Act Creation & Artistry Retreat
Make a unique and engaging aerial act!
Instructor: Kerri Kresinski
October 17-24, 2026
Casa Chango Mexico, Puerto Escondido
Spend a WEEK in PARADISE with new friends, the beach, delicious, fresh, local food, and learn loads and leave with a new act!
This retreat is perfect for aerialists, dancers, and acrobats who want to explore the creative process and build an act. Kerri will lead students through a strategic and foolproof process to build and/or develop an aerial act with a strong beginning, middle, and end. Each student will work with their aerial skills to create new movement pathways, transitions, and choreography while layering qualitative dynamics, emotional expression, and musicality. Students will start to define and develop their own style.
This workshop can be applied to mixed apparatuses as well as floor work.
There will be 2 class sessions each day.
Technical training will focus on style, musicality, transitions, trick molding, choreography and performance. Kerri presents tools and exercises that help the aerialist discover new ways to move on their apparatus outside of the technical skills. We will explore movement pathways, moving from different parts of the body, movement qualities, transitions, theatrical elements, musicality, dynamic movement, and connecting with your audience.
Our second class will focus on the personalized self-expression, emotional connection, qualitative dynamics, character, thematic elements, and storytelling. This is where each artist can bring their own unique story and style into the piece creating the magic that will engage their audience and make a memorable performance experience.
We will have regular workshopping sections of class where students will share their work and receive authentic and productive feedback. This helps students define and develop their personal style and help direct them towards creating work.
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.
Not sure if you even want to perform?
Even if performing is not your thing, but you want to explore your aerial skills in a more creative and exploratory way, this retreat is for you. Learn to ‘put on your skills like a second skin’, take ownership of the way in which you move and express, and learn the progressive steps in the creative process that will enrich your life in profound ways.
Daily Schedule Sample:
- 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Tea, Coffee and Breakfast
- 10:00 a.m. -1pm – Morning Class Session
- 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
- 2:00-4:00 p.m. – Free time (pool, hot tub, hammocks)
- 3:30 p.m. – Afternoon snack and beverage
- 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Afternoon Class Session
- 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
- 8:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. – Free time, photo shoots, and/or evening class
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.
Prerequisites:
Prerequisite for Aerial Act Creation & Artistry Retreat:
All levels welcome! You must be able to safely and easily execute a handful of tricks/moves before you arrive and be able to move on your apparatus for 3 minutes. Beginner tricks are welcome and sometimes encouraged. Ground apparatuses are also welcome. Come if you are excited and curious to refine your tricks and make them into art! Kerri will guide you in a step by step process. Students must have the willingness and curiosity to step outside their comfort zone, embrace vulnerability, and try new things.
Students should arrive at the retreat with the following:
- Choose one apparatus (aerial or ground) to work with for the retreat
- 3-6 skills on their apparatus that they can execute EASILY without too much physical effort or thought. It is very important to choose skills that are easier than they are currently working with in skills classes, but are still familiar (meaning they have practiced the skills recently and know them well).
- Notebook and pen. Please write a list of the 3-6 chosen skills in the notebook.
- 3 songs that you like to move/dance to, are drawn to for any reason, or want to make an act to.
Your instructor: Kerri Kresinski
Kerri Kresinski, founder, director, and head coach at Sweet Retreats, is an aerialist, dancer, choreographer, and coach. She has been performing and teaching acrobatics, dance, and aerial arts for over 25 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 is truly a unique performer, coach and mentor and her students’ biggest cheerleader.
Kerri has always been the most passionate about movement. She has dedicated her life (since age 3) to studying movement arts including dance, theater, acting, music, circus acrobatics, flexibility, fitness science, personal training, and of course aerial arts. She has studied extensively and now teaches functional anatomy for aerialists and movers, and is passionate about helping people understand how their bodies work. She has also studied holistic health, herbalism, Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, massage, and nutrition. Her professional career as a multi-disciplinary performer has brought her to shows and festivals all over the world.
