Ascend Aerial Retreat: An Intensive Hoop and Silks Training Retreat in Costa Rica
with Aisling Ní Cheallaigh and Ria Murphy
February 1 -7th, 2025
Embark on a transformative journey at Ascend Aerial Retreat, an intensive aerial hoop and silks training retreat set in the breathtaking paradise of Costa Rica in February 2025.
Led by world-renowned aerialists Aisling and Ria, this immersive retreat is designed for both seasoned practitioners and passionate intermediates looking to elevate their skills and experience the arts of aerial hoop and/or silks in a serene and inspiring environment over the course of 6 days and 7 nights.
Nestled in the lush jungles of Costa Rica, the retreat center comes with an ocean view and is surrounded by verdant rainforests, vibrant wildlife, and a 1200 foot waterfall! This stunning natural backdrop provides the perfect setting for a week of intensive training, personal growth, and rejuvenation.
Overview
Who is it for: Intermediate hoop and/or silks practitioners
Who’s teaching it: Aisling Ní Cheallaigh and Ria Murphy
What: 6 days, 7 nights
Where: Costa Rica
When: February 1-7th, 2025
How much:
Early bird price ends on 15th Nov 2024, 11pm EST
Silks or Hoop (1 workshop per day): $2200 | $1900 (early bird)
Both Silks and Hoop (2 workshops per day): $2800 | $2500 (early bird)
Booking Deposit: $500
Meet Your Instructors: Aisling and Ria
Aisling and Ria are celebrated aerial artists known for their exceptional skill, innovative choreography, and inspiring teaching methods. With years of professional experience performing and teaching around the globe, they bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for the aerial arts. Their supportive and dynamic teaching style ensures that each participant receives personalised attention and guidance.
Aisling Aisling ní Cheallaigh
(She/They) is an Irish aerialist homegrown and hand reared by a conglomerate of companies and coaches. They delight in flight and movement and while they specialises in Aerial Hoop they are also a dabbler in Straps, Doubles Trapeze, Hand-to-Hand Acrobatics and the serious discipline of being hit in the face with a Cyr Wheel. They have flown far and wide performing on stages like Le Monastére (Canada) and FIRCO (Spain) and at large-scale events like Edinburgh’s Hogmanay (UK), The Islamic Solidarity Games (Azerbaijan), Montreal Completment Cirque (Canada), Bliss Circus Nights (India) and The Cathy Pacific Night Parade (Hong Kong). They co-created three of their own shows ‘How to Square A Circle’, ‘Sub Rosa’ and ‘NASC’ and are currently creating a solo show ‘The Lost Bride’. They are free range, organic and corn fed.
You can watch Aisling in action at FIRCO festival in Madrid here.
Ria Murphy
(She/her) is an Irish aerialist, specialising in silks and vertical dance and has a keen interest in developing site specific and outdoor public spectacle. She has worked as an aerial performer around the globe touring Japan, Mexico, Costa Rica. She is the founder and director of aerial school and performance company Aerial Cirque. Over the last few years, her favourite creations have included dancing on Irish sea cliffs for Tethered, vertical dance film, and ELEVATE, a large scale silks, vertical dance, & interactive projection shows on a 65m tower crane. Other festivals shows include: Amongst the Trees (St. Patrick’s Festival), Neverneverland (Irish Maritime Festival, tall ship show), and her one woman sold-out Fringe show Black Pitch Pitch Black. She is a member of the Dublin City Council Artists Panel and 2024 Irish Arts Council Bursary Award recipient.
You can watch Ria on silks in Around We Go, a film commissioned for IPUT’s outdoor art gallery and reflected in the Grand Canal of Dublin, Ireland.
Training Overview
The aerial studio is an open-air aerial deck with impressive 20-25 foot ceilings and view of Diamante Falls and its surrounding valley. Participants will engage in a rigorous yet rewarding schedule of warm ups, daily technique intensives with Aisling and/or Ria, recovering by the pool/sun deck, and nourishing your body with 3 delicious, locally sourced meals each day. The curriculum is carefully crafted to build strength, flexibility, technique, and artistry in both aerial hoop and silks.
