With Gestalta
Towards Suspension (Step 3): Uplines, Partials and Crafting a Rope Session is a 6-week shibari course designed for those who are ready to start learning (partial-)suspensions. This closed-group format fosters a supportive learning environment, allowing you to build connections with peers at a similar skill level.
In this weekly evening class, you’ll learn how to:
Safely attach and secure suspension lines
Move your tying partner using suspension lines
Tie harnesses suitable for suspension and adapt these to the needs of the person in rope
Assess and moderate the risks of (partial-)suspension and communicate these risks with each other
Better understand your physical and emotional limits in rope and communicate these
Tie a range of (partial-)suspension shapes and understand how the body moves and reacts in them, and how to incorporate them into your rope play
The step 3 curriculum consists of two 6-week courses (A and B). This upcoming course, starting on July 6th, is course B.
We strongly encourage taking both courses, although it doesn’t matter which course you take first. Both courses are aimed at preparing you for suspension, and cover fundamental skills such as working with suspension lines, and tying suspension safe harnesses, but otherwise the content is in no way repetitive. Each course covers very different shapes/positions, harnesses, and different ideas for incorporating uplines into your play, which can help you deepen your knowledge, better adapt to the needs of the person you are tying, and help you discover your own unique tying style.
We have also observed that for the vast majority of people 6 weeks is too short an amount of time to go from having never used a suspension line before, to being confident enough with suspension to safely progress on to intermediate level. We emphasise that regular shibari practice is critical, especially in the beginning.
-
All of the content needed for this class is covered in our Step 1 and 2 courses. If you have taken lessons elsewhere, it is still possible to attend our step 3 course providing you are fluent in tying:
single column ties and quick release version, straight and counter-tensioned wraps, frictions (nodome, half hitch, x-friction, half moon friction, l-friction), kannuki, hojo cuff, Yuki fix. You should be able to build some basic harnesses (e.g. simple gote, hands front harness, futomomo), and be familiar with the basics of rope handling and body handling (on the floor).
If you are unsure if you have the level, don’t hesitate to reach out to Daruma.
-
We recommend coming with a regular tying partner. If you don’t have one yet but would like to join, feel free to reach out to us or post in the dedicated partner search section of our Telegram group for Daruma events.
We also host regular speed-dating events that might be helpful if you are looking to get to know someone to tie with.Switching is absolutely welcome, and many people will switch in this class. Just keep in mind it means you will have a little less time for each exercise.
Next start dates: July 6th, August 17th, 2026.