Circus Residency Mexico
Aerial Intensive Summer 2023
at Casa Chango Mexico
Creative & Technical Development
Aerial Silks
Lyra / Aerial Hoop
Sling or Dance Trapeze
Flexibility Training
Dance & Floor Work
Handstands/Acrobatics
Creative Research/Artistry
Act Creation
Injury Prevention
Course Program – Aerial Intensive Summer 2023
8 week program – June 1-July 29 – One Spot Left!
4 week programs
June 1-29 – 3 Spots Left
July 1-29 – Sold Out
If you are a professional artist wishing to use the space for your own creative projects, click here.
Immerse yourself in training aerial silks, lyra, sling, dance trapeze, flexibility, dance, act creation, floor work, acrobatics, 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 in this Aerial Intensive Summer 2023 Circus Residency Mexico.
Working/studying remotely? We have Starlink 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 Circus Arts Farm located along a river and 1 mile from the beach. Accommodations options include shared dorm or private room. Classes are held in our beautiful open air gym. Meals are included, and you will eat better than ever while you are here. There is plenty of time to relax, work/study remotely, and enjoy the swimming pool at this Aerial Intensive Summer 2023.
Spanish classes anyone?
We are never in a rush, and we have all the time we need to reach our goals.
circus residency Mexico Summer 2023 circus residency Mexico Summer 2023 circus residency Mexico Summer 2023 circus residency Mexico Summer 2023
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 people are saying about Residency
I cannot say enough how incredible my time at Sweet Retreats was! The training was exceptional, the community inclusive and supportive, the food delicious, and of course the settings were beautiful. The residency program changed my life and I am forever grateful.
Lily Rubin-Miller 2022
Sample Schedule
Subject to changes
Session 1
June 1-29
Session 2
July 1-29
Classes for Aerial Intensive Summer 2023
Aerial classes will be focused on skills, technique, conditioning, and creative research. Each session includes 2 aerial apparatuses, and we encourage students to practice both. During Session 1 aerial apparatuses will include Lyra and Silks. During Session 2, classes apparatuses will include Dance Trapeze and Silks. Both sessions will include classes in flexibility, dance/floor work, handstands, and injury prevention.
Throughout the Circus 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! Excursions include local beaches, nature adventures, hot springs, bioluminescence lagoon, markets, and release baby turtles into the sea!
Circus professionals are also invited to join our residency to use the space for open training for further development of technical and creative skills. Email us for more information about options for professional artists.
About the Aerial Intensive Summer 2023 Circus Residency Program
This program is a pre-professional 4-8 week intensive for students to focus their training in a disciplined, yet supportive, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment. Each student will have the opportunity to train on lyra, sling, dance trapeze, and aerial silks. Other classes include flexibility, dance, improvisation, handstands, acrobatics, artistry, conditioning, and injury prevention.
Students have the option to develop and create their own act with our talented team of circus coaches or focus on exploring their body’s capabilities and the creative process. Not all students will be required to make an act.
It is our priority to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all aerial students. 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, clear and kind communication, and the willingness to take kind feedback from others. We highly recommend reading the books on the suggested reading list. See below.
Technical Development
Strong Beginner to High Intermediate Level
The technical program is a goal focused, circus school style training program for recreational and professional track aerial students. We create a welcoming environment for people who want to dive into aerial training and make strong progress toward their goals. Students will learn and understand great technique, build and link skills to make creative sequences, work toward physical goals, and take their training to the next level. Students will learn how to train safely and efficiently, make improvements, and take ownership of their aerial practice.
Aerial arts can be applied to any body type. This program supports all bodies to build strength and flexibility, and execute tricks with excellent technique for safe and effective training. We encourage students to move at their own pace and listen to their bodies.
Morning group classes include warming up with flexibility, Pilates, dance, and fundamentals followed by aerial classes focusing on technique, skills and creative sequencing. Students have the opportunity to practice all 3 apparatuses, Lyra, Silks, & Dance Trapeze, during the program.
Open gym training is available daily.
Students with specific and/or professional goals can book private lessons with instructors or apply for our Aerial Mentorship Program.
Elective Classes
Floor work, Dance, Choreography, Handstands, Pilates, Acrobatics, Artistry
All of our programs are designed for people want to explore the technical and creative process, develop and refine their personal style, create an act or personal sequence, and be challenged outside of the typical class structure.
Morning classes will be focused on proper warm ups, flexibility, Pilates, pre-hab, and fundamentals followed by aerial class on the chosen primary focus-either aerial silks or lyra.
Afternoon elective classes will include dance, floor work, handstands, restorative stretching, Pilates and acrobatics. Students can choose their afternoon electives according to their goals, interests, and teacher recommendations.
Open gym training is available daily.