Morning Warm Up and Conditioning:
Start each day with invigorating warm up and conditioning exercises focused on building core strength, flexibility, and endurance. These sessions will also cover essential techniques for aerial hoop and silks, ensuring a strong foundation for more advanced moves.
Aerial Hoop Workshop:
Spin, c-shape and roll our way through a treasure throve of skills and Aisling’s choreography.
Aerial Fabric Workshop:
Dive deep into the intricacies of silks tricky pathways and sequences, balances, dynamic movements, and roll downs and maybe even some ups! Ria will break down the complexity of seemingly advanced moves into bite size bits you can master! Offering detailed instruction and hands-on guidance, Ria is well adept at recognising and catering to all learning styles.
Cool Down:
As the exhilarating afternoon aerial workshop draws to a close, we transition into a calming and restorative cool down session designed to help your body and mind unwind. This essential phase focuses on stretching, relaxation, and gentle movements to ensure a smooth recovery after an intense workout in the silks.
Optional additional training time:
Students have access to the aerial deck for individual training until 8pm each evening.
Additional Included Activities:
Swimming Pool and Sun Deck: Splish splash in the retreat centre’s pool or soak up some vitamin D.
Nature Excursions: Experience the wonders of Costa Rica with guided hikes, beach outings, and wildlife tours, allowing you to connect with nature and rejuvenate your spirit.
A trip to swim at Nauyaca Falls
Community and Connection: Enjoy delicious, locally sourced nutritious meals and engage in group activities that foster a sense of community and connection with fellow aerial enthusiasts.
Additional Optional Activities
Please note that these activities are not included, but are available to book through Airbourne Arts upon arrival for an additional fee. Some of the incredible adventures include:
Flying trapeze classes
Massage
Surfing - some of the best in the world
Paragliding over Dominical
Diamante Gorge Canyoning Tour
Overnight in a cave behind Diamante Falls
All Inclusive Accommodation with Transfers
Meals and accommodation are provided by the retreat centre and include:
6 days, 7 nights of co-ed shared jungle accommodation with daily prepared meals
3 deliciously fresh organic and locally sourced meals prepared daily
Fast wifi! Whether you want to video call a loved one, pretend you’re working from home, or post all the fabulous stuff you’ll be learning on socials, rest assured, there is fast Wifi!
Transfers Included: stress-free pick up in an air conditioned mini-van from San Jose Airport (SJO) and nearby hotels to the Retreat centre and back.
What’s not included
Flights to/from SJO (NOTE: We are unable to organise individual travel itineraries. If for some reason you are unable to line up with our group travel plans you will be responsible for your own transportation including costs)
Private Accommodation - Accommodation is co-ed dorm style.
Travel insurance
Optional flying trapeze classes, massage, et cetera (These can be booked directly through Airbourne Arts before travel)
Pre-requisites for attending
This intensive is aimed at intermediate students who have experience of aerial hoop and silks. We will not be covering the basics of aerial hoop and silks, instead the classes will focus on sharing our own choreography and techniques with you all. Don't worry if you're stronger in one discipline than the other, we will make sure that the level is right for everyone by asking all applicants to send us a video of both disciplines, which should include the following skills:
On silks: 1 - 3 mins of choreography (a string of tricks or sequences together) while in the air. Please include the following:
3 inverts from a hanging position
a back balance
On hoop: 1 - 3 mins of choreography (a string of tricks or sequences together) while spinning. Please include the following:
Entry into the hoop while spinning
Please don’t let the requirement of a video deter you. We are only asking for videos to ensure that no one travels all the way to the retreat only to find the workshop does not benefit them. Even if you’re not sure you can do them all, do try throw together a video and send it onto us. The worst case scenario is you may not be able to attend the retreat, but if you don’t send a video at all, then you definitely wont be able to attend!
Cost
The full price of the retreat in 2025 is $2800 (USD). However there was an EARLY BIRD price available of $2500 if your deposit is paid by November 15th, 2024.
Fly in the jungle with us!
