Shibari journeys in Mexico: meet Voudou Ropes

Shibari artist, educator and photographer Anastasia is the founder of Voudou Ropes, a project dedicated to teaching and exploring the art of Japanese rope.

Based in Mexico, she offers various shibari journeys, such as workshops, photo sessions and immersive retreats where people can learn shibari in a way that focuses on connection, communication and creativity.

Her work blends traditional Japanese rope with movement, touch and artistic expression, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced practitioners.

We spoke with Anastasia about how she first discovered shibari, why she loves teaching it, and what people are often surprised to learn when they try rope for the first time.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Present. Playful. Warm.

Tell us more about yourself and your shibari work…

I’m Anastasia, founder of Voudou Ropes. I am a shibari artist, educator and photographer. I work with shibari as an art of connection, presence and sensual exploration.

My work lives at the intersection of traditional Japanese rope with fusion, touch, movement and emotional attunement.

I teach, perform, create beautiful shibari scenes, and guide people into experiences where rope becomes a language rather than a technique.

I also create beautiful shibari retreats in Mexico twice a year, where people can connect with nature and spiritual practices while learning rope.

What services do you provide on Sensuali?

I offer shibari journeys in Mexico, from workshops and shibari photo sessions where you become art, to guided sessions focused on connection, embodiment and conscious touch.

My shibari journeys are accessible to beginners and experienced practitioners alike, always grounded in consent, communication and presence.

My services include:
Shibari sessions
Shibari classes
Shibari photo sessions

What turns you on?

Hunger to feel.

Presence. Attention. Beauty. Slowing down. Breath. Being fully seen and seeing another person without distraction.

And complicated monster costumes.

What was your journey into this world?

Shibari found me at a time when I felt something wild and curious inside me, but didn’t yet know how to express it. I was drawn to the body, intimacy and non-verbal communication, but didn’t know where that world existed or if I would be accepted.

My first shibari encounter that really held my attention was in a Japanese history class. We were shown some scrolls with tied prisoners. I asked my teacher what it was, and later received an email with articles about the emotional aspects of shibari, Araki Nobuyoshi’s work, and erotic exploration in Japan.

I began exploring through books, videos and playful practice with curious friends, noticing how meditative and connective it felt. Then I started travelling, and in each new country I connected with shibari practitioners to learn more. I still go back to Japan every year to study.

What started as an artistic experiment, adding rope to my photography, slowly became a personal practice. Through learning, travelling and eventually teaching, shibari evolved into a way of life and a way of connecting with people.

It is much easier to find your community when there is something you get very nerdy about.

What do the first 60 minutes of your day look like?

I get up, shower, brew some black tea and spin my poi in the backyard for a bit. Then I feed my little parrots and train them for about 15–20 minutes.

I used to journal in that hour, but the birds got too good at shredding and any important paper can’t enter the bird room anymore. That is why I journal far less now.

Why do you do what you do as a shibari artist & educator?

Because I want to make shibari not scary.

I love seeing how inspired people are after a performance or a class. I love seeing how people love themselves more after a rope experience. I love watching my students progress. Some open their own studios. Some add rope to their healing practices or their art. Some discover new ways to connect with a partner and bring the spark back.

It makes me happy that I can help people love and be loved a little more. We do not have enough genuine care these days.

People are hungry to feel. To be touched with intention. To slow down. To reconnect with themselves and with others. Rope creates a container where that becomes possible.

What is an unexpected pleasure you discovered in your shibari work?

How deeply people relax when they feel truly held. Not just physically, but emotionally.

I also discovered that I enjoy creating intensity when I see that someone is truly enjoying it.

What should more people know about your work?

For me, shibari is not about pain, domination or complicated knots. It is about listening, adapting and creating an experience together.

It can be soft, playful, grounding and deeply sensual. It can also be wild. It all depends on how we connect.

What’s your superpower?

Creating an atmosphere of trust from the start and helping people let go and open up.

Teaching is another one. People come back to me again and again because of the way I explain things.

I was originally a language teacher, which helped me understand different learning styles and memory processes. Because of that experience, I can train people to not just know the knots but understand shibari and make it their own.

We love vices. What’s yours?

Saying “let’s wrap it up” at the end of every shibari class.

Who are your sensual inspirations?

Nature, dance and the people around me.

Closing thoughts?

Shibari can be anything you want it to be. Try all of it. Try both roles. Enjoy it.

👉 Sensuali is a platform where you can discover a wide range of sensual events and experiences with practitioners from around the world. Explore all in Kink & Fetish