What is Shibari? A guide before you begin
Explore what draws you to rope, understand solo and partnered formats, and find a clear first step into Sensual Shibari.
Learn Shibari. Discover your way with the ropes.
Japanese rope tying, sensual exploration and the pleasure of creating something together.
I’m Molly Maria, a Shibari teacher and somatic practitioner based in Stockholm. I teach the craft of tying alongside movement, communication and the experience of leading and receiving.
Shibari is a form of rope bondage with Japanese roots. We use rope to create patterns around the body, explore sensation and introduce an agreed degree of restriction. Sensual Shibari is my particular approach to that practice, bringing practical rope skills into an exploration of intimacy, creativity and connection.
You can learn with a partner, develop a self-tying practice or come to me to experience being tied.
The craft and the connection
There is a reason for where a rope travels, how a tie is constructed and what happens when the person wearing it moves. Understanding those details is part of learning Shibari.
So is understanding one another.
I teach rope handling and patterns together with the conversations that help you use them well. We discuss what you would like to explore, practise the technique and learn to recognise when an adjustment is needed. As the movements become familiar, there is more room to enjoy what you are creating.
For me, the ropes are a framework where sensation and intimacy live. They give us something tangible to work with, whether we are exploring playfulness, stillness, sensuality or the simple pleasure of learning with our hands.
Learn together at home
A Taste of Rope offers two guided date nights for two people beginning Shibari together. Each evening combines practical teaching with time to explore.
Sensual Shibari for Couples is the fuller journey. Six modules take you from foundational handling into upper-body patterns, communication, movement, receiving skills and improvisation.
Both welcome beginners. Choose a first experience or a course you can grow into together.
Create a practice of your own
The Sensual Self brings together self-tying, rope technique, movement and guided sensual meditation.
Five elemental themes offer different ways to explore grounding, emotion, transformation, creativity and presence. You learn on your own body, with time to discover what you enjoy and how you like to practise.
Beyond the ropes
Some of my work begins with a different question. Perhaps you want to understand your desires, feel more at home in your body or speak more openly in your relationships.
My online embodiment and sensuality coaching brings those questions into conversation and everyday practice. I also facilitate gatherings devoted to movement, sensual expression and connection between women.
You do not need to practise Shibari to work with me in these ways.
A little about me
I began practising Shibari in 2015 and teaching in 2019. Fine art, social work, dance, tantra, meditation and bodywork have all shaped my teaching. My psychotherapy studies continue alongside this work.
The thread running through it all is the meeting between creativity and human experience. It is this practice of deeper listening that I keep falling in love with, over and over again.
What people have shared
" It was amazing! I loved the teachings and felt so safe in the space Molly created. Definitely 5/5 stars! "
"I felt that I reached the depth of my unconsciousness through Shibari with Molly. I got comfortable with my own sensuality, which have helped me outside of shibari in general. I never would’ve thought that shibari could carry my mind so far beyond the sensuality of just that moment.
It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget, and thank you for helping me achieving it."
" Through Molly's guidance, I felt like I could relax into the process of tying without getting caught up in my head, something that always seems to happen. "
" For me, the whole experience was transformational. I learned that I actually love to be the one tying as much as I love to be tied, quite astonishing as I have previously despised holding any dominant position. "
"Molly creates a space where I feel welcomed and can explore my sensuality and subtleness. She also challenge me to step in and take the lead when I tie and to allow myself to feel and fully express what I am experiencing when I'm being tied.Each time I visit the space it surprises me, it's rich and expansive."
"Molly is absolutely brilliant at creating a safe, inclusive, exploratory, and playful environment. She is pedagogical and has the perfect balance between teaching technique and focusing on what is truly important - the connection."
"Molly has the ability to be both an excellent guide for beginners as well as deeply inspiring, skilled at conveying a sense of safety and knowledgeable calm"
"The tempo was so well balanced, giving space to explore, learning both about technique and how to really have a deep experience."
Questions people often ask
In my workshops, I teach Shibari as both a practical rope craft and a way of paying closer attention. You will learn technique, communication, consent, and how to notice what is happening in your own body while staying responsive to another person. The exact balance varies by workshop, so the event description will tell you what to expect.
My workshops welcome adults with a genuine interest in learning rope with care. Some are made for complete beginners; others assume prior experience. Each event page states the level, format, whether you work with a partner or rotate, and any access notes.
Not for beginner events. I teach from the foundations and explain why each step matters, rather than asking you to copy a shape. More advanced workshops list their prerequisites clearly.
Come in clothes that allow you to move and make it easy to check circulation. Bring water and any personal items you need for comfort. If you own suitable jute or hemp rope, you are welcome to bring it. Otherwise, the event information will explain what is provided.
Cancellation terms vary according to the event, venue and group size. You will always see the relevant policy before you pay. If anything is unclear, contact me before booking.
It can be, but it does not have to be. Rope can hold sensuality, play, trust, artistic expression, focused practice or a mixture that changes from one moment to the next. I do not decide what it should mean for you. I give you structure for communicating what you want, what you do not want, and what may need to change.
That depends on the event. Some workshops are for established pairs, while others are structured around partner rotation. I state the format clearly on every event page so you can choose what suits you.
Rope involves real physical and emotional risk. I teach practical risk awareness, anatomy, circulation and nerve checks, clear communication, consent, and ways to stop or adapt without embarrassment. No practice can be made risk-free, but it can be approached with knowledge, preparation and care.
Yes. I offer private tuition for individuals and couples. We can work with fundamentals, refine existing technique, or focus on how you communicate and respond while tying. The lesson is shaped around your experience, bodies and intentions.
In private tuition, I teach you. In a private tying session, I tie you. Tuition is collaborative and instructional. A tying session is an experience to receive, with scope, boundaries and aftercare discussed beforehand. If you are unsure which is right for you, I can help you choose.
Meet me in person
Private tuition gives your questions individual attention. Come alone or with a partner, whether you are learning your first tie or studying something you already practise.
A private tying session is different: I hold the rope and you receive the experience. We discuss your wishes, boundaries and welcome touch before beginning.
Workshops and weekly classes offer the enjoyment of learning with others, with demonstrations, practice and time for questions.
New to Shibari?
My introduction to Shibari explains what the practice involves, the different roles and how to choose a beginning.
You can also try a free practice before deciding on a course.
My courses, sessions and events are for adults aged 18 and over.
Reading room
Your first private Shibari session: what to expect
What happens before and during a private session, how guided tying differs from tuition, and where to find prices and preparation details.
Consent in Shibari: the conversation before the rope
Clear agreements create room for attentive touch. Use practical prompts for discussing roles, boundaries, privacy and how to pause.