To practice shibari safely, it is essential to understand the body and how it functions. This class focuses on a biomechanical approach, adapting shibari techniques to the unique conditions of each body.
Understanding the Body as a Whole
The first step is to view the body as an interconnected whole, where any action on one part affects the entire system. No part functions in isolation.
Every body is unique and has its own physical condition, which can change from moment to moment.
The goal of this class is not an in-depth anatomical study but rather an exploration of the body's biomechanical functions to understand how to organically and adaptively integrate shibari techniques with each body’s particularities in any given moment.
To achieve this, we will simplify anatomy by focusing on the areas we will use to manage the body. This division is functional rather than academic.
Skin
The first layer we encounter is the skin, but here we refer not only to the skin itself but also to the nerve receptors within it and, especially, the fascia.
The skin is the largest organ in the body. It protects the body, covers it, and allows us to interact with our environment through the sense of touch.
Because it is full of sensory receptors, we can use the skin’s sensitivity to create the desired stimulation. Every action we perform on the body first interacts through the skin.
This also means that all skin has the potential to be erogenous, not just the genital or breast areas. As we will see, the brain interprets stimulation, making any skin area potentially responsive.
The fascia, a connective tissue that surrounds, connects, and isolates the muscular, circulatory, and articular systems from the visceral systems, also plays a crucial role.
This understanding opens up a wide range of possibilities for sensory experimentation during shibari sessions.
Nervous System
The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and nerve ganglia. Its diverse functions include collecting, transmitting, and interpreting information, creating responses, and sending them where needed.
Thus, the response to anything we do to another person originates in their brain, not in the will of the person tying. We cannot force anyone to feel exactly what we intend.
If I touch someone, how they feel and what they feel depend more on their brain than my actions.
The nervous system can be both an ally and a hazard if approached without understanding. The brain’s primary function is to keep us alive, making split-second decisions to eliminate perceived threats.
These decisions can manifest as pain, discomfort, dizziness, or even fear-induced orgasms. Although neuroscience offers valuable insights for shibari, a two-hour class only scratches the surface.
In workshops, the nervous system is often discussed in terms of nerve injury precautions, particularly concerning the radial nerve. To fully understand these risks, we first need to grasp how nerves function.
Nerves can be categorized by function (sensory, motor, or mixed) or origin (brain or spinal cord). Sensory nerves collect information from internal and external environments, while motor nerves activate or deactivate muscles.
Nerves act like electrical cables, transmitting impulses to the brain where they become chemical signals, processed and returned as responses to the body for action.
Nerve injuries often occur from cumulative damage due to lifestyle factors like prolonged computer use or poor posture. Adding stress from multiple shibari sessions can lead to nerve dysfunction, such as hand numbness or inability to move fingers, even without obvious risk factors on a particular day.
Pressure is the primary cause of nerve damage. While workshops often emphasize avoiding pressure on exposed parts of the radial nerve, this focus oversimplifies the issue.
Nerve damage can occur along any nerve path in the body. Focusing on just one area leaves others unprotected.
Pressure injuries can result not only from tight ropes but also from muscle compression.
Example: A figure where poor shoulder positioning forces the neck into strain may cause nerve damage even if the ropes avoid vulnerable arm areas.
Similarly, prolonged positioning where body weight rests on one area can compress nerves even without direct rope contact.
Therefore, assessing the entire nerve pathway is crucial when addressing potential nerve injuries.
Internal Organs
When discussing internal organs, we refer to the intestines, lungs, liver, stomach, kidneys, and other organs responsible for essential life functions.
Internal organs communicate with the nervous system, meaning our actions on them will provoke responses.
In shibari, this interaction occurs externally through pressure applied via ropes or body weight, and internally through breathing management, blood flow, or sensory stimulation.
Though well-protected, these organs are still vulnerable to impact injuries. However, discomfort or pain often manifests elsewhere, most commonly in the back, before actual damage occurs.
Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system eliminates toxins and waste, playing a vital role in the immune system.
Its handling resembles that of internal organs, so we won’t delve deeply here.
Recognizing and distinguishing lymphatic reactions from other bodily responses is important because we cannot avoid interacting with this system.
Certain shibari figures stimulate the lymphatic system, causing toxins to mobilize upon release, potentially leading to sensations similar to a hangover: headaches, general discomfort, and bodily unease.
Recognizing these sensations can help avoid negative associations with shibari sessions or partners.
This discomfort can arise immediately after untying or even the next day. While unpleasant, it is typically not harmful and indicates the body is processing accumulated toxins.
Stimulating the lymphatic system may also cause increased urination.
Vascular System
The vascular system, consisting of the heart and blood vessels, nourishes the body's cells.
We must never interfere directly with the vascular system or blood flow; the risks are too severe. If a vascular injury occurs, it signals systemic errors.
However, we can leverage its surface-level automatic responses to enhance sensitivity in targeted body areas.
Compressing large muscle groups retains superficial blood flow, increasing capillary presence and enhancing local sensitivity.
This amplifies sensations, making mild stimuli feel more intense, but stronger ones potentially uncomfortable or painful.
A key risk with prolonged compression is thrombosis risk when untying rapidly.
Sudden release increases blood flow velocity, potentially dislodging impurities that block blood flow, causing thrombosis or, in the brain, a stroke.
Thus, untie slowly and progressively to restore blood flow gradually, and avoid prolonged compression.
Respiratory System
The respiratory system coordinates gas exchange between the body and environment, involving airways, ribs, and muscles like the pelvic floor.
Respiratory Cylinder
In shibari, particular attention is given to the glottis, diaphragm, and pelvic floor, which coordinate for efficient breathing.
These structures should align in a straight cylinder for proper function. When misaligned, respiratory efficiency and adjacent muscular functions decline.
Disrupting the respiratory process poses high risks without significant benefits.
Example: Inducing pelvic floor spasms can cause severe injury and drastically affect the individual’s quality of life.
Musculoskeletal System
Comprising bones, muscles, and joints, we focus on joint management while disregarding bones unless injuries occur, as bone injuries indicate major failures.
Breaking a bone in a healthy person is extremely difficult, indicating significant errors.
Joints
Joints provide mobility and stability. We differentiate mobile and stable joints based on their alternating body pattern.
Summary:
- Mobile joints: toes, ankles, hips (femur-pelvis insertion), thoracic spine, shoulders, wrists, fingers
- Stable joints: foot arches, knees, lumbar and cervical spine, scapula-humeral complex, elbows, hands
Each type responds differently and serves distinct shibari purposes.
Mobile joints allow restriction progress through circular motion, while stable joints provide figure stability and must remain immobile.
Improper handling elevates injury risks.
Special Note for Hypermobility
Hypermobility involves collagen differences allowing broader movements. While appearing beneficial for dramatic poses, it creates unstable joints relying on passive structures like tendons.
These compensations occur automatically, without conscious intent.
Working with hyperlax individuals requires careful joint stabilization and monitoring ranges and compensations.
Below are two recommended articles: one analyzing nerve injury in shibari and another exploring Taoist body perception by a professor from the Polytechnic University of Madrid.