A couple weekends back, we had the most amazing time (yes we tend to cram A-LOT into our weekends!) in San Marcos, Guatemala teaching aerial workshops at the Yoga Forrest as part of a collaboration with Momentom Collective.
We were fortunate enough to meet aerialists from everywhere from Colorado to Queensland, Canada, Oregon and Tennessee and were so impressed with their level of commitment, dedication and passion.
Natasha from Brisbane, Australia is a Doctor by day and a dedicated aerial student by night. When she’s not saving lives with her scalpel she enjoys traveling the world pursuing high level aerial and acrobatic training, including a recent month long stint in Beijing, China studying handstands and flexibility with the masters!
Amelia, also a Doctor (go figure!) from Nashville, left her patients and supportive husband and daughter for a week in order to train with us, vacation in paradise and devote focused time to her passion.
It takes organization, commitment and true dedication to commit to an aerial retreat or intensive but the rewards can be great:
- Inspiration and Motivation
- New Skills
- Improved technique and artistry
- New supportive relationships/networks
- Increased endurance/stamina
- Rejuvenation
- Transformation/Mind shift
- Lifelong Memories (aerial class in the rainforest with a view of an active volcano? Yes please!)
If you are unable to commit to a week or more of training in an exotic location, there are other ways to achieve at least part of the retreat experience closer to home:
- Schedule time off work/home and family commitments for *5-7 days and take as many aerial classes as you can at your local studio. Try to minimize distractions and make training your #1 priority for this week. This will allow you to experience the immersive quality of a retreat and help to accelerate your learning.
- Travel to an aerial studio in another city for a *week or more. Get a hotel, Airbnb or stay with friends and take as many classes as possible. You may need to contact the studio ahead of time to let them know you are coming/find out if there are requirements you need to meet. Take classes from different teachers and open yourself up to new styles, techniques and connections.
- Reach out to like-minded aerialists/students and organize a *week long meet up where you can train together, ideally at a studio that offers daily open workout practice or at a rig if you have access to one (be sure to use safety mats and that the rig has been recently inspected by a qualified rigger). Network and motivate each other to condition, create, share and play on the silks. If you feel comfortable, encourage your friends to create an act that you can perform for each other at the end of your self-guided retreat.
*We understand that it may not be possible for you right now to take a week or more off work/life to focus on your aerial training.
Do what you can.
Even one or two full days of highly focused training time will be beneficial and help you reap some of the incredible rewards of an aerial retreat or intensive.
Have an amazing and inspired rest of your week, see you in the air soon!