Technique and physical strength never came naturally to Kerri’s body, but her insatiable appetite for understanding the body helped her to figure it out. She believes this is why she has such a passionate gift for teaching. Kerri’s technical expertise comes from working with students of all kinds to figure out the best training for each individual. She has learned that anything is possible with patience, discipline, self-awareness, and a positive attitude.. Kerri’s is one of the most masterful coaches of her time.
Kerri teaches her students how to own their practice going beyond teaching skills and sequences. Through encouraging a strong and committed movement Practice, she teaches how to identify, alter, and create skills and sequences, and how to fully embody the movement of each skill in a satisfying way. Kerri’s technical expertise comes from working with students of all ages, shapes, sizes, and challenges.
You can find Kerri’s performance videos here and Circus Fit free online tutorial videos here. Find Kerri on Instagram @SweetCircusKerri.
Student Testimonials
Kerri creates a safe, sacred space in which you as an aerialist can create. She has a fun, warm spirit, with a playful master of her craft. I literally feel that this workshop changed my life and released some artistic blocks.
Kerri’s personality and teaching expertise made it all very natural, and enjoyable. There are teachers that stick with you all your life and that you hope to cross paths with again. Kerri Kresinski is one of these people.
Sarah Webb
Kerri’s 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
“Kerri’s Aerial Artistry Retreat gave me more than I could’ve imagined. We challenged our bodies, mind, and our spirit…allowing you to enter a deeper part of yourself, one that you usually avoid facing. It taught me how to connect with the audience, how to express myself in my movements and how to tell a story through my work.
Such an adventure, an awakening experience I will hold close to me forever.
Kerri, you have a huge heart and a beautifully creative mind. Your process was genius.
Josephine Reyes
My first retreat with Kerri was an artistic creation for aerialists. It transformed my future. After a week of her carefully researched exercises and expressive classes, I felt empowered to create my own work. Three years later, I still go back through my notes for inspiration! Because of the confidence I built during that week, I went on to produce and star in my own one-woman show for the St. Louis Fringe Festival
Melissa Allen
My practice after the retreat has changed forever. Now I am more interested in perfecting my routines and discovering how to use my body differently, how to dance to music. It became an art form, a form of expression for me. It also changed how I teach my students. I don’t want to overlook the technique I learned. Staying there for one month, I learned the basics of dynamics and fabric theory.
I recommend it to everyone who is interested in finding out more about their practice. Thank you, Kerri. You will always be my inspiration.”
Deniz Cilinc, 2024
“Kerri has a gift for explaining things in ways that actually make sense – and sticks. She uses the most fun, creative imagery to break down complex moves, and it totally works… because weeks later, that image will just pop into your head and suddenly your body remembers what to do.
And then there’s the performance and expression side of Kerri’s teaching, which takes your individual skills into sequences and choreography that you can actually use for performances. Kerri has a way of showing you how a very simple move can be absolutely stunning – and how it’s not necessarily about doing the hardest skill, but more about how you move through that skill. She shows you how to play with the little details and transitions in each movement. “
Alara Rosenberg, 2026
“I attended the one-month aerial retreat, which has long aerial sessions five times a week and creative sessions after aerial practices. It changed my practice completely. I was already strong but was only working on new tricks, cool drops, etc. I never knew what “being advanced” might actually mean.
This journey has taught me lots of technique and how to allow myself to create. I never understood what creating would look like in terms of aerials. During this retreat, we had to put together two real-life aerial shows, and it was going to be my first time on stage. Kerri being my mentor was such a bliss.
My practice after the retreat has changed forever. Now I am more interested in perfecting my routines and discovering how to use my body differently, how to dance to music. It became an art form, a form of expression for me. It also changed how I teach my students. I don’t want to overlook the technique I learned. Staying there for one month, I learned the basics of dynamics and fabric theory.
I recommend it to everyone who is interested in finding out more about their practice. Thank you, Kerri. You will always be my inspiration.”
Deniz Cilinc, 2024
Even though creativity is something I struggle with and mostly do not enjoy, Kerri and Lily gave a completely different approach to work with. They provided a safe space where everyone felt accepted and free to experiment without being judged.
