FAQ

Shibari is a Japanese-inspired art form of rope bondage that focuses not on the end result, but on the process itself. This practice combines physical sensations, emotional depth, and aesthetic expression in a way that is both powerful and delicate.

The artfully arranged ropes highlight the natural beauty of the body and create visual compositions that are often presented as Shibari performances or photographic art.

At the same time, it’s about more than just aesthetics: Shibari creates a special connection between those involved—built on trust, surrender, and the conscious giving up of control.

Whether you want to experience Shibari as bodywork, an art form, or a personal journey—it opens up new ways to connect intimacy and creativity.

In my Shibari workshops, you can experience exactly that: learning Shibari, creating, feeling—and expressing yourself within a safe environment.

Shibari is suitable for everyone—regardless of gender, age*, sexual orientation, physical limitations, or pre-existing conditions. In this art form, we consciously distance ourselves from societal roles and create space for individual, personal experiences and solutions.

Whether you’re a beginner or already experienced, you’ll find your own unique path in my Shibari workshops in NRW.

*All participants must be at least 18 years old.

Shibari carries certain risks—including nerve damage and circulatory issues. However, through targeted safety precautions and a deep understanding of the interaction between body and rope, these risks can be significantly minimized, even though they can never be completely eliminated.

In my Shibari workshops, I place great importance on creating a realistic risk profile tailored to your individual needs. Together, we develop methods that make bondage as safe as possible without losing the joy and artistic spirit of this unique form of rope art.

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I offer Shibari Workshops where you can learn the art of Shibari. These workshops are divided into different skill levels and thematic areas - you can find the specific requirements directly in the workshop descriptions.

For couples who want to learn in a personalized way, tailored entirely to their wishes, there is the option of a Private Tuition in a 1:1-Setting. Here, we focus specifically on your personal learning goals and needs.

In addition, I host a monthly Shibari Trainingthat serves as a practice space and aims to bridge the gap between workshops and rope jams. It offers you an opportunity to deepen what you’ve learned and practice together with others.

From time to time, I also organize Performance Nightswhere you can watch professional Shibari artists—an inspiring opportunity to experience the diversity and expressive power of this art form up close.

No, I don't offer Shibari as a service. My focus is on introducing you to the art of Shibari and training you in the handling of the ropes.

If you’re interested in being tied up yourselves, I warmly recommend Fushichos — where you can experience professional rope bondage sessions.

I see my role as an instructor in the field of Shibari as twofold: to support you as a safety resource, helping you make your Shibari journey as safe as possible, and to inspire you through creative impulses. My teaching follows a non-dogmatic approach: instead of simply giving you step-by-step instructions for specific ties, I focus on conveying concepts and principles. I firmly believe that you learn faster and more effectively when you understand the underlying reasons and connections, rather than just copying movements.

Additionally, I place great emphasis on adaptability for every individual in and with the rope. Every body is unique, as are individual needs – my goal is to create solutions that honor and accommodate this diversity.

My teaching is aimed not only at riggers (those who tie) but also at models (those who are tied). Models also have the opportunity to develop their skills and actively contribute to the shared experience.

For Shibari, above all, one thing is indispensable: the right rope.The choice of material plays a crucial role here, as not every rope is suitable for this art form. In Shibari, we preferably use jute or hemp ropes, as these natural fiber ropes are specifically designed to meet the demands and stresses of the techniques. Cotton or nylon ropes, on the other hand, are unsuitable, as they have a strong stretch and their surface texture does not provide the necessary grip.

The ideal thickness of the ropes is a diameter of 5–6 mm. Thinner ropes cannot withstand the strain, while thicker ropes become unwieldy and create knots that are too large. The length of the ropes, however, can be adjusted individually: In Europe, ropes are typically 8 meters long. For larger, thicker, or more muscular models, it can be useful to use longer ropes of 9–10 meters.

Depending on the workshop, you will need a different number of ropes, with two ropes being sufficient for beginner courses.

Besides the right rope, a safety scissors is an indispensable tool for Shibari. It is used to quickly and safely cut through the ropes in an emergency without injuring the model. There are various cutting tools used in Shibari, but I especially recommend the safety scissors from my shop. These have been specially selected because they are sharp enough to reliably cut even after repeated use, while also being easy to handle.

You can also purchase ropes as well as safety scissors in my online shop at mieneko.com/shop

If you want to participate in one of my workshops, you will also need a mat (e.g., a yoga mat or similar).

The most important thing is that you wear something you feel comfortable in. Especially for beginners, form-fitting clothing is recommended, as it helps maintain a clear view and prevents the rope from catching. At the same time, Shibari is also a space for personal expression—your clothing can therefore be part of your creative or individual presentation.

It is mandatory to have at least the genitals covered.

Workshops, Shibari trainings, and larger events (such as performance nights) take place on weekends (Friday to Sunday) at Happy Yoga in Essen.

Private tuitions can be scheduled individually from Monday to Thursday and take place in Dortmund. 

For an overview of my dates, you can take a look at my calendar .

Many people are familiar with the problem of not yet having a rope partner to attend my classes with.

Exactly for this reason, there are two Telegram groups where you can look for rope partners. I would like to share the links to these groups with you below. Please make sure to read the group rules carefully before posting:

• Fesselsuchgruppe NRW
• Mie Neko Community

If you’re just starting your Shibari journey, my beginner single workshops might also be something for you. These usually take place about twice a year.

I strive for an inclusive teaching concept but am aware that I am currently not as accessible as I would like to be. The studio in Essen is located on the ground floor, but there is a single step to the classroom and three steps to the restroom. The restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. The venue for private tuitions in Dortmund is on the 5th floor without an elevator, and its restroom is also not wheelchair accessible. We can work together to find solutions and possibly a more accessible location. Feel free to contact me at mieneko@gmx.de

Unfortunately, I do not know sign language and therefore cannot offer direct communication in sign language. At the moment, I am unfortunately unable to provide sign language interpreters for my events, as I lack the financial resources to do so as a small business.

For people with visual impairments, I offer adapted instruction: techniques can be guided and explained in more detailed descriptions. In such cases, it is often more effective to book a private tuition to address individual needs.

People with cognitive impairments should also have access to Shibari. Adjustments such as using simple language and breaking down explanations into smaller steps can be helpful. It’s best to arrange a private tuition in this context as well, so we can tailor the lessons to your individual needs in the best possible way.

Support persons are always warmly welcome at my events and can participate free of charge.

To counteract the discrimination faced by people with disabilities, I offer a 10% discount per person on all lessons. This discount can be combined with the trainee discount of an additional 10%.

I am sensitive to the needs of neurodiverse individuals - for example, regarding low-stimulation environments or shorter lessons for those with concentration difficulties. Here too, a private tuition can be helpful to tailor the lessons individually and create a comfortable learning environment.

Most classes are taught in German (unless otherwise specified). There are a few workshops explicitly taught in English, which are clearly indicated.

Private tuitions can be taught in both German and English.

Yes, occasionally I also offer workshops or performances in other cities. These events are organized by local communities, studios, or parties on site. Therefore, tickets for these events are not available through my shop but must be purchased directly from the respective organizers. To stay updated, you can regularly check my calendar - I also list such external events there.

If you run a studio or community and are interested in booking me, feel free to send me an email at mieneko@gmx.de