How to progress effectively in Shibari and avoid the pitfalls of stagnation.
Knowing what you want
Motivation alone is not enough to make real progress in Shibari. It's necessary to give you a boost and get started, but without a goal, without objectives, motivation won't be enough to sustain your efforts. It comes and goes; it's a fluctuating emotional state.
If you want to do Shibari for leisure, that's fine; simply taking a class or tying up from time to time may be enough.
However, to tie correctly and progress in Shibari, it is necessary to have a goal and be able to estimate the steps to achieve it. It is essential to ask oneself why one wants to tie and what one has to say in the ropes?
Wanting to improve in Shibari
Learning Kinbaku requires effort, a lot of it.
It involves time, money, acquiring specific knowledge, self-reflection, and intense moments to experience with your partner.
Thanks to this desire to progress in Shibari, self-discipline and regular practice will take on a new meaning; learning and repeating will no longer be seen as a tedious duty.
At this stage, it is essential to develop a Kinbaku culture. This will help maintain a curious mind.
Choose the right teacher and trust them
A person who embodies what you aspire to. Ensure their technical skills as well as their teaching abilities. Knowing how to tie a knot isn't enough to know how to teach.
Choose a teacher whose values and approach resonate with you. Trust their guidance and teaching methods to help you progress in Shibari outside your comfort zone.
Prioritize the quality of teaching over quantity. Attending a course from time to time, working regularly, and interacting with your teacher is more productive and cost-effective than multiplying learning sources without practice or follow-up.
Breathe, be conscious
Taking your time is essential. Breathing is vital.
On the one hand, the person you are tying up rarely wants to feel "rushed," on the other hand, acting with full focus, without seeking to impress, will allow you to be fair in your actions.
Rushing into things never leads to anything good. Take a step back, observe, analyze, and then act. You'll be all the more effective for it. A breath may seem insignificant, but it can make all the difference.
Observe
Be aware of what your teacher is teaching you. Take notes, move closer to observe instead of staying at the back of the room.
Also observe their movements, how the tied-up person moves, and their breathing.
Learn to read your partner.
Have fun
And because all learning and practice requires enjoyment, enjoy it!
Be happy with what you do, even if it's not perfect.
Kinbaku isn't about programming a satellite, it isn't about tying the most perfect knots, it's about taking pleasure in restraining your partner above all else. Remember what made you want to learn.
