SLINGSTRAVAGANZA:
SLING NERDS UNITE

Instructors: Luna Finn & Lauren Kehl

March 27-April 3, 2027
Casa Chango Mexico, Puerto Escondido

BIPOC Scholarship Available. Apply here by December 1.

Spend a WEEK in PARADISE with new friends, the beach, delicious, fresh, local food, and learn loads and loads of new aerial skills!

Do you find yourself lying awake wondering why that wrap works? Have you ever turned a simple sequence into an hour-long physics experiment? Do the words, “I just want to see what happens if…” regularly leave your instructor mildly concerned?

Welcome. You’ve found your people.

Join Luna Finn and Lauren Kehl for a week-long aerial retreat dedicated to the wonderfully nerdy side of aerial sling. This isn’t about collecting tricks, it’s about understanding the why behind wraps, movement, and flow while giving yourself permission to play, experiment, and explore.

Through two workshops a day, you’ll dive into wrap theory, body engagement, sequencing, pathways, and flow state, discovering the principles that make sling feel like magic (spoiler: it’s mostly physics… with just a little wizardry). Drawing on nearly 40 years of combined aerial experience, Luna and Lauren have spent decades asking questions, testing theories, and making glorious aerial messes. They’ll give you the tools to think differently, troubleshoot confidently, and unlock your own creative process.

Between workshops, enjoy beautiful accommodations in Mexico, three nourishing meals each day, local excursions, a professional aerial photoshoot, and a relaxed community showcase.

Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. Bring that notebook full of weird wrap diagrams.
We’ll bring the theory.

Enjoy 2 classes each day.  

Morning Classes

Front Balance/Back Balance with Lauren
Front and back balances can seem so simple, but they are often surprisingly difficult to teach and understand. In this workshop, we’ll explore what makes an ideal front balance (hint: it has nothing to do with your legs being parallel to the floor) and how to tap into the body awareness and muscular engagement these positions require. We’ll look at how back and front balances are similar and different, and participants will come away with drills, progressions, and spotting techniques that can make working on these skills accessible for every level of student.

Inside Out with Luna
Get unstuck in this workshop with fun entrances, exits, and sequencing. Focuses on the inside out thigh hitch wrap. Together, we’ll break down the theory behind the inside-out thigh hitch, exploring how body orientation, wrap direction, and pathway choices creates a series of entrances, exits, transitions, and sequences. You’ll begin to recognize the patterns that allow you to navigate the wrap with confidence and understand that ending up in this wrap isn’t an inconvenience, but an opportunity.

Rolling Up/Rolling Down with Lauren
Get into the details of leg roll-ups and roll-downs, the nuances of their pathways, and where they can lead in this technique-focused workshop. Analyze where your body is in relation to your apparatus and how your leg rolls change based on that positioning. Students in this workshop will learn how to build toward moves like one-arm, one-leg roll-ups and how various roll-ups and roll-downs can transition to many different skill options.

Descending into Madness with Luna
Oftentimes when we see an aerialist rolling up, up, up we are expecting a quick down, down, down. In this workshop we will talk about smooth and silky ways to descend from the top of the sling all the way to the ground. We will incorporate some dynamic movements, but for the most part we will be melting our way to the bottom.
Come get ooey and gooey while we talk about c-shaping, figure 4 dives, and flamenco grip to improve our sequence descents. It ain’t all about drops, folx!

Sequencing on Sling with Lauren
If you’re interested in exploring little rabbit holes and puzzle-y pathways on sling, this is the workshop for you! We’ll look at a variety of nontraditional transitions and sequencing choices and allow students the option to choose their own adventures. Rather than being choreography-focused, this workshop is designed to equip students with the sequencing concepts they need to develop their own choreography and transitions in their future practice.

Creative Repetition with Luna
Throughout the retreat, we will explore specific facets of sequence creation that are designed to help you create something with a loose structure. Now it’s time to combine these elements to create your very own short piece!
We will focus on all of the key points of each previous workshop while diving in to what it means to find your flow state. Creative repetition is a phrase I use to describe the repeating of a sequence with minor tweaks so that you can produce variation in your movement. Creative repetition is a tangible process to understand flow state in a not-so-abstract way.

Low Flow Sass Class with Luna
Ah yes! The dreaded ground work. Many times when you see an aerial act, a big factor that is missing is the artist making a connection to the ground.
Choreography for ground work can feel overwhelming! Luckily, your movement does not need to be complicated, long, or at a contortion level of flexibility to be effective.
The purpose of ground work is to give the audience a moment to connect with the performer, which may otherwise be lost in the air. It is a moment to use the whole stage; make direct, uncomfortable eye contact; and add dimension to your piece. THE FLOOR IS NOT LAVA.

