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Description
Keep Me Posted: Introduction to Traditional Hashira Suspension
a workshop with Samjay and Zero-Gi
Rope suspension isn’t always about restriction. It can be freeing - acrobatic, even. But this is not one of those times. If, however, you have a special interest in either being pinned between a rock and a hard place, or doing the pinning, you’re in the right place. On its own, hashira is simply the Japanese word for pillar or post, but in the context of shibari, hashira suspension is the slow, methodical practice of completely fusing a human being to an immovable post off the ground with the application of layer upon layer of restrictive rope. The build of intensity can be likened to the metaphor of “boiling a frog” or falling prey to the tightening coils of a boa constrictor, which can be experienced in any combination of emotional hues which may or may not include colors of suffering, surrender, inevitability, abandonment, objectification, or even just a hearty, American helping of “I’m fucked.” Which will you find in hashira suspension? You’ll have to keep me posted ;).
Hashira is a very advanced suspension practice that requires completely different techniques and tools from traditional suspension. It’s a high friction, high jam, static environment with no easy way out that challenges those tying as well as those being tied. Traditional Hashira techniques have been established for decades and this one-day workshop is the perfect introduction, re-introduction, or refreshingly well-rounded approach to build a risk-aware practice that is inclusive of different size differentials, nerve risk profiles, and power dynamics. This class is also the ideal precursor for TwistyPops, our own novel, dynamic approach to “floating” or hanging hashira suspension for extremely advanced pasters and pastees.
Part 1: Fixation on Fixations
The first main and important principle we will deep dive is affixing any rope strictly, securely, and immovably to a post so that you can later do the same to your tying partner. Bonus points, we’ll even teach you how we do so without killing our fingers or cursing our future selves to avoidable jams.
Part 2: The Third (Fourth, Fifth, and so on) Rope
How we affix and progressively tighten our specific harnesses to hashira is essential to achieve maximum adherence of our post-pasted humans. We show how traditional third+ ropes of different chest harnesses may be used to achieve this, and further solidify the structure such that suspension may be achieved without slippage.
Part 3: Suspensions
Several traditional suspensions whose shapes you may be familiar with are even more delicious on a stick, including but not limited to Kata Ashi, M-Shapes, and others. These are challenging upright suspensions, further compounded by intensifiers like chest compression, diaphragm restriction, extended time in static positions, and little to nothing in the way of fatigue-reducing micro-adjustments. Every step of the way will be paved with essential technical and responsive details. Sam and Gigi will provide ideas on how extra bondage is woven in. A key element here is that each layer of ropes represents another layer that will delay your ability to get down safely, which we will respect, monitor and adjust for throughout.
Partnering: One tying pair ticket admits two people. Observer tickets are also available.
What to bring:
Your standard rope kit. No fewer than 12 (aim for more) full length ropes. Be sure to include ropes that you feel safe and comfortable tying on the body as well as load-bearing uplines
For safety reasons that we will explain, many short ropes will be beneficial, so bring all your favorite various and sundry mid, short, and shit-bit lengths of rope as well
We prefer POSH uplines and natural fiber for body ties but if you prefer alternatives, they will likely be suitable with adaptation. Please note that ropes with high slip (nylon, mfp, etc.) are possible to use effectively but have a much, much higher challenge rating
4+ carabiners, or 8+ if using on bottom and top ends of your pulley systems
Any other gear you need to safely suspend with your tying partner
All your creature comforts, body care, and learning tools
Clothing you can move and tie comfortably in, avoiding delicate materials, embellishments, and other extra challenge elements
Prerequisites:
Please reach out to the organizers if you have questions about any of the following!
This is an advanced intensive for both tops and bottoms, in which you may need to cut ropes to avoid serious injury. You and your partner should be able to tie and suspend from a sustainable upper body and lower body harness for periods in excess of 15-20 minutes at a time.
You and your partner must also be knowledgeable and experienced with:
At least one tie you and your partner are comfortable suspending from a single point
Tying at least one form of non-collapsing single column tie
Hardpoint and equipment evaluation and risk awareness
Bondage risk awareness and anatomy/body mechanics in rope
Following instructions and asking for help while suspending, both from instructors and partners
Effectively communicating in emergency descent situations
Protecting your and your partner's needs, vulnerabilities, and boundaries before, during, and after rope
Ego management
Bondage risk awareness and anatomy/body mechanics in rope.
You and your partner should be able to tie and suspend together.
Requirements for People Tying:
Ability to tie at least one form of non-collapsing tie
Ability to manage multiple uplines with fast, secure lockoffs
Ability to tie with accurate, consistent placement and tension, and with variable levels of tension
Requirements for People in Rope:
Ability to communicate in rope and in suspension, including restrictive, chest-compressing ties and inversions
Awareness of your own body and necessary adaptations
Following instructions and asking for help while suspending, both from instructors and partners
Protecting your and your partner's needs, vulnerabilities, and boundaries before, during, and after rope
Sam Jay & Zero-Gi DISCLAIMERS:
Our teaching materials include many of our own creations, some of our unique interpretations, and we sparingly use ideas we've picked up from others, who we cite with fervent enthusiasm. We have done our own rigorous testing on all materials presented, have taught them to diverse audiences around the world, and will present known risks and risk-mitigation practices throughout, with full expectation that you will communicate and operate within your and your tying partner’s risk profiles and capabilities.
Date & Time
Sun, Jul 26, 2026 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Venue Details
Coil & Cord
200 6th StreetBrooklyn, New York 11215
