Aerial Residency Mexico
Aerial Silks & Contortion Training Program
Winter 2022
Creative & Technical Development
Aerial Silks
Contortion
Flexibility
Dance
Handstands/Acrobatics
Act Creation
at Casa Chango Mexico
Course Program
10 week program – February 1-April 13
Come train with us.
Immerse yourself in training aerial silks, contortion, flexibility, dance, act creation, and handstands at our circus retreat center by the beach. Advance your skills, meet your goals, and develop yourself as an artist. Eat delicious, fresh food, practice Spanish, and absorb the tropical climate. Meals, accommodations, activities, and classes are all included.
Working from home? We have wifi!
Culture
Experience Mexican culture and beach life. You can learn Spanish too!
Creative Development
Explore the creative process and develop yourself as an aerial artist.
Physical Development
Advance your technical skills, strength & flexibility.
Nature
Swim, surf, hot springs, baby turtles, dolphins, bioluminescence, and more.
Immersion
Live in creative community. Work/study remotely. Eat better than ever!
Accommodations, meals, and classes
We have everything we need inside our Casa Chango Retreat & Training Center facility located 4 blocks from the beach. Accommodations options include a large shared house, private studio, or a 2 bedroom casita. Classes are held in our beautiful open air gym. All meals are included, and you will never eat so well as when you are here. There is plenty of time to relax, work/study remotely, and enjoy the swimming pool. Spanish classes anyone? We are never in a rush, and we have all the time we need to reach our goals.
aerial residency Mexico Winter 2022 aerial residency Mexico Winter 2022 aerial residency Mexico Winter 2022
COVID 19 – How we create a safe space
Read our complete COVID Policy here.
It is our first priority to make the residency program safe, fun and sustainable.
- As long as COVID is an issue, our residency program will continue to follow safety guidelines. Residents will be a pod and have limited interaction with the local community. Nature excursions, social distancing walks to/on the beach, trips to the river, and outings to local outdoor markets will be approved. We will stay away from local events, restaurants, bars, etc.
- Meals will be provided.
- Our gym and community areas are open air, so we have plenty of air flow, space and sunshine. We have the beach, the river, and a swimming pool!
- These rules will update according to scientific evidence of the state of the world at any given time.
Your responsibility before traveling to Casa Chango
- We ask EVERYONE to quarantine as best as possible for 1 week before your trip to Mexico. This means limiting your exposure to other people outside your household and being extra vigilant about wearing masks. This is to lessen the chances of bringing COVID on the airplane and to our community in Mexico and at Sweet Retreats.
- All participants are encouraged to get a COVID vaccine before coming to the fall residency.
- Each resident is required to bring at least 2 home antigen test sets (at least 4 tests total because each set has 2 tests) to residency. These help us identify whether or not a resident has covid if they show any symptoms of covid or if someone in the program tests positive. You can find at home antigen tests at most drug stores in the US or order then online.
New arrivals
- Upon arrival residents will go through a 1-2 week newbie period of social distancing quarantine from the rest of the residents and staff.
- During this time everyone must wear masks and keep 6 feet distance from each other at all times. This includes classes.
- Meals will be served in our outdoor eating area.
- During the first week, qtudents and teachers will be required to wear a mask during all classes.
- Residents sharing bathrooms will have t be diligent about wearing masks and staying distanced during the newbie period.
- Residents will test 5 days after arrival. When all tests come back negative, residents can integrate into a pod.
- If someone receives a positive test, our covid action plan will begin. The resident who receives the positive test will be cared for. If no symptoms occur, the resident must re-test a few days later. All covid tests will be at the expense of the resident. Everyone should come with some extra funds for covid testing just in case.
- Arrival dates. Everyone must arrive on specified date.
- We follow strict mask rules when leaving the complex. This is to protect ourselves and prevent spread in our local community.
- If any resident gets any symptoms that may be COVID, they will be required to take a test. You may be required to get more than one test.
- If you get COVID while on residency, we will take care of you, bring you food, liquids and medicines as needed. You will be required to isolate from the group. You may have to pay for a private accommodation for the duration of the time you are isolating (about 5-10 days).
- When in doubt, put on your mask, stay outdoors, and distanced.
- Read more about our COVID policy here.
