Sasúpenshon – suspension, the most spectacular part of any Shibari style. A subject we get many, many questions about. Although it is impossible to provide all the answers, in this section you will at least find a lot of answers.

Just like the bondages, suspensions have names, identified by the position of the body. Shibari Fumo Ryu has nine main positions. Other styles may have different positions and the same position may have different names in different styles. Every suspension is difficult and demanding, both to tie as well as to be in and suspension is an advanced technique, that should not be tried without proper knowledge, understanding and training. However, some are (even more) demanding than others, so we have designed a simple system to indicate their difficulty.

Beginner Level – Meaning that you are a beginner in the sense that you have studied and understood everything else there is to know about Shibari Fumo Ryu and have now reached a level of knowledge and understanding, where you could try and attempt suspension. These bondage positions are the least risky ones and excellent positions to learn and master the basic suspension techniques.

Mid Level - Provided you have mastered the very basic suspension techniques these positions can be attempted next. They are more complex and have a higher degree of diffculty for both. Also, they allow for less ädd on” techniques, since they have their specific purpose.

Advanced Level - These bondage are not for everybody (actually none is) and require a lot of training. They should only be attempted by those, who are willing to dedicate a lot of time to understanding and mastering the requirements, needed for these positions.

Very Advanced Level – Only if you are ready to dedicate even more time to training, these positions are probably your cup of tea.

Nawashi Level – This position – if at all – should only be tried by an accomplished Nawashi. This is a risky position that is NOT for everyone.

The diagram shows all nine positions.

Here we go with the basic descriptions:

YA (The Arrow): The body (or at least the spine) is straight and the body is parallel to the ground. The belly can either be facing the floor or the ceiling.

BÉDDÒ (The Bed): The spine is mildly curved and facing downward. This too is a mild suspension that allows for prolongued erotic play.

ISSU (The Chair): The recipient is suspended in a more or less sitting position.

KÒROGI (The Cricket): The recipient is suspended with the head in any direction with both the arms and the legs folded.

HAKTÚCHO (The Swan): A position you may remember from gymnastics. The body is suspended in a half circle, belly facing the floor.

TOBÍKOMI (The Dive): The recipient is suspended in a diagonal position, the head closest to the floor, the feet closest to the ceiling.

KANÉ (The Churchbell): The recipient is suspended upside down with the legs wide apart.

SAKÁMA (The Fish): The name indicates the position of subdried fish (stockfish). The recipient is suspended upside down with the ankles tied together.

SENTAKOMONO (The Laundry): The recipient is supended from the arms only, resembling clothes, hanging from a clothesline.

Suspension positions are largely a matter of individual taste and the physical and mental ability of the recipient, as well as creativity and improvisation by the giver and – last but not least – the specific goal the giver has in mind. As a result there are no specific rules for the way, the recipient should be tied or the exact positions of the rope.The positions function as a general guide, not as a specific design or plan.

Things to consider

Suspension bondages are spectacular, but also not without risk. Many of these positions put considerable strain in the spine, the neck and the abdominals, not to mention lungs and other organs. Proceed slowly and carefully and never ever try anything you haven’t practised before. Practise sessions are a MUST when is comes to Shibari Fumo Ryu suspension. Bear mind that it takes years and years of training to master all the bondages to perfection, both for the giver as well as the recipient and that it is impossible to try out complicated bondages without sufficient practise and testing.

Best stick to the easy ones. It may be very appealing to start with the really complicated stuff, but that is a guaranteed disaster route. Stick to YA, the safest and easiest suspension position and do not proceed until you have exhausted this technique. Only by taking a careful route both of you will learn, there will be no accidents and there is no risk the recipient will scared away from suspension.

Also, bear in mind that for all positions the recipient must be physically fit and healthy and both must be of a clear and stable mind. People with a heart condition, diabetes, breath-related problems, on medication schemes and other, more serious health problems should NOT enter into suspension.

Safety precautions

ALWAYS have a knife available when entering into suspension bondages. This in order to be able to cut the ropes instantly in case of an unforseen emergency

NEVER leave a suspended recipient alone in the room or even out of your direct line of sight

ALWAYS check all ropes frequently for possible blockage (adjust the ropes or use sanatary towels to place in between the rope and the body to solve a problem)

NEVER enter into suspension without prior serious communication

NEVER tie ropes around the neck during suspension

ALWAYS make sure the submissive is relaxed, healthy and has had sufficient time for preparation

NEVER enter into anything you haven’t practised before

ALWAYS make sure recipient can drink (and eat) regularly in between or even during (longer – as in over 30 minutes) suspension sessions

NEVER ignore warning and distress signals

Sequences of suspensions
To some extent it is possible to go from one suspension position to another. However, this cannot be done with all positions, either for phsyical or mental reasons or both. Asuume you can NOT go from to another unless this has been described here.

 

The above article is a reprint from our information/educational site Kink Culture.
A joint project between Wasteland and PowErotics
Copyright © Hans Meyer