L.E.A.P.

Workshops & Classes

Join us for our In Person Learn, Explore, Apply & Play series.

Participants will leave these workshops with a better sense of self, a better connection with their partner and a wider perspective of Japanese inspired rope bondage or other BDSM/kink education and skills. Scroll for current class listings below.

Learn techniques related to a variety of BDSM/Kink/Fetish play. Each week classes alternate focus between Shibari/Rope & BDSM/Fetish.
Explore with your partner and other participants with consent.
Apply your skills in our supportive space.
Play You are welcome to stay and enjoy our venue after the class.

If you are trying to sign up for one of our Livestream L.E.A.P. classes/workshop, do it at www.ObligeRope.org/LEAP-Livestream

Sign Up for a Class.

Classes offered most Thursday’s 6 – 11 p.m. $25 per person. (“Special LEAP Class” will appear on other days see below)

For Shibari/Rope classes, Basics and Fundamentals Starts at 6:15pm (BDSM/Kink Workshops start with social hour at 6:00)

Formal Instruction will be 7:00 – 8:45/9:00 p.m.

9-11 p.m. will be open time to apply, hone your skills plus you can stay and play

Recordings of Past LEAP Class HERE

Up Coming Class Schedule:

July 10th:Rope/Shibari Special LEAP -“Introduction to Hashira ” - with Mr_Arrow & subzq (SPECIAL LEAP TICKETS HERE)

Hashira Shibari is the Japanese inspired rope bondage art of tying someone to an upright post, beam, or column. Translating to "pole or pillar binding," this advanced technique restricts movement by pressing the partner against a stationary surface, creating deep immobility, intense weight distribution, and strong erotic tension.
Before modern ceiling suspensions and bamboo rigs, tying to architectural pillars (or hashira) was the standard method of choice in historic Japanese homes. The post can act as a rigid anchor point to achieve kneeling, seated, standing, or partial suspension scenes.
This session will start by explaining the concept of a hashira and how to prepare a vertical pole for rope play / suspension by creating a variety of pole hard points. We will explore standing and seated ties, and will conclude by teaching the “classic” hashira suspension, where the bottom is upright with their back tied to the pole.
Doors/Social Hour at 6:00
Formal Class at 7:00
“Stay & Play” 9-11:00
We are fortunate in Detroit to have such an enthusiastic and devoted BDSM/Kink/Rope community. So much so it allows us to attract literal world class educators and performers. This weekend our friends Mr_Arrow & subzq will be presenting a Special LEAP class as part of their “Hashira Shibari Immersion Weekend”. Ticket for this class are available a la carte below.
Mr_Arrow and subzq2 are rope and kink educators. Mr_Arrow is the creator of the “Dungeon Pole” style of dungeon furniture, which we believe is the first free-standing, portable vertical pole designed for kinky play that is strong enough to perform suspension. Details at https://dungeonpoles.com/resources.
They have also written a collection of essays about kink and D/s, informed by their 24/7, M/s relationship as a longtime married couple. Available for free at https://dungeonpoles.com/power_and_love.

July 16th: BDSM/Kink Class- “Decorative Needle Play” with Rooskie

Getting back to ALL the things we love to explore at Oblige. While needle play is something we have covered several times here this class offers a different and purposeful take on sharps play. One where intention and precision matter.
Join Rooskie as he shares his experience and technique with decorative needle play. Class will touch on safety, technique, negotiations, tools, intentional design elements, and body placement when “engaging” with needles and stencils.
This class will be in-person only
Doors/Social Hour at 6:00
Formal Class at 7:00
“Stay & Play” 9-11:00
https://fetlife.com/Rooskie69

July 23rd: Rope/Shibari Workshop- “Intro to suspension: Equipment, Suspension Physics, Uplines” with Flynn & emmie

Intro to suspension: Equipment, Suspension Physics, Upline attachments, and upline lock offs for partial suspension
Starting your rope journey? so many different equipment options, I will go through the needed elements, and some information to assist your exploration and purchases. Then we discuss the Physics of suspension and mechanical advantage.
Follow-along, Demo and Do upline discussions, lock off functions,and exploring the various upline attachments and their applications, and the various upline lockoffs and their applications.
Doors/Social Hour at 6:00
Basic Class 6:15-7:00
Formal Class at 7:00
“Stay & Play” 9-11:00
Flynn (He/Him)
(@Flynn_Racer on Fet Life | @flynn_racer on IG)
Flynn Racer is a seasoned kink educator with over fifteen years of shibari experience, beginning his journey through the lens of artistic photography. As the co-owner and co-operator of Oblige Rope Boutique, he blends creative expression with technical precision, offering students a thoughtful, intentional approach to rope and connection.
Beyond rope, Flynn is deeply passionate about pipe and mechanical bondage, a love directly inspired by his career in structural engineering. His engineering background fuels his fascination with innovative restraint design, shaping the uniquely hands-on, problem-solving nature of his classes. A dominant, a daddy, and an ever-curious kinkster, he has taught a wide array of shibari, bondage, and BDSM classes across the community. Whether instructing newcomers or seasoned practitioners, Flynn brings a genuine desire to keep learning and to help others grow alongside him.

