4-Day Shibari Retreat

Friday, August 30 – Monday, September 2
At the Peace Temple

Learn, experience, play, and connect through the medium of Japanese inspired rope bondage. This weekend retreat, designed for all levels of experience, explores intimacy, sensuality, and creativity within the realm of Shibari, movement practice, and alternative community building.

Recharge in the sauna, swim in the pond, enjoy nature walks and take in the sun, while our chef prepares a delicious selection of healthy meals to complement your rejuvenating experience at Peace Temple.

Retreat program

Spend the Labor Day Weekend in nature and among old and new friends learning and exploring the intricacies of Japanese inspired rope bondage. The retreat will start with an opening circle to share and set intentions for the weekend, and to learn more about each participant and what draws them to this art form.

Saturday morning will start with a gentle Yoga practice, guided by Anna, followed by a hearty and healthy breakfast to fuel up for a day of rope.  Sydona will then lead an absolute beginner rope class, for those with no existing knowledge of this practice.  This class will cover history and culture of traditional Shibari and Western Bondage, in-depth safety, consent, and risk considerations, and several basic frictions and how to use them for your intentions without your own personal practice. This class will be followed by an open rope space, where you can practice what you learned in the previous class, or watch and connect with others in a freeform way.  After a break for lunch, Twofingers will lead a second rope instruction class, using prerequisites learned in the earlier class to go more in depth into a technical practice.

Following this class participants can gather in the sauna, followed by dinner, to gently transition into the more social environment of the evening.  There will be a fire circle, a rope suspension demo, and quiet open rope space for anyone who would like to continue to tie into the evening.

Sunday morning will begin with a meditation and sound healing, lead by Roads, followed by breakfast.  Syd will then teach a multilevel class–the first hour will be appropriate for all levels, using the prerequisites from Saturday’s beginner class.  Those with existing experience will be invited to continue for another hour for a more advanced technique instruction. Afterwards will be an open rope space, with an optional guided group improvisation activity. We’ll close our weekend with a sharing circle before parting ways.

All levels of experience with rope bondage and Shibari are welcomed at this retreat.  All classes and open spaces are optional, and we encourage everyone to participate in as much group activity as feels comfortable.  For those with experience with suspension, there will be several available outdoor hardpoints for use throughout the weekend.

Retreat schedule

Friday

  • 3:00pm – 7:00pm – Landing/Arrival

  • 7:15 pm – Dinner

  • 9:00 pm – Opening Fire circle / introductions / Consent discussion

  • 11:00 pm – Rest

Saturday

  • 9:00 – 10:15 am – Yoga with Anna

  • 10:30 – 11:30 am – Breakfast

  • 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Class session 1 – Rope 101 with Syd

  • 1:30 – 3:00 pm – Open Rope Space / personal time

  • 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch

  • 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Class session 2 – Multilevel class TBD with twofingers

  • 7:30 – 8:30 pm – Dinner

  • 9:00 – 10:30- pm – Evening fire circle / suspension demo with twofingers, Syd, and Anna

  • 11:30 pm – Rest / Quiet Rope Open Space

Sunday

  • 9:00 – 10:15 am – Yoga with Anna

  • 10:30 – 11:30 am – Breakfast

  • 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Class session 1 – Rope 101 with Syd

  • 1:30 – 3:00 pm – Open Rope Space / personal time

  • 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch

  • 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Class session 2 – Multilevel class TBD with twofingers

  • 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Sauna 

  • 7:30 – 8:30 pm – Dinner

  • 9:00 – 10:30- pm – Evening fire circle / suspension demo with twofingers, Syd, and Anna

  • 11:30 pm – Rest / Quiet Rope Open Space

Monday

  • 9:00 – 10:15 am – Meditation and Sound Healing with Roads

  • 10:30 – 11:30 am – Breakfast

  • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm – Personal time / Guided Group Rope Activity 

  • 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Class session 3 – Multilevel Class TBD with Syd

  • 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch / Closing circle and sharing

  • 4:00 pm – Departure