The afternoon elective classes are designed to give students a well-rounded & safe understanding of how to make the most of their training & potential. Floor work, dance, handstands, and acrobatics provide an important foundation for aerial work as well as cross training for injury prevention. Focus will be on balancing the use of muscle groups, injury prevention, freedom of expression, play, exploring and developing new movement pathways and supporting each student to fully understand and connect with their bodies.
Creative Development
Creative Exploration &
Act Development
The creative development class program is designed for people who want to experience the creative process, develop their personal style, create a personalized sequence, and be challenged outside of the typical class structure.
Students will learn to transform their technical skills, and work creatively, learning how to make tricks look different, unpredictable, and dynamic. Focus will be on choreography, transitions, musicality, character, emotion, dynamics, personal style, and refinement.
The course includes 2 group classes per week. Students will regularly share their work to receive support and feedback from the group. We create a culture of inclusion and curiosity and encourage students to explore and lean into their creative ideas and develop their personal movement style. Judgement and shaming are never tolerated.
In addition to classes students will be encouraged to do their own creative research.
The first part of the program will focus on creative tools. Act development will be an optional focus during the second part of the program.
Students will be invited to perform in our public shows and video opportunities.
Our main goal is for each student to experience a deeper connection with and understanding of their body, ownership and embodiment of their skills, and a safe space for personal expression. Students are encouraged to listen to their bodies, ask questions, and enjoy themselves and the process.
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, helping with the local kids program, and/or planting trees.
This program is split into 2 sessions. Session is June 1-29. Session 2 is July 1-29. During Session 1, classes will be focused on skills, technique, conditioning, and creative research on several apparatuses. During Session 2, students will choose a primary apparatus to focus on improving their skills, working with longer sequences, choreography and creative work on that apparatus. Both sessions will include classes in flexibility, dance/floor work, handstands, and injury prevention.
Students in the 8 week program will have the opportunity to show their work in a public show at the end of the residency as well as complete a video project.
The course program is best suited for aerial students at the intermediate level wishing to advance their skills. Strong beginners are also welcome. See prerequisites below. Students will leave the program with a better understanding of how to train to get results, create a unique act or explore creatively, and develop their own training practice.
Aerial Teacher Training Mentorship
If you are wishing to develop yourself as an aerial teacher, you may have the option to add an aerial teaching mentorship to your program. This includes weekly private or small group classes with coaching and mentoring toward your teaching goals. In addition to the regular course program classes, you will be required to do several hours per week of research, development, and teaching practice under the guidance of your coach(es). Aerial Teacher Training Mentorship requires a virtual audition, interview, a minimum time commitment, and an additional fee. Click here for more information.
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
Listen to podcast about Mastery vs. Success: a conversation between Brené Brown and Dr. Sarah Lewis
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
General Prerequisites
(If you are a total beginner, don’t worry. Please contact us for options.)
- Climb up silks – Russian and French
- Bent arm hold (upper pull up hold) 10 seconds
- Straddle invert from bent arms and/or ability to invert in sling without touching the floor
- Knee hang (trapeze/lyra)
- Front Balance (trapeze/lyra)
- Back Balance (trapeze/lyra)
- Catchers lock (silks)
- Aerial dance wrap (silks)
- Hip key (silks)
Prerequisites for Lyra Focus
(If you are a total beginner, don’t worry. Please contact us for options.)
- Invert – straddle and/or tuck
- Knee hang
- Front hip hang to sit
- Sitting to front hip hang
- Front balance
- Back balance
- Sit to stand on bottom bar
Prerequisites for Silks Focus
(If you are a total beginner, don’t worry. Please contact us for options.)
- 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
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.
Circus Residency Mexico Program
“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
Circus Residency Mexico
About your teachers
Kerri Kresinski -Silks, Handstands, Creative Research, Dance
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.
Caitlin Wallace – Dance Trapeze, Active Flexibility, Creative Research
Caitlin (she/they) took her first aerial class in January 2014 after spending 13 years playing competitive fastpitch softball. Aerial arts quickly became an obsession, leading her to seek professional training
opportunities to expand her skill and repertoire.
From 2016-2019 she participated in the ProTrack Program at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), majoring in dance trapeze and minoring in injury-prevention-based flexibility. During her time at NECCA she explored a variety of circus disciplines including cyr wheel, handstands, partner acrobatics, aerial fabric (silks), and corde lisse (rope). As a trapeze artist she is driven by improvisation and strives to
move with authenticity while traveling amongst multiple levels of her apparatus.
Caitlin completed aerial teacher trainings in both trapeze and fabric through Paper Doll Militia. As a coach she focuses on building and refining foundational technique, while encouraging exploration and creative play to draw out the unique styles of her students. She is passionate about inventing new skills and progressions to make her classes exciting, accessible, and fresh. Her approach to flexibility focuses
on increasing stability and strength to improve control through full ranges of motion.
