Semenawa #1: Surrender with Sansei & Soptik

We are delighted that Sansei & Peter Soptik of Prague will be joining us in San Francisco to offer a delightful intermediate level workshop exploring semenawa via a modern interpretation of Naka ryu in the form of the Kinbaku LuXuria style. This form serves as an application for the intensive, with notifications for acceptance being sent out on a rolling basis via email. Payment details will be sent out only after your application is approved.

• Dates: November 13 - 15, 2026
• Times: Friday Evening and Saturday/Sunday 10am - 6pm with a 1 hour lunch break
• Location: 1717 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94103
• Cost: $800 per tying pair.
• Workshop Description: The roots of traditional Japanese bondage go back over 100 years to Ito Seiu, the father of Kinbaku, who began tying, studying and publishing his work focusing on the beauty of suffering. He was followed by several generations of Japanese who developed the traditional style. Among them were Nureki Chimuo and his successor Naka Akira, whose Naka ryu, with its refined Japanese aesthetics and deep emotions, is currently one of the most popular and advanced styles of tying.
• We present a modern interpretation of Naka ryu in the form of the Kinbaku LuXuria style, which respects the tradition and legacy of its predecessors, but has been adapted for Westerners, in particular with a greater emphasis on safety. This style was adapted from Naka ryu by Riccardo Wildties, deshi (disciple) of Naka Akira, together with his partner Red Sabbath.
• At the beginning of the workshop we will immerse ourselves in Gote (TK), not only in terms of the pattern itself, but in understanding its structure and especially its spirit. We will then learn six iconic suspensions of the traditional Japanese style. In addition to their technical execution, we will pay attention to the progressive building of our sessions and the importance of surrendering in the ropes to go through the more difficult parts of the tying and dive deeper into the beauty in the suffering.
• Prerequisites: This is not a beginners workshop. Both riggers and models should have experience with basic suspensions and have a solid foundation on the floor. You should master basic floor ties, especially single and double column ties, with an understanding of square and granny knots, lacing, futomomo and any form of gote (Takate Kote). Models should be comfortable in a Gote. Participants will need to bring a minimum of 10 ropes.
• Bios: Peter Soptik and Sansei's approach to ropes is about a deep connection between two people. They find this connection particularly in traditional kinbaku and are passionate about the Kinbaku LuXuria style that they are both certified for up to level 1. Peter has been studying this style with Riccardo Wildties and Red Sabbath since 2013. Riccardo is a deshi of Naka Akira and his style is an interpretation of Naka Ryu more suited to western riggers and models.
• Sansei and Peter started their journey together a few years later and now not only study but also research their own interpretation of the style. Their tying and their teaching includes classical patterns, aesthetics and also deep surrender to the core, dark emotions in semenawa and existing for each other. Through kinbaku they pursue things they are passionate about. Among the different flavours they tie and teach are objectification and exposure, from shame to humiliation, and some niche topics such as neck rope and arm binders.
• Peter has been studying Japanese bondage for a long time. He studied with Kinoko Hajime, Osada Steve, Nawashi Kanna, Arnoys Nicolas and Naka Akira. They taught him the basics, technique and also the movement, intimacy and simplicity of the ropes. Today his style is shaped by his studies with Riccardo Wildties.
• Sansei has been doing ropes since 2017. Her approach to tying is specific with a deep surrender to her rigger, an almost altered state of being while tying, exploring the often dark emotions that ropes can bring and the beauty of them. Of particular importance to her is the naturalness of the experience and the effect of the rope on the human soul and body. She is not only a model, but also a rigger. She has been studying with Peter Soptik since 2019 and the Kinbaku LuXuria style with Riccardo Wildties and Red Sabbath since 2022. The experience of both roles allows her to better understand and pass on deeper insight. She is passionate about Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, which is a great inspiration in her tying.
• Although Naka style is their preferred way of tying today, they are open to enjoying spontaneity and fun with ropes, and their personal practice and teaching also include lighter topics.