In September, Osada Steve visited us in Switzerland. In workshops and private lessons, some new techniques were taught and existing knowledge was deepened. These Osada workshops were really special and we are especially proud to have done this twice in a row.
First of all, we would like to thank all the participants. It was great to work with you. Above all, it was great to see how you experimented with the techniques. Much of what was discussed was primarily a question of correct application.
The range of experience that you brought with you was quite wide, so it was not always easy to maintain the pace within the group. This is one of the reasons why we like to work with smaller groups, so that there is always a contact person available to help. We hope that we were able to implement this accordingly.
The main focus was on communication with the other person, which is always a particular challenge when the pattern becomes more complex or even goes into suspension. It is exciting every time to see how the individual couples approach the exercises with their own experiences and goals, and what comes out of it when that combines with each other.
Content of the Osada-Workshops
What did we actually do during the workshops and what was the idea behind it? Basically, there were two blocks in the workshops. The first 3 hours we spent with floor techniques.
Intensive watching and observation are an important part of the work in Shibari. This is called “Minarai”, learning by watching. Only those who watch the teacher intensively can hope to eventually recognize and understand the subtle hidden techniques.
Osada Steve, 2019
Floor techniques
One part of the floor techniques were intensive greeting-shibari-patterns. These help to understand the mood of the partner as well as the way your partner communicates. In this way, you tune into each other, like two instruments that have to be brought to the same pitch. In addition, the flexibility of the partner as well as one’s own dexterity are trained. The smooth transition between the individual forms also allows for a gentle start to the Shibari encounter, so that one can better leave everyday life behind.
In preparation for the suspensions that followed later, upper body restraints were then practiced, which had one thing in particular in common: The arms were fixed to the side next to or in front of the body. There are always situations in which it is not so easy to keep the arms behind the back for a longer time, and through the shown patterns (among others the praying mantis pattern (“Kamakiri-shibari”) not only new images but also much gentler patterns can be unfolded.
Another trend that has been making its way from Japan to the West for some time now is the use of pulleys. Pulleys allow to prepare complex patterns already completely, and then to bring the body gently into the air with reduced effort. A classic example would be the Ebi-zuri, but this is also an interesting variation in many other moments. Especially if at the beginning of the encounter no suspension was planned, but a stable pattern develops, a suspension can be realized spontaneously.
For the first time, I managed to intimately connect with my partner. That was something I have been struggling with for quite some time.
G., Teilnehmer im Workshop vom 14.09. 2019
Thanks for these wonderful days!
We have received a lot of positive feedback and we are very happy that we were able to provide our participants with a good time and many exciting new experiences. The courses were international, with participants from Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Finland and Poland, all in the course of just over two weeks!
It was an intense time with little sleep and many hours of inspiration that we will remember for a long time. Many thanks to all of you, with your energy, commitment and drive you made these days special. Without you it would not have been possible to hold these great events and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
