Why I Prefer Minimalistic, Organic and Mostly Floor-Based Shibari
My Shibari is minimal, mostly floor-based, and above all fluid and organic — a way of tying where every rope has a meaning, an intention, serving a sensation in the body.
Since my very first workshop about a decade ago, taught by Nicolas Yoroï (one of Europe’s most experienced and respected riggers, who developed Yoroi-ryu after years of studying Shibari in Japan, focusing on minimalist, organic, and movement-based tying techniques), I was fascinated by the simplicity of the rope and how it shapes, moves, and transforms the body. It pulled me deeper into the world of minimalistic, organic, and motion-based Shibari.
This research and exploration led me to develop my own way of expressing myself in rope, based on a few essential concepts:
The aim is always to create a particular meaning for every rope. Each rope must be in service of several intentions, such as shaping, transforming, or giving the body a specific sensation. This generally leads to a very fluid and organic way of tying.
This stands in strong contrast to a session where the rigger applies well-known patterns like a TK, Futomomo, etc., with a strong focus on tying the patterns “right” and following the well-learned rules. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that way of tying. There is no absolute right or wrong here, and these patterns, developed and refined over decades, are usually fairly safe and essential for any long and sustainable suspension session.
Since my focus in a session is strongly on the feelings of my model and the sensations they experience, I personally prioritise the connection that we build through the ropes. I put my model’s feelings first, not the construction of an aesthetically or technically pleasing pattern.
This naturally leads to more organic shapes on my partner’s body, which may look more chaotic or unstructured from the outside. But the goal is not to achieve a particular final result. It is the process itself. It is the intensity that every layer of rope creates on my partner’s body. The “art of Shibari” unfolds during the process of tying, like a wave in the ocean built up by energy, flowing and rising with our increasing intensity until it fades back into the waters.
Last notes:
Other essential elements in such a session are: breath; detailed observation of body patterns; posture; balance and off-balance; time and space — all leading to more or less intense body manipulations.
Dorcara tied by Dan Carabas in 2025