Has anyone had experience with performing safe shibari suspensions while avoiding pressure on the lower back? Are there specific positions you’d recommend, or would it be wiser to avoid suspension altogether? I’m really interested in trying, but only with someone who’s experienced.
This is a question I’m often asked, and it’s one that deserves careful consideration before answering.
Is Shibari Suspension Safe?
Short and honest answer: NO.
Suspension in shibari comes with inherent risks. The body is subjected to intense, unusual forces and loads which, combined with the use of ropes, can lead to injury or accidents.
So, it is not a safe practice by itself. However, with good technique and careful attention, these risks can be managed, minimized, and controlled—though they must first be accepted.
It’s essential to understand the risks involved in this practice, along with the techniques and skills that allow us to manage these risks and keep them within an acceptable range.
Each person must decide how much risk they are willing to accept, and it’s important to remember that individual recklessness is a significant risk factor.
Simply asking about “avoiding pressure on the lumbar area” suggests a lack of understanding of the technical principles behind shibari suspension.
If the lumbar or cervical areas experiences pressure during shibari—whether on the floor, but especially in suspension—things are not going right; you’re not doing it correctly.
In a safe practice of shibari, there should be absolutely no pressure on the lumbar or cervical regions.
Are There Safer Positions for Shibari Suspension?
Absolutely. There are positions and "figures" that, when executed and applied properly, help distribute loads more evenly across the body, making suspension significantly safer.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of suspensions seen and praised on social media don’t meet these standards.
This considerable portion of "improper" techniques simply suspends bodies with ropes and leaves the rest to chance. And, somehow, we often get away with it.
The injuries this practice can cause are cumulative; they may not cause immediate harm, but over time they build up to severe damage in tissues and joints.
Would It Be Better to Avoid Suspension in Shibari Altogether?
In short: YES.
Shibari suspension is often overrated, especially in the context of erotic shibari.
While it’s an intense and visually striking experience, it doesn’t add much to the session (aside from aesthetics) that can’t be achieved on the floor.
It’s self-evident that shibari on the floor involves less risk than suspension.
Therefore, if the risks associated with this practice fall outside what you’re willing to accept—as part of a well-informed personal decision—the best option is to avoid it.
When we act impulsively and let ourselves be carried away by the moment’s hype, we’re not approaching shibari responsibly, which drastically reduces the practice’s safety.
“I’d Only Do It with Someone Experienced”
The answer, once again, is no. This is a fundamental misconception.
Your body is yours; you are the first person responsible for it. This statement reflects a lack of understanding about what suspension truly involves.
A common misconception in shibari is that everything depends on the person doing the tying, placing all trust (and ourselves) in their skills as if they were Saint Christopher behind the wheel.
We all agree that the person tying has a huge responsibility for what happens during a shibari session; this is indisputable.
However, from a technical standpoint, in a well-executed suspension, it’s the body of the tied person that sets the limits, guides the decisions, and determines the technical actions the person tying can take within the context and dynamics of the suspension.
If, as the one being suspended, you don’t know your own body or the physical demands of this practice, you’re acting irresponsibly.
Maintaining and controlling tension in your body is your responsibility—no one else can do it for you.
This bodily tension, in conjunction with the tension in the ropes, is what increases the safety of the practice, whether it’s acrobatic suspension or a simple gote for floor play.
This is the technique known as chouryoku.
In a suspension like the one shown here, 70% of the effort comes from the person being tied, while the person tying simply manages the process.
This is an active, intense, and demanding suspension, with no ultimate goal.
By “no ultimate goal,” I mean that it’s not the final purpose of this practice; rather, it’s just another technique used during a session.
In the style of shibari we practice and teach at Shibari Dojo Escuela de Shibari, we don’t aim for a photo or a single moment; we focus on people—their emotions, their unique way of experiencing eroticism, and the fulfillment of their desires, using shibari as a tool rather than an end in itself.
If you’re interested in learning this approach, we offer both in-person and online training. Feel free to contact us.