Meet Our Presenters
Shibari is about exploring yourself and exploring your partner. It’s about learning a new language to communicate your desires and express yourself. I discovered Japanese rope bondage at Anatomie Studio after the breakup of a long term relationship in 2016. It taught me greater self-confidence, the ability to ask for (and get) what I wanted in my relationships, and a new artistic practice which I find deeply rewarding. Funny to think that bondage can be so freeing!
8 years later, I am an experienced instructor who has taught and performed internationally about mastering the art of shibari. Of course, your mileage may vary! But I hope this helps to explain why I am so passionate about shibari and about teaching it to others.
-Petite Pretzel
Shibari.PH is excited to introduce Petite Pretzel and KinkNamePending—skilled Shibari practitioners whose unique expertise and captivating performances are coming to the Philippines this June!
Whether you’re a seasoned rope enthusiast or new to the art of Shibari, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, connect, and elevate your practice!
Backgrounds
Petite Pretzel is a rope switch from New York City. She has been teaching shibari (Japanese rope bondage) since 2019 at Anatomie Studio London, as well as at other UK venues (Oxford Rope Bight, Tangled Festival Derby, Edinburgh Rope Showcase), and abroad in the USA (Temple NYC), Greece (Athens Shibari), Germany (Eurix), and Sweden (Stockholm Pride). She has performed and taught live for Shambala Festival, Pinky Promise, Riposte Queer Rave, Fox & Badge. Her commercial rigging includes music video credits (Charli XCX, Christine + the Queens), art gallery installation (Elizabeth Xi Bauer gallery), fashion photography and full-length film. She lives in Bethnal Green with her cat, who loves ropes just as much as she does. You can find her on Twitter as @PetitePretzel and Instagram as @thed0ughkn0t.
Pen (KinkNamePending) is a UK-based rope switch from Croydon, South London. He loves the connections that shibari inspires and the wide range of experiences with vulnerability and trust it has brought him. Outside of rope, he is keenly interested in anatomy and physiology and has studied these topics extensively. He brings his perspective and understanding of the human body into rope and kink. He has performed in the UK as a rope-bottom at Tangled Festival, The Lust Supper, Pinky Promise and Fox Badge; and additionally abroad at Temple NYC in the USA, Eurix (European Rope Exchange) in Germany and for Stockholm Pride in Sweden. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram as @KinkNamePending.
Upcoming Events at SPH
[Performance] Petite Pretzel & KinkNamePending
Join us for an evening to watch an intimate shibari performance by Petite Pretzel and KinkNamePending. The performance will run for one (1) hour, followed by Q&A and open social time for the attendees.
Sneak a peek at how skilled professionals combine the intricacy and challenges of rope tying with the intimacy of a session with rope. They approach performances with a delicate balance between a publicly witnessed spectacle and a privately savored interaction, all the while demonstrating how genuine partnership is essential in shibari.
Petite Pretzel’s performances are deeply personal, treating each as a “rope scene that happens to unfold before a live audience.” The inclusion of suspension adds real risk and authenticity, making each performance a genuine display of skill and trust. KinkNamePending’s active role in the scene emphasizes the importance of the rope bottom, demonstrated by his bodily awareness and physical endurance which are essential in navigating the exciting ordeals of a rope session.
For shibari enthusiasts, this event is an opportunity to observe the nuanced interplay between rigger and model, and to appreciate the emotional and technical depth of shibari. It’s a unique chance to witness their artistry and deepen your understanding of this captivating practice.
Note: Seats and spaces on the tatami during performances are limited as our rope studio is a small an intimate venue that is mostly standing-room only (SRO).
[Workshop] Introduction to Partial Suspensions & Predicaments
Join Petite Pretzel and KinkNamePending for an introductory class on partial suspension. Our seasoned sadist, Pretzel, and her power bottom, Pen, will demonstrate communicating between rigger and model, assessing bodily safety, and understanding anatomy. Additionally, we’ll cover pain processing techniques and the emotional dynamics of bottoming for suspension. This is an open-ended exploration where (outside of safety considerations) students are encouraged to adapt the concepts to suit their unique dynamics and preferences. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; it’s about embracing the journey of learning and appreciating the overall experience.
