[TIckets: Sold Out!] 29-30/8 Ellipsis Rope Events – Hashira by: RopuNawa & FreyaHellesdim
Converging Lines: Reimagining Hashira & Suspension - RopeFusion and TwistedHashira
Until: Sun, Aug 30, 2026·8:00 PM CEST
RSVP to see full address
Description
Rule Notice: Due to the high amount of rope breaks with Clara Jute, we do no longer allow its use in combination with suspensionlines (full/partial) at our venue. Neither for uplines nor harnesses
Presenter Bio's
@RopuNawa first encountered Shibari/Kinbaku in 2008 at a performance in Australia.
This experience stayed with him on his journey back to Switzerland, where he began his own path with the rope. He built his foundation in Osada Steve’s style, which was prominent in Switzerland at the time. However, he quickly drew inspiration from a wide range of teachers rather than adhering to a single approach.
For RopuNawa, there is no one “correct” way to tie. The heart of his style lies in attuning to the unique needs of each model—these needs are as individual as the people themselves. Through the diversity of his approach, he best responds to his partners’ desires and creates a deep, non-verbal connection with every tying partner.
Aesthetically, he was shaped early on by Naka’s style, which continues to influence him today. In recent years, Tifereth has also been a key inspiration. Yoroi was another major early influence, nurturing his appreciation for “less is more,” alongside Yagami Ren.
Today, RopuNawa blends elements from all these styles into his personal rope art. With over a decade of teaching experience, rope is his full-time profession. He owns and operates the dedicated Tying With Friends (TwF) Studio in Basel, Switzerland—a calm, professional space with tatami mats, multiple suspension points, and a supportive atmosphere for workshops, private sessions, rope jams, and practice.
From this base in Basel, he teaches students from around the world, offers intensive private tuition, and continues to travel internationally for workshops and collaborations. He draws ongoing inspiration from his long-time teachers as well as new encounters, always prioritizing safety, consent, emotional connection, and the individuality of each partner.
@FreyaHellesdim discovered rope in 2015. Driven by her fascination with communication through the body — beyond words and algorithms — she found herself repeatedly drawn to Shibari. Through this practice, she explored and deepened both intensity and the subtle dynamics shared with her partner.
Immersing herself in the art of rope bondage has become an essential platform for her personal expression. Within physical limitations, she experiences an unexpected sense of freedom that arises through surrender. By embracing boundaries, her mind becomes an explorer, venturing into realms of imagination and self-discovery.
As both, a model and educator, it is deeply important to her to share a balanced and authentic perspective on the development as a Shibari model. She values transparency about growth, challenges, responsibility, and the emotional depth that accompanies this path. For her, education is not only about technique, but about encouraging awareness, critical reflection, and a sustainable approach.
Since 2018, her ongoing passion has taken her across international stages as a model for workshops, photo shoots, and performances — allowing her to deepen her perspective and share her experiences.
Workshop Content
Shibari exists in many forms, structures, and philosophies. In this workshop, we explore the fusion of these approaches by combining Hashira work with classical suspension points - specifically by bamboo structures and Hashira.
This creates a unique playground: a space where vertical (Hashira) and horizontal/overhead (suspension point) forces meet. The goal is to develop new ways of tying that respond to the architecture around us - rather than forcing ties into predefined systems.
We take a non-dogmatic approach, focusing on understanding why a tie works, not just how it looks.
Over two days, we will explore:
- Building 360° ties around the Hashira, integrating them into full sessions
- Combining Hashira with standard suspension points for hybrid structures
- Creating new shapes and pathways starting from bamboo and end up on the Hashira, the other way around or something between
- Understanding mechanics, tension, and directional forces in mixed setups
- Working with Gote, Tenshi, Strappado, Chocker-Tie or other Harnesses as a base for experimentation
- Developing floor work into suspension transitions
- Exploring body mechanics, breath restriction, and immobilization
- Refining the emotional and connective aspects of tying
Participants will learn how to safely merge different tying systems while staying adaptable to complex environments.
To successfully fuse different styles, it is essential to understand each tie’s original intention and structure. This workshop emphasizes:
- Awareness over repetition
- Adaptation over rigid forms
- Connection over performance
We encourage exploration while maintaining a strong focus on safety and responsibility.
Schedule
The venue opens at 11:00, and the workshop will start at 11:30 (until 18:00). BE ON TIME! You have a window of half an hour to arrive on time, settle in, meet people, have some tea/coffee and warm up. Please make good use of this time. If you cannot make it on time, you will not have access to the venue until the lunch break.
- 11:00 - Doors open
- 11:30 - First half of content
- 14:00 - Lunch Break (approximate time)
- 15:00 - Second half of content
- 18:00 - End of tuition (Account for some time for running late)
Required level of skill/ list of prerequisites
This is no way a beginner workshop. In order to register for and participate in this workshop the rigger and model need to fulfill the following requirements.
- Fluent execution of a single and double column tie (r)
- Good understanding of safety (r/m) and physical symptoms related to rope bondage (r/m)
- Must have participated in at least one public full-workshop (4+ hours) from experienced teachers that included any suspendable chest harness (TK, tengu, hands-in-front, etc) (r/m)
- Must have participated in a public full-workshop (4+ hours) from experienced teachers that included how to tie and manage uplines for suspension (r)
- Must have participated in a public full-workshop (4+ hours) from experienced teachers that included full suspension exercises (m)
- Comfortable communicating any issues or limits during (and before) tying with your partner (r/m)
- Comfortable exploring challenging and playful ties with their tying partner (r/m)
- Experience with tying/being tied in and suspending a variety of upper and lower body harnesses (r/m)
- Basic experience tying on a Hashira (r/m)
- Comfortable playing with and managing breath restriction (r/m)
Equipment Requirements
- 10-12 lengths of natural fiber rope
- Set of carabiners
Tickets
Tickets include coffee, tea and some snacks. Tickets can be purchased online here and will become available at the date mentioned in the event title. If the workshop has sold out you look for or offer your ticket in our Ticket Pool topic or a discussion we will have under this event once the tickets have sold out.
During weekend workshops participants are not allowed to switch partners (bring someone else) from one day to the next.
The Ellipsis organization does not refund or transfer workshop tickets in case of cancellation by a participant.
Pictures and recording
You are only allowed to take pictures of your work and your partner (with consent). Taking pictures of (any part) of other people is NOT allowed. Please do not use flash photography since this can be very distracting for others. Video or audio recordings (of your work) are only allowed after explicit consent by our organization.
Venue Location
For this workshop we will use the Front Room. The venue is within 13 minutes travel by public transport/ walking distance from Rotterdam Central Station.
You can find this event and others @RopeEventsNL