Sustain: Costa Rica 2025

February 9-15 at Airborne Arts

Welcome to Sage Movement Arts' debut retreat hosted by founder Constance (CircusEcho) Palmer!  I am so excited to be returning to Costa Rica to host my very first aerial arts retreat.  This country is so special to me and I can't wait to share it with you all.  There are so many wonderful retreats out there focused on skill acquisition and act creation, which is why I am centering this retreat on something totally different and unique.  The theme for this retreat is Sustainability in Aerial Practice, both physically and mentally/emotionally.

I designed this retreat for each of you that loves the craft but feels burned out.  You love to practice but struggle to know what to prioritize.  You want to create and learn and grow but sometimes it all just feels overwhelming to focus through all the noise.  There can be so much perceived and somewhat artificial pressure in the aerial world and artists, whether you are training, performing, or teaching, are feeling it:

Pressure to get that next trick

Pressure to make and sell your act

Pressure to teach a perfect class and "entertain" your students.

My aim for this retreat is to be just that, a retreat.  A rest.  A reset, and if it leads to creation because you gave your body and soul what it needed that would be incredible too.  I will of course still be teaching some skill and technique based workshops during the week on fabric and sling, but my main focus will be on slowing down, observing and noticing, supporting your body and mind in practice, and giving space to yourself.  We will take the time here to refocus our practice on finding the joy in movement and the pleasure in process rather than rushing towards an imaginary finish line we've set for ourselves.  Come reignite your curiosity and learn how to be at home in your body and practice.

The full hour by hour schedule will be released to attendees but the bullet of the week is:

  • Morning Movements (aerial and grounded yoga and mobility)
  • education on alignment and embodies structures for injury prevention
  • advice on organizing your training for longevity
  • skills and technique on silks and sling
  • Humble Straps sessions to support your aerial practice
  • Mindful Bending sessions
  • open (training) time for skills, creation, mentorship, skill share, or REST
  • beach trip
  • chasing waterfalls
  • overall sustainable practices for training, teaching, and supporting circus culture for longevity with guided discussions

Rigging:

The Airborne Arts aerial deck is EPIC!  With views of the ocean, valley, and waterfall this year round space is super inspiring.  As if the view was not enough, airborne provides 8 rigging points at 20 feet high that can be fitted with static or adjustable points.  They provide different lighting for the evenings based on the mood we would like!  Airborne Arts provides yoga mats and crash mats.  We will have access to silks, sling, trapeze, dance pole, lyra, and straps.  Participants are welcome to bring their own equipment but it will need to be approved so reach out in advance and let us know who your builder is!  During open training time I will be available for AMA on any apparatus, not just what I'm teaching in the workshops, silks and sling.

Accommodations:

We have three beautiful dorm-style accommodations options under our base rate (some can be used as private space for additional cost). Participants’ preference is first come first serve. The Master Suite is an additional cost. Private accommodations may be available at an additional cost. 

Options for glamping tents may become available once the other dorms are full.

Flights and Transportation:

Flights should be booked into San Jose, Costa Rica - Juan Santamaría International Airport SJO.

Airborne Arts is in the middle of the mountains of Diamante Valley. This means that the way to get here can be tricky if you choose to travel here on your own, which is why we provide our own transportation to our location. 

The transport is included in our base rate, however, we only provide transportation for the whole group and not individually. We can help coordinate individual transport if needed at an additional cost. Please note that transportation to Airborne is not cheap, and if any of your students need individual transportation it would be at their own expense. 

Our recommendation for flights is to arrive the day before the retreat starts and stay one night in San Jose. We usually arrange pickup at Hotel Aeropuerto the first day of the retreat around 8am. Pickup time would be based on the student who gets there the latest. That way they can have a chance at getting on the bus. If the last student arrives too late and will make the rest of the group miss the first day then they would have to find they're own way or pay for us to coordinate a ride for them. 

If a student is interested in renting a car, please inform them that they would need a 4x4 to get to the property.

Registration: $2800 USD

The registration includes 7 days and 6 (Sunday-Saturday) nights stay at Airbourne Arts, unless private accommodations are required.  There are private options for an additional fee.  Home made, mostly organic meals will be provided throughout the day as well as coffee and smoothies in the morning.  You will be asked about dietary restrictions leading up to the gathering.  There will be a shuttle that picks everyone up at the San Jose Airport Hotel on the 9 February and will return to the airport on 15 February.  If you would like to arrange private transport that is an option as well.  The journey to Airborne Arts in the jungle is approximately 4 hours, but we will stop for a picnic lunch at the beach to break up our trip. 

Adventures and Extras:

There are additional services and adventures available through Airborne Arts.  These extras and adventures can be scheduled during some of the open time.  If you do not want to go on these adventures training time will be available.  The optional add on's are:

  • Flying Trapeze
  • Paragliding
  • Canyonning
  • Water Rafting
  • Surfing
  • Massage
  • Mani/Ped 

If you are interested in attending, please fill out our application below and keep an eye out for a confirmation email with payment information and further details! If you have any questions reach out to me any of the ways you know how or email me at:

look@circusecho.com 
or
sagemovementarts@gmail.com

 

Apply Here!

 

Important Dates and Registration Information:

  • Today - apply to join the waitlist
  • 16 July - confirmation and welcome emails will be sent in order on the waitlist
  • 1 August - $500 (non-refundable) deposit due to secure your slot
  • 1 October - $1000 (non-refundable) second payment due
  • 1 January - $1300, remaining balance due
  • 9 February - join your cohort in Costa Rica!