Our Presenters in August
About me:
I am a coach, trainer and artist with a focus on shibari, kinks and non-monogamous relationships. I also do BDSM events, including the ropeXchange.
My experiences in Bondage:
I have been tying since 2003 and in 2009 I gave my first workshop. Even though I was interested in bondage from an early age, unfortunately there were hardly any learning opportunities available back then. However, I was able to acquire a lot of knowledge through experiments and contacts with experts and then later supplement this with various workshops. Although it was time-consuming, it gave me a very good understanding as well as a wide range of possibilities and approaches from which I, but also my students, benefit.
DAN APUS MONOCEROS
Pronouns: he/him
My rope philosophy:
For me, tying is an emotionally intense but also impulsive thing. It should be fun and relaxed. It is an expression of the connection that I build with my partners. These can be sensual, casual, entertaining, meditative, sexual, wild, sadistic, aesthetic or whatever. I adapt my style to the needs, improvise a lot or try out new bondages, but I always know exactly what is important and which situation. This way I can get involved with my partners, the rope and the dynamics that the session entails.
About me:
I have been a trainer and artist in the field of rope bondage/shibari since 2019. I offer workshops, sessions, photography, ropes etc. I am also the editor and publisher of Shibari Flow magazine. Empath and highly sensitive (so keep your heart open). Pronoun: she (sometimes: it).
My experiences in Bondage:
My own rope journey began in 2019. First I roped myself. But at the same time I quickly became full of curiosity about the path of roping - first for myself and then for others. Over the years I have been able to educate myself through various rope workshops (in person in 2019, online during Covid, and now both). I like to take a holistic approach. Training in Reiki (2022), wellness/Lomi-Lomi massage (2023) and as a consensus coach (2022) were also added. I am currently also trained as a psychological counselor (focusing on trauma psychology). I have also been working as a communications scientist/media educator since 2012 (now part-time).
MISS KIKI
Pronouns: she/her (sometimes it)
My rope philosophy:
When I tie, my counterpart is always in the foreground. Safety and communication are the basis for everything else. My intention is loving and healing. It is the honoring of your body, a catching of your soul with my ropes. Not mainstream bondage, but very individual. Anyone can be tied. You don't have to fit into a rope, but rather the rope fits you. My style is diverse: embracing, playful, artistic, meditative or Semenawa. It is always a careful tying process and never excessive. I see rope work primarily as body work, but I also appreciate all other aspects.
Connect on:
About me:
Arto (they/them), a Rope & Kink Educator from Berlin. My focus is primarily on teaching Japanese-inspired rope bondage. Occasionally, I rig for photo and film productions or perform for art projects and events (e.g., at KitKat, Insomnia, IKSK).
My experiences in Bondage:
I have over 10 years of experience in rope bondage, and for the past 6 years, I've been intensively studying traditional Shibari and suspensions. For about 2 years now, I've been increasingly teaching myself. In addition to my weekly classes in Berlin, I also enjoy traveling and conducting workshops at both kink and non-kink festivals.
ARTO ALTO
Pronouns: they/them
My rope philosophy:
For me, it's about the connection between people with their diverse, intimate needs. At the same time, I place importance on a solid technical foundation because it creates the space for that connection. I want to support people in empowering themselves to navigate their preferences and boundaries. My teaching follows a contemporary approach that respects both Japanese and European traditions and cultural histories, while also incorporating modern advancements (e.g., from psychology, medicine, risk research, communication & consent, queer feminism). I continually work on making my content as inclusive as possible so that it can be comfortable and useful for people of all bodies, identities, and orientations.
About me:
Tom Delirio (he/him): queer, kinky, poly, pan, switching cis male, and completely rope-crazy. I'm a professional videographer and have been shooting kinky films internationally too. BDSM has been an important part of my life for over 30 years, so I've been coaching and supporting others in this area. I used to box, and what remains from that time is a passionate love for playful fighting and rough body play.
My experiences in Bondage:
I've been playing with ropes and bondage since my youth. During the pandemic, I finally found time to dive deeper into Shibari, and since then, I've been passionate about it—hardly a day has gone by without ropes in my hands. I initially focused on solo bondage with suspension, but today, I enjoy tying others just as much as I enjoy being tied. Since 2023, I've been involved in Shibari workshops for all experience levels with Miss Kiki (Leipzig).
TOMDELIRIO
Pronouns: er/he
My rope philosophy:
For me, tying is a special form of communication with myself and with my rope partner. I particularly value finding calm, switching off my mind, and feeling connected to myself. I bring these self-experiences into my tying—therefore, as a rigger, I'm very bottom-centered. I enjoy playfully exploring ties for different body types, with the bottom's well-being always being my top priority. I don't practice traditional Japanese bondage; instead, I mix styles, using the knowledge and techniques—especially regarding safety—as a foundation and love to experiment.
