Sweet Retreats Mexico — Hotel in Oaxaca

I don't really know where to start because this experience was life changing for me.

TLDR; Everything is awesome, just go, you won't regret it.

If I were to break it down to areas I would comment on each as it follows:

Program curriculum and instructors: The program is tailored to help you improve your technique by returning to the basics of aerial, understanding the transitions across basic moves gaining awareness of start and end positions to explore safely further movement options and create different paths that can be turned into beautiful performative sequences with the right amount of practice and repetition. It will dig deeper into drills that would help you gain the strength and flexibility to work efficiently with your entire body. All the acrobatics, flexibility, dance and creative classes are designed to help you achieve all around artistry.

The instructors will meet you wherever you are at and provide modifications and options as well as detailed advice as to how to unlock movements that may seem impossible.

Overall they are an awesome bunch of movement and human mechanics nerds that are excited to share all their knowledge with you in a positive environment and in a compassionate manner. I do not regret attending any of the classes, always saw some sort of improvement even if not physical, my mood was always better after class.

Accommodation and facilities: The accommodation is basic but comprehensive, which allows you to feel like you are at home.

Quick dips in the swimming pool at lunch time and hot tub at sunset were a must.

Everything is in great condition and continuously maintained by the staff.

There is a lounge with a large selection of books from different topics that you can borrow for free.

The gym has everything you can possibly need for your training and even more. Safety is always front of mind for the instructors and brought up constantly for all students awareness.

Food: There is only one day of the week that the kitchen staff takes off and even while they are away, food options are provided to be delivered in place or rides to get your own food outside are offered.

In general, I loved not even having to think what to cook, you wake up and brekkie is waiting for you, finish training at lunch time and only have to go to the kitchen to pick and choose from the buffet style lunch whatever you feel like, after the afternoon nap, iced coffee and sweets are waiting in the kitchen, and for dinner, again, just walk to the kitchen, food will be waiting for you.

The food is varied, always delicious and always more than enough.

Some noteworthy extras: the staff is super lovely and helpful (all of them, no exceptions) all the photoshoots are a great experience and an awesome take home gift to yourself, don't write yourself out of it the wildlife experiences offered are lots of fun Puerto Escondido is a lovely town you'll get all the furry love from Mole, Izzy, Tutti and Bigotes you will make friends, and then you will cry saying your goodbyes because people going to Casa Chango become your...

My recent stay at a 3-month aerial training residency FAR exceeded my expectations, and turned out to be one of the most positive and enriching experiences in my adult life!

I was going through a rough, depressing life transition (still am, but now it feels totally manageable after the magic of Casa Chango) and really just hoped to have a place to be, food to eat, and physical exertion to fill my time and distract my mind for a little while, but what I actually encountered was so much more.

The moment I dragged myself up the stairs to my shared cabana (Casa Solaris, a cabana for two) late that first night, I was absolutely delighted. I immediately knew that if all else failed, I would have a comfortable (and acceptably rustic) refuge from the world at large in that cabana, and I was absolutely right. Gorgeous sunset views, a cozy outdoor/indoor kitchen and lounge area with comfortable couches, and a spacious bedroom with pretty touches. A minute's walk from a lovely pool, the aerial gym, Casa Chango's communal kitchen, and a breezy palapa I was able to access regularly for solo workouts, pole fitness, and offering (or receiving) bodywork sessions.

The crazy thing is, I know that the living and training areas will be even better once Sweet Retreats moved to their new, custom designed art farm! I can't wait to see!

Meals were provided twice a day and were full of healthy and delicious vegetables and protein, and I had access to fresh eggs, super special fresh-baked bread, tons of tropical fruit (much of it grown on the premises) and ingredients to stock our cabana kitchen for breakfast and snacks. I got in the habit of cracking open coconuts to make my own leche de coco every week, too! What a treat!

Anyway, more important are the classes, instructors, facilities, and training programs. I was wildly impressed by the logical, humane, and EFFECTIVE training progressions we were led through by Kerri, the director, and then by guest teachers Dwoira and Brandi. Not only did I see and feel clear progressions in strength, skill, flexibility, and artistry, I never woke up in pain (as I often did as a college fine arts dance major 20 years ago from constant overtraining and illogical methods). I feel stronger and more capable now than I did in my 20s (and I'm 42!)

Finally, I have to mention compassion and community. Kerri and Stu and her staff foster genuine human connections and live lives based on kindness, and it's abundantly clear that they truly care about humanity, animals, and the environment as a whole.

La Punta, Sweet Retreats, and Kerri are all rare gems! I feel a bit like I've gained more chosen family throughout this residency and am motivated to work not only to become a better aerialist, but also a better person.

I'm happy to say what felt like a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity before I arrived has shifted to a "how can I make this part of my work and...

Wow it is hard to put this experience into words that really do it justice. This is such a thoughtful, wonderful space and community to be a part of and I feel lucky to have been invited to coach and be a part of it.

I stayed for 4 weeks as a coach for one of the 2023 residencies. Throughout my stay I felt like all of my coaching and personal needs were not just met but exceeded. Kerri, Lily, and I worked smoothly as a coaching team and I found myself constantly inspired by their creativity, energy, and ability to hold space for growth. The gym is a literal dream of a training space with all of the gear and equipment an aerialist could hope for. There were so many curated events/experiences from Spanish lessons to days out at the beach to a bioluminescence trip that kept each week looking a little different. Thank you Eli for your organization and communication. Meals and snacks were super tasty, there was always enough, and all of the chefs were happy to accommodate any additional needs. Being cooked for everyday made me feel totally spoiled. Thank you again DeeDee, Alonzo, Denise, and Stu. Also thank you for letting me take over the kitchen space once a week to bake. I loved that everyone in the residency is invited to be a part of helping to keep the community and space running smoothly. I now know how to machete a coconut and I feel pretty good about that!

From the moment I entered the property at Casa Chango for the Sweet Retreats Residency I had a sense just how much dedicated, thoughtful, loving work has gone into creating this space. The layout of Casa Chango is carefully designed to inspire creativity, community, and sustainable living with art intertwined throughout the eco-friendly property. Some highlights for me were the plants/trees that not only beautify the space but also grow some of the fruit that we had available for meals, stunning living quarters with comfy beds, a dreamy covered outdoor gym with an ocean view, many well placed lounging hammocks, a community/family dining area, solar power, lights on the pathways, and easy access to bathrooms (that also have the most beautiful sinks!). While I was there the fully enclosed dance studio was being finished and I can not wait to be back and check it out!

So much gratitude for everyone that makes this space what it is. Thank you for letting me be...