What is this event?

This weekend is focused on Gestalta’s approach to rope through the lens of transitions, not just as movement between shapes, but as a core expressive element in rope itself.

Transitions, moving a tied body fluidly from one shape to another, are often seen as something purely performative. In this workshop, we explore how they are just as powerful in play: a way of creating narrative within a scene, shaping both physical experience and emotional connection through movement.

Together, we will work with foundational transition sequences to understand the mechanics behind fluid movement in rope. The focus is not on memorising patterns, but on developing the core skills that make transitions possible, sustainable, and expressive.

As a rigger, you will develop fluid handling, efficient technique, body awareness, and decision-making in motion.
As a model, you will explore movement in rope, positioning, and how transitions influence sensation, rhythm, and headspace.

This workshop also opens space for a broader exploration of the relationship between rope and movement – how transitions change the quality of a scene, how they influence pain, acceptance, and presence, and how they deepen connection between partners.

The workshop exercises will move through structured transition sequences, building progressively toward more complex and fluid expressions, always adapted to each pair’s level and experience.

Topics covered over the weekend:

🪢 Foundations of transitions
Understanding transitions as a core element of rope, beyond aesthetics or performance.

🪢 Fluid handling & efficient technique
Developing precision, speed, and sustainability in movement.

🪢 Body awareness & partner attunement
Learning how to read, adapt, and respond to your partner in motion.

🪢 Movement, rhythm & rope dynamics
Exploring how transitions shape the emotional and physical experience of a scene.

🪢 Structure through movement
Using foundational sequences to understand the mechanics behind more complex transitions.

🪢 Rope & movement philosophy
Reflecting on how movement-based tying shifts headspace, connection, and expression.

🇬🇧 This event will be held only in English.

🔥We welcome riggers and models from the Romanian (Bucharest & other cities) community and international participants! 🔥

To attend this event, you need to have attended a Consent Workshop or be vetted by someone from our community through the InFLUX code-sharing system.
If you’re new and someone is bringing you along using their InFLUX code, you can learn how this works here.

Who teaches at this event?

Gestalta (they/them) is the owner of Daruma and teaches regularly at the studio. Their approach to shibari has evolved from 16 years of practice on both sides of the ropes, and a diverse range of influences which they appropriate, blend and develop in their own practice. As a teacher, they strive to reflect the experience of both tying partners on a deep level.

Embracing the inherent flexibility of the art is fundamental to their style; rather than prescribing rigid techniques they have a strong belief that shibari should be approached as a versatile set of tools. They encourage their students to explore and adapt each tie to the individual body of their partner, tailoring it to their specific needs and desires in any given situation. To facilitate this process, they provide a comprehensive framework rooted in fundamental principles such as safety, efficiency, and fluency and moreover, they emphasise the significance of body awareness, effective communication, and the conscious consideration of personal experiences and motivations.

Their technical style has naturally evolved through keen observation and firsthand experience. Previously, they had the privilege of working professionally as a shibari model, offering them the opportunity to be tied by accomplished practitioners from Japan and Europe. These encounters have enriched their knowledge and repertoire with invaluable techniques and insights, and also gives them a deeply empathetic understanding of what the people they tie experience in ropes.

Presently, their focus centres on the exploration of movement both with and within ropes. This ongoing research fuels their passion for pushing the boundaries of shibari and continuously expanding their understanding of its possibilities.

What happens at the event?

Schedule with breaks that applies for both days:

10:30-11:00 – Doors open for entrance of the participants
11:00-14:00 – Introductions & first half of content
14:00-15:00 – Lunch break
15:00-18:00 – Second half of content

Please note that the workshop will include additional shorter breaks, that will be agreed upon with the participants during the event.

Please be on time so as not to disturb other participants. We cannot guarantee that someone will be available to open the door for you after closing time. We only accept on-time admissions to any events since you might miss important information.

Who can come?

This workshop is designed for couples/partners (rigger + model) who already have experience tying together and are comfortable working in suspension.

It is aimed at those who want to expand their practice through movement, transitions, and dynamic rope work, while strengthening their technical foundation.

⚠️ Switching is not possible during this workshop.

Everyone will work within their level, with exercises adapted to each pair’s experience.

List of prerequisites (r – rigger; m – model):
– Prior experience with suspension (r/m).
– Ability to safely build, attach, and lock off suspension lines under load (r)
– Experience tying/being tied in standard suspension harnesses (e.g. TK, futomomo) (r/m)
– Body awareness regarding nerve safety and circulation (m)
– Ability to clearly communicate sensations, limits, and needs (r/m)
– Ability to distinguish between discomfort and unsafe or unsustainable sensations (m)
– Basic rope handling, tension, and friction understanding (r)
– Basic English communication skills (r/m)

⚠️ Teacher demonstrations will use TK-based suspensions. If your tying partner cannot comfortably sustain a TK for extended periods, please come prepared with an alternative suspension harness (such as a hands-in-front variant) that can be used in a similar way.

🌈 All bodies, genders, and orientations are warmly welcome.

🎫 Fill in the form below to register for this workshop. You will receive an email confirmation, and we will keep you updated with information about the event.

We reserve the right to select event participants.

Workshop participation fee

➜  ticket – 500 RON / 100€ per couple of rigger & model for the full 2-days workshop (switching is not allowed during this workshop)

The tickets are available only per couple of rigger and model. There are no tickets available per person.

In order to secure your place for this workshop, you need to pay a 100 RON advance of the event fee. You will receive more details on how you can secure your place in the RSVP confirmation email.

What are you bringing? What are you wearing?

📤 Please bring your InFLUX card! The event requires that you have attended the Consent Workshop. We will check at the entrance if you have attended it.

Required equipment for (r)igger and/or (m)odel:
– Eight to ten lengths (depending on your current skill level) of natural fibre rope
– A rescue hook or EMT shears
– models are advised not to wear slippery clothes that cover the legs and upper body; a pantyhose, for example, will not facilitate friction of the rope on one’s skin and could easily cause unwanted displacements of ropes under tension.
– (optional) warm clothing or a blanket for after or between ties (m)
– (optional) pen and paper to take notes (please note that typing-noises on laptops can be very distracting while we are explaining content and thus is not allowed during tuition) (r/m)

The Workshop will be quite intensive. We recommend you come rested. You are only allowed to take pictures of your work and your partner (with consent). Taking pictures of (any part) of other people is NOT allowed. Please do not use flash photography since this can be very distracting for others. Video or audio recordings are not allowed. 

How can you reach us?

Our address is Bulevardul Theodor Pallady 287. You can find information on how to reach us here or here.

The area has many parking spaces, especially in the evening or after 6 pm. The metro station at “1 Decembrie 1918” is the closest to us and it’s only 8 minutes away, on foot.

Take the small elevator (it’s behind the large stairs on the ground floor) to the 5th floor, where you will see the sign for InFLUX. One more flight of stairs up, and you’re there. If mobility issues prevent you from climbing up a flight of stairs, you can take the large elevator, which will take you straight to our door, but that one is much slower.

Our phone number is +40723258105, and you can write to us on WhatsApp before the door-closing time.

InFLUX Rules

Please read our rules carefully before attending our events.