with Natasha NawaTaNeko & Alexander MA

In this Weekend Intensive, we will take a different look at the philosophy and toolbox of  “Semenawa”—the style we tie. Essential, it brings together Alexander's kink—erotic impact play with ropes—with Natasha's research of somatic transformations.

How do we use pressure—impact—to create an emotional response from the model? 

Doing so, we are dealing with more complex techniques in semi- and full suspensions. The process of tying is slow, the figures produced are static. Rope after rope increases the challenge. The result is images that are aesthetically reminiscent of calligraphy or ikebana. The goal is to move the tied partner to devotion and show them in all their beauty.

Rope Bottoms learn the somatic skills to accept and integrate the impact, allowing for emotional transformation in ropes, without giving up the boundaries or sense of self. 

Our philosophy and techniques are inspired by the “Art of Semenawa” of Naka Akira. Alexanders brings in 15+ years of practice of martial arts and Natasha her intensive study of somatics and bodywork. 

Gains and benefits 

…as a rigger:

• deeper understanding of concepts and philosophy of Semenawa

• becoming more creative with your own adaptions of the standard ties

• getting fluent with complex line management in suspensions

• understanding important non-technical aspects, such as Ma-ai, timing, communication through rope tools to create a shared experience of intimacy

… as a rope-bottom:

• practicing using your attention to connect deeper with yourself and your partner 

• developing a feeling of your emotional and physical limits and positively communicating them 

• learning receptivity, staying soft under the impact of the ropes  

• finding a feeling of internal safety during more challenging ties  

Content:

Kinbaku & Semenawa: History and philosophy | Basic Consent & Safety rules | Creating a session: The play with distance and proximity, rhythm and pause | Communication through the rope: intimacy, suffering, shame und aesthetics | Refining the Gote | Creative applications for a 3rd/4th/5th rope | Giri-giri position | Creative applications of waist rope | Arm binders and strappado position | Lacings | Progressions | “Predicamental" strategies

On the bottom’s side, we introduce tools to growing your stamina in challenging positions by breathing, directing the attention, keeping soft and re-grounding in your body. 

Above all, we want enable you to apply these patterns to create a shared experience in your erotic play.

• About the Teachers

  Natasha NawaTaNeko and Alexander MA are embodiment activists, Kinbaku enthusiasts, researchers, publishers, performers, and educators. Since 2017, they have been teaching and performing in Berlin and internationally under the name Discover Kinbaku. They developed a somatic approach to Japanese inspired rope bondage with focus on skill acquisition for riggers and empowerment for rope bottoms.

  Natasha, with her background in Sexological Bodywork by Joseph Kramer, integrates breath, movement, posture, non-verbal communication, and focused attention into her teaching. In 2020, she published Somatics for Rope Bottoms, a book exploring the introspective and personal growth potential of rope bottoming.

  Alexander draws both from his science / academic background and his extensive studies of Japanese Martial Arts since his teenage years. Inspired by the striking imagery of Norio Sugiura and Chimuo Nureki, he has studied intensively with Akira Naka and Riccardo Wildties to master the concepts and techniques of Semenawa.

  Together, they founded the Kinbaku Society of Berlin, a quarterly print magazine launched in 2019, dedicated to the art and culture of Kinbaku.

  Website | Instagram

• Who is this workshop for?

  This workshop is for couples (of all ages and gender constellations) who already have intermediate-advanced experience in Japanese-inspired bondage and want to engage more intensively with Semenawa. Through various exercises you repetitively practice the principles and gain confidence in your abilities as well as self-confidence in applying Semenawa during your private play.

• Prerequisites

  The willingness of both partners to engage in more challenging ties in suspension and in impact play with ropes is the prerequisite for participation in this Weekend Intensive.

  Bottoms must have experience in challenging suspensions with torsion load and are capable to attend their body in ropes and communicate effectively with their riggers.

  Riggers must be capable to demonstrated fluency in simple static and dynamic suspensions, such as Kata-ashi and Torsion loaded suspension based on a stemless Gote, by safe and effective finish these routines in less than 30 min.

• What to bring

  Clothing to your taste, suiting your mood for intense rope bondage, and at least 12 jute ropes, 5 or 6 mm, length adapted to the body you are tying