The Center

Rope Is a Language.

Learn to Speak It.

[A polished photo of Taylor in suspension. The ropes hold her in mid-air, her body curved in an almost surreal arc: legs bent at the knees, toes pointed. Her hair is wild, her eyes closed.]

What We Are

Rope Is Not a Solo Practice. Neither Are You.

[A wide shot of The Center’s entrance at golden hour, bathed in warm, natural light.]

The Center is a space for folks who want to explore shibari not as spectacle, but as practice: precise, embodied, and deeply personal.

Located in Big Sur, California, we offer immersive retreats and classes in our glass-and-steel studio perched above the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by ancient redwoods.

This is for people who live complex, high-pressure lives and are ready to untangle something deeper—without letting go of their edge.

The Center supports solo exploration, partnered scenes, group intensives, and structured learning.

The Practice

Come As You Are. Leave With Rope Burn.

[A candid photo of a workshop in progress. A group sits in a loose circle, deep in discussion.

Hunt is leading, but the energy is collaborative rather than hierarchical. There’s an ease to their

posture, a sense of shared knowledge. Just out of focus, Alex sits in the back.]

We treat shibari as a form of embodied communication and an evolving technical art. This isn’t about performance or platitudes—it’s about showing up as you are.

Classes and workshops include:

● Hands-on rope technique (floor, partial, and full suspension)

● Rigging safety and scene structure

● Negotiation, consent, and power exchange frameworks

● Scene-building labs with instructor feedback

● A deep dive into our values

You don’t need to know what role you play. You just need to be curious, open, and ready to engage.

Leadership

[Hunt’s profile picture in a t-shirt, his eyes locking with the camera. His sex appeal is in his

intensity.]

The Center was founded and is led by Hunt, a rigger and educator known for his clarity, directness, and dry wit. Hunt had years of successful teaching online and around the world before turning to the land to build something more durable—and more demanding.

He designed The Center himself. Every inch reflects his commitment to care, structure, and spaciousness. He’s not interested in trend or performance. He’s here to teach.

A Note from Hunt

[A photo of Hunt standing with a medal after a marathon, his sweat-soaked shirt clinging to his

body as he flashes a broad, victorious grin.]

"I built The Center because I couldn’t find a place like it. Somewhere serious but not

pretentious. Queer-informed but not exclusive. A place where people like us—functional,

thoughtful, maybe a little overextended—could drop the mask and get real about power, surrender, and self.

Rope is just the starting point. The journey is the value and values you’ll gain.

I built The Center for myself, but I also built it for you.”

– Hunt

Retreat Logistics & Pricing

Where the Ocean Hangs in the Air, and So Do You.

Retreats at The Center include all instruction, on-site lodging, and meals.

Upcoming Retreats:

→ November 7–10

→ April 18–21

→ July 11–14

Rates:

● Shared Cabin: $1,450 USD

● Private Cabin: $1,800 USD

● Bring-a-Partner (shared cabin): $2,600 total USD

All bookings include:

● 3 nights’ accommodation

● All group classes and workshops

● Optional 1:1 coaching with Hunt or guest instructors

● Communal meals (all dietary accommodations available)

[click here to book]

Scholarships

We offer a limited number of Equity-Based Scholarships per retreat for BIPOC, trans, disabled, and low-income participants. We don’t ask you to prove your worth. If this work calls to you but the cost is out of reach, apply for a reduced-rate or no-cost spot.

[Apply for a Scholarship]

Subscriber-Only Content:

The Inner Sanctum

For those who want more than just the occasional retreat.

[A polished photo of Taylor, suspended above Alex, the ropes drawing her up towards the

ceiling. The motion of the suspension is captured in mid-air, her body floating above Alex. The

picture catches the fragility of the moment—Taylor held by rope, the audience close around

them.]

Subscribers receive:

● Advanced technique breakdowns (videos & PDFs)

● Essays from Hunt on technique, values, and philosophy

● Access to live and recorded performances

● Early registration access for retreats and intensives

[Join The Inner Sanctum] – $14/month USD

Scholarships: Rope is for Everyone

[A photo of Taylor and Hunt, sitting too close in the warm glow of The Center’s main room.

There’s an ease in their body language—Hunt’s arm slung over the back of the couch, Taylor

tucked in close, her knee pressing against his. It belies the comfort that comes from shared

history.]

In our mission to make world-class shibari education more accessible, we want to make sure that cost doesn’t prevent anyone from engaging in this work. Every quarter, we award 20 full scholarships that grant recipients three months of free access to The Inner Sanctum, our subscriber-only platform that includes videos, photos, essays, and online access to live performances.

At the end of the three-month term, scholarship recipients will be offered a discounted subscription—50% off the standard monthly rate for one year—if they’d like to continue.

Scholarships are awarded by lottery, with priority given to those experiencing systemic or institutional oppression, and to applicants who haven’t received a scholarship from us before.

Next application deadline:

→ January 1

→ April 1

→ July 1

→ October 1

[Apply for a Scholarship]

Consent + Communication

Consent isn’t a vibe. It’s a conversation.

[A polished photo of Hunt tying Taylor’s wrist into a simple loop of rope. Taylor is smiling. It’s

effortless and familiar.]

We aren’t mind readers. But we can be good communicators. Take the time to talk—clearly, transparently, and openly—before you tie. It’s important to own your own story. Most consent violations happen not from bad intent but from poor communication. Don’t let that be your scene.

Have the conversation. Ask the questions. Respect the answers.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things to cover in your pre-rope negotiation:

● What are the safe words for “stop” and “slow down”?

● What’s the mood or intention of this scene?

● What kind of physical contact is welcome or off-limits?

● What’s the setting? Public, private, group class, etc.?

● Is nudity involved? Does nudity mean sexual activity or not?

● Any medical concerns, injuries, or areas that need extra care?

● Preferred aftercare?

● Are photos/videos okay? If so, are they for private use or can they be shared?

● If in a public space, is anyone other than the rigger allowed to interact with the person being tied?

If you’re not sure, ask. If you’re not ready to talk about it, you’re not ready to do it.

[click here for sample consent scripts] - behind a paywall