Harris, E. (2022). A phenomenological inquiry into the healing experiences of Japanese rope bondage practice [Unpublished Master’s thesis]. Alef Trust & Liverpool John Moores University.

This phenomenological study is set out to find common healing experiences among the practitioners of Shibari, also referred to as Kinbaku or Japanese rope bondage. Within a framework of 10 semi-structured interviews, the study focuses on real examples of individual experiences in Japanese rope bondage that have brought about transformation and healing for the practitioners. The following transpersonal topics surfaced dominantly throughout the interviews in reference to healing: transformations, catharsis, embodiment, altered states of consciousness, exceptional experiences, life changing shifts. The regular practice of Shibari appears to have an overall positive impact on people ́s lives and their personal development. This study attempts to find the essence of healing experiences in Shibari within the given interviews, discuss the relevant findings, and suggests further research topics. The study contributes to a growing field of transpersonal psychologists and BDSM enthusiasts and promotes a more expansive way to look at these experiences as a way of healing and transforming towards wholeness and awareness within the practice and beyond.