During this residency, we will have classes for local children on 1-2 days per week taught by one or 2 of our resident teachers. Teachers and students will wear masks, but please note the local children will not be part of our COVID pod.
Aerials. My main driving force to get here—I knew without aerials I would struggle physically and mentally in lockdown. Kerri is the most amazing coach—She encourages everyone to live in their own body, and recognises the strengths and limitations of each person, with no judgement, and a clear focus of how to help you meet your goals. Teaching here is not one-size-fits-all: Kerri tailors training to the individual.
Sallie Chedburn – June 2020
I have already made so much progress in my aerial practice.
I feel confident in exploring new pathways and movements with my body.
I am developing a sense of musicality and performance.
I am starting to break bad habits.
I feel as though I am on the pathway to becoming an artist .
See what recent residents are saying about Residency
This will answer a lot of your questions.
4 minutes
Get a glimpse of the Residency Program
Warning: This will make you want to come.
Ryn’s Residency Testimonial
Quick summary!
1 minute
Sample Schedule
Subject to changes
During the Aerial Residency Mexico Program, open training is available whenever there are no other classes in session. The course program has 2 days off per week (Mondays and Tuesdays) for resting, open training and exploring! Approved excursions include local beaches, nature adventures, hot springs, bioluminescence lagoon, markets, and release baby turtles into the sea!
About the Contortion and Aerial Silks Residency Program
This program is a pre-professional 10 week intensive for students to explore their training in contemporary contortion or aerial silks as an art while incorporating dance and acrobatics.
Develop and create your own act with our talented team of circus visionaries or simply take training your hobby to the next level by exploring your bodies capabilities.
There are 2 program focuses offered, aerial silks and contortion. Each student will choose a primary focus of either contortion or aerial silks. All other classes including flexibility, dance, improvisation, handstands, acrobatics, and conditioning will be offered in both programs.
Since all residents will be living in community during this program, it is important that each participant has a willingness and desire to grow as a human. We encourage a daily self-reflection practice that can support your growth. Clear and kind communication is very important when living in community. We highly recommend reading the books on the suggested reading list. See below.
Click here to read FAQ’s (frequently asked questions with answers) about Contortion Residency.
Creative and Technical Development Course Program
10 week program – Feb 1-April 13
Technical classes include aerial silks/tissu/rope and dance trapeze w supplementary work on hoop/lyra, and sling.
Read more about our Aerial Teacher Training Program here.
Silks
Technical Development
Aerial Silks Program
Strong Beginner to High Intermediate Level
6 spots available
This program is a goal focused circus school style training program for recreational and professionally driven aerial students. We create a welcoming environment for people who want to dive into aerial training and achieve their goals. Students will learn and understand great technique build and link skills to make creative sequences, work toward goals, and take their training to the next level. Learn how to train safely and efficiently, make improvements, and take ownership of your aerial practice.
Aerial arts can be applied to any body type. Some bodies adapt to the physical challenges differently than others. This program supports all bodies to build strength and flexibility, and execute tricks with excellent technique for safe and effective training.
Daily group classes include aerial silks, flexibility, dance, handstands/acro and conditioning. Supplemental work on hammock, and straps will be included. Open gym training is also available.
Students can also book private lessons with instructors.
Sample Schedule
7-9:30am Self Serve Coffee, Tea and Breakfast
10-11am Flexibility Class
11-1pm Silks Class
1pm Lunch
4:30-5:30pm Dance/Improvisation Class
5:30-6:30pm Handstands, Acro, or Conditioning
7pm Dinner
Artistry
Creative Development
Combined Program Classes
Classes for students in both programs
Both the aerial silks and contortion programs are designed for people want to experience the creative process, develop and refine their personal style, create an act or personal sequence, and be challenged outside of the typical class structure.
Transform your technical skills, and develop yourself as an artist. Learn how to make tricks look different, unpredictable, and dynamic. Work on choreography, transitions, musicality, character, emotion, dynamics, personal style, and refinement. Best of all, enjoy yourself.
The course includes 2 group classes per week in artistic creative development.
In addition to your classes you will also be encouraged to do your own creative research.
The first part of the program will focus on creative tools, developing personal style, and fluidity, musicality, and improvisation. Act Development will be an optional focus of this course during the last part of the program.
Students will be invited to perform in our public shows and other video performance opportunities.
