Welcome to Aphrodisia!

We host classes specially designed to enhance connection and increase confidence. Please note all participants must be over the age of 18 years. Classes are capped to ensure that everyone can receive appropriate levels of attention and tuition.

Welcome to Principles of Shibari – an extended workshop series, divided into two parts

Throughout this course, you will develop and build your skills and confidence in rope play. Depending on your needs, you may book individual classes, one part, or the entire series to ensure for a thorough and uninterrupted educational experience.

Every class runs 6:30-8:00pm and is held at Ashtanga Yoga Studio, King St, Newcastle West.

While each class focuses on a particular skill, ongoing discussions will continue throughout the series, building knowledge of the terminology, culture, history, styles, and aesthetics of shibari.

Part One: Bound by Shibari

Demonstrators: ArdentDesires and BlueBird (see bios below)

Weekly focus:

Week 1: January 27th

First steps: Single column and Double column ties.

Week 2: 3rd February

The Art of Self-Tying Part 1*: Futomomos, frictions, ties and harnesses.

Week 3: 10th February

Tying for connection: creating flow and building the relationship between rigger and bunny.

* The Art of Self-Tying Part 2 is being taught at the Rope Jam mini class on the 4th March. See here for details.

Part Two: Embracing Shibari

Demonstrators: Anchor_Rope (see bio below)

Weekly focus:

Week 1 & 2: February 17th and 24th

Significant sequences: Traversing the Takate Kote (TK) Parts I and II.

Although a complex tie, the TK builds from the basic single column, and contains all of the building blocks that are used in shibari- X and L frictions, 2 1/2 moons, nodemes, and hojo cuffs.

[Week break due to Rope Jam - 4th March]

Week 3: March 10th

Playing with position: The Agura and Hogtie

Workshop Equipment Requirements

You will need to bring the following with you to participate in the workshops:

4-6 x 7m-8m of 6mm rope in either hemp, jute, cotton or similar
Rope shears

If you do not have a set of rope, you may purchase this at point of ticket sale

Demonstrators:

ArdentDesires (she/her) has been active in the Newcastle kink scene for over 3 years, getting her start into shibari/kinbaku through Hunter Rope Explore & Exchange (RXX). Her passion for rope play is inspired by musical pieces such as Adagio for Strings by Samual Barber where movements are slow, deliberate and purposeful to create a specific emotional experience. She greatly enjoys sharing her knowledge about this Japanese art style and looks forward to introducing new people to the dynamics of rope play.

blue_b1rd (she/her) has been exploring Shibari for seven years, first as a bunny and then learning to tie in order to help others slip into blissful ropey space. Her focus is on building trust and intimacy through communication and tying the person, not just the rope. blue_b1rd enjoys flowy freestyle floor rope and collaborative suspension.
After finding community through Rxx (Newcastle), RopeChill (Sydney) and rope classes around Australia, blue_b1rd hosted ropey zoom chat/skill shares during the covid lockdowns. She now hosts the Newcastle Rope Munch and Rope Jams.

Anchor_rope_ (he/him), has been a rigger for almost 2 decades. He is an educator who loves to share his joy in the subject with his community, having previously run and organised the Newcastle Rope Dojo, and the Hunter Rxx.
Anchor Rope received the bulk of his rope education through Sydney's Studio Kink. A passionate student of Nawashi Kanna, he ties in the Akechi Denki lineage. While this is a more technical style, Anchor Rope feels it is focused at its core on the love, understanding, and sexuality of the bond between participants. Safety and consent are paramount concerns.

FAQs:

Ticket price is per person. All attendees need to purchase a ticket to attend (including those being tied aka bunnies).
Please wear clothing that gives a full range of movement such as activewear.
You do not need to come with a partner, however it is valuable to have someone you are comfortable with to practice your skills both inside and outside workshops.
Those who book the entire series will be given free entry to the March Rope Jam and its mini class: Self Tying Part 2.
We are located at the Ashtanga Yoga Studio in Newcastle West, on the top floor. There is a tall staircase to climb in order to access the space so please contact us with any mobility concerns.