Guided Learning with Luna and Lauren
Take what we’ve learned throughout the retreat and apply it to your own practice. We will cover skills and theories designed to help you better understand the magic of sling. During this time, students will have the opportunity to pick our brains and create a short piece (1 minute or less) to present to the other participants.

Afternoon Classes

Introduction to Movement Analysis with Lauren
In order to speak the language of aerial, we have to understand it. And in order to understand it, we have to begin to define it.
In this workshop, we will begin to define the hows and whys of working on an aerial apparatus: how do you define the space you can move in? How are you working with the apparatus? What is keeping you from falling? What pathways are you traveling through?
Through analysis and investigation, we can begin to break down the components and details of our movement in the air, and better understand what’s happening in our bodies, what may be missing, and how to modify and adapt to better utilize our individual strengths.
This workshop is appropriate for students with strong aerial practice. Students should be familiar with the fundamentals on both vertical and horizontal apparatus, and have proficiency on one.
You will get the most out of this workshop if you are actively working on your own sequencing and have an insatiable curiosity to understand “why”.

Fundamental Linking with Luna
Every aerial skill is part of a larger movement system. We’ll take a theory-first approach to understanding how fundamental pathways connect, helping you recognize the patterns that make movement efficient, adaptable, and intentional.
Rather than focusing on learning more tricks, we’ll explore why transitions work by examining body positioning, direction of travel, wraps, tension, and points of contact. By identifying these underlying principles, you’ll begin to see familiar fundamentals not as isolated skills, but as interconnected pieces that can be combined in countless ways.
This workshop is designed to strengthen your aerial problem-solving skills, improve your spatial awareness, and give you a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind movement. Whether you’re learning new skills, troubleshooting old ones, or building your own sequences, understanding the theory of fundamental linking will give you a framework you can apply to nearly every moment in the hammock.

Rolling Over/Shelf Theory with Lauren
Learn the mechanics of rolling on an apparatus, finding your “shelves,” and using them to move with ease. We’ll explore transitions from sitting to hips and back again, and how these basic pathways can be used to transition into skills like hip keys and back balances. Students will come away with a solid understanding of efficient movement patterns for rolling skills and the tools to incorporate those skills into their own practice. If you enjoy twisty and windy movement, or if you WANT to enjoy it but struggle to make it feel good, this workshop will help you twist and wind with ease and grace.
All students with a comfortable, active aerial practice are welcome. **Please note that this workshop involves a significant amount of hanging from the hip shelf. You should be comfortable with pressure in that area. Participants are encouraged to wear layers.

KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly) with Luna
Sometimes the best discoveries come from the moves you already know. We’ll revisit familiar aerial hammock fundamentals and give them a playful twist, exploring how small changes in pathways, timing, and body positioning can unlock exciting new shapes and seamless transitions.
Rather than chasing complicated tricks, this workshop celebrates the magic of the basics. We’ll experiment with creative entries, exits, and unexpected variations, proving that a solid foundation can lead to endless possibilities. Expect plenty of “Wait… why didn’t I think of that!?” moments, a few happy accidents, and lots of opportunities to build confidence while expanding your movement vocabulary.
Come ready to play, get a little curious, and remember: sometimes keeping it simple is the smartest and silliest way to fly.

The Nerd Gala
After a week of indulging in all things nerdy, students will have the opportunity to present what they’ve learned. We look forward to seeing everyone’s unique aerial voice displayed in their artistry.
This isn’t meant to be serious! It’s meant to be a safe and fun place for students to share in a supportive environment. After each presentation, we will breakdown the fundamentals of each sequence and allow students to tell us how they arrived to their creation.

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The rest of your time will be spent eating delicious food, swimming in the pool, lounging in hammocks, and enjoying being in nature.  There will be time to explore local markets and beaches as well as the local night life.  

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Daily Schedule Sample:  

• 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Tea, Coffee and Breakfast
• 10 a.m.-12:45pm – Morning Class Session
• 1:00 p.m.  – Lunch
• 2:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. – Free time (pool, hammocks, massages, naps)
• 3:30 p.m. – Afternoon snack and beverage
• 4:30 – 6p.m. – Afternoon Class
• 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
• 8:00 p.m. – Free time, hot tub, and evening activities

We will take you to our favorite beaches for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and releasing baby turtles into the sea. Optional evening adventures include a bioluminescent lagoon & local night market.
Read more about our excursions here.

