When you think of Bondage, what comes through your mind? Wild thoughts of getting tied up with ropes and handcuffs, making them immobilize, ready for whipping and suffering? When talking to people about this beloved Passion, I often got the Impression this is all they see. But there’s a huge difference between regular Bondage and Shibari, as a form of japanese Art.
Shibari practice.
Originally Shibari was used for military purpose as technique to make your enemy immobilize, also often used to torture prisoners with rope and cords. Shibari draws on Hojojutsu, a material art used by the Samurai in Japan’s Edo period, from 1603 to 1868. It’s rope technique however found themselves in Japan’s Underground BDSM scene.
Nowadays it mostly got a painful, sensual and sexual touch to its practice. It’s evolved into many different branches and practices and has become something that people can use for artistic expression and self-care in combination with a Shibari partner or self-tie.
Creating an esthetic piece of art is the main goal. There are different levels, starting with Ground Shibari up to Suspensions, when you have more experience in getting to know how the rope flow works to make your sessions more and more playful in a responsible way.
What it means to me.
Besides the art you are creating it’s a whole new level of self-care and self-trust, getting to know and feel yourself, in a way that blows my mind, the deeper I dive into. It became an huge part of me and how I deal with my emotional pain, similar to meditation.
I’m a switcher. That means, depending on the situation and partner, I choose to either allow myself to let go of any kind of control, physically and mentally, or to guide my partner throughout the session, allowing him/her to build up trust and reset from everyday life.
Head OFF – Heart ON
