Soptik & Sansei – Announcing presenters
Soptik and Sansei’s approach to ropes is about a deep connection between two people. They find this connection particularly in traditional kinbaku and are passionate about the Kinbaku LuXuria style that they are both certified for up to level 1. Soptik has been studying this style with Riccardo Wildties and Red Sabbath since 2013. Riccardo is a deshi of Naka Akira and his style is an interpretation of Naka Ryu more suited to western riggers and models.
Sansei and Soptik started their journey together a few years later and now not only study but also research their own interpretation of the style.
Their tying and their teaching includes classical patterns, aesthetics and also deep surrender to the core, dark emotions in semenawa and existing for each other. Through kinbaku they pursue things they are passionate about. Among the different flavours they tie and teach are objectification and exposure, from shame to humiliation, and some niche topics such as neck rope and arm binders.
Soptik has been studying Japanese bondage for a long time. He studied with Kinoko Hajime, Osada Steve, Nawashi Kanna, Arnoys Nicolas and Naka Akira. They taught him the basics, technique and also the movement, intimacy and simplicity of the ropes. Today his style is shaped by his studies with Riccardo Wildties.
Sansei has been doing ropes since 2017. Her approach to tying is specific with a deep surrender to her rigger, an almost altered state of being while tying, exploring the often dark emotions that ropes can bring and the beauty of them. Of particular importance to her is the naturalness of the experience and the effect of the rope on the human soul and body. She is not only a model, but also a rigger. She has been studying with Soptik since 2019 and the Kinbaku LuXuria style with Riccardo Wildties and Red Sabbath since 2022. The experience of both roles allows her to better understand and pass on deeper insight. She is passionate about Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, which is a great inspiration in her tying.
Although Naka style is their preferred way of tying today, they are open to enjoying spontaneity and fun with ropes, and their personal practice and teaching also includes lighter topics.
Find out more about their workshops at www.soptiksansei.com.
Workshops
Arm-binder harness for Strappado
(Workshop level: L2-3)
The arm-binder is an upper body harness that offers a lot of possibilities, but few people can use the strappado to its full potential. It is often a challenge for riggers to tie a safe or non collapsing arm-binder structure, especially when working with models who have less flexible arms.
We will learn how to tie an arm-binder with modificationsto suit different intentions. We will cover comfortable and strict, as well asminimalist and overtied arm-binders.
Requirements: Single column tie, lacing, X-friction, good rope handling and ability to control tension. Models should be able to have their elbows brought behind their back by their riggers to at least shoulder-blade width.
Strappado in partial and full suspensions
(Workshop level: L3)
While the arm-binder offers many possibilities, it takes specific knowledge to use it safely in the air. In this workshop, we will start partially on the floor to understand the mechanics, before exploring the strappado in full suspensions. We will cover three basic ways to use the arm-binder.
Requirements: Participants are expected to already know how to tie an arm-binder as this will not be covered in the workshop. (See also workshops Arm-binder harness and Arm Binder & Strappado for Less Flexible Arms.