In this class, we delve into partial suspension. Partial suspensions require confidence in structural harnesses, suspension point knowledge and understanding up line attachments and lock-offs. Introducing the pressure of your model’s body weight to gravity changes our risk profile for tying. It alters our approach to rope placement, sustainability in terms of comfort vs pain, and wrap tensioning.
As your “evil genius” guide, Pretzel thrives on creating challenges and Pen relishes being tested. Rope is about seeking a balance together. It’s not about making the tie so challenging that the bottom gives up immediately nor so easy that boredom sets in; it’s about creating a dialogue through rope. The ropes become a medium for communication, a conversation where suggestions and responses inspire each other.
- We will cover the following topics:
Anatomical information, to improve safety - Choosing and setting suspension point height
- Assessing TK for suspension
- Assessing arms-front harness for suspension
- Suspension-line lock offs
- Identifying attachment points for up lines on TK (single attachment and double attachment, sometimes called Y-hanger or epsilon)
Join us for an evening of exploration, challenge, and the subtle art of nonverbal conversations in shibari.
Who can come to this class? Are there prerequisites?
- Riggers should know how to proficiently tie a TK (a.k.a. takate kote, gote shibari, or box-tie), single column tie and double column tie.
- Riggers must know how to check for nerve impingement. You must inform your model of the risks of rope suspension. Please refer to the Anatomie Studio nerve flyer here.
- Rope bottoms should be able to be tied in an upper body harness and be familiar with the differences between nerve and circulation impingement.
- Models must be able to recognise and communicate signs of nerve impingement to riggers effectively and timely.
[Workshop] Toeing the Line: Rope for Trampling
This class will explore the potential for combining rope bondage and trampling in BDSM play. Some rope bottoms enjoy the idea of and/or the sensation of being stepped on, squashed or otherwise squeezed and we will discuss how to plan a rope scene with this in mind. We will demonstrate floor work and partials suitable for the rigger to apply force with their feet, knees, elbows and other parts of the body.
While we will discuss the use of high-heeled shoes, boots and other footwear in trampling, the class will be practiced barefoot or in socks. Please do not wear shoes in the venue as this may damage the flooring.
Prerequisites: Participants should be familiar with single column ties and double column ties, the differences between nerve & circulation impingement, and can practice clear & timely communication
[Performance] Petite Pretzel & KinkNamePending
Join us for an evening to watch an intimate shibari performance by Petite Pretzel and KinkNamePending. The performance will run for one (1) hour, followed by Q&A and open social time for the attendees.
Sneak a peek at how skilled professionals combine the intricacy and challenges of rope tying with the intimacy of a session with rope. They approach performances with a delicate balance between a publicly witnessed spectacle and a privately savored interaction, all the while demonstrating how genuine partnership is essential in shibari.
Petite Pretzel’s performances are deeply personal, treating each as a “rope scene that happens to unfold before a live audience.” The inclusion of suspension adds real risk and authenticity, making each performance a genuine display of skill and trust. KinkNamePending’s active role in the scene emphasizes the importance of the rope bottom, demonstrated by his bodily awareness and physical endurance which are essential in navigating the exciting ordeals of a rope session.
For shibari enthusiasts, this event is an opportunity to observe the nuanced interplay between rigger and model, and to appreciate the emotional and technical depth of shibari. It’s a unique chance to witness their artistry and deepen your understanding of this captivating practice.
Note: Seats and spaces on the tatami during performances are limited as our rope studio is a small an intimate venue that is mostly standing-room only (SRO).
[Workshop] Introduction to Partial Suspensions & Predicaments
Join Petite Pretzel and KinkNamePending for an introductory class on partial suspension. Our seasoned sadist, Pretzel, and her power bottom, Pen, will demonstrate communicating between rigger and model, assessing bodily safety, and understanding anatomy. Additionally, we’ll cover pain processing techniques and the emotional dynamics of bottoming for suspension. This is an open-ended exploration where (outside of safety considerations) students are encouraged to adapt the concepts to suit their unique dynamics and preferences. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; it’s about embracing the journey of learning and appreciating the overall experience.
In this class, we delve into partial suspension. Partial suspensions require confidence in structural harnesses, suspension point knowledge and understanding up line attachments and lock-offs. Introducing the pressure of your model’s body weight to gravity changes our risk profile for tying. It alters our approach to rope placement, sustainability in terms of comfort vs pain, and wrap tensioning.
