I realize I'm both the guy selling you the rope and also the guy recommending you buy more rope. However, I'm writing kink books and selling rope out of love, not for money. If I wanted to get rich, I'd have written a fad-diet book.

So, still reading? Good! You shouldn't be scared off, but you should understand the risks and take safety seriously! So now, lets talk about how you bloomin' do the fun stuff shall we? The "Pentagram" or "Star Harness" has long been one the most requested decorative harness tutorials. Tied here using a 40ft length of 6mm rope Sexologist Midori, author of Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage and founder of Planet Midori, tells Mashable: "It originated as an underground form of culturally specific erotic fantasy play, enjoyed by ordinary people, which centers on erotic nostalgia."The first thing to learn is a little terminology (as this will make the rest much easier to understand!). Shibari requires two people ... the person who is doing the tying and the person who is being tied. The one doing the tying is commonly referred to as either the 'Rigger', or the 'Top' (We'll go with Rigger). For people who don’t buy into those problematic narratives today, they can enjoy Shibari as part of their own variation of kinky bondage play," she assures. "Is Shibari a spiritual practice in Japan? No. Might some Shibari lovers in Japan and the rest of the world find moments of emotional catharsis in Shibari? Sure. Do some of these folks make it their own form of spiritual exploration? Yes." But she stresses that this isn’t unique to Shibari. It’s been so for people who enjoy other forms of kink, such as leather bondage, flogging, ordeal play, and dominance and submission — to name a few. In any tie, but particularly with ties involving the wrists, it’s important to make sure you have plenty of wiggle room between the skin and the rope, and that the tie can’t tighten down on itself," she says. "A tie that does this is both uncomfortable and unsafe and can potentially cause loss of circulation or nerve damage." There are plenty of shibari dojos where you can find a partner if you do not have one. In them, you will have an expert leading your scene or teaching you how to do it. Doing shibari for the first time with someone you have just met, without any type of supervision from a professional, is not a great idea. The reason is that you do not really know if your potential partner is trustworthy or not. Or if they know what they are doing. This knowledge comes with time: you will have this exchange organically until when you know your partner better. Shibari for Beginners: the Negotiations Shibari is not a game. Although you can definitely enjoy it and have fun with it, you must take it with respect. It is important to learn shibari, visit a place devoted to it, and take a workshop or an online course if you are planning to do it by yourself. Additionally, you should study basic anatomy because this BDSM activity has its risks. The Dojos

Shibari for beginners: have you ever thought about practicing this art with your partner? Nowadays more people than you can imagine are practicing it. Or, at the very least, reflecting whether doing it or not. In general, people do not usually have any idea of what it involves. The Most Basic of the Basics: a Definition This versatile body harness can be tied on any body with simple modifications. Tied here using 50ft of 6mm rope (tied using 4mm this makes great stealth-bondage under clothing). The versatility of rope makes it easy to create a custom-fit strap-on harness on the hips, or anywhere else on the body. Ultimately, Shibari is about consensually tying each other up for fun and sexual pleasure. "It shouldn’t be intimidating or aggravating," she says. The number one rule for tying safely is to ALWAYS have safety shears within reaching distance,” Sydona says. “The second is to be able to communicate to your partner well, both as both a top [person doing the tying] and bottom [person being tied]. Being able to communicate explicitly and coherently before, during, and after a session is what keeps it as safe and enjoyable as possible.”Begin your Shibari journey by tying your partner’s wrists and ankles. This foundational practice allows you to establish a sense of comfort and trust before moving on to more complex ties. Additionally, consider using “columns”– tying your partner to a chair or a piece of furniture. Look around your bedroom with a rope master’s eye to find suitable anchor points. Safety In reality, the BDSM community centres play of any kind around consent, respect and communication. And that’s especially true with Shibari. What is Shibari? Shibari techniques tread the line between pain and pleasure, with knots and ties positioned to heighten sensuality and stimulate pressure points, erogenous zones and genitals. Hojojutsu is the grandfather to modern shibari. Many of the techniques from hojojutsu make you a faster and more effective shibari artist.

Midori explains that, outside of Japan, in the past decade or so, Shibari has gone viral. With that increase in popularity, came some criticism of Westernised interpretations of the craft, along with "particular narratives about Shibari’s history." Adapting hog ties for larger, broader, or less flexible folks is made easy by tying in a modular fashion. The origin of Shibari is thought to lie in Hojo-jutsu, a martial art used by Samurai in Japan in 1400 to restrain prisoners. To show their prisoners respect, they used rope, different tying techniques and patterns to symbolise the social status of their prisoner, as well as the type and severity of the crime. This mostly-SFW infographic looks at 12 popular sexual misconceptions that continue to endure – from the importance of penis size to average frequency and duration.”] Shibari is mostly about communication. So, if you have good communication with your partner and are trying to strengthen your relationship, this discipline is a great idea.

Want to learn?

We don't have all the answers ... but we can share some hints, tips and links to other resources that you might find useful. Shibari, a form of bondage, is a beginner-friendly kink that allows you to explore your creativity and attitude with minimal risk and a low budget. In this guide, we’ll cover the essentials of Shibari for beginners, helping you embark on this exciting journey. Ropes Body Harnesses (sometimes called a Karada or Tortoise Shell tie) create convenient securing points for other ties and are also handy for wearing rope under everyday clothing. Demonstrated here using a 50ft length of 6mm rope. Ropes are central to the art of Shibari. While natural fiber ropes like jute are commonly seen in pictures and exhibitions, beginners can opt for more affordable alternatives, such as cotton ropes. This way, you can test the waters and determine if Shibari is the right fit for you before investing in premium ropes. Knots Contrasts are central to Shibari: intricate geometric patterns with the natural curves of the body, rough rope against soft skin and vulnerability side by side with strength. The practice can also lead to a trance-like experience for the tied partner and a rush of adrenalin for the artist, or rigger.