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First steps

An unconventional beginning

When I took my first steps into the world of shibari, I didn't find myself in a traditional workshop, but at a very special shibari gathering. This event could hardly be described as a workshop in the traditional sense. Instead, a number of techniques were demonstrated and, under guidance, participants were allowed to slip into both roles. What was special was the invitation to try out the rope with new partners. As someone who comes from the Tango Argentino scene, this was exactly the right approach for me. It was an experience that touched me deeply and inspired me to continue on this path.

The difficult start with books

My first attempts at learning shibari through books were informative, but not particularly practical. Despite a growing collection of shibari literature, I found that books were great for internalizing theoretical knowledge, safety aspects and technical terms, but less so for mastering the actual art of tying. For me, it just didn't work to translate images and text into a bondage.

Shibari meetings

A personal approach

I was lucky that the woman who had originally told me about Shibari and made me curious was willing to practise with me. Because at the very beginning of my journey I was quite unsure and could really use this practice.
I was so lucky that she agreed to go with me to my first bondage meetings and also to practice with her privately. She already had over 10 years of experience on the passive side and was therefore able to give me valuable tips and reassure me accordingly.
I was then able to have my first mini-workshops with her at the Fürth Suitcase Factory. It was a time when we were often in a very small group there, and I am very grateful to the organizers for showing me my first bondage techniques and teaching me valuable details about Takate Kote. There were often only a handful of us there at the time and it was a very nice, informal atmosphere.
I was just in the right place at the right time with the right people.
I was able to find another partner for this location and was therefore quite active with the ropes quite quickly.
I can only recommend Shibari meetings, it's great to meet people at such events and practice in the community.

Mixed feelings at workshops

Despite my initial experience at an open Shibari meeting and the support of my already small network, I recognized the value of structured workshops. I am generally someone who enjoys attending workshops and benefits from the group dynamic. I really like being in a group and learning, it inspires me and gives me a good insight into the fact that it's not just me who has to take one step at a time, but that we all need our time to progress at our own pace.
I personally offer workshops that strike a balance between demonstration, personalized instruction and the opportunity to practice on your own. Workshops can be overwhelming, but they are irreplaceable for learning directly from experts and developing a feel for the ropes.
Attending workshops always opened up new perspectives for me, even when I thought I had already learned a lot. There are different teachers and styles, so there is always something new to discover or remember.

If you are curious about workshops or bondage meetings, you may find them under my Dates eine gute Auswahl an Terminen in Forchheim finden.
In addition, the greater Nuremberg area offers a large selection of bondage meetings where you are sure to find something that suits you, be it at the Kofferfabrik, the Desi, the Knotenpunkt or at other meetings. In the wider area there are also opportunities in Augsburg, Würzburg and Regensburg. If you want to know more, you can ask me or do your own research.

Discovering online learning platforms

The turning point for me came with the discovery of online learning platforms. These interactive and visual resources offered a new dimension to learning. So I had quickly found videos on basics that also offered me personally a better understanding and helped me to develop my tethering style. The ability to pause videos at any time and watch parts multiple times is very easy for me to grasp. This allows me to grasp what has been shown and recall it later. One danger of learning in this way is that you may acquire and memorize incorrect techniques. That's why it can be particularly valuable to attend a workshop from time to time during the learning process or to take part in an exchange at a tethering meeting so that someone from outside can look at the technique used or to find your own mistakes.

The teacher's role:

Repetition as the key to success

In my role as a teacher, I emphasize the importance of repetition. My courses are designed to not only provide direct instruction, but to give my students plenty of time to practice and reinforce. For some topics I have supplementary resources such as videos. I usually create a summary with the most important keywords so that my students can research and find other versions or approaches themselves.

Summary

The combination makes the difference

In my personal experience, the combination of different learning tools is crucial. Each step along the way has its own merits and contributes to the overall picture. From the in-depth exchange at a Shibari meeting, to the theoretical foundation provided by books, to the practical consolidation in workshops and with online resources - all these elements form a complete learning system.

Finding the right format to suit my learning style and utilizing the variety of resources available has brought me to where I am today.

I cordially invite you to embark on this fascinating journey and discover the art of shibari in all its facets.

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Sample video:

Single Column Tie mit Granny Knot

Here is a version without voice over.