Ascend Aerial Retreat is more than just a training retreat; it’s an opportunity to elevate your aerial practice, connect with like-minded individuals, and experience the transformative power of the aerial arts in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Whether you're looking to refine your skills or discover a new passion, Aisling and Ria will guide you on a journey of personal and artistic growth.
Come and discover the magic of aerial hoop and silks in Costa Rica. Reserve your spot at Ascend Aerial Retreat today and take flight in paradise!
To apply:
Create pre-requisite video
Fill in form below
Await video approval and receive $500 booking deposit link
Once payment is received, your spot is secure!
Pay remaining balance 6 days before start of retreat
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This cancellation policy applies for ‘Ascend’ - Aerial Cirque's Costa Rican Retreat 2025 with Aisling Ní Cheallaigh and Ria Murphy.
It is your responsibility to read and understand this cancellation policy before making a reservation.
When we say “you” and “your” we mean you, as the lead name, or you and everyone within your booking.
Your retreat booking will exist as soon as we issue our booking confirmation.
Remaining balances must be paid in full at least 60 days before the start of the retreat. If you don’t make a payment as it falls due, we can cancel your holiday and charge you a cancellation fee (which could be up to 100% of the total price of your holiday – see ‘If You Cancel Your Holiday’ for more information on our fees below).
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Appropriate travel insurance is compulsory for all our students and is a condition of your booking. We recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance will protect you if you need to cancel and you’ll be able to recover your financial investment (dependant on the insurance you purchase), hence avoiding or at least, easing the disappointment of having to miss the retreat.
IF YOU CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY
Deposits are non-refundable and non-deferrable. Deposits are transferrable if you find a suitable student to take your place. Please see Find a Replacement for more information.
CANCELLATION FEES
More than 60 days:
50% refund* less €500 deposit
or
apply 100% credit to future booking
Between 31 - 60 days:
25% refund* less €500 deposit
Less than 30 days, late arrivals, and no shows
0% refund
*All refunds are subject to loss of 3-5% booking fee
Cancellation days are calculated as the number of days before the start date of the retreat on the day you cancel. Cancellation fees are implemented regardless of reason.
There are no refunds, credits, discounts for arriving late or leaving early regardless of reason. This includes, but is not limited to: emergencies, illness, injury, travel interruptions, schedule changes.
**It is possible to send someone in your place. It is your responsibility to find a suitable replacement and collect any monies from the replacement. The replacement student must send a submission video and be approved before the place can be transferred.
REPLACEMENT STUDENT
It is your responsibility to find a suitable replacement, send the submission form and video, and collect any monies from the replacement student. The submission form and video must be approved and confirmation email received, before your spot can be transferred. Requests and submission videos can be sent up until 7 days before the start of the retreat.
HOW TO CANCEL OR REQUEST A REPLACEMENT
To cancel or request a replacement, participants must send an email stating that they wish to cancel to:
jonathan@airbornearts.com and admin@aerialcirque.org
IF WE CANCEL
It the unlikely event that Airbourne Arts or Aerial Cirque Ltd must cancel a trip due, we will notify you as soon as we have knowledge of the cancellation and will refund you the full amount you paid us in respect of the retreat. We cannot be hold liable for any expenses which you may have incurred, such as travel, holiday days or exchange rate losses.
We would only cancel the retreat in exceptional circumstances resulting in us not being able to offer the retreat as advertised, if the minimum number of participants to run the retreat is not met, or in case of Force Majeure.
RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE
We reserve the right to refuse service if you are creating an unsafe space for yourself or others. This includes, but is not limited to individuals under the influence, who have impaired judgement or capabilities, or displaying abusive behaviour, harassment, or bullying. Under these circumstances, you will not be issued a refund, discount, or compensation.
EXCURSIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
We may introduce you to suppliers of excursions or other services. If you buy one of these, you’ll be contracting with the supplier directly, we act only as agent and have no liability for the performance of that contract. This Cancellation Policy doesn’t apply to any contract for excursions or other services.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Appropriate travel insurance is compulsory for all our students and is a condition of your booking. We recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance will protect you if you need to cancel and you’ll be able to recover your financial investment (dependant on the insurance you purchase), hence avoiding or at least, easing the disappointment of having to miss the retreat.