Master Class: Movement and Dance with Rope

Breathe. Shift your balance. Walk, weave, occupy the space—and disappear. Now, do it all with your partner, a rope, and the magic of movement. In this workshop, we’ll transform into an organic system: unpredictable yet beautifully organized, learning to move freely and naturally within the ropes.

Over the years, I’ve developed a series of deceptively “simple” movements designed to make you feel, study, and embody the art of manipulating a rope, your own body, and someone else’s. Often, I begin with just one rope, keeping the sensations and concepts clear, aiming to unite every movement, action, and intention into a harmonious dance. A dance with layers—some obvious, some hidden.

Drawing from Aikido, contact improvisation, and, more recently, Tango, I realized this practice isn’t just movement—it’s truly a dance. In this master class, you’ll dive into this fusion of disciplines and find your rhythm, whether you’re leading, following, or somewhere in between.

Here’s what you can expect:
We’ll explore how to lead and follow, how to move with clarity, and how to occupy the space with intention. You’ll learn specific movements and discover various approaches to them. Mostly, we’ll work with one rope, but occasionally, we’ll introduce additional ropes for research or to deepen the connection with traditional kinbaku techniques.

A Workshop That Evolves With You

Every group is different, and I evolve too—so don’t expect a rigid program. This workshop is organic and adaptable, tailored to your energy and the group’s dynamics. Beginners will gain confidence to improvise a dance with ropes, while advanced participants will refine foundational skills and expand their possibilities.

Connecting with Japanese Culture

In my view, the essence of Japanese culture in rope bondage is not just in the aesthetic results but in how we achieve them. Like the tea ceremony or calligraphy, it’s about posture, presence, and breath—about occupying the space with intention and grace. This process is as much a dance as anything on stage. By the end, your rope work will feel more fluid, natural, and elegant—grounded in tradition yet deeply personal.

The Dual Dance of Rope Play

As a rope top, you’ll hone skills to move with precision, define space, and act efficiently while staying fluid and elegant—perhaps moving like a cat (or an even bigger cat). To me, this is meditation in motion.

As a rope bottom, you’ll develop adaptability, structure, and a finely tuned sense of listening, offering your body as a creative partner in the process. Again, it’s meditation in motion—a dance.

We’ll focus on these shared characteristics while encouraging experimentation. Switching roles will be available as an option for those who wish to explore different energies, bodies, and perspectives. However, committed pairs or couples can choose to stay within their established roles if that’s their preference.

This is a master class and a research workshop. Expect to step out of your comfort zone—I will, too! I’ll practice with everyone, without a model, to keep things dynamic and engaging.

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Practical Details

Skill Requirements:

• Open to anyone with basic physical training and prior rope experience. While this workshop isn’t suitable for complete beginners, you don’t need to be an expert—just have some familiarity with ropes and body awareness.
• Both tops and bottoms should feel comfortable working on body consciousness and communication.
• Basic rope knowledge is expected, such as being able to tie or understand a single-column tie. No need for advanced skills, but prior exposure to a beginner workshop or equivalent experience is recommended.

Material Requirements:

• At least three kinbaku ropes.
• A blindfold or versatile piece of fabric.
• Rounded carabiners or a ring.
• Comfortable clothing suitable for movement, ideally something you can dance in.

Rules and Notes:

• Limited to 16 participants. Tickets are non-refundable, but reselling your spot is permitted.
• Participants must be 18+ and medically able to engage in physical activities (e.g., yoga, martial arts, dance).
• This is a physically demanding workshop; a bit of preparation can help you fully enjoy the experience.
• No photo, video, or audio recordings are allowed. Be present in the moment.
• They will be pause through the day, of course !

Old staff With Sarura, 2019, Capture By Guillaume Pin :