She has worked with a variety of students, ranging from beginners to pre-professional artists. Her favorite part about coaching is connecting with her students, watching them progress over time, and helping them improve confidence and empowerment.
Caitlin currently resides in Spokane, Washington where she attends Eastern Washington University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Her long-term goal is to help circus and performing artists of all levels achieve and maintain their best performance through specialized injury prevention and rehabilitation services.
Amanda Ritchie – Lyra, Conditioning, Creative Research
Amanda began performing at three years old. By the age of seven she starred in a local South Florida children’s show, KidZone. Her passion for performing blossomed and before she attended high school she was offered the opportunity to study with the Joffrey Ballet School on scholarship.
During her academic schooling, Amanda worked full time performing with the Ft. Lauderale Ballet Classique. But after graduation, her desire to travel the world led her to run away with the circus as a headlining aerialist/dancer with shows such as: Dezire, Cirque on Ice and Four Spirit of the Elements.
In 2009 until May 2015 she made the bright lights of Vegas her home performing with Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity and Michael Jackson ONE. Amanda now lives in Los Angeles, California where she teaches her craft to all ages and all walks of life. In 2020 Grounded in Flight, Amanda’s aerial company and studio, was born.
Kerri is hands-down the best aerials instructor I’ve ever had. In our retreat, we had some students with 3 months of experience and some 7 years, and somehow she gave us all personalized attention and narrowed in immediately in each of our needs. She has an unparalleled knowledge of the human body and how to create a safe, sustainable aerials practice. Whether you are just getting started, or having been practicing for years, Kerri helps take your practice to the next level and teaches wrap theory in a way that makes learning new moves at any studio more feasible. All her classes are energetic and fun, often featuring easy cardio dance routines that double as specific muscle warmups. After working with Kerri in one residency, I was so hooked I came back for a second. She is a one-in-a-million teacher, who really lives eats and breathes her craft, and it shows!
Sophie Sandweiss, 2022
Work-Trade / Partial Scholarships
We have one work-trade partial scholarship available for the 8 week residency. If you are interested, apply here.
Tuition for Circus Residency Mexico Course Program
For Strong Beginner to Strong Intermediate Level Aerial Silks & Lyra Students
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition. Listed in USD.
$1000 deposit is required to secure your spot.
8 week program – June 1-July 29
4 week programs – June 1-29 & July 1-29
Prices listed are Early Bird Prices.
To get the early bird price, you must pay in full by February 15, 2023.
After February 1, the price increases by $300. Full tuition is due by April 15, 2023.
| Accommodation | 4 week program | 8 week program (recommended) |
| Shared Dorm (gender mixed) | $4000 | $6000 |
| Private Room w shared bathroom | $4600 | $6700 |
| Private room w private bathroom | $5100 | $7400 |
| Private room w private bathroom & air conditioning | n/a | $8200 |
All shared rooms and bathrooms are gender mixed.
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 explore local restaurants, order pizza, or eat leftovers.
- Residents can purchase specific food/drink items from local shops or our home store.
- up to 18 weekly classes
- anatomy and injury prevention workshops
- Open Gym/Studio (when classes are not in session)
- Opportunity to create an act
- Aerial photo shoot (w free access to up to 25 photos)
- Video Shoot (10 week program only)
- Opportunity to perform in our live public show (10 week program only)
- Adventures to local beaches and nature excursions
- 24 hour use of Swimming Pool and wi-fi
- Opportunity to create solo and group projects
- Impromptu dance parties, pool parties, and hanging out with new friends.
*Airport transportation is available if you arrive/depart on designated days.
Work-Trade / Partial Scholarships
We have one work-trade partial scholarship available for the 8 week residency. If you are interested, apply here.
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
- Various nature excursions
- Surfing – packages available
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
If you are a professional aerialist and/or circus artist and wish to come for the Circus 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 circus residency Mexico is limited to 16 participants.
Upcoming Programs
- Circus Residency Fall 2023
- Aerial Retreats, Residencies, & Teacher Training Mentorship Programs
Read more about our Aerial Teacher/Performer Mentorship Program here.
Links for more information
- Accommodations
- Meals and Food
- Travel info – our advice on booking your travel
- Internet Quirks
- COVID Policy
- Testimonials
- Weather in Puerto Escondido
- Excursions
Questions? Email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com.
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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
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.
- 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 or any other illness on the airplane and to our community in Mexico and at Sweet Retreats.
- Participants are encouraged but not required to get a COVID vaccine.
- 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.
New arrivals
- Upon arrival residents will go through a 1 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 and meals.
- 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 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 sick 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 on-site classes for local children and adults taught by our resident teachers.