Aroon: Aerial & Yoga Thailand Retreat
January 4th-9th 2027
Alicia Calderwood (owner of Pura Vida Studio) is excited to offer this 6 day / 5 night retreat in the stunning space of Fly Karavek located in the mountains of Northern Thailand. This is most beautiful private retreat home, can’t wait to be back with Fly Karavek!
Aroon means a new beginning. Join us in Thailand for a nourishing retreat where movement and adventure meet. Reconnect with yourself & community in a place with beauty, culture, and intention.
You’ll share meaningful experiences with new kindred spirits (human and elephant), wander through some of the world’s beautiful temples and soak in the magic of a place that invites both adventure and self care. If yoga, aerial, community, adventure, and yummy food light you up, then this retreat experience is just for you!
Retreat Details:
Dates: January 4th-January 9th 2027
Location: Fly Karavek in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Retreat workshop focus: Yoga, Aerial Sling, Aerial Silks, & Partner Acro (Aerial Sling & Silks content will be determined based on who signs up and previous experience)
Prerequisites:
Students must have a 6 month consistent aerial fabric practice. Minimum of level 1 student.
No previous yoga or acro experience required
Bent arm and/or straight arm hold for 20 seconds.
Must be able to pull over consistently on own and pull body weight up consistently on own
Must participate (as best as possible) in sessions!
Open mind, willingness to learn about the culture, and positive spirit!
What’s Included:
Workshops, classes, and free play
Elephant + Aerial Experience
Low Hot Air Balloon + Aerial Experience
Organic farm to table meals
Private bedroom w/ bathroom and AC
All transportations & excursions during retreat dates
Photoshoots and a lifetime of memories!
What’s NOT Included:
Flights
Pricing:
Early Bird Pricing: $2900 (Ends May 11th)
Full $3100 (After May 11th)
Can pay in full or in installments
Everything must be paid in full by Nov 1st, 2026
*A $550 nonrefundable deposit is required in order to secure your spot. Remaining balance may be made in installments, with the first installment beginning 30 days after registration. All payments made are non-refundable, but may be transferred to another name in case of emergency.
Retreat Payment Details:
•$550 deposit due upon registration to secure spot. Will send square invoice after application filled out.
•Full payment for retreat due by November 1st, 2026
•Deposit and payments are non-transferrable & non-refundable
•All students must be ages 14 and up. If students are under 18 then must have parent/guardian to attend with them.
All levels welcome and will organize sessions based on registration!
•Payments to be paid in full to hold your spot via square. We will send square link once we have received your registration.
Promo & teacher discount codes do not apply to retreats
MEET YOUR RETREAT LEADER alicia calderwood
Alicia Calderwood is the owner of Pura Vida Studio and the founder of the Carolina Circus Festival. With over a decade of experience teaching yoga and aerial acrobatics, she is deeply passionate about movement, connection, and community.
Alicia’s work extends far beyond the studio. She produces aerial dance productions, leads teacher trainings, and hosts both local and international retreats. Alicia cultivates experiences where people can come together, build lasting relationships, and explore movement in supportive and inspiring environments.
Her retreats offer more than just physical practice. They provide a sense of adventure, creativity, and renewal, leaving participants with unforgettable memories and a deeper connection to both themselves and others. Join Alicia on a retreat! You won’t regret it.
RETREAT TESTIMONIALS
Attending the Jan Yai retreat with Alicia Calderwood, Brittany Naegel, and Fly Karavek in Thailand was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into something sacred and transformative. Each day was a beautiful blend of aerial practice, yoga, cultural immersion, and deep connection led by two inspirational women. We flowed through yoga sessions surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, explored stunning temples that grounded us in the spiritual heart of Thailand, and then took our aerial practice to places I never could have imagined. Practicing aerial on a hot air balloon was surreal — suspended between earth and sky, feeling completely free. And sharing space with elephants while moving through the air was both humbling and magical beyond words. Every experience felt intentional, expansive, and deeply moving. What made this retreat even more special was the community. I went with friends and left with even more — new friendships formed through shared adventure, vulnerability, laughter, and awe. There was something incredibly powerful about experiencing beauty, movement, and culture together in such a meaningful way. This retreat wasn’t just a trip — it was a sacred journey. It nourished my body, inspired my spirit, and reminded me why I love aerial so deeply. I will carry this experience with me forever.
Ashley Gottlieb
The Elevate & Renew Mountain retreat with Alicia Calderwood was such a true joy. I left leaving feeling so deeply inspired to be more consistent in my aerial practice and perhaps start doing showcases/performances again, and genuinely empowered. I so appreciated the care and thoughtfulness Alicia brought into creating opportunities not only for movement and play, but also for rest, reflection, and connection. The balance of aerial, yoga, and community time felt so nourishing and intentional, andit allowed me to push myself, to explore, and also to simply be held by the practice and the group. This retreat gave me a chance to reconnect with my body in such a fun way, while also reminding me of the deeper grounding that community brings. I carried home not just memories of laughter with friends but also a renewed sense of discipline, confidence, and joy in aerial arts. Thank you Alicia for creating such a welcoming space where everyone felt seen, supported, and encouraged to grow. It was truly a gift.
Grace Izzo
“The Pura Vida Disconnect to Reconnect retreat experience was one I will not soon forget. From the beautiful setting to the seemingly instant camaraderie with the other participants, I loved everything about our weekend together. Our hosts had everything planned out to a T, including healthy meals (that we wanted all the recipes for!) shared around a dining room table to just the right balance of active time and quiet reflection. I went home on Sunday feeling simultaneously tired from some great yoga flows and rejuvenated from a heartfelt connection forged with a group of new sisters. Thank you, Alicia for making this possible! I'll absolutely be back.”
Monica Riese
“An amazing and unique opportunity to be pampered while connecting with other women. It was such a treat to spend a weekend relaxing, doing yoga, outdoor aerials, and so much more. The food was delicious. The accommodations and house were perfect with an amazing view of the lake and mountains. I worried I would feel uncomfortable or bored at times but there was never a dull or awkward moment.
Alicia had the weekend planned perfectly to spur conversation and connection between women who mostly hadn't ever met. I left the weekend having made wonderful connections with my "retreat sisters" and with myself as well. I can't wait for the next one. Sign me up!” Libby Perry