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Prerequisites:

Pulling over from shoulder height several times in a row.
Comfort sequencing and moving through 3-5 skills at a time.
Comfort in having to figure out how to get out of something without panicking.
Ability to not take yourself too seriously.

Other Note: While this retreat is geared towards sling theory, any student or teacher proficient in any apparatus would gain helpful tools during their stay.

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Your coaches:

Student Testimonials

“I can’t imagine having anyone else guide me for the last year… [Luna] is uplifting and encouraging. I have grown so much in the last year under her guidance!”
Cera M

“I love learning from Lauren as she has so much experience and passion for teaching. Her cueing is informative and she is able to adapt easily to teaching students with different body types that may have varying challenges. I also love the foundational connections that Lauren has made me think about.”
Myra

“[Luna’s] enthusiasm and encouragement is infectious. Her demos and embodiment of her own practice is seamlessly fluid, seemingly effortless, inspiring and stunning to watch!”
Tiffany W

“Your [Lauren] kind and empathetic teaching style combined with your dedication to meeting students where they are in their unique bodies helped me to find success in aerial skills I’d given up on years ago as impossible.”
Dori

“Luna… has taken me from knowing nothing to having a real understanding of aerial silks! All this with a large dose of fun! Truly my favorite aerial instructor ever.”
Melanie T

“I felt held and supported by Lauren in a safe space for learning, asking questions, laughing at myself, and crying. Every week, it brought me so much joy to know that I could sit (and hang) with Lauren and nerd out on the thing I love. She warmly welcomed my curiosity.”
Cyndi

“[Luna is] a knowledgable artist who is able to meet anyone at their level and provide encouragement and expertise in a non judgmental way!”
Constance B

Photo Shoots

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Retreat pricing:

Per person pricing in USD
Prices listed are the Early Bird Prices which are $300 discounted. Full price is $300 more than the prices listed. Early bird discount ends August 15.
Need a payment plan? Email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com and we will set that up for you.

Your choice of accommodations:	Early Bird Price	Full Price
Shared Dorm (mixed gender)	$2000	$2300
Shared Private Room (2 friends sharing a room) 1 king size bed or 2 individual beds	$2200	$2500
Shared Private Room (2 friends sharing a room) 1 king size bed or 2 individual beds	$2300	$2600
Private Room w Shared Bathroom	$2500	$2800
Private Room w Private Bathroom	$2800	$3100
Private Room w Private Bathroom & Air Conditioner	$3100	$3400

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What’s included:

• Ground transportation to/from the Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM) to our accommodations*
  • Arrive on March 27. Depart on April 3.
• Accommodations for the duration of the retreat
• Daily meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, & desserts and treats!
• 2-3 daily classes
• Aerial Photoshoot
• Use of all Casa Chango facilities
  • Lounge
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Dance studio
  • 2000 square foot open air gym
  • Hiking trail to the river
  • Gardens & hammocks
• Trips to a local beaches and night market
• Eco Tour
• Evening Jacuzzi soaks
• Starlink Wifi Internet

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Links for more information:

• Casa Chango accommodations – room descriptions
• Meals and Food*
• How to get here**. Info and advice on booking your travel
• Weather in Puerto Escondido
• Testimonials
• Excursions

Discounts:

• Book and pay early and save $300!
• Refer a friend to any of our retreats and save $100 with our referral discount.*
• Sweet Retreats Alumni discount $200.

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Questions?  Email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com

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*Food service begins with a snack and dinner on arrival day, and ends with breakfast on departure day.  All meals are provided.  The food is amazing! ** 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.

Cancellation Policy:

• No Refunds. 
• Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
• Cancel more than 60 days before 1st day of retreat: 50% of your tuition paid can transfer toward a future Sweet Retreat within 18 months of cancellation.
• Cancel 30-60 days before the 1st day of retreat: 25% of your tuition paid can transfer toward a future Sweet Retreat within 18 months of cancellation.
• Cancellations up to 30 days before the 1st day of the retreat will not be credited or refunded for any reason. 
• At the time of payment for your retreat, we strongly advise purchasing a travel insurance policy. Make sure your policy covers the full cost of the retreat fee, as well as unexpected cancellation, trip delay, losses and other risks. Also, consider protection for canceled or delayed flights, lost luggage, medical needs while traveling. Please bring the policy with you in case of emergency. Click here for IM Global Insurance.  Click here for WanderWell Insurance. 

See complete list of terms and conditions here.