Shibari: discover the artistic side of this immobilization technique

All art is a form of communication and expression. All art is also a political act, which questions preconceptions and established standards. To show the other side of shibari, teacher and founder of the project “Shibari Entre Nós” Karllana Cavalcante tells a little more about this technique, how it works and gives tips for practice.

what is shibari

According to Karllana, shibari is a Japanese technique of communication and immobilization with ropes. He is inspired by today justuJapanese art used by samurai in the feudal period to capture and torture prisoners of war.

“It emerged from the ironic view of the power exchange process, which is very much linked to the sexual part of this exchange and pain”, says the professional about shibari. This power is presented in the relationship of domination and submission between practitioners, which has been present since Feudal Japan.

Because of its sexual context, the practice is often confused with bondage, which is a binding technique used in BDSM. But the teacher warns that both are different:

“It must be pointed out that bondage is not shibari and shibari is not bondage. They are two practices with different roots, objectives and functions. They are very similar in that bondage also works with immobilization and has the possibility of using ropes. But one of the great differentials, for me, is the intention”, says Karllana.

How does shibari work?

It is the intention that dictates how the experience will be. “Shibari itself is a fluid art, so it changes according to the look of the person in the session”, explains the professional. The practitioner can opt for the artistic, sexual and therapeutic aspect which, as the teacher explains, has the same structures, that is, the same type of knot or region of mooring.

“There are some structures that can be considered more sexual, such as structures that leave the intimate regions more exposed, but it is possible to use them in an artistic process and be disconnected from the sexual context.”

In Karllana’s artistic process, the inspiration is the connection with nature, with the wild and especially with the cerrado. “I use a lot of twists, I explore the possibilities of the bodies and especially this feeling of reception, the possibility of a communication without words only with the body and the ropes”, says the professional. “I seek to bring shibari to city parks, to shopping malls, to everyday life, showing that it is something accessible, beautiful and for everyone”.

Art as a political act

If it’s for everyone, then it’s for women too. According to the founder of the Shibari Entre Nós project, 8 years ago there were no teachers and women who played the role of tying. Today the scenario is no longer the same. “There was a movement in which we got together to teach each other and create welcoming and support groups for those who were just starting out. Today the biggest references of shibari in Brazil are women”.

Practice has many ways of contesting the status quo, because she questions the role of women in the power relationship, the concept of art, beauty and prejudices. For her, living on art in Brazil is a political act.

“Brazil is still a conservative country and any practice that is not within this hall of things said to the family is not seen with good eyes. Shibari breaks this idea in many ways because it is a democratic practice that accepts all bodies, all sexualities, identities and all forms of expression”, says Karllana.

Risks and precautions

The immobilization instrument most used by professionals today are natural fiber ropes. Therefore, everything that will be done during the class must be agreed in advance.

“Just like inserting candles in sex, inserting strings needs consent and a conversation to negotiate what can or cannot be done and, above all, talk about the risks of the practice, because there is no way for a person to consent if he does not understand what he is talking about. treats,” he says.

But practicing shibari requires prior knowledge not only of immobilization techniques, but also of anatomy – mainly of nerves, circulation and articulation –, first aid and type of rope. This helps prevent accidents, from rope burns to loss of limb movement.

Because of this, she warns of tutorials of dubious origin found on the internet. She indicates looking for a professional, who will teach you how to practice safely, how to react to an accident and apply first aid.

Learn more about shibari

If you are interested in the practice of Japanese origin, see below some videos that will help you to know more about it. Remembering that, before testing, seek the guidance of a professional.

building security

In this video, Karllana Calvalcante teaches you how to establish clear communication with the person being tied up. Here, security is synonymous with consent.

Introduction to Shibari: Strings

Here you know a little about ropes and how to choose the best one to start shibari.

How to practice safely

In this video, Karllana explains a little about how the anatomy of the body works, more specifically about the nerves of the upper limbs. With this information, you can avoid accidents and ensure a safer practice.

If you enjoyed this article, you might want to know more about tantric therapy, which can be a complement to shibari practice.