Big News! Mobility/Aerial Retreat in Mexico Jan 10-17, 2026

My first in-person coaching in almost 2 years will be at Sweet Retreats in Mexico with aerialist and creativity coach Rachel Strickland

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After almost two years of tour life I am diving back into the role of circus coach in the most wonderful way possible: co-teaching a retreat in Mexico with my co-conspirator of almost 20 years (wtf??? how did that happen???)

I first met Rachel in 2006 when she found my dance company on MySpace and asked if she could audition. We were both students at Circus Center in San Francisco and we were both making money as go-go dancers in nightclubs so we already had a lot in common. She jumped into the deep end with The Nekyia and ended up becoming a valued member and a lifelong friend.

Over the years Rachel and I have shared the highs and lows of creative life, performing, and now coaching. She incubates artists through the Audacity Project and waters the seeds of creativity in movement artists all over the world. This is our first time co-teaching since before the pandemic and it will be at an idyllic circus facility just outside of Puerto Escondido!

Who is this retreat for?

The program is designed to provide support for all physical movement artists including dancers, pole artists, aerialists, and contortionists.

Rachel and I are both veterans of the dance and circus world with a combined nearly half a century of experience as movement professionals and we want to share the elements of physical and creative care that have helped us sustain ourselves through the challenges of this glorious career path.

This is a gorgeous, mystical aerial hoop act that Rachel originally developed for my dance company, The Nekyia, back in the day

My morning classes will improve mobility, flexibility and performance by focusing on the little things. It will present practices that build end range strength, reveal imbalances, and insulate the body against injury and the gradual wear-down we associate with (gasp) aging. Want to have easier access to your full range of motion without creaking while reducing warm-up time and improving your grace and fluidity? I got you!

Rachel’s work is born from a decade of nurturing the creative process in physical artists. Expect time-tested exercises and tools designed to take your ideas out of your skull and give them flesh and blood. She aims to equip artists with lifelong skills to effectively pursue rich, impactful performances.

Artists are invited to use the end of the afternoon sessions to move and apply what they have learned (aerial apparatus are available for those who use them) and perhaps create a piece to share (optional) on the last evening.

You can look forward to being challenged as a mover and as a creator in a loving and supportive environment. Mistakes are encouraged…scratch that…mandatory. Please bring a notebook!

Where is the Retreat?

Sweet Retreats was founded by an old compatriot of ours from our Circus Center days, Kerri Kresinski and her partner Stuart. It is a beautiful retreat center near Puerto Escondido, Mexico with multiple training rooms, access to circus apparatus, a pool, and beach access. This will be my first time at Sweet Retreats but Rachel and other circus buddies have been raving about it for years so I can’t wait to be there and have snacks by the pool with you!

Beautiful outdoor training spots for us to get weird

The Nitty Gritty Details

When: January 11-17, 2026

How much: Price varies depending on your room and how soon you buy your ticket $2100-$3600

How do I get there? Transportation is provided from the Puerto Escondido airport but you are responsible for your own airfare.

Will I have time for relaxation and fun? Hell yes! Lounge time and local adventures are part of the retreat!

I am SO excited to be back to my roots of coaching movers and to incorporate the last five years of new material that I have compiled and will discuss more in next week’s newsletter. Suffice to say that even if you studied with me before, this is going to have a ton of new stuff that has revolutionized the way that I train myself and my clients!

Got questions? Just reply to this email or leave a comment if you are on the website. Come have fun in Mexico with us it’s going to be amazzzzing!

Happy Bendings,

Kristina

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