PLÉ in Paradise
(pronounced Play)
Acrobatics & Aerial Retreat
with Master Teacher Jim Donak & Kerri Kresinski
April 23-30, 2023
Casa Chango Mexico
a WEEK in beautiful Mexico in this PLÉ in Paradise Retreat with new friends, the beach, delicious, fresh, local food, and loads of learning and PLÉ (pronounced PLAY).
This retreat is for all who enjoy exploring their movement potential. It is open to all skill levels from beginner to advanced regardless of your area of interest. Come play in a tropical paradise and learn to move better than you ever have before.
The goal of this retreat is to learn ways to exercise and train in safe sustainable ways that maximize results. You will grow beyond your physical limitations through fun, creative challenges that safely nurture mindful integration of strength, flexibility, stability, and adaptability. Exercises will be customized to appropriately match all fitness levels.
Class times will be split between morning skill application (aerial or ground) and afternoon body awareness/conditioning. During skill application not only will you develop your technique you will learn to identify which physical limitations most impede you. During general conditioning you will do exercises that will help you to eliminate these limits.
EVERYONE is welcome!
Each day at PLÉ in Paradise Retreat will begin with a delicious breakfast.
The morning classes will be focused on skill development with your choice of aerial and/or ground based (e.g., handstands, tumbling, walkovers/limbers, partner balancing, general movement proficiency) applications. The aerial classes will include aerial conditioning and creative research on silks, lyra, sling, and trapeze.
After lunch some days will have a special early afternoon class such as Pool PLÉ, Acro yoga or Vestibular Balance and Stability games.
The late afternoon class will be PLE Foundations, with the focus being on improving overall flexibility, strength, and stability.
Evening activities may include acro yoga, partner stretching, hanging out and geeking out about anatomy and training science etc.
The rest of your time can be spent eating amazing, healthy food, swimming in the warm ocean, reading in hammocks, and breathing the tropical air. There will be free time for your personal practice as well as time to explore local markets and beaches as well as the local night life.
Note: The aerial classes on this retreat are designed for aerial students who are within a strong beginner to high intermediate level, and are not appropriate for total beginners of aerial skills. If you would like to join the aerial classes in this retreat, consider taking some aerial classes at your home studio for a few months before this retreat.
Practice moving INTELLIGENTLY! What is PLÉ ?
PLE (Physical Limitation Elimination) is a way of approaching somatic learning that can benefit everyone of all fitness levels, from all disciplines. PLE is for everyone who wants to learn to exercise more intelligently and improve their physical abilities. Akin the physical therapy for athletic development, PLE incorporates aspects of Orthopedics, Osteopathy, Neuromuscular Reeducation, mental training, Alexander Technique, Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga, calisthenics, and current scientific research to assess and address an individual’s limitation. Regardless of if you are rehabbing, prehabbing, maintaining or developing, PLE will be able to design effective progressions which best suit your needs.
Using suspension training, partner work, balance games, core exercises, movement puzzles and much more you will discover your limitations and learn safe and appropriate ways to challenge and move beyond them. You will sweat and laugh as you develop greater body awareness and nurture the ability to fine-tune movement precision.
Jim has a vast understanding of and experience with all things circus/fitness/physical possibilities. Jim is also able to artfully explain, in a way you can understand, the specifics of how and why he gives the feedback he gives. These traits combined make him the ideal teacher!
Sample of daily schedule
(choose as many or few classes/activities as you like)
7-8am Tea and Coffee
8-9:30am Breakfast
9:30am-11am Elective – Aerial or Acrobatics
11:15-12:45pm Elective – Aerial or Acrobatics
1pm Lunch
1-4:30pm Free time
4:30-6:30pm Conditioning with PLÉ
7pm Dinner
8-10pm Evening Activities
Morning elective classes are students’ choice. Students can take 2 aerial classes, 2 acrobatics classes, or one of each.
*Acrobatics includes handstands, tumbling, walkovers/limbers, partner balancing, general movement proficiency
I’ve attended Jim’s PLÉ in Paradise retreat twice and recommend it highly for anyone, regardless of ability level, who is interested in exploring and expanding the limits of their strength and flexibility. Using a variety of props and approaches, Jim has an uncanny ability to safely challenge both elite athletes and total beginners. One of the most delightful aspects of PLÉ in Paradise for me has been watching a disparate group of PLE enthusiasts (I was the only non-contortionist the first year I attended) transform over the course of the week into a supportive team, cheering on one another’s accomplishments.
