With Ropunawa & Freya Hellesdim

In this workshop, we will focus on fast and effective ways to restrain your partner using minimal rope.

The goal is to create ties that can serve both as a foundation for further development within a rope session and, on their own, as the perfect basis for a wide variety of play.

Or perhaps you simply want to adorn and present your partner?

• Prerequisites

  This workshop is suitable for all levels. Whether you are a beginner analyzing the techniques or an advanced practitioner adding your own personal style to the ties, there is something here for everyone.

• About the Teachers

  RopuNawa(he/him) first encountered Shibari/Kinbaku in 2008 at a performance in Australia. This performance stayed with him on his way back to Switzerland, where he began his own journey with the rope. He formed the foundation from Osada Steve’s style, which was taught in Switzerland at that time. However, he did not stay with this one style, but was inspired by many other teachers. For RopuNawa, there is not one way to tie, but the heart of his style lies in the need of his model. These needs can be as diverse as the individuality of the people themselves, and through the diversity of his style, he can best respond to his partners needs and wants. He appreciates the non verbal connection, that he can create with each tying partner. 

  The aesthetics he picked up while first getting to know Naka’s style, who influenced him early on. While Naka still accompanies him today, Tifereth has inspired him on this path for the last 2 years as well. 

  Yoroi was another of his great first influences, who’s style gave RopuNawa’s taste for less is more space to develop. Yagami Ren also influenced him in this direction. 

  Today RopuNawa unites parts of all these styles in his personal rope art, which he lives and teaches in Basel to students all over the world, as he continues to travel worldwide, giving workshops and getting inspired by his old teachers and new encounters.

  Freya Hellesdîm (she/her) got into rope back in 2015. Because of her fascination with communication through the body, beyond all algorithms, she was repeatedly drawn to Shibari, whereby she explored and deepened both, the intensity and the various dynamics with her partner. Furthermore, immersing herself into the art of bondage offers her an important platform for personal expression. In the midst of physical limitations, there’s an unexpected sense of freedom for her that comes with submission. Embracing the boundaries, her mind becomes an explorer, venturing into realms of imagination and self-discovery. The continuing passion has offered her the possibility to travel internationally as a model for workshops, shootings and performances since 2018.