Larger Than Lithe Aerialists Retreat
Silks, Lyra, Sling
with teachers
Mackenzie Dunn
Ginger Snaps
Mexico
January 23-30, 2023
Space is limited. Sign up now.
We have 2 half scholarships available for a person who identifies as BIPOC and/or LGTBQ.
Applications due by Oct 1, 2023. Apply here.
a WEEK in PARADISE
Larger Than Lithe Aerialists Retreat with new friends, the beach, delicious, fresh, local food, and aerial training and play.
Larger Than Lithe Aerialists Retreat is a retreat just for us! It can be a difficult and sometimes lonely journey with aerial arts when your body doesn’t look or work quite the way that most aerialists are shown, or when our bodies need different pathways and methods. At this retreat we will be in the spotlight! Classes will focus on making skills accessible, learning how to adapt for your specific needs, and help you on your way to being the best badass aerialist you can be! All classes will be taught by teachers who have been aerialists in plus-sized bodies! All non-aerial retreat activities will be inclusive of all bodies. It’s time to celebrate yourself!
Larger Than Lithe Aerialists Retreat is for people who identify as identify as larger than lithe or plus-size.
Larger Than Lithe Aerialists Retreat will have 2 daily classes.
Morning classes will be as follows:
Alternatives to Classic Lyra Moves – Lyra Classroom A
Pre req: beginner / intermediate (can be adapted to each student)
This class will focus on alternates and modifications to classic lyra moves and entrances *other than* under-bar entrances. We will cover side entrances and variations on side entrances, using momentum to smoothly roll into the hoop, entering via straddleback, and additional alternatives such as dragonfly / amazon from the ground.
Finding Your Groove on Silks/Sling – Classroom B
Pre reqs: At least introductory level work in silks OR sling. Must be familiar with (not required to be proficient with) mechanics of French and/or Russian climbs, footlocks, supported inverts on a sling.
Silks made just for you! Classes will offer modifications, props, supportive spotting and work arounds to get you farther in your silks journey than you thought possible! Classes will be multi-level; a core concept will be taught each day with options and variations for beginners through intermediates.
The rest of our time can be spent eating amazing, healthy food, swimming in the warm river and ocean, reading in hammocks, and breathing the tropical air.
Afternoon session will be different each day. Afternoon classes may include open gym for aerial jams, non-aerial classes including stretching, pilates, etc. and more aerial!
Class topics may include any of the following:
Choreography: (no pre-reqs) The math behind the music and how to outline a song:
This class is all about choreography from picking your song to understanding the song structure, outlining your song for ease of choreography, and dynamics. The focuses will be on how to get that musicality in your piece as well as theatricality and making sure you have “breaks” for yourself that are still engaging to the audience.
Dance Lyra: (Should have a beginner level of lyra experience and be comfortable moving in and out of it un-spotted. Experience with spins is also a plus!)
The hoop is not just our apparatus but also our dance partner! This class will explore how we interact with our lyra as another character in our piece. We will focus on ground to air work, smooth transitons and flows, and how to move the hoop around our body without getting smacked!
Spin Party!: (pre-reqs – best for experienced beginner to intermediate lyra folks. There will be lots of spinning so comfort with basic spinning is a must!)
This class is all about the different ways we can bring spin and movement into our acts! We will cover basic spins as well as how to elevate them and transition them into other spins and poses. For those looking for a challenge Ginger will share the steps to get into her infamous ginger-spin and rib-balance! Leather dance shoes are recommended for foot protection during the spins.
Functional flexibility and mobility
Active flexibility and mobility work that takes into account body shapes and limitations.
Tools for modifications on fabrics
Many times skills we could actually do feel inaccessible when we don’t have the skills to create modifications on the fly. This class helps you to know what to look for, how to think about changing it up, and what tools may be at your disposal to nail that trick or find an alternate pathway into a nemesis skill! Take handouts back to your studio to share!
Finding flow on Fabrics – transitions and sequencing –
Making aerial look good often isn’t about the tricks but it’s in the transitions and the flow. Learn how to stack skills and remove some of the awkward when moving from one to the other to up your aerial game in a big way!
Conquering inversions – Theory and conditioning to get upside down.
