Spend the Memorial 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. 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

• 3:00pm – 7:00pm – Landing/Arrival
• 7:00 pm – Dinner
• 9:00 pm – Opening Fire circle / introductions / Weekend Guideleines
• 11:00 pm – Rest

• 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

• 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

• 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

Lief Bound (He/They)

Lief Bound is a full time internationally renowned rope artist and educator based in San Francisco, California. He started his rope journey in 2013 attending rope conventions and monthly skill shares. In the beginning, Lief found it hard as a queer fem rope top to be taken seriously and be respected in a classroom setting. This motivated him to become an educator so hopefully more folks could feel more welcome when learning rope bondage from him.

Since moving to the west coast and coming out as trans masc, he has grown to become a part of the local community creating spaces where other queer and trans folks can learn and grow in their own rope journeys. He created ties that are designed to be more inclusive, sustainable and expansive of the traditional rope bondage he learned at the start of his journey. Lief has taught at rope conventions and rope studios all around the world and hopes to come to your city some day. He feels honored to bring more queer and trans representation to the rope world.  

houseofbound.com

Icky (He/They):

Margherita Tisato (She/They):

Margherita is an embodiment enthusiast, a dancer, a perpetual learner, and a subtle disruptor. 

Aside from rope, her work involves teaching various movement and mindfulness techniques in correctional facilities, rope spaces, and privately, specializing in people dealing with PTSD, addiction, and other mind-body complexities. She also served as a guest lecturer on embodiment and trauma at colleges and universities, while actively engaging in scientific research on addiction and recovery.

Margherita’s passion lies in creating spaces for exploring change, discomfort, and marginalized experiences, finding growth through catharsis and integration via somatic practices leading to liberation, such as stillness, yoga, dance, Butoh, rope, hook suspensions, and laughter.

You may also catch her performing with Sokolow/Theatre Dance Ensemble, Vangeline Theater, Dances We Dance, or as an independent artist.

margheritatisato.com

Beth Poague (She/They):

Beth is a queer, curious forest dweller living in the Hudson Valley. Beth came to rope and kink relatively late in life, and has been doing suspension for four years, as well as attending retreats, gatherings, workshops, and building community. She’s so excited to be back at Peace Temple this summer, and excited to be learning, and having lots of juicy conversations about rope and so many other things! 

She has a Master’s degree in Social Justice Educational Studies, with a focus on disability justice and inclusion. She’s also trained in restorative practices and conflict resolution, including circle-keeping, transformative mediation, and group facilitation. She thinks a lot about somatics and co-regulation, neurodivergence and trauma, healing and connection, abolitionism, collective care, nature and poetry, and is currently training to become a certified Wheel of Consent Facilitator (schoolofconsent.org).

Foley (She/Her):

Foley is a Brooklyn-born multi-disciplinary artist. When it comes to rope, she’s a bottom-leaning switch with a focus on bottom education. Both her dance and craft backgrounds play important roles in the way she approaches rope on both sides of the slash.

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 15th.

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 sydona@sydonarogue.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.

Zelle full payment OR a 50% deposit to info@peacetempleretreats.org to book your spot. Please reach out if you do not have access to Zelle.

You must write in the note/message 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.

We will review your registration and get back to you with a confirmation.

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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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