July 30th: “Bonus Thursday BDSM Play Party” - On the 5th Thursday of every month we skip class and through a Pizza & Play Party (THIS IS NOT A CLASS)

Intro to suspension: Equipment, Suspension Physics, Upline attachments, and upline lock offs for partial suspension
Starting your rope journey? so many different equipment options, I will go through the needed elements, and some information to assist your exploration and purchases. Then we discuss the Physics of suspension and mechanical advantage.
Follow-along, Demo and Do upline discussions, lock off functions,and exploring the various upline attachments and their applications, and the various upline lockoffs and their applications.
Doors/and Pizza @7:00
“Stay & Play” until Midnight

August 6th: Rope/Shibari Workshop- “LIFT OFF” with Paul & Courtney (Part of our Intro to Suspension Series)

Part of our Intro to Suspension Series
Getting in the air with Paul and Courtney
Using basic harness, attachments and up line, we will be look at the fundamentals involved in beginning to come off the ground.
After class Oblige staff will be on hand to assist and help you get the most out of this class experience.
You do not need a tying partner to perform all the content covered.
This will be a lecture, demo, see and do workshop.
Doors/Social Hour at 6:00
Basic Class 6:15-7:00
Formal Class at 7:00
“Stay & Play” 9-11:00
Paul
@Serene_X on Fet Life | https://www.instagram.com/serenex_detroit on IG
He/Him/
“Sadist”, “Rope top”, “Kinky fucker”, Self Proclaimed BDSM Enthusiast, Halfway Decent Human (for a sadist), Founder and Co-operator of @Oblige Rope Boutique since 2020.
Paul has been playing with Japanese inspired erotic rope bondage for over 15 years and a BDSM/Kink/Rope educator for the past 4 years. Paul and his partner @GoldenCourtney regularly teach on BDSM/Kink subjects related to Water Sports, Floggers, Fire Play, Squirting, and dozen of rope bondage related classes.
Paul finds fulfillment in providing space for others to explore and grow. He seeks joy in every opportunity with his partner, creating fun everywhere they go. Though a heavy edge player, consent modeling, risk awareness and accessibility are the core of all his classes.
Courtney:
(GoldenCourtney on Fet Life) She/her, Rope Bottom, Masochist, Submissive, Service Submissive, Edge Player
“In world filled with suffering we can’t control, it is exquisite to play with suffering we can.”
The psychological, emotional, mental, and physical challenges directly inform Courtney’s experience and the place she speaks from. Vulnerability is at the forefront of her intention and “whys” in BDSM/Kink education with a deep understanding of human fallibility. Being vulnerable in the simplest of terms is honesty and willingness to share that honesty. It’s been her vehicle to live a life that is in alignment and cohesive. It has afforded her the most change, growth and authentic experiences, fostering profound connections to herself, her partner, and the community. She strongly believes we all desire to feel connection, to be seen and acknowledged, and to know love. That these internal feelings and desires are universally shared.
Having enjoyed many different incarnations in this life, it’s her current place that she has found her propose, her calling, and her peace as venue operator at Oblige. BDSM/Kink offers an arena to explore facets of ourselves and others that is unmatched, helping facilitate that is a huge gift. It is with great honor that she has been given the privilege to teach and perform alongside her partner @serene_x since 2021. She does so in service to the Rope/BDSM/Kink community that has given back to her tenfold.

October 2nd BDSM/Kink Special LEAP -“Point, Shoot, Play” - with Knot_head & Bodacious_Minx (SPECIAL LEAP TICKETS HERE)

To kick off their “Please Flash Me!” Weekend photography & lighting intensive, Knot_head and Bodacious_Minx will be presenting a basic fetish photo hacks workshop. No prerequisites required. Just a cellphone and some play. This class is open to any skillset and is being offered as an a la carte option for those that want to step up their fetish photo skill but are not attending their full weekend.
Doors/Social Hour at 6:00
Formal Class at 7:00
“Stay & Play” 9-11:00
knot_head:
Metered, cinematic lighting... rigged with nylon.
Although he began with Japanese style rope, he quickly gravitated to the simple, strict, positional Western style bondage concepts of artists like Robert Bishop, John WIllie, Claire Adams, and Jay Edwards. Creating challenging predicaments is still his favorite.
Exploring kink also rekindled a love of photography. Collaborating with Pro photographer Coner for AardvarkFetish, allowed him to gain new skills and the chance to polish them in practice. It became his new mission to change the culture of kink events to include QUALITY photography opportunities. Whether shooting a performance, running a lighting workshop, or hosting a photo room, bringing better photography to kink has become his passion.
He continues to learn and grow as an artist, with influences ranging from Norio Sugiura to Frank Frazetta, and Bunny Yeager to Ridley Scott.
Now, as a professional vanilla and kink photographer for well over a decade, he continues to work with kinksters of all demographics to show how fun and easy it can be to get quality shots of their play, performances, and art concepts with whatever gear they have, in almost any setting.
Bodacious_Minx:
Kinky lover of all things bondage, Bodacious_Minx is a rope switch with nearly a decade of experience in the rope bondage community. She is experienced in all aspects of rope as a rigger, bottom, and self suspender. Her dedication to create a safe and inclusive space where boundaries are explored without fear or judgment allow for a fun and educational environment for all. With influences ranging from John WIllie and the Kitan Club to Scooby Doo, ensure that she never runs out of creative, sexy fun.
With a background in graphic design, fabrication, and fashion; both pre and post production allow her to scratch a creative itch. Working professionally, in studio and on location, over the years has given her the chance to collaborate with a wide variety of kinksters. In addition to her expertise in post production, her creativity in rigging, posing, costuming and setting a scene are instrumental in taking a concept from imagination to a finished image.