Portland Shibari Salon Presents Expressions of Semenawa
Floor, Partial, and Full Suspension on Bamboo

~Limited to 4 Tying Pairs~

This workshop will explore expressions of semenawa in floor ties, partial suspension, and full suspension on bamboo

Semenawa ('Tormenting Rope') as expressed by Jonathan & Sappho is a multifaceted and nuanced approach to tying that combines both technical & psychological elements. Semenawa is an integral part of Jonathan's tying, a result of annual visits to Japan for deep study and his own reflection and experience. For Sappho, too, semenawa is fundamental to what calls to her in rope, and she'll be sharing perspectives and insights from the receiving side of the rope.

In this five-hour workshop, we'll explore:

• Fundamental Principles & Concepts of Semenawa

• Tying a Stemless Gote

• Semenawa Leg Ties

• Floor Ties,Partial, and Full Suspensions on Bamboo

• Consent, Anatomy, & Risk Management

• Aesthetics

10AM-1PM Workshop Part 1 (3 Hours)

1PM-2:30PM Lunch

2:30PM-4:30PM Workshop Part 2 (2 Hours)

Prerequisites:

People Tying should be comfortable with fundamental techniques such as single column ties and tying/locking off bands. You should feel confident in tyings a structurally solid and suspendable 2-rope gote shibari (TK/box tie), be competent in suspension line locking & management techniques, and be comfortable,confident, and experienced with basic suspension forms. You should be familiar and confident with tying a suspendable futomomo. You should have basic knowledge of nerve anatomy and associated risks, particularly with regards to suspension. You should be able to communicate effectively with your tying partner. 

People Being Tied should be comfortable being tied iand suspended n a gote shibari/TK , have ample prior experience being suspended, and be competent in monitoring themselves for nerve/circulation issues & communicating same to their tying partner. You should feel comfortable and confident in expressing limits with your tying partner, informing them when something feels excessive or dangerous to you.

Our approach to semenawa puts additional pressure on the body via torsion and other forms of pressure, and is inherently more hazardous. We will absolutely prioritize the safety of people being tied in this course. In practical terms, that means that you should not register for this workshop if you are new to suspensions. While not mandatory, we strongly encourage folks to attend this workshop with a tying partner they have experience tying with. Due to the detailed & time-intensive nature of this workshop, one person per tying pair will tie.

To ensure personal attention to each participant, class size will be limited to 4 tying pairs. Participants will sign a liability waiver at the start of the workshop. Please note that no refunds or credit will be issued within 30 days of this event. 

Questions about equipment or class prerequisites? Please contact the instructors at PortlandShibari@gmail.com

Please bring:

• (8-10) 26' - 30' ropes, 6mm in diameter. Jute or hemp is recommended.

• (2-4) 12' - 15' ropes, 6mm in diameter. Jute or hemp is recommended.

• (2) 26'-30' length of 5-6mm length of load-rated rope. We recommend Hempex or POSH

We have 8-meter hanks of 6mm jute and 6mm Hempex available for pre-order—contact us directly for details. 

About the Educators:

International rope artist Jonathan Ryan (Seattle Shibari) performs on stage, ties for photoshoots, and teaches the art of Shibari worldwide. He has taught & performed for sold-out audiences in 13 countries and 23 cities, including Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Barcelona, London, Shanghai, Los Angeles, & many more. 

He has been deeply involved in Japanese cultural arts for more than 40 years, and holds a high-level teaching license awarded to him by his teacher Kinoko Hajime of Tokyo, Japan. Jonathan’s personal style of rope combines his knowledge of body movement principles, psychology, and rope art to create his distinctive style of tying. His website is SeattleShibari.com.

Sappho is an unabashed lover of rope who brings expertise in Latin dance forms and a spirit of sensual inquiry to her kinbaku. She and Jonathan have taught & performed together in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. 

Sappho combines a methodical analysis of physical movement with a deep knowledge of neuro-anatomy in her approach to rope bottoming, and loves to share this knowledge with others. Together with Jonathan, she directs activities at the Portland Shibari Salon

For Jonathan & Sappho, rope is more than a beautiful & sensual art form; it is the invisible connection between two people made visible.