Marianne Cleary, 2018
PLÉ is held at Sweet Retreats in Oaxaca, Mexico. The hosts, Kerri and her husband Stuart, couldn’t be more supportive and welcoming. Kerri is an amazing aerialist, and Stuart is an accomplished chef and photographer. This year PLÉ in Paradise will be held at Kerri and Stuart’s new retreat center, and I can’t wait to see what they have created!
About your Teacher
For over 50 years Jim has been studying and teaching movement and poise. He has been teaching movement and circus arts since the early 80’s. He maintains a private practice focusing on physical skill development, neuromusculoskeletal healing through the integration of Asian manual therapies, orthopedic and osteopathic bodywork, and rehabilitation exercises. He can also be found teaching related workshops and continuing education seminars to movers, healers, and teachers from a variety of disciplines. Find him at divingbuddah.com.
Space is limited!
Classes/ Activities may include:
PLE Foundations (Flexibility, Strength and Stability )
Aerial Conditioning
Aerial Skills & Creative Research
Handstands
Bending Backwards (walkovers and limbers)
Tumbling
Partner Acrobatics
Pool PLÉ
Vestibular, Balance, & Stability Games
Healthy, Happy Wrists
Neck Fitness
Spine, Abs, Core, and more
Partner Massage/Stretching
Training Science (Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology)Rehabilitative Therapy
Jim and Kerri offer a deep wellspring of knowledge about physical training and performance, blending well researched and time-tested self-care and physical therapy techniques with rigorous physical training in a warm and supportive environment that encourages participants to push past their limits and exceed their expectations. Moreover, the knowledge one learns at PLE in Paradise can easily be integrated into everyday training routines as participants continue to pursue their goals after the retreat is over. In short, PLE in Paradise is a brilliant mix of sun, fun, and serious physical training presented in a highly enjoyable and accessible manner.
Phoenix Paz 2018
Located in stunning Oaxaca, Mexico, Casa Chango is a home away from home. Kerri cares deeply for all the guests in her home and works hard to make them comfortable, providing delicious, healthy meals, and moral and emotional support as participants learn new skills and overcome previous challenges in their training. Jim is a highly knowledgeable, communicative, and supportive instructor and coach who works with students to identify key areas that present difficulties in their training and develops personalized routines to overcome them. Not only does he offer physical exercises and self-care routines but also explains the theory behind each so that the student has a deeper understanding of their body and of how to continue developing their training as their skills sets grow. I cannot say enough how much I respect and admire Jim’s attention to detail and knowledge of the individual.
Rates for PLE in Paradise Retreat – April 23-30, 2023
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 March 15, 2023. To get the early bird discounted price, you must pay in full by January 1, 2023.
| Room | Early Bird Price until January 15, 2023 | Full Price |
| Dorm (up to 4 people – mixed gender) | $2000 | $2300 |
| Private room w shared bathroom | $2400 | $2700 |
| Private room w private bathroom | $2700 | $3000 |
| Private room w private bathroom & air conditioning | $3000 | $3300 |
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition.
Couples/SO’s are welcome at an additional price.
Discounts
- Sign up early to get the Early Bird Discount
- Refer a friend and get a $100 referral discount.*
Sign up on Sweet Retreats‘ mailing list to learn more about our retreats and discounts.
Prices for PLÉ in Paradise 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!
- 3 Daily classes (3-4 hours total/day)
- Photo shoot
- End of retreat showcase performance
- Evening Activities
- Trip to baby turtle release!
- 24 hour use of Swimming Pool, wi-fi, and Community Space
- Homemade treats
- COVID safety compliance
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
Questions?
For questions about accommodations, meals, and travel, email us at SweetRetreatsDR@gmail.com.
For questions about classes and curriculum, email Jim at Jim@DivingBuddah.com.
*Food service begins with dinner on April 23, and ends with breakfast on April 30. The food is amazing!
** Arrive on April 23, 2023. Depart on April 30, 2023. 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.