebehaves like a kind of slip knot without tension, but does not move anymore when tension is applied. This makes it interesting for situations where you want to adjust the tie later.

TheSomerville Bowlineis seen by many riggers as the strongest non-collapsing alternative. That is why this is the knot we learn in this course.

Why the Somerville Bowline?

The Somerville Bowline offers the best balance between safety, reliability, and ease of use:

• Non-constricting:The knot never gets tighter than you tie it, even under load. This protects blood circulation and prevents nerve damage.
• Stable under tension:Unlike a regular bowline, the Somerville Bowline remains stable, even when the pulling force comes from the side. This makes it reliable in dynamic situations.
• Adjustable for setting:You can precisely adjust the size of the loop to the body part before securing the knot.
• Easy to untie:Even after prolonged tension, you can relatively easily open the knot. In emergencies, you can use the bight (the loop) to quickly release it without dismantling the entire structure.

The right tension

A common mistake among beginners is tying too tight or too loose. The rule of thumb: you should be able to slide two fingers just below the loop. No more, no less. Too tight restricts blood circulation. Too loose allows the binding to slip off the wrist or ankle and loses its function.

The knot should not pull the wrist tighter at all. You should still be able to slide a couple of fingers between the rope and the wrist, but not so loose that the hand can slip through.

Check the tension regularly, especially at the beginning. Ask your partner how it feels. Watch for discoloration of the skin, tingling in the fingers or toes, and cold extremities. These are signals to immediately loosen the binding. Remember: "it doesn't hurt" is not the same as "it's safe."

Step by step

1. Find the middle of your rope (the bight) and lay the two strands side by side along the body part.
2. Wrap the rope around the column. The number of wraps determines how widely the pressure is distributed: two wraps for a wrist, three or more for a thigh.
3. Bring the two loose ends (the tails) over the wraps.
4. Form the Somerville Bowline by bringing the tail under the crossing and over the bight.
5. Tighten the knot. Not with brute force, but with even, gradual tension. Pay attention to the direction of the pulling force: the knot should be finished in the direction you will be pulling later.
6. Check: slide two fingers under the loop. No twists in the rope? Knot compact and firm? Then you are ready.

Watch the technique

In this video, you will see the Somerville Bowline demonstrated step by step:

A detailed step-by-step explanation with photos can be found at The Duchy: Somerville Bowline.

Common mistakes

• Uneven tension in the wraps:Make sure all wraps are equally tight. A loose wrap can slip and apply pressure to a nerve.
• Twists in the rope:Flat strands distribute pressure evenly. Twisted rope creates pressure points.
• Knot not tight enough:A loose knot can shift under load. Pull the knot tight before proceeding.
• Wrong pull direction:Finishing the knot against the expected pull direction makes the tie uncomfortable and unstable.
• Forgot to check:Always perform the two-finger test after tying. Always ask how it feels.

Practicing

Start practicing on your own leg or on a chair or table leg. Practice until you can tie the Somerville Bowline without thinking. Then try: with your eyes closed, with your non-dominant hand, with an extra wrap, from behind your back. The more variation, the deeper the technique will settle in your hands.

The Double Column: connecting two columns

Once you master the single column, the next step is thedouble column: connecting two body parts together, such as two wrists or a wrist to an ankle. The principle is the same as the Somerville Bowline, but now you are tying around two columns at once.

The difference: between the two columns, you leave a cinch (an intermediate anchor) that prevents the binding from tightening when the wrists move apart. Without this cinch, the binding could pinch.

A detailed explanation of the Double Column Somerville Bowline can be found at Crash Restraint: Somerville Bowline Double Column.

Always keep safety scissors on hand.

This applies to every session, every exercise, every moment that there is rope on a body. If a knot won't come loose, if someone feels unwell, if something is not right: cut the rope. The rope is replaceable. The body is not.