At a Glance
- Category
- BDSM
- Also Known As
- Rope suspension, shibari suspension, hanging bondage
- Intensity Range
-
Moderate to Intense
- Requires
- Professional instruction, specialized equipment, 12-18 months training
- Good For
- Advanced practitioners with solid floor bondage experience
What is Suspension Bondage?
Imagine floating in mid-air, every ounce of your weight held by rope. The world below you. Your body suspended in a web of tension and trust.
That's suspension bondage.
This practice uses ropes to partially or fully lift a person off the ground. Your body is held in the air through a system of harnesses and anchor points. It originated from Japanese shibari and represents one of the most demanding forms of rope work.
What makes suspension bondage unique is how it combines aesthetic elements with intense physical and psychological experiences. The tied person surrenders complete control over their position, which requires deep trust between partners. At the same time, this is a practice with real medical risks. According to a 2023 medical study, 90% of nerve injuries in rope bondage affect the radial nerve in the upper arm. These injuries can occur during suspensions lasting just 5 to 30 minutes.
That's why suspension bondage isn't where your rope journey begins. It's where it leads after a long learning path. Most experienced riggers recommend at least 12 to 18 months of training before you even think about full suspensions.
Why People Enjoy It
The physical rush is unlike anything else.
Floating in rope suspension creates sensations floor bondage can't match. The pressure of the ropes against your skin. The weightlessness as gravity releases its hold. Complete dependence on another person to keep you safe. Your body becomes part of the rope itself, every shift in tension rippling through you.
Then there's what happens in your head.
Many practitioners describe entering a meditative state they call "rope space"—similar to the deeper psychological state of subspace. The outside world fades. Your breathing slows. Time loses meaning. Research on shibari experiences describes how your parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, which can actually relieve chronic stress. You float there, mind quiet, held in place by rope and trust.
Trust building goes deeper than you'd think.
Few activities demand such absolute trust. The tied person literally places their physical safety in someone else's hands. This vulnerability? It can transform relationships in ways nothing else can.
And for many riggers, the aesthetics matter just as much.
A well-executed suspension unites body and rope into living sculpture. Movement, form, and restraint become art.
Getting Started
The recommended learning path:
Months 1-6: Floor bondage
Learn foundational techniques like single column ties, box ties (Takate Kote), and leg bindings from our rope bondage guide. Practice communication with your partner. Develop awareness for nerve points and pressure distribution. This phase isn't "beginner stuff." It's a valuable, complete practice in its own right.
Months 7-12: Partial suspension
Start with positions where parts of the body still touch the ground. Learn load distribution and weight transfer. Practice emergency releases at least 20 times until they become automatic.
Month 13 onward: Full suspension under supervision
Only now, with solid experience and ideally professional guidance, should you consider full suspensions. VoxBody Studio designed their curriculum to span 14 months deliberately because shorter timeframes simply aren't enough.
Where to find instruction:
Search FetLife for local rope groups in your area. Many cities have munches and rope jams where you can meet experienced practitioners. Online resources like Crash Restraint can supplement in-person learning but never replace it.