So you want to learn rope bondage?
To get started, you’ll first need some rope. The most common for many rope tops are jute, hemp, or cotton (all natural fiber ropes), but nylon (synthetic fiber) is cheaper, and some prefer it. Also popular is silk rope. Finally, some rigging (suspension) uses synthetic ropes that are made to feel like natural rope, including Hempex and POSH. For very beginners, we recommend jute. See these online retailers.
https://www.shibariacademy.com/pages/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-shibari-rope
General Beginner Topics
All rope students should start in the beginner section. You should practice every day until you are proficient in the six ties (lessons 2-7).
Practice these topics before you start the 7 lessons.
• What do “rope top” and “bunny” mean
• Square Knot vs Granny Knot (single strand)
• Double strand tying (bight end & running end)
• Holding Rope taught
• “Two finger” test for binding someone’s limb
• How to Tie Up Your Rope For Storage when done
Single Columns
A single column means we tie one piece of the body, a limb— like an arm or a leg. Make sure not to tie around the ankles, knees, or wrists. It’s called a single column because we are tying around one column.
While you only need to learn one single column, not all single columns are equally effective. Some collapse (which means they will lose their shape and not stay secure), some loosen (which means they can become undone), and some collapse & loosen. You will start here and learn Basic overhand (Lesson #2), overhand with slip knot (quick release) (Lesson #3).
The single column that you will learn that does not collapse or loosen is the Sommerville bowline (Lesson #4).
More single columns are not listed here (see extra credit for a few ideas). Most rope tops have a go-to single column they get comfortable with and stick with for general purposes.
Double Columns
A Double column means we tie two pieces of the body— for example, two arms or two legs (or a leg and an arm). In the double-column tie, we tie one limb to another limb. You will do double columns in Lessons #5 and #6.
| 1. | The running end and the bight end |
| 2. | Single column overhand |
| 3. | Single column overhand with quick-release |
| 4. | The Sommerville Bowline (pronounced “bowlin“) Shibari Study video, Youtube 1, Youtube 2 |
| 5. | Double column |
| 6. | Leg ladders — don’t tie around the ankles or knees! |
| 7. | Extending rope using a Lark’s head |
If you’ve completed all 7 lessons and are are proficient in all of the ties above, you may start attending any of the Intermediate classes or workshops. If you want to stay in the Beginner material a bit longer, learn how to do drilling: that’s when you do the tie again and again and again to create the muscle memory of the tie in your hands. Also, try some of this extra credit material. These make good short detours on your way to the Intermediate-level material.
Extra credit:
• Spreader bar with a double column
• Single column lark’s head (try this around your whole body at your midriff)
• Sheet bend rope extension
Extra extra credit:
• Fast Sommerville Bowline
• Bola Bola Single column