The Art of Self Tying

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 The Art of Self Tying– these are specific lessons focusing on the practice of self tying, which have been selected out of our Principles of Shibari extended workshop series. If you wish to study other aspects of shibari, please see the link above.

Throughout this workshops, you will develop and build your skills and confidence in rope play. Depending on your needs, you may book an individual class, or all three classes to ensure for a thorough educational experience.

Class 1 (First steps) & Class 2 (The Art of Self Tying I) run 6:30-8:00pm.

Class 3 (The Art of Self Tying II) is embedded into our Rope Jam night. Rope Jam is open from 6pm-10pm, however the class itself is from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

All classes are held at Ashtanga Yoga Studio, King St, Newcastle West.

While each of our classes focus on a particular skill, ongoing discussions will continue throughout, building knowledge of the terminology, culture, history, styles, and aesthetics of 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: The Art of Self-Tying Part 2 is being taught at the Rope Jam mini class on the 4th March. For those who have completed Part 1, you may be able to progress to a supervised suspended hip harness. 

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.

FAQs:

• Ticket price is per person. All attendees need to purchase a ticket to attend. No spectators.
• Please wear clothing that gives a full range of movement such as activewear.
• 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.