Shibari Education in Montreal | Tension MTL

SHIBARI // KINBAKU

Learn the ropes; from fundamentals to full suspensions

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WHAT IS SHIBARI?

Shibari (縛り) is a Japanese word that broadly means "binding", "tying", or simply involving rope in most contexts.

Kinbaku (緊縛)
means "tight binding,"

~or~
Kinbaku-bi (緊縛美)
literally meaning "the beauty of tight binding."

Both are used to describe the action of tying a person up using simple yet visually intricate patterns.

Beyond the technical though Shibari is about the journey we wish to create with the rope rather than about the rope itself.

Individual Costs & Memberships

The process of learning shibari can get quite expensive; there are many free or affordable tutorials online and books on the subject but what you will not get from that is feedback, solutions to issues you encounter, knowing if you are doing something wrong, how to do it right, and a safe(r) space to practice. If you are looking to dedicate yourself to the art, we have a multitude of membership options and bundles available for classes to save you money.

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Various Memberships

CLASSES

Find your Dō – your Path, your Way. 💜

THE TENSION CURRICULUM

The Dō.A path, not a ladder.

Similar to martial arts and the concept of "belts" our main curriculum classes are divided by levels of mastery. Fundamentals is the pre-requisite to all of our classes & workshops. We encourage all of our students, whether tying or being tied, to take this class to ensure a basic understanding of security and pitfalls people should be wary of.

"The path is not something you complete. It is something you continue."

At any point you may opt to take private classes in order to learn faster, to learn at your own pace, have your skills evaluated, and or be evaluated for group class advancement.

Keep in mind that we have other classes and workshops given in other styles from multiple teachers with different teaching styles. Everyone learns differently, we are but one path that you might follow, find what is suitable for you!

THE PATH

Like martial arts belts, the rope colours at Tension are not certifications of completion. They are reminders of where you stand on your personal Dō, and an invitation to return to roots with each advancement. There is no top. Every colour eventually circles back to Beige.

Fundamentals Beige · Level 0 We take every student from knowing nothing about Shibari to having a basic knowledge, the ability to start playing and enjoy rope. After just one class, students will know enough to tie basic patterns and explore Shibari on their own through floor work. Find out more → Floorplay Green · Level 1 Students who continue coming to classes will deepen their understanding of the ties taught, and eventually learn all the steps to basic harnesses and floor work. Find out more → Fundamentals of Suspension Yellow · Level 2 The basics of suspension up lines, different locks and line management. Find out more → Exploring Suspension: Partials & Play Red · Level 2 After gaining a basic mastery of the techniques taught in Floorplay, students can simultaneously take RED level classes where we start exploring suspensions, beginning with partials. Find out more → Dynamic Suspension & Advanced Ties Black · Level 3 Once comfortable with static suspension, students can request private classes to explore specific dynamic topics furthering suspension techniques that require complex movements and concepts with increased levels of difficulty. Find out more →

PARALLEL PATHS

Open from Fundamentals onward. They do not replace the main path, they run alongside it.

Flying Solo No partner needed If you do not have a partner to continue on your learning journey. Find out more → The L.A.B. Thursdays Logic, Architecture, Balance. For practitioners who want to refine structural rigidity and logic while deepening their understanding of suspendable construction. The logical continuation to Floorplay, while being accessible immediately following Fundamentals. Find out more → Nawajutsu Any time after Fundamentals Technical training and practical application in a martial arts setting, with or without a partner. Refine your handling, smooth your transitions, add dynamic elements to your ties. Find out more →

Level ≠ role. Skill ≠ teaching capacity. The issue is not where you learned; it is whether you can do the thing in relative safety.

Below you will find the daily schedule if you know what day the class will be on; otherwise check the various dedicated pages above, or the list of all classes at the bottom of this page. Depending on the season you can also just show up.

WORKSHOPS

We sometimes offer special workshops on a specific topic at Tension. During a Sunday afternoon or a weekday evening, you could come learn about Flow with rope, Rope Torture, or Creating Intimacy in Rope, to name a few.

WORKSHOPS AND INTENSIVES

INTENSIVES

Once in a while, we also invite guest teachers from around the world to share their visions, techniques, and experience. Most of the time this takes the form of an intensive workshop over the course of a weekend, with 5-8 hours of class per day. For rope enthusiasts, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn a lot in a very short amount of time.

Some workshops are open to students of all levels, whereas others are reserved for more advanced learners. The price and logistics depend on the guest teacher’s salary and schedule.

These workshops are an opportunity to glimpse different styles, gain new perspectives and to get inspired.

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PRACTICES - OPEN SPACE

With the exception of Soiree Shibari 22h30+, Tension is open to everyone until 22h for supervised practice multiple days a week. People can come watch, practice, and socialise with our teachers, Tension regulars, and others in a chill environment. Drop in and leave whenever you like during the evening. You can come alone, with a partner, or with friends and enjoy the rope, conversation, and some complementary tea.

Code of Conduct for Open Practices BOOK NOW!

PRIVATE LESSONS

Our teachers are available for private lessons at a time convenient for you. Whether you are from out of town, you want to learn something specific that is not covered in the group classe curriculum, or just want a more intimate and direct learning experience.

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SOIREE SHIBARI

Approximately once a month, we host events called “Soirée Shibari". These are performance nights where you can enjoy a series of three Shibari scenes by three pairs of experienced artists. Whether you are familiar with Shibari, or just curious to see it for the first time, you’re bound to see something you like. We often fly in our performers from all corners of the world, but we also like to showcase our hardworking level 2 and level 3 students during these nights!

+ Soirée Shibari