About Peter Etheros

Peter Etheros is a passionate teacher who loves to share and coach other human beings about shibari and other life related matters :-) He is the founder of Studio TIEY and certified Yagami-ryu instructor.

His rope journey began in 2013, when he met unplanned with Georg Barkas and Karo while staying more than a week in their Vienna Dojo. It was Barkas’ way with ropes and personality that opened his heart for shibari.

Barkas opened my heart for shibari, not as a technique, but in a larger frame. This influence stretched for many years. From Barkas’ representation of Osada-ryu, view on the importance of movement, e.g. Ranboo and the emphasis on rope handling. Barkas’ interpretation of the works of Yukimura and ropes as a language for an interview still today call upon me. It was also Barkas making me clear that for kinbaku in essence ropes are secondary. It can only be a gift from the Gods to start your journey in this way…

In 2017, he met Docvale during one of Barkas' teachings in Paris.

Several immersive interactions at Docvale’s house gave me insight in the Naka style and Docvale’s philosophy of aesthetics, minimalism, the subtleties of his impressive technique and his ways to extending the model’s time to surrender.

Meanwhile, his model and life partner Yoqe became his main teacher.

During numerous sessions she guided me in getting rid of barriers and inner demons. It allowed many influences outside of shibari to complement my path and became vast ingredients of my expression.

Peter’s past in martial arts influenced him to tie in a kata style, with a clear framework from beginning to end of a session. Former work in zen and yoga-philosophy allowed him to get loose from the ropes and tie in trance.

I started to practice in tying with eyes closed to give maximum space to feeling and intuition over viewing and knowledge, and introduced other elements in my frame like whips while more and more neighing to a dynamic rather than a static setting.

In 2019, Peter had the privilege to attend his first lessons with Ren Yagami.

Yagami’s style pulled me out of my comfort zone and forced me in a beginner’s mind. From an educational point of view, his concept of breaking up a style in basics and decomposing everything spoke to me. Here rope handling, martial arts and eros in the interaction with the model came in a new dimension. From a personal perspective, Ren Yagami inspires and coaches me while I walk different paths. His teachings extend far beyond shibari.

Peter’s ongoing journey resulted in opening a Yagami-ryu dedicated dojo, Studio TIEY in 2021.

I see Studio TIEY as an educational center where self-development and growth are the main focus and as a community center where we can all be who we are and practice self-acceptance. Shibari can be the conductor to achieve an exceptional state of belonging.

What began as an extraordinary personal meeting between two individuals, a long time before the studio had opened it’s doors, has since evolved into a profound transformation, not only for Peter but also for Studio TIEY.

Michael Ropeknight has influenced me on a soul level. His interpretation of Yukimura-ryu has deeply impacted my development, both personally and professionally. Exchanging with Michael remains hugely fascinating to this day and I am so grateful to experience how these encounters can shape and transform our paths, both in terms of individual growth and the direction of our teachings.

After a one-year sabbatical, Peter decided to end his professional career as a corporate trainer and business coach. He is now full-time dedicated to Studio TIEY and it’s community. He also keeps engaging in several side projects such as the Antwerp Munch, which he started organizing in 2012 and the Belgian branch of the rope help platform, founded in 2023

I have followed my heart and now wish to contribute to my local community in any way I can. I'm especially drawn to building long-term connections and fostering growth. If you find me teaching outside of Studio TIEY, it's solely because I'm driven to share knowledge with the community of someone with whom I share a profound bond.