Come as you are! Bring your curiosity. Take care of yourself and each other.
DISCOVER
Before your workshop
Creating a space for learning, exploration and meaningful connection
The places we temporarily inhabit together during a workshop or coaching become a laboratory for experiments with rope, body, mind and human connection.
Our intention is to create an open, welcoming and non judgemental environment where curiosity and authenticity are encouraged, and where everyone feels free to explore without fear of being judged.
We welcome adults of all genders, sexual orientations and levels of experience. We invite everyone to show up authentically, respect one another’s differences and contribute to an atmosphere of kindness, generosity and mutual care.
At the same time, we do not believe that meaningful learning happens by avoiding everything that feels unfamiliar or challenging. Kinbaku can touch us emotionally as well as physically. You may encounter ideas, experiences or conversations that surprise you, challenge you or invite you to look at yourself from a different perspective. We see this as a natural part of genuine exploration.
While we are experienced teachers, trauma aware and attentive to the needs of our students, our workshops are educational rather than therapeutic. We encourage you to take responsibility for your own wellbeing, communicate openly and ask for support whenever you need it.
Kinbaku involves physical and emotional risks. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body and never feel obliged to do something that does not feel right.
The following guidelines are here to help us create a thoughtful, enjoyable and meaningful experience together.
1. Take care of yourself
Whenever possible, arrive at the workshop rested, fed and hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. We provide drinks and snacks, and if you need a break, please don’t feel that you have to wait for the scheduled pause. Take the time you need and help yourself.
Alcohol and other consciousness altering substances affect perception, judgement and risk awareness. For everyone’s wellbeing, we ask participants to arrive sober. If necessary, we may ask someone not to participate, as we cannot take responsibility for practice under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Sometimes rope brings emotions to the surface. You are welcome to allow whatever arises. If you need some quiet time alone or with your partner, feel free to step into another room. There is always space to take a moment and return whenever you feel ready.
2. Communicate with your partner
Before the workshop, take some time to talk with your partner, just as you would before a rope session, about your intentions, expectations and personal boundaries.
In our approach to Kinbaku, we see rope as a shared experience between two people. Alongside technical skills, we explore intimacy, communication and, at times, erotic play between partners.
Talk beforehand about your comfort levels around touch, closeness and personal boundaries. And remember that these may change once you begin. Continue paying attention and communicating with each other throughout the experience.
3. Learn at your own pace
There is no prize for finishing first.
We often demonstrate the complete exercise so that you can see where we are heading. This does not mean you need to complete everything immediately. Learning happens through repetition, patience and attention to detail.
Sometimes practising half an exercise with care teaches far more than rushing through the whole sequence. Stay with your own rhythm rather than comparing yourself to others.
For the person in ropes, this also means listening carefully to your body. Notice what is happening, honour your physical and emotional limits and communicate with your partner.
4. Trust the process
During the workshop, we ask you to follow the techniques and progressions we demonstrate.
Sometimes we encourage experimentation and personal exploration. At other times, we ask you to practise a particular technique because it provides an important foundation for what follows.
Trust the learning process. There will be plenty of opportunities to develop your own style once the underlying principles have become embodied.
5. Stay safe
Kinbaku is a way of creating an intense experience together. Although we often begin by copying an exercise or figure we demonstrate, the practice goes much deeper than reproducing a shape.
What feels completely normal for one person may be well outside another person’s comfort zone. Stay attentive to yourself and your partner throughout the workshop.
If a technique is unclear or you are unsure about what is happening, ask. We are always happy to help.
6. Take notes
You are welcome to photograph our demonstrations for your personal learning. Please avoid filming complete exercises.
You are also welcome to photograph your own practice, provided that no other participants appear in your images without their permission.
Most importantly, stay present. Your attention is your most valuable learning tool.
7. Give yourself time to integrate
Give yourself some time to rest after the workshop.
You may feel tired and heavy, or high, light headed or slightly disoriented. Even when the exercises did not feel particularly challenging, rope can have a deeper effect than we sometimes realize.
Be kind and considerate with yourself and your partner. Sometimes we are not immediately aware of what an experience has stirred within us, and its effects may only become noticeable later.
Whenever possible, leave some space before returning fully to everyday life. Take extra care when driving or travelling home by public transport.
It is also a good idea to check in with each other the following day and see how you are both doing.