Workshops

Self-Suspension Workshop in October

Institut Sommer Lewis Slef-suspension
Lewis

Fly high! This workshop answers all your questions on self-suspension technique. After a solid warm up we will look at different harnesses for your personal self-suspension.

The technique varies depending on its function and anatomy. It can be used for performing or simply as rope playing with a partner. We will look at safety tricks, breathing and progressions in the air.

For me self-suspension is also a performative tool for self-empowerment.
So when you are in the air, we will pace down, finding your personal rope dance and your own inner hero.

Please bring comfortable clothes, a snack and ropes if you have, otherwise we provide them.

Friday, October 14th
Hours: 12 -16h
Costs: 50 €
Where: Institute Sommer, Uferstrasse 8, 13357 Berlin. U8 Pankstrasse, U9 Osloerstrasse
(Enter the gate at the big bus, walk right to the building with the big watch, -> Left and immediately right up the small stairs ‘B’)

Please take this number in case the door is locked, 0174-3937049

Bondage Workshop Amsterdam Sunday September 4th

With Dasniya Sommer

Nawa Shibari means ‘rope’, shibari means ‘ winding or knotting’. This Japanese way to tie the body with ropes comes from the Edo period, when Samurais used ropes in martial arts.

Today it’s a sensual, performative practice for erotic play, or to experiment with the body. There is the emotional aspect ‘Kinbaku’. The rigger tries to capture their partners soul :) Air oscillates, power shifts during the ritual, and together you travel to a different plane. Zen moments mix with our animal vibe. It’s called rope drunkenness.

In this three hour workshop we start with Shibari basics and will  focus on the technique. We will talk about security principles and learn some seductive, playful tricks. There will be lighthearted one rope harnesses, and one more complex figure combined with sensual elements. It’s all about having fun!

Everybody is welcome, beginners and more advanced riggers/models. Just respect the group!

We work in groups of different levels, with also individual input. An easy going space with ropes, tea and chocolate :)

Please bring own ropes and comfy trackies. If you don’t have ropes, we can lend you some. You don’t have to bring a partner.

The workshop takes place at:

Katie Lee’s Place
Harry Koningsbergerstraat 82
Amsterdam 1063 AC

-> close to Sloterdijk

Sunday September 4th
Hours: 15 – 17 h
Costs: 20 €

Caritia tying Tamandua, photo: Katjakat at Institute Sommer

Bio Dasniya:

“To my own surprise I became an international bondage star with my self-suspension solo Idiosyncrasy, and since than I worked in all kind of context from opera, puppet theatre to movies. I also keep on creating experimental (bondage) performances.

I learned yoga from my father, which I practice until today and combine it with Shibari and dance.

Teaching ropes at my Institut Sommer in Berlin, a laboratory for bondage, dance and art, to where I invite other artists. Always twisting the idea of bondage stereotypes I developed anarchic shibari, mixed it with butoh, animal characters, buddhist attitude, action painting and cable fixer installations.

And I jumped into the gender dschungle and tried to get away from the male oriented perspective.

With ropes I started off about a decade ago. My teachers were Osada Steve, Kamijoo Saki, Matthias Grimme, Arisue Go, Kinoko and also the choreographer Frances d’Ath.

I always liked making things with my hands, so it came to me naturally to get in the active position.

I wanted to learn how to tie with ropes, and it was somehow easy for me. And then came the macramé aspect. I liked the pretty decoration of bodies, spinning more and more knots between people. And it came together with my body history as a dancer: stretch and pain from ballet, minimal steps and backbends. And of course the drama. This was just the beginning of the path of the rope, my own Shibari Dô :)”

Blog: dasniyasommer.de/zurzeit
Photo: Tamandua, Caritia, KatjaKat @ Institute Sommer

Workshops, Private Teaching, & Sessions in Amsterdam

This coming week I am teaching in Amsterdam (inbetween performing in the Fringe Festival!). I’ll post more information here shortly. If you’d like to attend either a public workshop or class, or arrange a private group or individual training with me, drop me an email: workshops@dasniyasommer.de. I’m also available for private sessions this week and next. Hope to see you!

Yoga Shibari Workshop July 27th

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016 at 6pm – 10pm

Costs: 40 Euro per person
Please register beforehand/ send an SMS!
General Description: in English and German.

