The past few weeks have been full of distractions: A week’s diving in Dahab, the demise of various bits of electrical equipment, getting permissions for a refurbishment project, dealing with the furore around an alleged abuser and the libellous comments of his supporters, planning for Burning Man, redecoration of Chez Esinem…and all the usual stuff. Yep, no rest for the wicked 😉
Anyway, I can just about get back to business now. ShibariClasses has been a steady success from day one and we now have some good feedback. One thing many of you have asked for is more on technique, rather than ‘paint by numbers’ instructions for ties. There’s a massive difference between simply going through the steps and being able to tie proficiently. This requires technique and faultless rope handling. No different from sex. Yes, one could follow a set of instructions in a sex manual…5-10 minutes of x, followed by 10-25 of y…you get the picture, not very sexy. As I always say, it’s not what you do but all about how you do it. Without the right skills, you might follow the steps but with all the lack of finesse of a fumbling virgin. This is why masters like Yukimura can achieve all they want with so little rope and what appear to be unspectacular simple ties. Nina and I are fortunate to have learned some of his skills first hand. Using our combined experience, we have just finished the first in a series on rope handling and technique. Whilst aimed at beginners, I’m certain that even quite experienced riggers will get something from it. In addition to our practical experience, Nina has carefully analysed video of many top nawashi, watching some 20 or more times, and has ‘stolen’ skills that have surprised me in spite of all the years I have been tying and what I thought I knew. Of course, you could work it out for yourself but it’s taken us 20 combined years, numerous tuition sessions with Japanese masters and 1,000’s of ties to get this far 🙂 I will be uploading Part I very soon to www.ShibariClasses.com featuring Nina’s new model, the lovely Sophia Fet.
We also have several sets of new photos from July’s BOUND. Although we’ll be away at Burning Man for September’s BOUND, don’t worry, we have a very experienced crew managing things and some great performers. Fred and Miss Bones of PURE, Goddess Cleo and Charly (The Two Charlies), and, of course, our lynch-pin, Mo will be running the event for us.