Contortion
Technical Development
Contortion Program
Strong Beginner to High Intermediate Level
6 spots available
This program is a goal focused circus school style contemporary contortion training program for recreational and professionally driven students. We create a welcoming environment for people who want to dive into contortion training and achieve their goals. Students will learn technique and skills, work on their own goals of skill, strength, and flexibility. Learn how to train safely and efficiently, make improvements, and take ownership of your contortion practice.
Contortion can be applied to any body type. Some bodies adapt to the physical challenges differently than others. This program supports all bodies to build strength and flexibility, and execute tricks with excellent technique for safe and effective training.
Daily group classes include a flexibility warm up, contortion, dance, handstands/acro and conditioning. Open gym training is also available.
AStudents can also book private lessons with instructors.
Sample Schedule
7-9:30am Self Serve Coffee, Tea and Breakfast
10-11am Flexibility Class
11-1pm Contortion Class
1pm Lunch
4:30-5:30pm Dance/Improvisation Class
5:30-6:30pm Handstands, Acro, or Conditioning
7pm Dinner
Course Program curriculum is a 5 day training week with 2 days off to rest and enjoy the beach and local culture.
As part of the program, each resident will be required to do 1-2 hours of community service per week including keeping the living, eating, and training areas clean.
Students in the 10 week program will complete a video project showing the work they created during the Contortion and Aerial Residency Programs. There will be a performance opportunity at the residency to show work.
If you want to experience enormous progression in your skills and start to become an aerial artist or contortionist, we highly recommend taking the full 10 week course program.
The course program is best suited for aerial and contortion students at the intermediate level wishing to advance their skills. You will leave the program with a better understanding of how to train to get results, create a unique act, develop your own training practice.
Click here to read FAQ’s (frequently asked questions with answers) specifically about Contortion Residency. It might be the perfect thing for you.
Suggested Reading:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
Start Where You Are by Pema Chodron
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
For Training
Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts by Emily Scherb
Taking Route to Fly by Irene Dowd
Cultivating a Satisfying Aerial Practice – article by Kerri Kresinski
Aerialist’s Guide to Achieving Physical & Creative Goals – article by Kerri Kresinski
Prerequisites for Silks Focus Residency
Each student should arrive with the ability to do all of the following:
- Climbs – Russian and French
- Bent arm hold (upper pull up hold) 10 seconds
- Straddle invert
- Inverted pencil hold
- Catchers lock
- Figure 8 foot wrap
- Aerial dance wrap
- Hip key
- Leg lock (also known as thigh hitch or torniquete)
Sweet Retreats is always an amazing experience- I’ve been to multiple retreats. I was part of the Fall 2020 Aerial Residency Program which was an amazing experience. I was very nervous about traveling given the pandemic but the COVID protocols Kerri and her team had in place made me feel very safe – social distance and mask wearing where constants the first few weeks. Once we were out of quarantine, we continued to wear masks whenever we left the property/went out into the world.
Sarah Hluchan – Arlington, VA 2020
The residency program was wonderful – the food was amazing, the people were great and the training was wonderful. All of the coaches are great at what they do and provide incredibly supportive classes. Kerri creates a great space for artistic growth and development – I produced a short film during my time there which was a huge achievement for me.
This program is now full.
Aerial Residency Mexico Program
About your teachers
Kerri Kresinski -Silks
Kerri is an aerialist, dancer, choreographer, and coach. She has been performing and teaching acrobatics, dance, and aerial arts for over 20 years. Her life’s work, as an artist and teacher, has been to develop and deepen her study of the body—physically, emotionally and spiritually. She has learned that anything is possible with patience, discipline and a positive attitude. She is truly a unique performer, engaging, thrilling, and moving audiences with her skills, style, and heart.
Kerri has always been the most passionate about movement. She started my dance lessons when she was 3 years old and over the next 25 years studied theater, acting, music, circus acrobatics and aerial arts. Her professional career as a multi-disciplinary performer brought her to shows and festivals all over the world. She feels that the body is the gateway to the higher powers for healing, transformation and expression.
Technique and physical strength didn’t come naturally to Kerri’s body, but her insatiable appetite for understanding the body helped her to figure it out. She has developed techniques using active flexibility, strength, and physics to work with physical movement and goals.
