Mannequins for practice?

Hi

I want to start learning Shibari but it's hard to practice on yourself. I have seen professional mannequins but they are expensive and awkward to transport.

I tried stuffing my hoodie with undergarmets and tying it which was surprisingly good, but I need something more robust. Pool noodles, PVC pipes maybe?

           

Pool noodles would probably work for arms and legs. You could also use one in the center to mimic the resistance of a humans back or neck. For a more consistent shape try finding a one piece swimsuit with sleeves.

Hi

I want to start learning Shibari but it's hard to practice on yourself. I have seen professional mannequins but they are expensive and awkward to transport.

I tried stuffing my hoodie with undergarmets and tying it which was surprisingly good, but I need something more robust. Pool noodles, PVC pipes maybe?

For some reason I find those images ever so slightly disturbing - I think it's probably the 'lifeless bodies'. Almost certainly the same reason I find dolls and mannequins weird and unsettling.

On the plus side, this is a very ingenious way to practise your knots, although my personal preference is always to use the rope on myself  😁

MJ

Hi

I want to start learning Shibari but it's hard to practice on yourself. I have seen professional mannequins but they are expensive and awkward to transport.

I tried stuffing my hoodie with undergarmets and tying it which was surprisingly good, but I need something more robust. Pool noodles, PVC pipes maybe?

For some reason I find those images ever so slightly disturbing - I think it's probably the 'lifeless bodies'. Almost certainly the same reason I find dolls and mannequins weird and unsettling.

On the plus side, this is a very ingenious way to practise your knots, although my personal preference is always to use the rope on myself  😁

MJ

Wow I know right. I actually found it really weird too. I have that "Uncanny" vibe. I honestly did get quite a bit grossed out. Especially when handling and moving it, it feels like a lifeless body. It even weighed quite heavy, and felt real too. Sorry for the disturbing details. It looked quite real, TBH. It was very weird as those clothes I wear myself. It was like seeing myself in 3rd person. 

Anyways, I do self tie, but I want to try takate kote, box tie etc, and other stuff you can't do in yourself. You can make a functional tie in SB, but I want to learn proper techniques for partners later. 

Feels so different tying some object other than my own body

[Like Ra]

Yes, I think mannequins are the way to go, just like in doctors' education. You do not learn how to do surgery in yourself, do you? 🙀 Though, it does look gross even on mannequins 😆

Random idea here, you could use one of those small wooden art mannequins + thick thread to reduce space and costs to a minimum. It would be great for learning, visualizing, and practicing new knots.