This class will take you through the nitty gritty of what needs to happen with muscles and body positioning to get upside down. Starting with anatomical discussion, class will move into conditioning drills and modifications to start you on your path to upside down success. We will not be killing Vecna, however.
Forging a path: Discussions of Studio Experiences
This discussion based workshop will give you materials and tools to help you find your own path as an aerialist even if your current studio doesn’t have a good fit for you. Also includes a roundtable discussion to share experiences and tips. Materials may be shared with your home studio too!
Evening Activities May Include:
Cocktail party/fancy dress
Nature or boat excursion
Shopping/dinner in town
Beach
Photoshoot
Game and craft night
Movie night (aerial or circus related?)
Show and tell – show off your favorite performance or videos
All Levels of larger bodies WELCOME!
Students must identify as larger than lithe or plus-size. Anyone who wears an XS, S, M or L in most clothing is probably not qualified.
Please reach out to Mackenzie directly with questions at fly@swingstateaerial.com.
Space is limited. Sign up now.
Sample of daily schedule
(choose as many or few classes/activities as you like)
8-9:30am Coffee, Tea and Breakfast
9:30-12:30 Beginning Aerial Skills
1pm Lunch
1-5pm Pool-time, siesta, relaxing
4pm afternoon snack and ice coffee
5-6:30pm Beg/Intermediate Aerial Skills
7pm Dinner
8-10pm Evening Activities
We will take you to our favorite beach for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and releasing baby turtles into the sea.
Space is limited, so sign up now!
About your Coaches
Mackenzie was bitten by the dance bug nearly at birth – first ballet and tap, then exploring modern dance, tumbling, musical theatre, and clowning. This passion led to studies in Dance at Macalester College and Iowa State University. One day during a dance class after moving to Madison, she wondered how she could learn to fly on the trapezes looped to the studio ceiling, and when she started trapeze with Wild Rumpus Circus a few months later, a circus love was born.
Quickly expanding her studies into silks, rope, pole, and custom apparatuses, Mackenzie soon began choreographing and producing shows, beginning with the 2013 Chiaroscuro Student Showcase with Cycropia Aerial Dance. She also began assistant teaching with Wild Rumpus Circus and fell in love all over again, now with the joy of new students taking first flight. When Madison Circus Space opened, she jumped right in, creating, directing, producing, and/or choreographing in shows like Skeleton Circus, Circus After Dark, and Circus on TV. In 2016 she began teaching aerial silks, eventually adding trapeze and sling. Mackenzie specializes in helping students with all different shapes and sizes become fabulous aerialists in a supportive and fun environment.
Connect with Swing State:
fly@swingstateaerial.com
swingstateaerial.com
Instagram
Facebook
Facebook Group
Ginger Snaps, The Tastiest Tease in Texas, is an award-winning burlesque performer, aerialist, and producer from Austin, TX. Voted Austin’s “Best Burlesque Performer” by the 2016 – 2021 Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll, she is renowned for her unique approach to burlesque and aerial performance infusions. Ginger has been seen on stages and screens across the globe including on America’s Got Talent, Das Supertalent in Germany, performing at the illustrious Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender in Las Vegas, and numerous viral social media videos and articles.
She is the Performance Manager for Sky Candy (aerial / circus school), the founder of Legislate THIS – a series of burlesque fundraiser shows for Planned Parenthood, as well as the founder and lead producer of the Buxom Blaze Festival – the world’s first plus size burlesque, drag, and variety fest. Ginger clearly doesn’t sleep a whole lot, but finds great enjoyment in cats, circus, glitter, fighting the patriarchy, and bizarre productions. Follow her shenanigans on various platforms at @gingersnapsburlesque!
Learn more or follow this high flying weirdo at:
www.facebook.com/gingersnapsburlesque
www.instagram.com/gingersnapsburlesque
Tiktok: @gingersnapsburlesque
http://gingersnapsburlesque.com
Rates for Larger Than Lithe Aerialists Retreat
Click here for room descriptions.
Rates are listed in USD. A $500 deposit is required to save your spot. Payment is due in full by December 15, 2022. To get the early bird discounted price, you must pay in full by October 1, 2022.
| Room | Early Bird Price until | Full Price |
| Dorm (up to 4 people – mixed gender) | $1900 | $2200 |
| Private room w shared bathroom | $2300 | $2600 |
| Private room w private bathroom | $2600 | $2900 |
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition.
