Shibari ME

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions, answered.

Honest answers to what couples ask most about our private Shibari retreats in the UAE.

Before you book

A decision built on trust.

Choosing a Shibari retreat is personal. Below are honest answers to the questions we hear most often. If yours isn't here, we're happy to talk privately before you book.

Basics

What is Shibari?

Shibari is a Japanese art of rope binding, rooted in aesthetics, patience and presence. For couples, it becomes a practice of communication and trust: one partner ties, the other receives, and both learn to pay close attention to each other. At Shibari ME, we approach Shibari as more than the practice of tying rope. It is an art form and a shared language, one that can create connection, intimacy, trust, and presence between people. Through rope, we learn to slow down, listen more closely, communicate beyond words, and become more aware of ourselves and one another. For some, the practice can also carry a spiritual dimension: a space for mindfulness, vulnerability, surrender, self-discovery, and a deeper sense of connection. Shibari can be playful, artistic, meditative, intimate, or deeply personal, with its meaning shaped by the people who practice it.

Basics

Do we need any experience?

No. Most couples who join Shibari ME have never touched rope before. The retreat is guided from the very first knot, starting with our Shibari 101 workshop, and everything is paced to your comfort. Couples with some experience are equally welcome, and the sessions adapt to where you are.

Safety

Is Shibari safe?

Shibari carries real physical considerations, such as pressure on nerves and circulation, which is why expert guidance matters. Every session is led by an experienced facilitator who teaches safe technique, watches closely, and checks in with both partners throughout. Because of these risks, every newcomer begins the retreat with our Shibari 101 workshop, included in your stay. It covers all the key safety considerations, including how to recognise the early signs of a possible injury before it happens.

Consent

How is consent handled?

Consent is the foundation of everything we do. Before any rope is used, you and your partner discuss your boundaries with your facilitator. You'll learn clear ways to communicate during a session, and either of you can pause or stop at any moment, for any reason, without needing to explain.

Consent

Can we stop at any time?

Yes, always. Stopping is never a failure. Pausing, adjusting or ending a session is part of the practice, and it is fully respected.

Intimacy

Is the retreat intimate?

The guided sessions focus on rope technique, communication and trust between partners. Shibari can be a deeply sensual experience. Out of respect for every guest, intimacy is kept private, within your own bedroom, and never in shared spaces.

Privacy

How is our privacy protected?

Discretion is central to Shibari ME. Retreats take place in a private villa, attended only by the guests booked for that retreat and your facilitator. Phones stay out of all shared spaces, so no one is photographed or recorded. We ask every guest to avoid personal questions and to treat others with the same discretion they would wish for themselves. Anything you share privately with your facilitator stays with them, and is never used or passed on.

The retreat

Where does the retreat take place?

In a secluded luxury villa in the United Arab Emirates. We select the venue according to the number of guests attending, so the exact location is shared once all bookings are confirmed.

The retreat

What does the three-day retreat cost, and what's included?

The three-day private retreat starts from US$3,950. Your stay is fully inclusive: private villa accommodation, meals, all workshops including Shibari 101, all rope and materials, plus a welcome bag and printed guides that are yours to keep. The only extras are food you choose to order in from outside, and any events or activities you book beyond the villa.

Preparing

What should we bring?

Comfortable, close-fitting clothing that you can move in easily, and an open mind. All rope and materials are provided. We also recommend packing swimwear, so you can enjoy some downtime by the pool in the sun.

Preparing

Do we receive anything to take home?

Yes. Every couple receives a welcome bag on arrival containing everything you'll need to take part in the sessions, along with printed guides to support your practice. Both are yours to keep long after the retreat ends.

Booking

How do we book?

Simply submit a booking request and we'll be in touch personally to take things forward. Please note that, given the private and personal nature of the retreat, every attendee is carefully vetted before the retreat date. This protects the comfort and safety of all guests. You can also find Shibari ME on BookRetreats.com and Eventbrite.com.

Enquire privately↗