Shibari
SHAG has partnered with THE WILLIAM VALE HOTEL to offer our infamous Shibari Rope Bondage Classes led by Valentine Amartey - who has been our loyal & trusted bondage expert for over 10 years.
Experience the Art of Shibari one of two ways; by attending one of our group classes; Intro to Shibari or Intermediate Shibari, or by booking a hotel room at The William Vale & choosing the private in-room add-on.
Intro to Shibari Group Class
Intermediate Shibari Group Class
GROUP SHIBARI ROPE BONDAGE CLASSES:
SHAG's Intro & Intermediate Shibari Group Workshops are held in one of The William Vale's meeting rooms. Group Classes are open to hotel guests & non-guests as well, but all attendees must purchase admission tickets in advance. Please note that each participant must have a partner & there is a maximum of 30 people per session. Each class lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours.
ABOUT the Intro. to Shibari Rope Bondage Class:
“Intro to Shibari Rope Bondage” is an intensive workshop, designed for people who are interested in exploring the concept of power exchange with rope and how this plays out physically in the bedroom. The lessons are designed for couples to learn how to tie one another, in order that both participants receive a well-rounded understanding and experience of this ancient art form.
The class will consist of a fundamental overview of safety, a hands-on demonstration of all ties, instructional teaching of three basic shibari bedroom-style bondage ties (single column, double column, and chest harness) and how they can be used singularly or in conjunction with each other to create an erotically charged rope scenes. You’ll learn how to tie elegantly, with a controlled and measured technique, and we will share a few extra tricks & tips along the way. Prior Shibari experience is not required.
ABOUT the Intermediate Shibari Rope Bondage Class:
“Intermediate Shibari Rope Bondage” is an intensive workshop for people who have already taken SHAG's "Intro to Shibari Rope Bondage" and want to expand on their fundamental knowledge into a deeper practice of exploring power exchange with rope and how it can play out in the bedroom. The lessons are designed for couples to learn how to tie one another, in order that both participants receive a well-rounded understanding and experience of this ancient art form.
The class will consist of a review of safety & all ties previously taught in "Intro to Shibari Rope Bondage", as well as a hands-on demonstration of all new ties, instructional teaching of several advanced shibari bedroom-style bondage ties and how they can be used to create an erotically charged rope scenes. You’ll learn how to tie elegantly, with a controlled and measured technique, and we will share a few extra tricks & tips along the way. NOTE: SHAG's Intro. to Shibari is a prerequisite for the Intermediate Class.
SIGN UP HERE for a Private Shibari Class:
SHAG's private in-room Shibari experience is for The William Vale guests only. The private in-room classes are offered on limited days and times; weekday evenings 8pm & Saturdays & Sundays at 4pm or 7pm throughout the year. Email us at Connect@WeLoveShag.com if you have a date in mind for a private class and we will try to accommodate you.
For the Private Class, please follow these steps:
- Coordinate a date for the class with SHAG via email at Connect@WeLoveShag.com. Please let us know what timeframe or dates you have in mind for a private class and we do our best to accommodate you.
- Once a class date is confirmed with SHAG, purchase the Private Shibari Class on SHAG's website.
- Book a hotel room at The William Vale & email reservation to SHAG.
- SHAG will attach the class to your reservation at The William Vale.
Private classes allow 2-20 people per lesson depending on which room is booked - if you are interested in adding more people to your lesson, please let us know when you send us The William Vale booking email. There will be an additional charge of $675/couple. Please note that each attendee must have a partner. **NOTE: There are capacity restrictions for multi-person Private Classes. Book your room according to how many people you wish to attend your Private Class:
Standard Room - 2 people max
Double Room - up to 6 people max
Suite - up to 6 people max
Vale Garden Residence - up to 20 people max
ROPE & SAFETY SHEAR REQUIREMENTS:
All couples must have a pair safety shears & an approved rope kit - you can either bring your own (as long as the rope meets our guidelines of two 10ft, one 30ft, and one 50ft pieces) or you can purchase online at SHAG. Another nice addition to this class is Midori’s Art of Japanese Bondage book.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Payment is requested in advance, and is non-refundable. There is one reschedule allowed, but must be made within a week's notice of the date of the class and will incur a 20% Rescheduling Fee. Please note that our classes are intentionally kept small and intimate, so we count on our attendees to arrive on time. No-shows will not be refunded or rescheduled.
Shibari is a Japanese term that means “to tie.” It was originally known as Hojo-jutsu, the Japanese martial art of restraining that was used by Samurai in Japan during the 1400s-1700s. Techniques & form evolved and by the late 1800s and early 1900s, the erotic Kinbaku practice emerged, taking on more artistic and spiritual dimensions to become what is now known as Shibari.
The aesthetics of Shibari involve the creation of geometric patterns and shapes with rope, to form sensual contrasts with skin and the natural curves of the human form. The relationship between the person who ties the rope (the “rigger”), and the one being restrained is akin to that of an artist and the canvas -- the rope is both paint and brush. The arrangement of the ropes and knots explores and accentuates the sensuality of both vulnerability as well as strength. More skilled practitioners understand the placement of knots to stimulate pressure points on the body, controlling the flow of energy to produce different states of arousal and pleasure. The complex dynamics of power exchange are capable of creating powerful physiological and psychological experiences, as a component of BDSM play and general sexual enhancement.
ABOUT VALENTINE AMARTEY:Valentine has been teaching SHAG's Shibari classes for over 10 years. With a background in costume and knitwear design, he began making costumes for various downtown performance artists back in the late '90's. During one of these assignments, he was asked to make costumes for a performance that called for rope looks for an underground ballet/burlesque troupe. He discovered the art of Shibari and immediately incorporated the art form into his design work.
After this initial dive into the art form, Valentine took the time to study Shibari with Tyutumi, who received his basic training from Mistress Midori. After years of practice, he was ready to share this knowledge with people of all levels.
“Shibari is a discipline that involves the control of rope, your partner, and ultimately yourself — this I find to be greatly appealing. I’m drawn to the fine balance between something that was designed for punishment and something that is visually stunning. The combination of brutality and beauty is endlessly fascinating to me."
Valentine’s credits to date include providing looks for pop stars such as Shakira, Lady Gaga and Brooke Candy, designing for the Calvin Klein Collection and teaching a BFA knitwear course at The New School.