Hi!

It feels so good to be sitting down to write to you again. If you’re getting this it’s because you signed up directly or we’ve connected in some way about rope and my classes. Feel free to unsubscribe if you don’t want to receive my newsletters moving forward, but I do hope you’ll stay! I don’t write often...pinky promise.

If you have been on my email list you may have noticed I have been a bit quiet on here lately. The last few months turned into quite a rollercoaster in my personal life. Between dealing with getting displaced from my apartment due to a water leak and mold, navigating a medical emergency and ultimate death of my father, and caring for a sick dog, my energy had to be fully directed toward survival mode. Thankfully, my dog got better, I found a new place to live and things have settled a bit more with the family affairs (woof to learning SO much about the bureaucracy of death…spoiler alert, it is not fun). Anyway, all that to say is thank you so much for your patience and for sticking with me through the hiatus.

But, I am back! And I am so excited to return to what brings me joy: teaching rope, tying and being tied, and creating spaces for genuine connection.

If you’ve taken a class with me before, you know that I’m passionate about blending Shibari with psychology, body awareness, and relational communication. For me, rope has never been just about memorizing complex patterns or technical perfection. It is a dialogue, a way to tune into your and your partner’s somatic feedback, and cultivate deep intimacy — whether that’s with a partner or within yourself. It can also be sexy, plain ol’ fun and, dare I say it, healing.^* Honestly, it can be SO many things! And it’s different every time. Whether you’re experiencing a new scene with a new person, or even just on a new day, with a new mood. There’s always something new to explore and tap into.

On that note, I have a few exciting ways we can connect, learn, and play in August:

✨ 1. Zula Den Soiree: Live Demo & Intro Session

When: Saturday, August 1

Where: The Loft at Zula Den (West Adams, LA)

• 1:30 PM: Live Shibari Demonstration

• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Intro Session & Q&A

If you or someone you know has ever been curious about Shibari, wanted to see a live demonstration up close, or have questions about my upcoming Beyond the Knots workshop, this is the perfect low-pressure opportunity to pop by, check out the space, say hi, and ask me anything! This is a free offering!

More info: zuladen.org/soiree

🪢 2. Beyond the Knots: Intuitive Shibari for Play and Connection

When: Thursday, August 6 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Where: Zula Den (West Adams, LA)

Investment: $50 per person

This is a beginner-friendly workshop and guided rope jam designed to take you past rigid mechanics and into playful, intuitive scene-building. We’ll cover foundational skills, explore how to decode nonverbal feedback, and practice using rope to build intimate scenes.

• Partners & Solos: Attending with a partner is great, but solo self-tiers are warmly welcomed!

• What to Bring: 2+ hanks of rope if you have them (we’ll also have practice rope on-site).

👉 [Reserve your ticket to Beyond the Knots]

💖 3. Shibari "Try-It" Mini-Sessions at Lovely Fate

When: Saturday, August 15

Where: Lovely Fate (West LA)

This one is for Lovely Fate members and guests only. If you’re going to their Mile High Club party in August and looking for a gentle entry point to experience being tied, I’ll be offering short, one-on-one "Try-It" mini-sessions until 11pm. Whether you want a sensual taste of rope, a moment of grounded somatic connection, or just to test out what being tied feels like in a supportive environment, these bite-sized sessions are ideal.

Alright, I think that’s it for now. Reconnecting with this community is exactly what I need right now, and I can’t wait to see both familiar and new faces over the next few weeks.

With so much gratitude,

Ariana / “Urban Cowgirl”

P.S. If anyone knows any contacts who can help me build out my home rope room so it’s structurally sound, please reach out! I’ve got a fun idea but need help implementing it.

With so much gratitude,

Ariana

^{*I say it CAN be healing with a big grain of salt. Shibari or any kink practice CAN feel healing to someone — I personally have found it to be very healing at times — but I will never claim to be able to heal you with Shibari. I would be extremely cautious of anyone making healing claims unless they’re a licensed mental health clinician.}