Rope artist Rija Mae and acrobat Mali Nata meet for some innocent Bodypainting.

Slowly Rija is adding her turquoise touch to the nervous yoga girl she is having in front of her. Out of this innocent activity the intimacy between them is growing and all of the sudden Rija is pulling out some rope.

She starts to tie the now curious Mali, with her hands in front of her chest. Mali doesn't know what is coming next, or in general what is going on, she only has curiosity and the slow process of realizing that she is losing control, losing the need to make decisions. The wind on her bare skin and her open hair is giving goosebumps to the otherwise heated situation. In a standing position Rija is tying the arms of Mali to the bamboo, stretching her to expose her chest. Her legs are being woven in a tight mermaid-like tie.

But the last rope is showing Rijas plan: Mali is pressured into a S-Shape, her back bend, kneed bend, ass high up in the air and her arms high above her head. She can only shift from one uncomfortable position to the other. Does she want to endure standing tip toe, pushing her thigh muscles and her lower back? Or does she want to put all her weight on her arms? Mali is super trained, as she is a yogi handstand acrobat. But she is not used to being in a challenging position. Quickly her muscles are showing the predicament she is in.

But there was something: The bodypaint! The two had a plan, Rija remembers. Slowly she is getting the colors, and the water. She definitely wants to take the chance of a model that is not moving under the tip of the brush. There is so much more to draw, one leave after the other is added, as Mali starts to give us the well known and so much wanted muscle tremor. With vibrating legs and arms her mind is still fighting, taking the last control she has in the situation by not giving in. As the last leave is drawn on the bare feet of Mali there is no control left for her.

She can just give in and accept to float! She is left with some marks and drawing to keep her sensations and the memory from this session alive.

Cast: Mali Nata

Rope artist: Rija Mae

Camera and editor: Irina Vega

Music: Tschackert - Archenoir

Nu Shibari