As your “evil genius” guide, Pretzel thrives on creating challenges and Pen relishes being tested. Rope is about seeking a balance together. It’s not about making the tie so challenging that the bottom gives up immediately nor so easy that boredom sets in; it’s about creating a dialogue through rope. The ropes become a medium for communication, a conversation where suggestions and responses inspire each other.
- We will cover the following topics:
Anatomical information, to improve safety - Choosing and setting suspension point height
- Assessing TK for suspension
- Assessing arms-front harness for suspension
- Suspension-line lock offs
- Identifying attachment points for up lines on TK (single attachment and double attachment, sometimes called Y-hanger or epsilon)
Join us for an evening of exploration, challenge, and the subtle art of nonverbal conversations in shibari.
Who can come to this class? Are there prerequisites?
- Riggers should know how to proficiently tie a TK (a.k.a. takate kote, gote shibari, or box-tie), single column tie and double column tie.
- Riggers must know how to check for nerve impingement. You must inform your model of the risks of rope suspension. Please refer to the Anatomie Studio nerve flyer here.
- Rope bottoms should be able to be tied in an upper body harness and be familiar with the differences between nerve and circulation impingement.
- Models must be able to recognise and communicate signs of nerve impingement to riggers effectively and timely.
What should you do next?
You can order your event tickets by clicking the button below. When the shop page loads, there’s gonna be a dropdown menu that lets you pick the tickets you’d like to order.
Once you’ve sent your payment and it clears in our account, I’ll approve your order and our system will reserve your slots right away.
See you soon!
Warmly,
Dee
Event FAQs
By default, all our events will be held at our studio in Makati, near Ayala Malls – Circuit.
If the demand exceeds our capacity for a given event, we’ll explore hosting multiple events or renting out bigger spaces that can accommodate all the participants.
For private sessions, you may negotiate this with Petite Pretzel directly. Feel free to email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Yes, a partner is necessary in order to participate during the workshop and maximize your experience. Please note: These event tickets are valid for one person. If you are coming as a pair, you must buy one ticket each.
Looking for someone to attend with? Join and post in our public Discord server to find new partners!
House ropes (hand-treated jute) are available for borrowing but cannot be used for mouth- nor crotch-based bondage.
You may purchase ropes at the venue (if available).
The exact quantity depends on the class but 4-6 ropes is generally enough for most applications.
For the Floorwork & Trampling workshop: Participants should be familiar with single column ties and double column ties, the differences between nerve & circulation impingement, and can practice clear & timely communication.
For the Introduction to Partial Suspensions (w/ Predicament Play): Participants must be comfortable tying and being tied in a structural upper body harness (i.e. base gote shibari /2-rope Takate Kote) learned through a class, workshop, private tuition, or a reputable online learning platform. You must be able to check for and distinguish nerve from circulation impingement, as well as communicate these issues in a clear and timely manner.
Contact [email protected] if you have questions or need support (i.e. remedial lessons, practice reviews, etc.).
People generally wear solid black colored clothes for visual and comfort reasons (yoga or sports attire, bodysuits, etc.) but we don’t impose strict dress codes.
However: Please make sure your attire is street-legal and vanilla when arriving at and exiting the venue. You may only change into your preferred workshop/kink attire after you have entered the venue. We have a bathroom where you may change in private.
Comfortable, non-baggy clothes are recommended to avoid snagging on the ropes. Bras with underwires are discouraged due to the risk of accidental piercing/stabbing during bondage.
There are NO parking spaces available at the venue.
The nearest secure parking option would be at Ayala Malls Circuit, which is a 5-10 minute walk away.
You are advised to take a tricycle from there or book a car via a ridesharing app for your convenience.
Please refrain from imbibing alcohol or other intoxicating substances that affect your judgment and motor function before and during events and appointments.
This is for your safety and that of the other participants!
Taking photos is okay during Workshops, Jams, and Open Shoots but please announce your intentions to make sure nobody else is captured in the shot.
During Performances, Munches, Salons and similar events, photography is strictly prohibited.
If you have more questions, kindly email [email protected]
