Atelier Simonet

Atelier Simonet is the studio of the French kinbakushi Docvale, who opened it in September 2018 in Aubervilliers, just north of Paris. According to his biography, Docvale began exploring rope around 2007, counts his shibari practice from 2011, and has taught and performed in Paris and elsewhere in Europe since 2012. He came across Naka Akira‘s semenawa in September 2013 and has followed Naka’s guidance since; he says Naka authorized him in 2019 to teach Naka’s style officially. The studio therefore describes itself as an official venue of Naka-ryū, while also aiming to introduce other ways of practicing. Docvale’s biography adds that he wants to keep the aesthetics of Japanese bondage, citing Itō Seiu, with a contemporary attention to safety.

Curriculum

Regular classes follow a sequence with stated prerequisites. A discovery event, open without experience, ends with a demonstration. Basic technique and floor-play modules, labeled A, B and C, can be taken in any order and repeated, and teach the standard harnesses used later; a TK course follows. Semi-suspension level 1 assumes the basic and TK harnesses, and level 2 and the suspension course each require the previous course plus the teacher’s approval. The studio says suspension is not treated as a goal in itself and that students choose the level of practice that suits them. Tickets are sold for two people, though solo attendance is possible at the discovery and basic events.

Practice and workshops

Supervised trainings and free practice sessions are open to any level, for practicing, watching and talking. Themed workshops run regularly, for example a six-hour basket-tie workshop with Docvale on November 28, 2026, for pairs with suspension experience, and the studio invites teachers from many countries. Private lessons and private group sessions are available, rope can be bought on site, and events follow a written studio rulebook. The site is in French with an English version.