Check Out Aaron Blanchard’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Blanchard

Hi Aaron, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In the fall of 2022, I discovered shibari, an artistic form of rope bondage with Japanese origins. I and was immediately captivated by its potential for deep personal and interpersonal connection. As I shared my experiences with friends, I was surprised by how many people were interested in exploring rope bondage. However, I kept hearing the same issue: “I don’t know where to start”. There are great online resources for learning shibari, but rope bondage inherently involves risk, and most people would feel safer learning directly from an experienced practitioner. This insight became the catalyst for Triangle Shibari, my educational initiative aimed at helping people explore this intricate art form.

My approach is rooted in creating accessible, welcoming entry points into shibari. While I’m largely self-taught and don’t claim to be a master, I’m passionate about teaching foundational skills with an unwavering commitment to safety, consent, and individual comfort. I offer private lessons that are customizable, allowing each client to explore shibari at their own pace and according to their personal interests.

My goal isn’t just to teach techniques, but to empower individuals to develop their own shibari practice. By providing a supportive, professional environment, I help people feel comfortable learning and potentially self-teaching in the future. I’m transparent about my experience level, always emphasizing the importance of ongoing learning and respecting the complexity of the art form.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I offer private lessons at clients’ homes, allowing me to offer a customized learning experience in a setting that my clients feel comfortable in. However, I’ve had countless people ask me about group classes that they can attend. Unfortunately, I’ve had challenges finding venues at which to host group classes at a cost that is affordable to attendees. If anyone reading this runs a yoga studio or similar space, please reach out to me! I’d love to host a weekly series somewhere.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my opinion, shibari isn’t inherently kinky or sexual. It can be these things, but there are a lot of ways to practice shibari. For example, many people self-tie as part of a meditative practice. I often enjoy tying non-constraining, purely decorative ties on my partners. The process of building art on your partner’s body can be a fulfilling way to connect with them. The real magic happens when the person I’m tying contributes their own artistic vision, giving me the opportunity to use my tying skills to help them execute their vision.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Anybody exploring shibari for the first time is probably going to be pushing their comfort zone. It takes vulnerability to try anything new for the first time, and with shibari that’s amplified by the fact that power exchange is an implicit component of rope bondage. That makes it important for me to be a comforting, relaxing presence. For that to happen, I need to be able to make people feel that I’m a nice guy who has their best interests at heart. I also need to show people that I know what I’m doing and won’t teach anybody something that’s going to be unsafe.

Pricing:

• $30-60/hr for private lessons
• Additional $25/hr for me to bring a model
• $60-120/hr for performances at events

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triangleshibari/