Rope isn't just about knots—it's about connection, emotion, and the art of shared vulnerability. In this episode, Davide journey of finding purpose in rope, balancing aesthetics and safety, and embracing growth through introspection

Davide, also known as Laodai, is a professional rigger and shibari artist with years of experience teaching, performing, and connecting through rope. He founded Studio K, the first shibari studio in Shanghai, and created Mainland China’s first public rope party. Through years of practice, study, and interactions with rope masters worldwide, Davide has refined a style rooted in emotional connection and meaningful experiences. He believes that deep, connective ropes are the most beautiful and fulfilling path to happiness, shaping his distinctive approach to shibari. His ties are clean, minimalistic, and purpose-driven, with the untying process serving as the climax of the connection. Inspired by the rope community around the world, Davide embraces the concept of “1 heart = 1 style.” Similar hearts may lead to similar styles, but every journey should ultimately reflect the individual. This philosophy has helped him embrace the diversity in shibari styles and practices, even those far from his personal vision. Davide sees shibari as fluid and dynamic, adapting his techniques to different people and contexts. Sometimes, this means exploring styles that differ from his usual approach. He continues to study and draw inspiration from the global rope community. Now based in Thailand but frequently traveling across Europe and Asia, Davide is open to collaborations and remains passionate about sharing the beauty of shibari with others. Feel free to contact him for performances, workshops, or artistic projects.

Instagram: @laodai.shibari

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"Every good story starts with a hardware store." Sparks shares his journey into shibari, from learning rope with his wife to studying under Kanna. He explores communication, consent, emotional connection, and creative sadism, offering personal insights into building meaningful rope experiences.

Sparks began tying in early 2015. Learning quickly both locally and travelling interstate at every chance to further knowledge. Sparks began an educational role in 2016 and not long there after, began teaching and performing interstate. Rope has since carried through to teaching and performing internationally and travelling to Japan to further continue his education, achieving the position of deshi to Nawashi Akechi Kanna Sensei and recieved his teaching certificate in the style of KannaRyu. Running a studio locally in Adelaide (Shibari Adelaide) he takes pride in the joy of others and growth in the rope community, as well as continually looking for positive self development along the way. His early trouble shooting and un-canny memory enables him to modify and skillfully adapt ties to each model. The deep intimacy and connections conveyed through rope, along with a sadistic flavour, is what Sparks enjoys most about shibari. 'Rope is a tool used to play with your partner'.

Instagram: @nawashisupaku
X: @SupakuRope

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Lavender emphasizes breaking down barriers by sharing knowledge and creating inclusive spaces. She explores her journey into kink and rope, the value of emotional connection, dismantling gatekeeping, and building community through intentionality and shared experiences.

Lavender is a rope bottom and PC gaming enjoyer. Other than rope she enjoys wax/knife play, whips and electricity. She continuously strives to connect with LGBTQA+ communities of color in their rope journey and doing knowledge/skill shares.

Instagram: @fawntastiic_

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Gandalf discusses their unique approach to rope, exploring themes of memory, vulnerability, and connection. They share insights on teaching, the emotional impact of touch, and creating spaces for authenticity and intentionality in rope practice.

Gandalf (they/them) is a shibari artist and educator based in Shanghai. They are the founder and organiser of Embodied Flow and the conductor of a local Playback Theatre group. Formerly a cognitive scientist, Gandalf is interested in exploring various forms of embodied thinking with rope being their main medium. Over the past three years, they have been teaching rope to a wide variety of demographics across China, aiming to radically diversify shibari and build safer and more conscious rope communities for queer and women. For them, rope teaches us about "being together". Drawing from their background in psychology and experience across various forms of theatre and dance, Gandalf's workshops often consist of equal measures of movement and rope exercises, and participants are invited to explore a variety of topics from consent, safety, tension, to wild journeys into the philosophy of meaning making, vulnerability, and care. Gandalf has also started the "Kinbaku Theatre" initiative, where they hope to further expand the potential of shibari performances through stage productions. Their writings and talks are featured on Contemporary Queer Chinese Art, DOMUS China, TEDx etc.

Explore 800+ high-quality rope bondage tutorials taught by world-class instructors: https://shibaristudy.com

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X: https://x.com/shibari_study
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"Rope should be taught as a series of decisions rather than patterns," Hitchin Kitten suggests, emphasizing dynamic choices over rigid forms. In this episode, they discuss playful, movement-centered rope, grounding in intuition, and fostering inclusive, identity-based communities.

HitchinKitten (she/they/it) is a kitten-ish rope witch and sadomasochistic switch that likes her kink to be whimsically delicious. Her kink is connection, and rope is the path she takes to get there. Her approach to rope focuses on movement, foundational concepts, and functionality to encourage accessible, connective, and collaborative improvisation in rope practice and beyond. HK is also the facilitator of Hitchin’ Bitches PDX (Portland, Or, USA), and provides private and group rope instruction, as well as tastings at events.

Explore 800+ high-quality rope bondage tutorials taught by world-class instructors: https://shibaristudy.com

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X: https://x.com/shibari_study
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Devon and Cass discuss their evolving experiences with rope bondage, chronic pain, and navigating personal trauma. They explore communication, consent, and collaboration in kink, offering insights into how pain and power dynamics shape their connection both on and off stage.

Dual Demons are two non-binary, trauma-informed BDSM + kink educators and performers specializing in rope suspension and the development of Queer, anarchist spaces. Devon (they/them) and Cass (they/she) are two silly little chaos gremlins based in Santa Cruz, California. They fundamentally believe in the dichotomy of kink through finding Queer joy and silliness while simultaneously curating an intimate, sadomasochistic experience.

Instagram: @dual_demons

Explore 800+ high-quality rope bondage tutorials taught by world-class instructors: https://shibaristudy.com

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"I can't wait to learn what my rope style is!" Axel discusses her journey into kink, navigating whitewashed kink spaces, the emotional depth of rope bottoming, and the personal growth she’s experienced through self-tying and exploring the intersection of mental health and kink.

Axel’s pleasure is through pain. As a masochist, Axel joined the kink community when she began exploring different methods of energy release. Through Axel’s journey, she has gained a thriving passion for helping others find identity through kink, self-love, and expression, as well as creating safe spaces that allow knowledge of kink to flow thoroughly. Axel is a switch that enjoys rope, impact play, power exchange, and service.

Explore 800+ high-quality rope bondage tutorials taught by world-class instructors: https://shibaristudy.com

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X: https://x.com/shibari_study
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Good relationships are all about connection. Wren and Yana dive into the nuances of fulfilling intimacy, consent, and navigating dynamics in relationships. They discuss overcoming personal hang-ups, redefining pleasure, and the importance of open communication in both kink and vanilla spaces.

Yana Tallon-Hicks, LMFT (she/her), is a relationships therapist and sexuality writer + educator living in Western Massachusetts. Her work has specialized in queer, kinky, and non-monogamous relationships for over a decade. Her book Hot and Unbothered: How to think about, talk about, and have the sex you really want is available wherever you buy books.

Instagram: @the_vspot

Explore 800+ high-quality rope bondage tutorials taught by world-class instructors: https://shibaristudy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shibari.study/
X: https://x.com/shibari_study
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