18 – 19 h          yoga warm up
19 – 19.30        pause
19.30 – 21        shibari/technical input
21- 22 h           open space to play and exchange ideas or just watching.

Self-suspension Workshop in July

rehearsing for the monkey king gig
rehearsing for the monkey king gig

Fly high! This workshop answers all your questions on self-suspension technique. After a solid warm up we will look at different harnesses for your personal self-suspension.

The technique varies depending on its function and anatomy. It can be used for performing or simply as rope playing with a partner. We will look at safety tricks, breathing and progressions in the air.

For me self-suspension is also a performative tool for self-empowerment.
So when you are in the air, we will pace down, finding your personal rope dance and your own inner hero. 

Please bring comfortable clothes, a snack and ropes if you have, otherwise we provide them.

Thursday, July 14th
Hours: 12 -16h
Costs: 50 €
Where: Institute Sommer, Uferstrasse 8, 13357 Berlin. U8 Pankstrasse, U9 Osloerstrasse
(Enter the gate at the big bus, walk right to the building with the big watch, -> Left and immediately right up the small stairs ‘B’)

Please take this number in case the door is locked, 0174-3937049

Workshops in July

1. SHIBARI TECHNIQUE MORNING CLASSES

Every Tuesday:  July 5,19 & 26, 2016
10am-12pm
Costs: 20 Euro per person
10 class card 160 €
@ Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt – Wedding. Uferstrasse 8,13357 Berlin. Entrance B
Take this number in case the door is locked: 0174-3937049

The workshop focusses on traditional Shibari technique. Inspired by my teachers Osada Steve, Kamijoo Saki, Arisue Go, Hourai Kasumi or Lun Ario. We start with the basics and security principles. Learning initial knots and floor work patterns with a partner. When these principles are set, we approach complex figures and suspension technique step by step. More Info

Staging Shibari: performance and pregnancy

Staging Shibari - by Institute Sommer
Staging Shibari - by Institute Sommer

We still have free places in the up-coming staging shibari workshop. The evening is organised as photo shooting and revolves around a pregnant protagonist this time. If this topic from a rope (-performance) view is interesting to you, or if you want to make a life-music contribution in the background please let us know. Extras and a peaceful audience is also welcome!

When: Friday, July 1st
Hours: 19 – 23h
Where: Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt – Aufgang B, Uferstrasse 8
Costs: 40 €
Questions to: workshops@dasniyasommer.de

SHIBARI WORKSHOPS IN June

1. SHIBARI TECHNIQUE MORNING CLASSES

Every Tuesday:  June 7,14 & 28, 2016 (not on the 25th!)
10am-12pm
Costs: 20 Euro per person
10 class card 160 €
@ Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt – Wedding.

The workshop focusses on traditional Shibari technique. Inspired by my teachers Osada Steve, Kamijoo Saki, Arisue Go, Hourai Kasumi or Lun Ario. We start with the basics and security principles. Learning initial knots and floor work patterns with a partner. When these principles are set, we approach complex figures and suspension technique step by step.

The workshop focusses on traditional Shibari technique. Inspired by Osada Steve, Kamijoo Saki, Arisue Go, Hourai Kasumi or Lun Ario. We start with the basics and security principles. Learning initial knots and floor work  patterns with a partner. When these principles are set, we approach more complex figures and suspension technique step by step.

Besides learning the knots, qualitative aspects play a great role as well. How do I guide the rope in a sensual way, how can my partner, or I, travel through blissful states of rope drunkenness?

To arrive there, it requires some training for both sides, ..softly gently catchee monkey.

Applying the three principles: the classical aesthetic, the sensual effect and a non-harming technique and philosophy, is the goal. They fuse the visual, tactile, and playful level into an adventurous ritual.

Girls girls, boys girls, non boys/girl, cis people everybody is welcome as long as you respect the group!

You don’t need to come with a partner. There always are other solo participants, or I jump in.
Please bring training-/comfortable pants. If you have own ropes, otherwise we provide them.

2.  YOGA & SHIBARI

Wednesday, June 1st & 29th, 2016 at 6pm – 10pm
Costs: 40 Euro per person (social price 30 Euro)
Please register beforehand/ Send an SMS!
General Description: in English and German.

18 – 19 h          yoga warm up
19 – 19.30        pause
19.30 – 21        shibari/technical input
21- 22 h           open space to play and exchange ideas or just watching.

