Victorious Vertical
Intermediate Silks & Rope Retreat
Cross Training on Straps & Sling
Skills, Theory, Dynamics, Creative Sequencing
Instructor: Kerri Kresinski
August 8-15, 2026
Casa Chango Mexico, Puerto Escondido
BIPOC Scholarship Available. Apply here by May 1.
Spend a WEEK in PARADISE with new friends, the beach, delicious, fresh, local food, and learn loads and loads of new aerial skills!
- DYNAMIC MOVEMENT – Not just beats! We will find dynamic movement in many skills and transitions.
- THEORY for CREATIVE SEQUENCING – Understanding vertical wrap theory will change your practice. All of a sudden, a million sequencing options become available!
- TECHNIQUE! Refine your technical skills to up your level!
- PROGRESSIONS – Learn how to keep making progress and create focus in your practice.
- MUSICALITY, CHOREOGRAPHY, TRANSITIONS, EMBODIMENT! – We will give you tools to bring out your inner artist and find authenticity in your movement.
This retreat is for people who love silks and/or rope and want to learn some new tools to gain more momentum and focus in your practice! We will work with technical skill, drills progressions, theory, sequencing and dive into empowering our creative practice.
Enjoy 2 classes each day.
Morning class will be technical training on aerial silks and rope with focus on movement efficiency, progressions, skills, and sequences building each day. We will use theory to learn how to create new sequences. Learn variations and dynamic movement to give life to your aerial work. We will also do cross training with aerial straps and sling for technical and dynamic progressions.
Afternoon classes will be focused from floor to apparatus, adding nuance and new movement pathways to our skills and sequences. We will learn exercises specifically to help us connect authentically with our body, our skills and musicality that can be immediately applied to our practice.
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 – 6:30p.m. – Creative Exploration & Development & Flexibility
- 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.
Prerequisites:
This retreat is for aerialists with a regular practice on vertical apparatus at the intermediate to advanced level. Each student should arrive with a clear understanding of and be able to execute the following with ease:
- Russian climb
- Straddle invert in the air
- Catchers lock & S wrap
- Foot wraps
- Hip key
- Single star drop or equivalent
- Ability stay in the air for 3 minutes
If you are more suited for a beginner retreat, please sign up for our Beginner Aerial Retreat.
If you want to focus on intermediate level foundations to create autonomy in your practice, sign up for our Circus Fit Aerial Intensive Retreat.
If you are not sure which level you are, email us at SweetRetreatsMexico@gmail.com.
Your coach:
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’s teaching is accessible, creative, and empowering. This retreat was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. I can’t wait to go back. Taking what I’ve learned here and applying it in my home studio has inspired me to level up my aerial game; advancing my technique, my understanding of theory, and my creativity and intentionality. I cannot say enough good things about how enriching and powerful this experience in Mexico is, including the people I met along the way.’
Kieran Stilson, 2022
“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
“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.
Kerri presents things in a sequential order so that everything feels connected. Instead of collecting a new random skill in each class, you learn things in groups that flow from one skill to the next. She builds your readiness for new skills by starting with body awareness and foundations. She teaches the wrap theory behind the moves so you really understand how things work. And then the new skills actually make sense and flow into variations and transitions. And, in the end, you end up with a whole group of related skills that make sense together.
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
Victorious Vertical was an absolute blast! Lily and Kerri taught silks, rope, and artistry, and every single class left me with new material and fresh ideas to explore. Their progressions made so much sense, and I saw huge improvements in my beats. I especially loved how the warm-ups were tailored to support whatever new skill we were learning that day. The artistry classes were my favorite—we got to play with characters, lean into juicy movements, and explore what makes an act come alive.
Kerri and Lily are such thoughtful, clear teachers, and I made huge progress with my beats, inverts, and body awareness. So much love to Kerri and Lily for all their hard work supporting my aerial growth. I am so freaking grateful to all the work they put in—it’s absolutely seen in every class.
Samantha Wangberg 2025
Both Kerri and Lily are phenomenal at finding the right balance between challenging and approachable movement, both on and off the apparatus.I appreciated that they gave progressions so that everyone could train at the level that felt right for them. It was really nice having two instructors in the space so that more advanced students could continue with the sequence, while others could work on drills / progressions.
Tessa Vanderwielen 2025
Kerri and Lily explained wraps and sequences in ways that felt very accessible and found different ways to challenge each and everyone of us whether it was scaling back or work in more complicated stuff. The ground work makes me feel like I’m working towards something bigger rather than being frustrated that I can’t do the trick yet.
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
“Not only did I learn how to manage Ariel math and exploration, but I learned about what muscles to use and how to engage them. We also spent a significant amount of time learning how to use our bodies artistically through dance and the importance of proper strength and flexibility. Kerri is an incredible teacher. I plan on attending regular retreats.”
Elizabeth Rillera, 2022
I really liked learning theory – how the s wrap and z wrap are connected, the harness, c-shaping, how to hold my body for a windmill or for bell beats. Choreography and movement exercises were a lot of fun and made me feel really free to move in unexpected ways.
Adrienne Gispen 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
Kerri is an amazing silks teacher that really helped me to understand silks in a way that never made sense to me before. She has such a wealth of knowledge to share from silks theory, progressions, etc. Deborah Oh, 2021
Photo Shoots
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 |
$500 Deposit is required to secure your spot.
Early bird price ends May 8.
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 to/from the Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM) to our accommodations*
- Arrive on August 8. Depart on Aug 15.
- Arrive on Nov 28. Depart on Dec 5.
- Accommodations for the duration of the retreat
- Daily meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, & desserts and treats!
- 2 daily classes
- Aerial photoshoot
- Evening activities
- Trips to a local beaches and night market
- 24 hour use of swimming pool and community space
- Evening Jacuzzi soaks
- Ice Bath
- Starlink Wifi Internet
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.
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.