Speed Tying Drills

In this shibari course, Tifereth teaches a series of speed tying drills with her model Irkalla. These exercises are designed to help you tie more fluidly, smoothly and – of course – quickly.

Smooth, fast and fluid tying can bring more energy and playfulness into your rope scenes and, as Tifereth explains, is an essential skill for rope performances. Test your coordination and concentration – and you’ll come out a better rigger for it.

This course is divided into three classes – watch and drill each, pausing in between to take as much time as you need to practice each exercise until you’re able to repeat it consistently, smoothly and confidently:

1 On the Move – One of the most important elements of smoother, faster tying is learning to move both the rope and yourself. This standing drill will get you in the habit of moving your feet and your lines simultaneously, while maintaining tension in your rope.

2 Magnet Hands – Imagine your hands are two magnets repelling each other, keeping your hands as far apart from each other as possible as you move and tie, and you’ll have a good basis for smooth and speedy rope handling. The challenging part of this drill? Once you’ve figured out keeping your hands apart, it’s time to learn to move your body in opposite direction to your rope.

3 Bundling – Once you’ve got the hang of the first two techniques, move onto the final drill where Tifereth demonstrates a technique to bundle as you move that allows for better control of your rope ends. This drill is the most challenging but stick with it, and when you’re ready to level up, try changing directions.

These rope bondage drills are suitable for anyone wanting to improve and speed up their rope handling and flow. You don’t even need a partner – these can be practiced around a pole or pillar too. We recommend that everyone spend some time drilling these skills, no matter how advanced your practice.