Kerri’s technical expertise comes from working with students of all ages, shapes, sizes, and challenges. She loves to figure out the best route for each individual, celebrating successes big and small. She has learned that anything is possible with patience, discipline, self-awareness, and a positive attitude.. Kerri’s knowledge of anatomy, physics, injury prevention, creative problem solving, and realistic goal setting makes her one of the most masterful coaches of her time.
Kerri teaches her students how to own their practice. Focusing on fundamental elements of technique, anatomy, and the physics of movement, her students learn how to train. Kerri goes beyond teaching skills and sequences. She teaches how to identify, alter, and create your own skills and sequences, and best of all how to fully embody the movement of each skill in the most satisfying way for the doer and the viewer. Technique, balance, stability, mobility, movement pathways, creativity, 360 degree movement, musicality, originality, intentional movement, elements of surprise and awe, and a deep connection to humanity is what you will get if you work with Kerri. She is truly one of a kind.
It is Kerri’s life’s purpose to support people in finding joy in their lives and make choices that serve them physically, emotionally, mentally, and energetically, to reduce stress and allow space to wake up all that is possible in this life. When we climb into our bodies with curiosity and joy, we cultivate self awareness that can open us up to creating a life that is better than we could have ever imagined.
You can find Kerri’s performance videos here and Circus Fit free online tutorial videos here. Find Kerri on Instagram @SweetCircusKerri.
Ash Rexford – Contortion
Ash is a clown, contortionist, dancer, and movement artist. Since 2012 Ash has been performing from theater stages to festivals stages, choreographing solos and ensembles, developing characters, designing and sewing costumes, directing, and traveling the world sharing her passion for performance. A natural on stage, Ash always dreamed of being a modern circus performer but never believed it was possible. In 2015 after 6 seasons with SLO Tease Burlesque, performing and choreographing circus acts for Suspended Motion Aerial Academy, and performances across the United States, Ash changed her career to pursue circus and performing arts full time with a focus on teaching and movement.
Ash’s instruction style focuses on safety so she can work with students in their bodies by setting clear expectations, creating SMART goals, and developing plans to meet them. As a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist Ash was able to dive into her passion for anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology in academia and apply it through therapeutics. The study of the human body formed the foundation of both her training and teaching, and much of her current instruction and training is still rooted in therapeutic principles. Although she was practicing yoga and dancing for years, Ash pivoted her focus toward training contortion in order to combine her love for creative expression through movement and flexibility. Using all of her education and experience to create a holistic approach to circus and contortion training Ash prides herself in the success of her students, regardless of level.
With a true love for movement, Ash’s teaching philosophy is that all humans have the right to move and move freely, without pain, judgement or expectation. Whether teaching a yoga class or a contortion class Ash believes that the true “secret” to flexibility lies in the conversation we have with our bodies. Her primary goal as an instructor is to teach students how to listen to their bodies. The more we listen the more we’re able to have a conversation of movement. By building vocabulary around movement and learning to have a conversation with their bodies, students develop a healthy relationship with movement and then flexibility comes naturally! The most important thing for Ash is that movement is accessible to anyone and everyone. Since her training philosophy is rooted in the freedom of movement, the true lesson in all of her classes is learning how to listen to and work with your body. Though she works to make movement and movement theory accessible, that doesn’t mean it will be easy, in fact she endeavours to kick your butt!
Currently teaching for the San Francisco Circus Center you can take Circus Stretch and Beginning Contortion classes or a quick Splits and Backbend class! Ash also leads a community yoga collective meeting weekday mornings, and is developing and teaching a new style of dance and movement she calls Slither. Slither fuses traditional and contemporary contortion with elements of fusion belly dance, popping and locking, and contemporary urban dance.
“Kerri imbues her classes with a really sweet combination of focused work, zany playfulness, and an earthy and body-positive sensuality. I walked away from my time as Kerri’s student more capable, skilled, and excited not just about aerial, but about the journey to reaching my goals. I typically have given myself a hard time about a number of things in life. Kerri is skilled and optimistic, is genuinely there for you, and 100% rooting for you. She knows the value of the hard or ugly work, but she knows how to do it in a way that is fun and full of compassion for yourself and your journey. I truly appreciate this woman and friend, and I now know that my time was a workshop on many levels.”