Couples/SO’s are welcome at an additional price.
We have one scholarship available for a person who identifies as BIPOC and/or LGTBQ.
Applications due by. Apply here.
Prices for Larger Than Lithe Aerialists Retreat include:
- Ground transportation to/from the Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM) to our accommodations*
- Accommodations for the duration of the retreat
- Daily meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, & snacks/smoothies!
- 2 Daily classes (3-4 hours total/day)
- Photo shoot
- Evening Activities
- Trip to baby turtle release!
- 24 hour use of Swimming Pool, wi-fi, and Community Space
- Homemade chocolates, popsicles, and other treats
- COVID safety compliance
Space is limited. Sign up now.
Links for more information:
- Accommodations – room descriptions
- Meals and Food
- How to get here. Info and advice on booking your travel
- COVID Policy
- Weather in Puerto Escondido
- Testimonials
- Excursions
Discounts
- Sign up early to get the Early Bird Discount
- Refer a friend and get a $100 referral discount.*
- Sign up on our mailing list to find out about more discounts.
Questions? Email us at SweetRetreatsDR@gmail.com.
*Food service begins with lunch on , and ends with breakfast on . The food is amazing!
** Arrive on . Depart on . Your taxi to/from the PXM airport is included if you arrive/depart on designated days. Click here for info about getting to Puerto Escondido.
**Referrals must be first time retreaters and not already have had communication or a relationship with Sweet Retreats.
Note about COVID 19
It is our first priority to make this retreat safe, fun and sustainable, and create a safe get-a-way for people to feel healthy and active during this time.
We have been running our programs throughout the entire pandemic, and we have established a safe and effective policy for safety without sacrificing fun.
Read more about out COVID Policy here.
Your responsibility before traveling to Casa Chango
- We ask everyone to quarantine as carefully as possible for 1 week before your trip to Mexico. This is to lessen the chances of bringing COVID or any other illness on the airplane and to our community in Mexico and at Sweet Retreats.
- Each participant is required to bring at least 1 home antigen test set (each set has 2 tests) to retreat. These help us identify whether or not a participant has covid if they show any symptoms of covid or if someone else tests positive. You can find at home antigen tests at most drug stores in the US or order then online.
- All participants are encouraged to get a COVID VACCINE before coming to this retreat.
- We may require each person to get a PCR test the day before traveling to Casa Chango.
Upon arrival
- During COVID times, our guests and teachers will be a pod and have limited interaction with the local community. We will take nature excursions, beach, river, and outings to local markets.
- Each participant is required to bring at least 2 home antigen tests to the retreat. These help us identify whether or not a participant has covid if they show any symptoms of covid or if someone else tests positive. You can find at home antigen tests at most drug stores in the US or order then online.
- Participants might be able to attend the retreat unmasked depending on the current state of global and local health.
- If a retreater begins to experience symptoms of COVID before or during the retreat, they will be required to get tested immediately and isolate from the group. If this occurs, extra financial investment may incur at the resident’s expense for isolation housing, medical, and/or transportation expenses. Sweet Retreats is not financially responsible for paying for alternative housing or medical expenses. We recommend research on travel and health insurance to help cover costs if that becomes necessary. Sweet Retreats staff will do everything in our power to take care of any sick participant.
- Once the retreat is over, all retreat services will end and participants will be on their own. If anyone tests positive and cannot travel back to their home country, they can book accommodations locally. We will provide them with our contacts for doctors and food services, but we will not be able to continue caring for the individual We encourage all participants to be prepared with funds, research, and a back up plan just in case they get delayed and/or sick after the retreat is over.
- These rules will update according to scientific evidence at any given time. Any participant who breaks this agreement during the retreat will be asked to leave with no refund.
Note: You may be required to get a COVID test before returning to your home country. We will schedule those tests for you, but participants must pay for their test ($40-$100 US). It is your responsibility to research your home country’s test requirements and request the appropriate test.
If a participant tests positive on their covid test at the end of the retreat, it is their responsibility to find housing once the retreat is over. Sweet Retreats cannot accommodate any retreater once the retreat has ended.