Vertical Play on Silks and Rope!

Aerial Pathways, Power, and Flow Retreat

with Shirley Wong

January 23-30, 2027
Casa Chango Mexico, Puerto Escondido

SIGN ME UP

Half Scholarship Available for a person identifying as BIPOC
Apply here by October 1

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

Join Shirley for a transformative week at Sweet Retreats in Mexico, where aerial training meets dynamic exploration, unique sequencing, and signature drops. Shirley will guide you through silks and rope classes designed to expand your technical range, deepen your understanding of movement, and challenge you with bold, unique pathways in the air.

Each day balances technical focus with creative exploration: morning classes are dedicated to refining technique and learning powerful new skills, while afternoons shift toward artistry, choreography, and the joy of connecting everything movements. Expect a mix of unexpected transitions, skills would cross over between silks and rope, dynamic sequences, and signature drops. Whether your goal is to unlock fresh pathways, refine your form, or push yourself into bold new territory, this retreat will immerse you in the depth, beauty, and thrill of aerial practice all set in the beautiful space of Sweet Retreats Mexico.

Morning Class: Technique, Movement skills & Dynamic Pathways on rope/silks

  • Skill-building with unique sequences
  • Innovative entries and unusual pathways into wraps, rolls and poses
  • Drills for strength, momentum, and control
  • Progressions toward bold and powerful drops
  • Focus on safety, mechanics, and precision

Afternoon Class: Flow, Choreography & Creative Exploration on silks/rope

  • Developing transitions into seamless movement phrases
  • Exploring musicality, intention, and expression in the air
  • Choreographic tools to transform skills into performance-ready sequences
  • Putting it all together: combining technique with artistry to create your own aerial voice

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.  

Daily Schedule Sample:  

  • 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Tea, Coffee and Breakfast
  • 9:45 a.m.-12:45pm – Warm Up, Silks & Rope Skills, Technique, Sequences
  • 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 – 6 p.m. – Creative Exploration & Development
  • 6-7pm – Sunset photos (in the gym and by the infinity pool)
  • 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
  • 8:00 p.m. – Free time, jacuzzi, 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.

SIGN ME UP

Prerequisites:

This retreat is designed for intermediate aerialists and above. Participants should be comfortable:

  • Climbing and inverting in the air with ease
  • Being in the air for 2+ minutes
  • Executing basic drops and basic dynamic skills safely
  • Familiar with basic entries/set up such as catchers, hipkey, S wrap , front balance and back balance. (They don’t have to be perfect.)
  • Confidently working on aerial silks or rope (no absolute beginners, but no worries if you only train on silks or only rope, many of the skills will be interchangeable!)

If you are more suited for a beginner retreat, please sign up for our Beginner Aerial Retreat.
If you are not sure if this retreat is right for you, email shirleyaerialist@gmail.com

Your coach:

Shirley is a circus artist who specializes in aerial silks and rope. After graduating from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and a full-time contemporary dance career, Shirley discovered aerial in 2012. Known for her dynamic qualities and authentic style on silks and rope, Shirley is also particularly interested in the reinterpretation of dance and contemporary circus in her creations. In the last few years, she has been immersed in circus while trying to see it from different perspectives, platforms, emotions and styles. Currently she is a full time performer and teacher based in Singapore, and since 2022 she has travelled to teach and performed internationally such as New York City, Switzerland, Poland, Taiwan, Australia, and the UK – just to name a few. When she is not on stage, you will likely find her teaching, training or drinking her bubble tea .
You can find Shirley on Instagram here.

SIGN ME UP

Retreat pricing:

Need a payment plan? Email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com and we will set that up for you.

Your choice of accommodations:Early Bird PriceFull 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
Prices are listed in USD.
$500 Deposit is required to secure your spot. 
Early bird price ends 90 days before the retreat begins.
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 on Jan 23, 2027. Depart on Jan 30, 2027.
  • 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) 
  • 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. 
SIGN ME UP

Links for more information:

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.

Questions?  Email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com

*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.