In this lesson, you will learn how to identify and prevent anatomical risks in shibari practice to avoid injuries and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Folds
Folds can occur when we create twists that impact the spine. Simply put, they happen when most of the movement comes from one or two vertebrae, while the rest of the spine remains relatively straight.
Most likely, the weakest and least stable vertebrae will be the ones folding. While this depends on each person’s anatomy, folds are more common in the lumbar and cervical regions, depending on the type of twist being performed.
This occurs because we rely on the stable parts of the spine to produce the movement we are attempting. These concepts are explained in the theoretical section if you need a refresher.
When performing poses that involve folds, the result is often more visually striking, as the movement appears much larger compared to a twist where the curve is more evenly distributed across the spine.
It’s essential to understand what happens in the body when folds occur. This knowledge allows us to make informed and conscious decisions about whether to take on these risks, assess if they are worth it, or opt for safer alternatives to achieve a satisfying experience.
To comprehend these risks, we need to delve into some anatomical and biomechanical principles.
The spinal cord, part of the central nervous system, runs through the spine. Vertebrae have structures called intervertebral spaces, through which nerves extend to the rest of the body.
With this in mind, when a section of the spine folds, we significantly expand the space on one side while drastically reducing it on the opposite side. If this fold is subjected to force or weight, nerve pinching becomes a real risk.
Repeating this practice frequently increases the likelihood of injuries to the vertebral structures involved in the fold.
We must give special attention to cervical folds. Within the intervertebral spaces in this area, arteries and veins responsible for delivering blood to the brain are located.
Thus, when folds occur in this region, blood flow is restricted. Common symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, or nausea when the neck returns to its neutral position. This is not a rope high or entering subspace; it’s your brain signaling you to stop and preserve your life.
Folds can easily be identified visually, as a small portion of the back will bend significantly while the rest remains mostly straight. You might also suspect a fold if, during spinal rotation, the shoulders provide the final range of motion.
This can be observed as one shoulder moving into slight protraction (forward) while the other moves into retraction (backward).
Another indicator to watch for is the ribs. If they protrude during the twist, it’s very likely that a fold is occurring at the junction between the thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine. When this happens, the lumbar belt and possibly the internal stabilizers deactivate, as the body enters their passive range.
As mentioned earlier, applying anatomy to shibari means understanding the body, recognizing its signals, and knowing how to work with it.
By now, you’ve probably noticed that improper body use often results in movements and poses that are much more spectacular but also significantly riskier.
In the event of injury, the responsibility lies with the person tying, as their actions are essential for these situations to arise.
Torsion
Spinal twists are movements that take the spine out of its neutral position. They can occur in any plane.
To execute them optimally, we aim for each vertebra to contribute a small portion of the movement until the desired position is reached. This ensures an even distribution across the spine, avoiding areas where folds might occur.
The range of motion is determined by the thoracic section, which, as explained in the theoretical module, is the mobile part of the spine.
In addition to preventing folds and considering all the factors mentioned earlier, when performing twists, it’s crucial to engage the glutes to stabilize the pelvis.
Regardless of the plane of movement, this is vital to ensure that the lumbar section doesn’t contribute more movement than is optimal for the body.
However, even when performed correctly, it’s not advisable to maintain such positions for extended periods, as they compress the intervertebral spaces.
Finally, let’s remember that in shibari, it is the responsibility of the person tying to verify and manage muscle activation and the correct execution of movements. This requires using all available tools and learning to communicate with the tied person’s body using its natural language. Otherwise, if resources aren’t managed by the rigger, they’re merely creating a pose without effective body control.
Post-session feedback is also critical. It allows the rigger to compare the tactile and visual information gathered during the session with the tied person’s experience, enhancing communication over time.
Flexion vs. Extension
When tying someone, it’s essential to understand the difference between the body being in flexion or extension.
Flexion occurs when the spine bends forward, often accompanied by shoulders rotated inward toward the chest and the head facing downward.
If a pose is created in this position, even with proper tension and a snug tie, the ropes will loosen as soon as the spine extends. This destabilizes the tie completely. The reason is that the body in extension occupies less space than in flexion. Ties are made with the body in its most compact state to effectively limit movement.
While constructing ties, ensure that the tied person’s body is adjusted throughout the process. For instance, in figures like Gote or Takate Kote, the correct position at the start may change as the ropes are applied, causing one shoulder to rotate inward toward the chest.
This happens as the shoulder rotates while the rope is passed over the arm. As a result, the spine will gradually follow, flexing. If later adjustments focus only on straightening the spine without addressing the shoulders, the result will likely be far from optimal for weight distribution.
Simply pulling the ropes inward is not a good solution, as this only pulls the shoulder back without correcting its inward rotation. In these figures, the key is to stabilize the shoulder to prevent it from rotating inward while tying that side.
Compensations
We must always stay vigilant to avoid compensations.
Compensations refer to adjustments or changes in posture that deviate from the optimal form, often due to physical limitations or ingrained habits.
It’s worth noting that these compensations are actions we perform, and to some extent, they can be corrected. They may also vary depending on the situation.
For example, after prolonged sitting, some muscles may “switch off,” and upon standing, the body compensates with suboptimal movements to function, increasing the risk of injury over time.
Compensations often manifest in weaker areas of the body first.
Thus, during shibari practice, it’s essential to remain mindful of avoiding compensations.
This vigilance is primarily the responsibility of the rigger, though the tied person must also remain aware of their own body. Ultimately, each individual is responsible for their own health and well-being.