with Gestalta & Anna Noctuelle
This is the second in a series of 3 workshops. You can attend each as individual workshops, or book all 3 together at a reduced cost. The two other workshops in the series will take place at Daruma in November 2025 and November 2026.
Note: This workshop requires a strong intermediate+ skill level. Please ensure that you have read the workshop prerequisites in detail.
“Falling Into Form: Evolving & Deepening Transitions” is the second in a series of workshops exploring Gestalta’s style of tying through the lens of transitions—not just as movement between shapes, but as a core expressive element in rope itself.
Photo credit: Negar Zendedel
Transitioning—moving a tied body fluidly from one shape to another—has always been central to my personal style of rope. There’s a common misconception that transitions are purely performative—a kind of “circus rope” reserved for stage work. And while I do use them extensively in performance, transitions are equally at the heart of how I tie in play. They offer a way of creating narrative within a scene—shaping experience through movement—not just for visual effect, but to build emotional depth and physical connection.
This workshop is designed for advanced participants who already possess a developed skill set on both sides of the rope, who are comfortable with basic transition work but wish to expand the breadth of their practice, and understand Gestalta’s approach on a deeper level.
Together we will work with structures that demand nuance in transitions—such as strappados, bamboo-on-body ties, and agura—developing a deeper understanding of how to use each form for dynamic movement, and intense opportunities for play.
Gestalta will share subtle adjustments and refinements they have honed over years of practice to make classic ties both stable and adaptable for transition work, without losing their aesthetic strength.
Please note that switching is not possible at this workshop.
A note about this workshop series
The progression of this workshop series is not defined by increasingly complex technical skills (or “hard skills”.) Instead, it offers a multi-layered approach that brings Gestalta’s extensive experience as a shibari artist into conversation with their love of dance practice, and their academic background in performance art.
Foundations of Fluid Transitions explores foundational transition sequences whilst focussing on development of the core skills—such as fluid handling, body awareness, and efficient technique—that allow more advanced transitions to become sustainable, expressive, and safe.
Scheduled at Daruma: 1-2 November 2025
Evolving & Deepening Transitions works with more demanding structures and sequences that challenge students to refine their practice and expand their creative possibilities, whilst developing a deeper understanding of how to use dynamic movement to create intense opportunities for play. It is perhaps the most complex part of this series on a technical level, and requires that both riggers and models have a well developed skill set.
Scheduled at Daruma: 23-24 May 2026
Performance & Presence considers the language of rope beyond structure, sequence & form—whether in the intimacy of play or in the context of performance. It explores the architecture of a rope scene and focuses on cultivating awareness, presence, and intention to create engaging narratives for both audiences, and our models.
Scheduled at Daruma: 14-15 November 2026
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Gestalta is the owner of Daruma and teaches regularly at the studio.
Their approach to shibari has evolved from 18 years of practice on both sides of the ropes, and a diverse range of influences which they appropriate, blend and develop in their own practice. As a teacher, they strive to reflect the experience of both tying partners on a deep level.
Embracing the inherent flexibility of the art is fundamental to their style; rather than prescribing rigid techniques they have a strong belief that shibari should be approached as a versatile set of tools. They encourage their students to explore and adapt each tie to the individual body of their partner, tailoring it to their specific needs and desires in any given situation. To facilitate this process, they provide a comprehensive framework rooted in fundamental principles such as safety, efficiency, and fluency and moreover, they emphasise the significance of body awareness, effective communication, and the conscious consideration of personal experiences and motivations.
Their technical style has naturally evolved through keen observation and firsthand experience. Previously, they had the privilege of working professionally as a shibari model, offering them the opportunity to be tied by accomplished practitioners from Japan and Europe. These encounters have enriched their knowledge and repertoire with invaluable techniques and insights, and also gives them a deeply empathetic understanding of what the people they tie experience in ropes.
Presently, their focus centres on the exploration of movement both with and within ropes. This ongoing research fuels their passion for pushing the boundaries of shibari and continuously expanding their understanding of its possibilities.
Anna Noctuelle is a highly experienced and versatile Shibari practitioner with 20 years of experience. Her journey with Shibari began as a personal discovery and has since evolved into a multifaceted practice encompassing teaching, modelling and performing.Her dedication to sharing her passion for Shibari has taken her to various rope communities across Europe teaching workshops and captivating audiences with performances since 2016.
Anna’s artistic journey has been deeply influenced by her diverse background. With a foundation in classical dance and other embodied practices, she brings grace, elegance, and a keen sense of body awareness to her Shibari practice. Her exploration of Buddhism and Tantra, as well as her commitment to yoga, have shaped her aesthetic and philosophical approach to Shibari, lending it a spiritual depth and tranquility.
Being a linguist in her other life she’s constantly exploring the communicative aspects of Shibari. She is co-founder of "Embodied in Rope" - a comprehensive educational project for Rope Bottoms and founder and co-host of the podcast "Model Behaviour".
Anna Noctuelle’s blend of skills, knowledge, and experience make her an exceptional practitioner and educator of Shibari who understands what it means create safe and inclusive learning environments which reward inquiry, curiosity, courage, experimentation and playfulness.
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All participants must either have attended the first part in this workshop series, or have prior experience in performing basic transitions.
Riggers should be confident in their ability to efficiently & fluidly tie common suspension harnesses (such as takate kote, futomomo, etc.), must be experienced in managing multiple suspension lines (at least on bamboo and preferably also on rings/carabiners), be able to safely attach and lock off suspension lines under load, and have experience with techniques for lifting/lowering their models which they know work well for them.
Models should have experience of being suspended in common harnesses, possess body awareness around nerve safety and circulation, understand the difference between discomfort and unsustainable or unsafe sensations, and be able to clearly communicate their needs within rope.
Although teacher demonstrations will include ties such as TK, strappado, ‘crucifixion’ harnesses etc., we understand that not all models are comfortable in all ties. You are invited and encouraged to use alternatives, and to modify the exercises to better fit your needs.