Studio Ma
A collective-run tatami-room studio in East London focused on Japanese rope traditions, with dedicated tuition in the Yukimura, Akechi Denki and Naka lineages.
Studio Ma, which also calls itself “The Tatami Room London”, is a rope studio in Bethnal Green run by a collective that formed to keep the studio and its spirit alive for the London rope community. Its name borrows the Japanese idea of ma, the meaningful interval or pause between things, which the studio applies to the rhythm of a rope scene. The core team lists co-founders M and Marsh, who both describe ties to the earlier Studio Yukari; co-founder and educator Anna Noctuelle, a rope model, performer and teacher with more than 20 years in Japanese rope, teaching since 2016 and trained with students and practitioners of Yukimura Haruki and Naka Akira; and educator Rocco Grigio, who names the Naka lineage as a strong influence.
Lineages. The studio teaches three traditions side by side: Yukimura style, the Akechi Denki lineage and Naka style. Resident teachers and international guests who return regularly lead this tuition, and info evenings introduce what sets each style apart. The foundational courses are meant to help students find out which lineage they want to follow further.
The pathway. Learning starts with Class 0 (rope and body handling, no experience needed) and Course 1, Play on the Floor, which covers single and double column ties, frictions, first harnesses, consent, safety and bottoming. Course 2 builds a stemless takate kote with attention to nerve safety, Course 3 introduces partial suspension, a class on predicaments follows, and Course 5 is an introduction to suspension, including line management and transitions. Courses run either as four weekly evenings or as weekend intensives. The studio publishes level definitions for both riggers and models, and its international workshops expect Courses 1, 3 and 5 or equivalent experience.
Community. An open jam runs every Monday evening for all levels, with no set theme and no obligation to tie. Evening drop-in classes, solo tickets and loan ropes make it easy to try a session. The autumn 2026 calendar includes workshops by guest teachers such as Soptík and Sansei, an aibunawa weekend, talks on safety and risk, and a tribute evening to Yukimura Haruki, alongside performances, rope salons and movement practices such as Butoh and Authentic Movement.