Memorial Day Weekend Shibari Retreat
May 23, 2025 - May 26, 2025
Memorial Day Weekend Shibari Retreat
Friday, May 23 – Monday, May 26
REGISTER
Learn, experience, play, and connect through the medium of Japanese inspired rope bondage. This weekend retreat, designed for all levels of experience, explores intimacy, connectivity, 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, followed by a hearty and healthy breakfast to fuel up for a day of rope. The day will start with two class options— an absolute beginner rope class, for those with no existing knowledge of this practice, and an intermediate level class for those with an existing practice. This beginner 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 within your own personal practice. After a break for lunch, there will be another mixed level class, as well as an opportunity to gather in the sauna, followed by dinner, to gently transition into the more social environment of the evening. There will be a fire circle 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, followed by breakfast. After breakfast, there will again be an option for two different rope classes of differing levels and subjects. Afterwards we gather for lunch, followed by an open rope space, with an optional guided group improvisation activity. Sunday evening will feature two performances, and time to connect with other attendees before settling in to rest for the evening.
Monday will start with a gentle movement practice, followed by a nutritious breakfast. Our last class block of the weekend will feature an all level class, followed by time to pack up belongings and reset the space. We’ll close our weekend with a group lunch, and a time to come together one last time and share thoughts and experiences and inspirations from throughout the weekend.
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.
Exact schedule and class descriptions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tentative Retreat schedule
Friday
- 3:00pm – 7:00pm – Landing/Arrival
- 7:00 pm – Dinner
- 9:00 pm – Opening Fire circle / introductions / Weekend Guideleines
- 11:00 pm – Rest
Saturday
- 9:00 – 10:15 am – Yoga
- 10:30 – 11:30 am – Breakfast
- 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Class session 1
- 1:30 – 3:00 pm – Open Rope Space / personal time
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Class session 2
- 7:30 – 8:30 pm – Dinner
- 9:00 – 10:30- pm – Evening fire circle / suspension demo
- 11:30 pm – Rest / Quiet Rope Open Space
Sunday
- 9:00 – 10:15 am – Yoga
- 10:30 – 11:30 am – Breakfast
- 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Class session 3
- 1:30 – 3:00 pm – Open Rope Space / personal time
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Class session 4
- 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Sauna
- 7:30 – 8:30 pm – Dinner
- 9:00 – 10:30- pm – Evening fire circle / suspension demo
- 11:30 pm – Rest / Quiet Rope Open Space
Monday
- 9:00 – 10:15 am – Meditation and Sound Healing
- 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 5
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch / Closing circle and sharing
- 4:00 pm – Departure
Facilitators
Complete facilitators list TBA
Sydona – a Brooklyn-based rope artist, movement practitioner, and photographer who uses her training and performance experience in classical dance to inspire her ventures into experimental and experiential art of all forms. She was first introduced to the New York kink scene in 2018, and has been deepening her practice as a rope performer, educator, and facilitator ever since. In that time she has performed at events by House of Yes, House of X, House of Gemini and Scorpio, Seeking Haven, Hit Me Up!, Le Wand, Nuit des Cordes, and The Box. In 2019 She co-built two 300-square-foot installations at Industria and at Knockdown Center and in January of 2020 and December of 2022, Sydona assisted Hajime Kinoko’s large scale Shibari Web performances at The Dance and The Brooklyn Monarch. She is currently a resident educator at Temple, and is committed to creating safer kink spaces, educational opportunities, beautiful art, and connection to like-minded folks, for the sake of *joy* in ropes.
Vladimir Kuperman – Host and the creator of Peace Temple. Vladimir is a leader of Peace Temple, a spiritual retreat center in the beautiful Catskill Mountains, devoted to creating and holding peaceful and inspiring community events, where creativity, spiritual growth, sustainability, respect for nature, and respect for each other are practiced. Besides hosting the retreat, Vladimir will facilitate the Central American Sauna.
To register:
Please read community agreements, before registering to attend the retreat.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12x3qbdrGMxdsUH80VgquTQKTZKElzriZYbysqBEWWE0/edit
You may send the complete payment, or a 50% deposit (the remainder is due one week before the retreat start date) and fill out the form below with the screenshot of your payment.
Early bird cost for the retreat is $670 cost and includes all meals and camping (bring all your camping gear). Cost goes up $770 if you register after March 1st.
All identities, orientations, and levels of experience are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend. If the cost of attendance is prohibitive, please reach out via peacetempleretreats@gmail.com to inquire about potential scholarship or discounted attendance.
- Add $75 for a three-night stay in our cozy dorm with a full-size bed (bring your own bedding). If sharing the bed with another participant, the second person pays $38 in addition to the retreat cost. When registering, provide the name of the person you are sharing your accommodation with to help us track available spaces.
- Add $375 for a three-night stay in our private cabin with a queen-size bed (bedding provided). If sharing, the second person pays $75 in addition to the retreat cost. Cabins are available for a maximum occupancy of two people (please inquire for availability). When registering, please provide the name of the person you are sharing your accommodation with to help us track available spaces. Please note that cabins do not have private bathrooms; bathroom facilities are shared among guests.
Venmo or Zelle full payment OR a 50% deposit to 917 968 3214 to book your spot.
Please use the Friends and Family (keep purchases option turned off) option when making the payment, as avoiding the transaction fees helps us to keep the retreat cost lower for you.
VENMO: https://account.venmo.com/u/Vladimir-Kuperman
You must write in the note part of the payment your full first and last name and email, and clearly specify what this payment is for.
This retreat is not yet sold out.
Refund policy
Peace Temple reserves the right to cancel a retreat at any time. If Peace Temple cancels a retreat, you will receive a full refund. Some retreats may have special cancellation policies; please see individual retreat descriptions.
Unless otherwise stated within program descriptions:
Full refunds are available up to thirty (30) days before your program or stay.
Nonrefundable credit toward a future Peace Temple retreat is available up to fourteen (14) days before your retreat, or you may choose to receive a 50% refund at this time. Credit may be applied to any Peace Temple retreat in 2024-2025.
No credit or refund is available if you cancel within seven (7) days of the retreat; if you do not show up; or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.
Fill out the form to complete registration
We will review your registration and get back to you with a confirmation.
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We are now offering two separate weekends for this 4-day retreat!
Please read through this FAQ:
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Can I attend solo?
Yes! All levels of experience and types of partnership are welcomed. There will be some programming to help facilitate new friendships and community building, including games, peer skillsharing, group discussions…
I’d like to attend but I can’t arrive by the 3-7pm arrival time. Can I still come?
We ask that all participants arrive by 9pm at the very latest on the first day of the retreat and stay through the closing circle on day four to create a closed container environment. If you need an exception to these departure/arrival times, please email.
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Retreats provide time and peace away from your day to day routines. Going on a retreat helps to re-energize your body and soul, while providing you space to think creatively and time to reflect. If you truly want to be productive and effective in your daily life , then setting aside time to detox your body, being in nature, consider your life’s purpose and your personal values, vision and mission is vital.
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Please write to peacetempleretreats@gmail.com to inquire for details.