10 Essential Rules for Safer Shibari Suspension

Shibari suspension is both an aesthetic and demanding practice. It requires precision, experience, a good understanding of the body and constant attention to the person being tied.

Unlike floor-based Shibari, suspension involves supporting part or all of the body’s weight with ropes. The pressure placed on the body, the harnesses, the equipment and the suspension point is therefore much greater.

It is important to remember that no Shibari suspension is completely risk-free. Proper preparation, serious training, suitable equipment and continuous communication can, however, help reduce the risks.

Here are 10 essential rules for practising Shibari suspension in a more conscious and responsible way.

1. Get Proper Training Before Practising Shibari Suspension

Suspension should never be improvised.

Knowing a few knots or copying a harness seen in a video is not enough to suspend another person. This practice requires precise knowledge of harness construction, rope tension, load distribution, suspension lines and controlled lowering procedures.

Before attempting a full suspension, you should first master the foundations of floor-based Shibari, including:

  • essential knots;
  • rope tension management;
  • correct rope placement;
  • suitable harness construction;
  • communication with the person being tied;
  • emergency release and lowering procedures.

Learning from an experienced Shibari instructor also helps you recognise mistakes that may not be visible in a photograph or online video.

2. Communicate Before, During and After the Session

Communication is one of the most important elements of Shibari safety.

Before the session, take time to discuss expectations, limits, concerns and each person’s level of experience. It is also important to understand the physical and emotional condition of the person who will be tied.

During the suspension, communication must remain active. The person tying should regularly check sensations, comfort, breathing and the ability to move different parts of the body.

After the suspension, talk about what felt comfortable, uncomfortable or difficult. This feedback allows both partners to learn, progress and prepare future sessions more effectively.

3. Obtain Clear and Ongoing Consent

Consent must be freely given, informed and clearly expressed.

It is not enough to receive general consent to practise Shibari. The person being tied should understand what is planned, which positions may be used, the physical pressure involved and the potential risks associated with suspension.

Consent can also change during the session. Someone may initially agree to a position and then ask to be lowered a few moments later.

A change of mind must always be respected immediately, without pressure or negotiation. Trust depends on knowing that the experience can be stopped at any time.

4. Check Your Shibari Ropes and Equipment

All equipment must be inspected before every suspension.

Shibari ropes should not show signs of excessive wear, cuts, damaged fibres or weakened areas. A rope may still look usable while having already lost some of its strength.

Carabiners, rings, straps, pulleys and other Shibari equipment must also be suitable for their intended use. They should be in good condition, properly closed and loaded in the correct direction.

The suspension point requires particular attention. A decorative hook, curtain rail, piece of furniture or fixing with unknown strength must never be used to support a person.

When there is any doubt about the strength of an anchor point, it should be inspected by a qualified professional.

5. Prepare the Shibari Practice Area

A Shibari suspension session begins before the first rope is placed.

The space should be clear enough for the person tying to move freely and intervene quickly. Furniture, sharp objects and other obstacles should be removed from underneath and around the suspension area.

Ropes and accessories should be prepared in advance and remain easily accessible. Safety shears capable of cutting the ropes quickly should always be within immediate reach.

The lowering procedure must be planned before lifting the person. You should always know how to bring them down quickly, including if they are unable to assist or maintain their position.

6. Start Gradually and Stay Close to the Floor

A full suspension should never be the first step in learning Shibari.

Begin by practising harnesses on the floor. You can then introduce gradual weight transfers and partial suspensions. This allows you to observe how the body reacts and correct any uneven tension before the person’s full weight is supported by the ropes.

During early suspension practice, remain close to the floor. A person does not need to be suspended high in the air to experience weight transfer or work on a position.

Staying at a low height also makes a controlled lowering easier and can reduce the consequences of a technical problem.

7. Pay Constant Attention to the Body

The person tying must observe the body throughout the entire suspension.

Pay attention to:

  • breathing;
  • changes in skin colour;
  • unusually cold hands or feet;
  • unusual sensations;
  • movement in the hands and feet;
  • the ability to speak clearly;
  • the person’s general physical and emotional state.

The person being tied should be encouraged to immediately report pain, electrical sensations, burning, weakness, numbness or tingling.

Some people may become deeply focused, emotionally absorbed or less aware of their body during a Shibari session. Verbal communication should therefore never replace active observation.

8. Never Ignore a Warning Sign

Unusual pain or a sudden change in sensation should always be taken seriously.

Warning signs may include:

  • numbness;
  • tingling;
  • electrical pain;
  • burning sensations;
  • loss of strength;
  • difficulty moving the fingers or feet;
  • an unusually cold hand or foot;
  • significant changes in skin colour;
  • dizziness;
  • nausea;
  • faintness;
  • difficulty breathing.

When any of these symptoms appear, do not wait to see whether the situation improves. Reduce the pressure and lower the person promptly and carefully.

Safety must always come first, even when this means stopping a position, photograph or performance.

9. Never Leave a Suspended Person Alone

A suspended person must never be left unattended.

The person tying should remain close enough to observe, communicate and intervene immediately. They should not leave the room, walk away to find equipment or focus entirely on taking photographs.

Even a suspension that appears stable can change. A rope may shift, a position may become more difficult to tolerate or the suspended person may suddenly feel unwell.

For complex suspensions, performances or photography sessions, having a second experienced person present can provide additional support.

10. Put Safety Before Aesthetics

Shibari is often appreciated for its visual beauty, precision and the lines created by the ropes. However, a position that looks impressive is not necessarily comfortable or appropriate for the person being tied.

Every body is different. A position that one person can tolerate easily may be unsuitable or dangerous for another.

Harnesses and positions should always be adapted to the person’s body, mobility, experience and sensations. Never force someone’s body to reproduce a photograph or continue a position solely to obtain a particular image.

A successful suspension is not necessarily the most impressive one. It is a suspension in which technique, communication, attention and respect for the body remain present from beginning to end.

Good Shibari Equipment Does Not Replace Proper Training

Using high-quality Shibari ropes, strong carabiners and a reliable suspension point is essential, but equipment alone does not make suspension safe.

Safety also depends on knowing how to use the equipment correctly, anticipating potential difficulties and reacting quickly when a problem occurs.

Ropes and accessories are only tools. Knowledge, experience and constant attention remain the true foundations of responsible Shibari suspension.

After the Suspension: Observe, Communicate and Recover

The session does not end when the ropes are removed.

After a suspension, the person may need time to recover, regain normal sensations, warm up or return gradually to a more ordinary physical and emotional state.

Take time to check their mobility, emotional condition and any persistent discomfort. Loss of sensation, weakness or unusual pain that continues after the session should not be ignored and may require medical attention.

The conversation after the session also helps improve future practice and strengthen trust between partners.

Conclusion: Practising Shibari Suspension Responsibly

Shibari suspension is not simply about lifting a body with ropes. It requires careful preparation, controlled technique, continuous communication and deep attention to the person being tied.

Remember these essential principles:

  • train properly before attempting suspension;
  • use suitable and carefully inspected equipment;
  • always prepare a controlled lowering procedure;
  • begin gradually and remain close to the floor;
  • continuously observe the person being tied;
  • stop immediately when a warning sign appears;
  • never leave a suspended person alone;
  • always place safety before aesthetics.

No Shibari suspension is completely risk-free. Training, communication, humility and vigilance remain the best ways to practise more responsibly.