I also love the one on one pointers for each body. I just fully trusted both of then with every class and grew in some way each time.
Dany Robles 2025
“Kerri’s enthusiasm is infectious; she is a master teacher who generously shares all her wisdom accumulated from years of practicing her art and craft.”
Linda Huang – San Francisco, Ca 2022
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– including my journey with aerials. Kerri is skilled and optimistic, is genuinely there for you, and 100% rooting for you to “get that thing” and if you’re not there yet, can show you what needs to be done to get you to progress. 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 at Sweet Retreats was a workshop on many levels, and not just in the air.
Elizabeth Ferretti, 2019
Photo Shoots
Retreat pricing in USD:
| Your choice of accommodations: | Early Bird Price | Full Price |
| Shared Dorm (mixed gender) | $2000 | $2300 |
| Shared Room w Shared Bathroom (2 friends/couple sharing a room) | $2200 | $2500 |
| Shared Room w Private Bathroom (2 friends/couple sharing a room) | $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 |
$500 Deposit is required to secure your spot.
Early bird prices end Aug 17.
Full tuition is due by one month before the first day of the retreat.
Rates refer to cost of one person’s tuition.
Couples must sign up together.
Significant others and friends who are not taking classes are welcome at a special price.
Dorms are mixed gender.
Click here for room descriptions.
What’s included:
- Ground transportation from the Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM) to Casa Chango if participants arrive to PXM on the specific arrival/departure dates listed.
- Arrive October 17. Depart on October 24.
- Private or shared accommodations at Casa Chango eco-chic resort. Click here to take a look at your options.
- Daily cleaning service.
- 3 nourishing meals a day in our beautiful open-air kitchen. Click here to learn more about meals.
- Breakfast: 7:30-9:30am
- Lunch: 1-1:45pm
- Afternoon treat & ice coffee: 3:30pm
- Dinner & Dessert: 7-7:45pm
- Communal space for personal food storage in our kitchen.
- Use of all community areas:
- Swimming pool & hot tub
- Lounge with couches, books & a movie projector
- Kitchen & dining area
- Amazing 2000 square foot open-air Circus Gym
- Dance studio
- Hammocks for lounging
- Private hiking trail down to the Colotepec River
- 2 Daily Classes:
- Aerial photo shoot (w access to up to 15 photos)
- Video Shoot with professional lighting on the last night of the retreat
- Beach Trips and Night Market
- High Speed Starlink Internet
- Access to our network of Spanish teachers who provide private or group classes on-site.
- Access to our on-site massage space and network of body-work practitioners for hire who come on-site.
- Recommendations and guidance to enjoy all that Puerto Escondido has to offer. Beaches, nature excursions, tours, surf lessons, networking events, dance classes, and so much more. Click here for an idea of what you have to look forward to.
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.
ECO RETREAT CENTER
Casa Chango is an Eco Retreat Center. We do our best to live in harmony with the natural world. We are off grid, and use 100% solar power. We have dry composting toilets and use the humanure and food waste to create soil to feed the amazing plants and trees all around the property. We ask all of our staff and guests to come with the mindset of learning about and respecting nature. The gray water from our sinks and showers filter out to water the plants. Therefore we ask you to bring natural shampoos, conditioners, and toothpaste to your retreat. All of our buildings were designed and built to be cool and comfortable, and we hope you enjoy your stay with us.
Casa Chango is an animal friendly place. There are several friendly animals on site including dogs and cats. They will not enter your rooms, but they will be on property and in common areas during your retreat. Animal lovers will be in their happy place.
Native insects live in this area of Mexico. We fumigate regularly to keep insects away and out of your rooms. We also acknowledge that the insects are an important part of keeping nature in balance. Most of the community spaces at Casa Chango, including the gym, dining area, pool, lounge are open air which means there are no walls. You can expect to see a variety of native insects, birds, and lizards during your visit. We hope you enjoy the experience of living more connected to nature.
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.