3. STAGING SHIBARI

July 1st
7-11 pm
Costs: 40 Euro per person (social price 30 Euro)

Our performance  baby ‘Shibari Express’ is growing, and we want to focus more on performance ideas as part of the workshop, than on basic rope technique. So previous knowledge is useful but not mandatory. If you prefer to watch, we will always need free hands to hold a light, fog machine or navigate a camera…

We want to invite you to brainstorm with us, ideas or dramaturgy and how to try those on a small scale. You could also bring an instrument, books or other devices, which you always have wanted to tie up or perform with.

The scenes that we create explore theatre tools and can be happening-like, installations or movement based/choreographies. It’s an experiment to involve poetic thoughts around rope work, and to have an open space situation to try Shibari for the stage. There will always be someone of our team, or other free floating participants to support you, unless you want to make a solo :)

Sounds all more challenging than it is..its about searching new forms and having fun!

All workshops take place:
At Teatris/Alte Kantine or in our ‘Mini- Dojo’. Both locations are at
Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt in Wedding. Staircase B/C, Uferstraße 8-11, 13357 Berlin
U8 Pankstr/U9 Osloerstr
Please call when you are in the court yard, in case you don’t find it, or the door is locked:
+ 49 174 393 70 49.

PLEASE REGISTER BEFOREHAND, THAN WE SEND YOU THE DETAILS, THANKS!

3 Shibari Workshops in May

1. SHIBARI TECHNIQUE MORNING CLASSES

Every Tuesday: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 May, and  June 7th
10am – 12 pm

Costs: 20 Euro per person
10 class card 160 €

The workshop focusses on traditional Shibari technique. Inspired by Osada Steve, Kamijoo Saki, Arisue Go, Hourai Kasumi or Lun Ario. We start with the basics and security principles. Learning initial knots and floor work  patterns with a partner. When these principles are set, we approach more complex figures and suspension technique step by step.

Besides learning the knots, qualitative aspects play a great role as well. How do I guide the rope in a sensual way, how can my partner, or I, travel through blissful states of rope drunkenness?

To arrive there, it requires some training for both sides, ..softly gently catchee monkey.

Applying the three principles: the classical aesthetic, the sensual effect and a non-harming technique and philosophy, is the goal. They fuse the visual, tactile, and playful level into an adventurous ritual.

Girls girls, boys girls, non boys/girl, cis people everybody is welcome as long as you respect the group!

You don’t need to come with a partner. There always are other solo participants, or I jump in.
Please bring training-/comfortable pants. If you have own ropes, otherwise we provide them.

2.  YOGA & SHIBARI

25th May, Wednesday
6 – 10 pm
Costs: 40 Euro per person

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: English + GERMAN

18 – 19 h          yoga warm up
19 – 19.30        pause
19.30 – 21        shibari/technical input
21- 22 h           open space to play and exchange ideas or just watching.

3. STAGING SHIBARI

May 27
7-11 pm
Costs: 40 Euro per person (social price 30 Euro)

Our performance  baby ‘Shibari Express’ is growing, and we want to focus more on performance ideas as part of the workshop, than on basic rope technique. So previous knowledge is useful but not mandatory. If you prefer to watch, we will always need free hands to hold a light, fog machine or navigate a camera…

We want to invite you to brainstorm with us, ideas or dramaturgy and how to try those on a small scale. You could also bring an instrument, books or other devices, which you always have wanted to tie up or perform with.

The scenes that we create explore theatre tools and can be happening-like, installations or movement based/choreographies. It’s an experiment to involve poetic thoughts around rope work, and to have an open space situation to try Shibari for the stage. There will always be someone of our team, or other free floating participants to support you, unless you want to make a solo :)

Sounds all more challenging than it is..its about searching new forms and having fun!

All workshops take place:
At Teatris/Alte Kantine or in our ‘Mini- Dojo’. Both locations are at
Uferhallen Kulturwerkstatt in Wedding. Staircase B/C, Uferstraße 8-11, 13357 Berlin
U8 Pankstr/U9 Osloerstr
Please call when you are in the court yard, in case you don’t find it, or the door is locked:
+ 49 174 393 70 49.

PLEASE REGISTER BEFOREHAND, THAN WE SEND YOU THE DETAILS, THANKS!