Elements: Beginner Shibari Class (Step 1)

Date & Time: Every Tuesday, 6pm - 8pm

Teacher: Gestalta

Level: Absolute Beginner

Language: This class is taught in English.

Location: Neukölln, Berlin

New to Shibari?

If you’re completely new to learning shibari, or have a little prior experience but are feeling a bit rusty on the basics, this is the place to start!

The goal of this class is to facilitate regular, structured shibari practice, that aims to go deep rather than broad, helping you to develop a really firm grasp of rope bondage basics, build muscle memory, and get to know other participants. The class runs weekly from our studio in Neukölln, Berlin.

Course Format

Each week we take an element of shibari—a building block that can be used to construct other more complex ties—and examine it from several perspectives, to help you learn to recognise and apply it in many different contexts.

You will learn why and how each technique works, how to move and control the rope fluidly and efficiently, and how to tie with an appropriate tension.

You are free to come alone or partnered. Much of the content of this class can be tied on your own body, but you are welcome (and encouraged) to partner up with another solo participant if you feel comfortable to do so. You don’t need your own rope, as ropes will be available at the studio to borrow, or buy!

Lesson Content

The topics in this shibari course rotate regularly. You don’t necessarily need to attend all of these sessions consecutively, and we always assume that there will be at least a few people in the room who have never touched a piece of rope before so you can start at anywhere in this cycle. You can also just drop in on weeks where you need a refresher on a specific topic.

You can continue attending the step 1 class for as long as you need in order to feel confident with all of the content, before moving into the Floorwork (step 2) class.

  • The majority of shibari ties begin with this technique, so it’s vital to have a good grasp of it. This class teaches a basic technique, but also how to apply it smoothly on different parts of the body, how to choose an appropriate tension for it, and also dips into a little bit of basic wrapping and rope handling technique!We strongly recommend taking this class a second time, even if you’ve already completed all the other classes in the series.

    Next Scheduled Dates: 4th June, 13th August

  • One of the most useful elements in your tool box, this class looks at different methods and applications to help you build a variety simple structures, and as a way of enhancing rope play!

    Next Scheduled Dates: 11th June, 20th August

  • These little frictions are so simple that sometimes they’ll slip by unnoticed, but they have a wide variety of uses, and this class will help you to recognise them, whilst simultaneously helping you develop better rope handling skills.

    Next Scheduled Dates: 18th June, 27th August

  • Frictions to help you begin building more solid and sustainable structures with rope, and to start to give your ties balance. We’ll look at the logic behind how frictions work, so you can start to make your own judgements about when to use them, and why.

    Next Scheduled Dates: 25th June, 10th September

  • In this class we look how we can put different elements from previous weeks together to construct an upper body harness, we’ll talk about how and why the harness works, and start to think about how you can make modifications to accommodate for different body types.

    Note: this is the only class in the series where it might be beneficial to have attended at least one of the previous two weeks (nodomes & half hitches, x-frictions & half moon frictions), although many people have been to this as a first class and found it accessible.

    Next Scheduled Dates: 2nd July, 17th September

  • Moving a person around when they’re tied up poses some unique challenges, especially when you’re a smaller rope top, but it also presents some great opportunities for play! This week we look at how you move the body of the person you’re tying? And how you move your own body when you tie?

    Next Scheduled Dates: 16th July, 24th September

  • How can we build a rope scene effectively using minimal rope, and minimum technical elements? How can we connect with the person we’re tying with, and convey what we want to convey through a single rope?

    Next Scheduled Dates: 30th July, 1st October

  • Getting your rope to form gently around the human body, rather than forcing the body to conform to the rope, is greatly helped by this tiny element. We’ll start with looking at a double column tie and then explore other uses in other situations.

    Next Scheduled Dates: 23rd July, 1st October

  • Possibly the trickiest element to tie in this course; you’ll be given lots of tensioning tips and rope handling tricks to help you apply it.

    Next Scheduled Dates: 6th August, 15th October

  • To read more about Gestalta click here

  • We are located on Karl-Marx-Str., in Neukölln, Berlin. Right next to ubahn Grenzallee and a very short walk from sbahn Neükolln.

    Details on how to find and enter the venue are emailed to you automatically when you register for the class.

  • The class starts at 6pm. Please arrive early so we can start on time. You can enter the space from 5.45pm onwards.

    Full details of how to find the space are sent to you in the registration email when you sign up.

  • 20€ per person (drop in price).

    Flexible 5 card passes are available for 90€ regular / 75€ low income / 100€ supporter (use any time within 3 months)

    Flexible 10 card passes are available for 150€ (use any time within 6 months)

    If you prefer to pay via bank transfer or paypal rather than using the payment options in the booking system below please get in contact.

  • Bring your own rope if you have it. Ropes are available at the studio to borrow or to buy if you don't have your own.

    Yoga mats are available to sit on. Should you want something extra (such as a blanket or cushion), please bring one.

    We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. We advise against jeans, belts, underwired bras, or anything else that is hard on your body.