Elizabeth Ferretti – 2019
Tuition for Aerial Residency Mexico Course Program– February 1-April 13, 2022
For Strong Beginner to Strong Intermediate Level Aerial Silks and Contortion Students
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition. Listed in USD.
$1000 deposit is required to secure your spot.
10 week program – February 1-April 13
Prices listed are Early Bird Prices.
To get the early bird price, you must pay in full by October 1, 2021.
After October 1, the price increases by $300. Full tuition is due by December 15, 2021.
| Accommodation | 10 week program |
| Shared Room: 2-3 people | $5900 |
| Private Room w shared bathroom in shared house | $6550 |
| Private Room w shared bathroom in 2 bedroom casita/apartment | $7550 |
| Private room w private bathroom in shared house | $7550 |
| Private Cabana | $8000 |
| Deluxe Penthouse Apartment | $8500 |
Ask us about our significant other prices. Space is limited.
Prices for the Course Program include:
- Ground transportation to/from the Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM) to our accommodations*
- Accommodations
- Daily meals
- Breakfast – We stock the kitchen with breakfast essentials for you to make what you like.
- Lunch & Dinner (Wed-Mon)** – healthy, and delicious food is prepared for you to enjoy without having to cook.
- On Tuesdays (one of our rest days), residents can order take out, cook in their kitchens, or eat leftovers.
- Residents can purchase specific food/drink items from local shops or our home store.
- up to 16 weekly classes
- anatomy and injury prevention workshops
- Open Gym/Studio (when classes are not in session)
- Opportunity to create an act
- Photo and video shoots (w free access to photos and videos)
- Adventures to local beaches and nature excursions
- 24 hour use of Swimming Pool and wi-fi
- Opportunity to create video art projects
- Impromptu dance parties, pool parties, and hanging out with new friends.
*Airport transportation is available if you arrive/depart on designated days.
**Lunch and dinner are provided Wed-Mon. On Tuesdays, residents can order take out, eat leftovers, or cook for themselves.
Going on an aerial residency at Sweet Retreats is one of best decisions I’ve ever made. The weather is perfect, the location beautiful and the training is absolutely top notch. But it’s the atmosphere, friendships, jokes and community that essentially make Sweet Retreats a summer camp for adults. Apart from that, it should be mentioned that Kerri, Stu and Erin create the sort of experience you get in a 5 star resort. It’s incredibly organized and well managed. Everything is taken care of, and I cannot remember the last time life was so stress-free.
Nora McFarland, 2021
The gym and conditioning palapa are beautiful, a really special place to train.
Extras:
- Spanish Classes – daily and weekly packages available
- Massage and Acupuncture – $25-$60/hour
- Various nature excursions – $20-$80
- Surfing – packages available
Work for a discount
Work Discount Positions and/or apprenticeships may be available. If you have skills in photography, social media, management, food prep, cleaning, customer service, you may be eligible for a work position for a discount on your residency tuition. Please email us at SweetRetreatsdr@gmail.com for more info.
The residency program at Sweet Retreats has given me dear new friends and many fond memories. I have learned so much from the coaches and felt supported and seen. Sweet Retreats offers more than just a training opportunity, it is a community and a family. I couldn’t recommend it more.
Erin Bratkovich – 2021
Professional Artist Residency
If you are a professional and wish to come for the Aerial Artist Residency to develop your own work, you can read more about that here.
Please email us at SweetRetreatsdr@gmail.com for information.
Minimum 1 month stay is required.
This aerial residency Mexico is limited to 12 participants.
Upcoming Residency Programs
- Fall 2022 and beyond…
- Aerial Retreats, Residencies, & Teacher Training Programs
Links for more information
- Accommodations
- Meals and Food
- Travel info – our advice on booking your travel
- COVID Policy
- Testimonials
- Internet Quirks (for people planning to work/study online)
- Weather in Puerto Escondido
- Excursions
- FAQ’s about Contortion Residency
Aerial Residency Mexico Fall 2021 Aerial Residency Mexico Fall 2021 aerial residency Mexico Fall 2021 aerial residency Mexico Fall 2021
Kerri’s aerial artistry workshop was soooooo rewarding! Kerri creates a welcoming, encouraging environment just by being herself, and in turn I was able to let myself be more free, more silly, more open, more EVERYTHING. Just MORE.
Angela Jackson – Halifax, NS. 2017