We are so exited about co-creating again with Andy Buru, rope artist from Sweden. Andy was a teacher at the Tantric Joy Festival Amsterdam in 2022/2025. Since then Andy already gave 4 workshop weekends in Amsterdam. In 2022 Andy introduced us to Bonding Rituals, in 2023 we enjoyed the On Power weekend. We had an amazing weekend in 2024 On Desire. And last October 2025 the interesting weekend on Topic ON SHAME.

Coming now; ON SURRENDER, SKY.

SURRENDER is to trust, to let go and to fall — trusting that one will be caught by life, by love, by wonder, by another. Surrendering brings great pleasure when one learns to let go of controlling the body, the emotions, and the ego and devote oneself to something greater. It’s as applicable in lovemaking as well as in life in general. But unfortunately, there is an overvaluation of power in today’s society, and everyone is fighting for it, while surrender is undervalued.

Moreover, surrender touches upon masochism, physically enjoying endorphins rushing through the body and emotionally letting go of shameful limiting beliefs. The most basic idea I learnt from Zen Buddhism is that bliss emerges when we stop fighting and accept life as it is, and then there is no suffering. Before psychology considered masochism a disease, religion thought it to be the cure. And I think there is something to that when it’s conscious and consensual. In my experience, anyone can enjoy or at least find this exploration meaningful when it’s slow enough and well-balanced between safety and bravery.

Surrender traditionally belongs to the feminine aspect of the esoteric erotic polarity, but I’m convinced that it’s essential for everyone of any (and no) gender. Incorporating it into oneself can simply tickle one’s curious approach to life or become a life-long artistic endeavour, critical self-development, or passion for lovemaking. While teaching surrender, I also indirectly teach how to hold space for another’s process of letting go. Participants describe it as intimate, vulnerable and trusting. And it makes them more resilient to the hardships of life.

SKY & EARTH

As rope bondage is the primary modality for my way of teaching surrender, I offer it in two different variations, earth and sky. The difference is in the technicalities of patterns and positions. The sky variation always works with an external anchoring point, like a pillar, beam or piece of furniture, and more closely mimics the aesthetics of the late 20th-century Japanese masters. It invites the intensity of gravity and the exploration of physical distance with emotional intimacy, where the rope, as a material, becomes the third lover in this ménage à trois. In the earth variation, on the other hand, the rope is the cord tying two hearts together, philosophically speaking. There is no use of external anchoring points, and every movement is solely a power play, a reenactment of the eros between two beings, so instead, the aesthetics are more that of tango meets butoh meets aikido. It uses body weight and pressure for intensity and emphasises physical intimacy. Both variations are available to beginners after a short, free online course, but of course, knowing how to tie beforehand will unravel more subtle details and advanced interpretations.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

During the weekend we will work with shibari, tantra, rituals and BDSM. In case you don’t have any experience in ropes, it is mandatory to join the half an hour free online workshop at Andy’s website. (see Free Stuf Tying on Yourself, you can also follow Surrender). There will be only partial nudity if everybody gives consent about it. Undies stay on. 40%ROPE, 30%RITUAL, 30%SM, 0%PART

WHAT OTHERS SAY...

“I can shamelessly admit that Shame is my absolute favourite of Andy’s creations. It’s a course that touches upon the biggest societal and personal taboos and makes one experience many things that might have felt oh so shameful, bad, and wrong since childhood—but what if it’s okay? Because it is! This course is a deep dive into sacred, raw, playful intimacy in the safest possible space.

First, the workshop makes you analyse what exactly it is that makes you feel ashamed. The variety of exercises lets you figure out if it is having your body parts being exposed by ropes. Or maybe you have a hard time accepting that you want to be humiliated or to treat someone like scum yourself. How does it feel to shamelessly observe someone distorted but yet so beautiful in the tears you have caused them? In all that, you don’t have to take everything too seriously, either, but once you look straight into the bottom of Shame, it becomes fun, playful, and even very arousing.

Second, this course, for me, is a lot about witnessing. Observing people facing their fears, desires, and taboos and how bravely they look into the hidden aspects of their lives and traumas has been the most rewarding experience. If you have a chance, I recommend sitting one or two exercises out and just witnessing what’s going around in the room. You’ll be amazed and in awe by this experience. Also, the shamed voyeur in you will be grateful.

Third, this course is the best way to experience what a safe space and a safe group of people really means. It’s amazing how complete strangers come together, and you get to know them more deeply than you have possibly known your family. I assure you, you get to laugh, maybe cry, share deeply, and feel encouraged to explore this sweet topic together. It always happens that the right people end up in this workshop.

Andy stresses that he is not a therapist and his courses are not meant to be therapeutic, but somehow, people, including myself, always leave the course in a deeply content and expanded state. In addition to all the practical ties and use of tools and techniques that Andy will provide you, your mind will probably also be left with a lot to think about and possibly reconsider some things that are not that shameful after all.“ –Heidi

ABOUT ANDY:

Andy loves that the world is allowed to be complicated because that makes every meeting unique. His time in Japan engraved into him the presence, passion and embrace for the glimpse of zen that exists in every movement of life. In the stillness between moments, life happens. Pause, witness.

" My work aims to create magical rooms where people can rest, heal and grow. My tools, spirit and experience spring from neuro-semantic team building, medical massage therapy, European theatre and Japanese rope bondage. is a student of theater and tea, a medical massage therapist, a former organizational coach, a conscious kinkster, and a teacher of European and Japanese rope bondage. Living in Stockholm, Sweden and working around northern Europe."

LOCATION AND TIMES:

Amsterdam, location will be send to ticketholders.

Saturday 25 October (10:00-22:00) & Sunday 26 October (12.30-17.30)

TICKETS

Early Bird, limited amount € 320,00 (incl. VAT 9 %)

Early Bird Bring a Friend, limited amount € 590,00 (incl. VAT 9%)

Regular Bird € 380,00 (incl. VAT 9%)

Regular Bird Bring a Friend € 730,00 (incl. VAT 9%)

Here the ticket link

PRACTICALITIES:

* Accommodation and meals are not included in the ticket. You have to bring your own lunch. NOTE that there are no cafés and restaurants in the neighbourhood.

* On Saturday doors are open at 9.30 so we can begin on time at 10.00

* Two weeks before the event you will get a participants letter with all the information about what to bring.

As Andy will be touring Latin and North America in May/June he will not come to our festival in 2026 but surely will return other coming editions.

If you have any question, please send us an email: growinglovingrelations@gmail.com