Gestalta & Saphfyre – Announcing presenters

Gestalta lives in Berlin where they teach and organise workshops and community events at their rope space, Daruma.

Their approach to shibari has evolved from 17 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 shibari 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.

Find out more about Gestalta at their Instagram, website and FetLife and Daruma studio Instagram, website and FetLife.

Saphfyre is a rope-bottom living in Berlin. With an original interest in BDSM, she is drawn to queer expressions of femininity and patriarchal desires. Her bottoming style is playful, submissive and shaped by four years of excessive tying in different styles. In workshops she loves sharing her experience, answering questions and having an opinion.

Find out more about Saphfyre at her Instagram and FetLife.

Workshops

Agura Transitions

(Workshop level: L3)

The agura is the only relatively complex lower body harness I actually enjoy tying in sessions due to its many transition possibilities, and options for play. This workshop will demonstrate a range of possibilities for shapes and movements in partial and full suspension.

A Maximalist Approach to TKs

(Workshop level: L2-3)

When tying TKs, we are faced with finding a balance between internal stability in the body and external stability in the TK. Whilst minimalist TKs with high internal stability have become very popular for many good reasons, I also believe that there is an argument and a place for a maximalist approach to TKs (where the TK supports the body rather than the other way around), even on people with high levels of flexibility.

Floor play sequences

(Workshop level: L1-3)

When practising suspension I have come to rely heavily on moving the body to tell a story and create a scene, but often found floor play more difficult; perhaps due to its perceived simplicity. This workshop approaches floor play in the same way that I learnt suspension: by working out sequences and practising them until we have a sufficient vocabulary for improvisation.

To Watch & Be Watched

(Workshop level: L1-3)

Watching and being watched can create a vibrating intensity between the ‘performer’ and the ‘audience.’ But what makes a scene tasty to watch? And what elements make it enjoyable to be watched? After a demo, we invite participants to pair up and perform for each other. This workshop provides a space to explore exhibitionism and voyeurism.