Elemental Play

A nature inspired exploration through aerial dance and flow arts.

Spend a glorious weekend flying, flowing, moving and expressing while exploring the beauty and wonder of the natural world around us within an intimate, restorative nature sanctuary.

This is an opportunity to learn from experienced teachers and one another, to hone your skills and try new modes of movement and expression through play. We will fly outdoors on unique aerial apparatus, dance with fire and glow flow arts, and find moments of peace through nature crafts and creations.

Dance! Relax! Soak in the forest, sit around the fire, contemplate the night sky, share and be inspired. Let’s see what we feel and what we create. We’re here for movement, connection, rest, and balance.

This event is an Elemental Aerial Arts production in collaboration with Wild Life Refuge. The core facilitators are Jess Clark and Becki Arellano. Retreat is held Friday August 14th through Sunday August 16th, 2026.

elemental Play Retreat FAQs

Who? When? Where?

Elemental Play is open to everybody ages 18+. Some aerial workshops require previous aerial experience, but most are open to all, no experience needed.

Elemental Play will be held Friday August 14th through Sunday August 16th, 2026. Arrival begins Friday at 4 pm with the welcome dinner at 6 pm, followed by the nightly campfire with fire flow and aerial jam. Elemental Play ends at 2 pm Sunday after lunch.

There are 1 day, 2 day and full weekend passes available.

Elemental Play will be held at Wild Life Refuge, S3256 Ableman Road. Reedsburg, WI 53959. Wild Life Refuge is a nature sanctuary. Before participating in this event, please review the core principles of Wild Life Refuge, and indicate your acceptance by joining as a free member at : www.wild-life-refuge.com

What will we do?
What do we learn?

There will be workshops and events running throughout the day from 10 am - 6 pm. (Workshop descriptions are included below, and the full schedule is coming soon).

There will always be a multiple options at each time on the schedule, so you choose what you'd like to experience or learn.

Workshops are divided by the coresponding Elements: Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Complete a full elemental, that is attend a class from each of the elements, and earn an elemental prize.

Every morning there is an aerial yoga/yoga class available before breakfast. Every evening there is a campfire and fire/LED aerial and flow arts jam. Friday evening there will be a welcome dinner to start our weekend and Sunday a goodbye lunch to finish our weekend.

What are the costs? How do I register?

Workshop Passes Pricing

Full Weekend Fri/Sat/Sunday. $225/full weekend pass

Fri/Saturday or Sat/Sunday. $200/2-day pass

Saturday only. $150/Saturday pass

Registration is run through the Groovio App, the studio is Elemental Aerial Arts. Click one of the Elemental Play Retreat Icons: Elemental Play Retreat, Elemental Play Lodging, or Elemental Play Meal Plan. Next choose the date August 14th from the calendar to open the available options. Please email jess at jessflyingyogi@gmail.com if you have any questions.

On-site Lodging & Meal Plan Pricing

On-site Tent Camping $25/night

On-site Dorm style shared bedroom $100/night or $150/2 nights

Meal Plan full weekend $150

Meal Plan Saturday only $75

Are there Scholarships? Can I volunteer?

Elemental Play Retreat is committed to inclusion and creating a retreat that is accessible to all. Our costs are set to keep the everything running smoothly and to pay our staff and teachers a livable wage. If you are fortunate enough to have additional funds we welcome donations to help offset costs for others to attend. If you are in need of a reduced cost or free attendance we will do our best to honor the requests. If you are able, there are many tasks that volunteers could complete in exchange for attendance scholarships. These volunteer roles include helping with food service, cleaning and general maintence, and tranporting supplies to different areas of the retreat grounds. There is not a way to set tiered pricing through our registration system, so please reach out directly to jess for more information at jessflyingyogi@gmail.com. Thank you!

Where do we stay?
What do we eat?

There are numerous options for staying overnight for the full weekend. Our on-site options include: Tent camping for or dorm-style shared bedroom at Wild Life Refuge. There are also numerous local hotels and campgrounds minutes from the location if you prefer to travel offsite for lodging.

Meal plans are available and provide all meals and access to a well stocked snack station. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are homemade garden fresh and can accomodate most dietary preferences. Please note if you have a food allergy this may not be recommended as all food is prepared in a small kitchen space.

You are also welcome to bring your own food, and there is a small shared refridgerator available on site.

Elemental Play Workshops

Additional Workshops will be added. Full Workshop schedule coming soon.

Air

Forest Flying

This workshop introduces students to aerial harness dancing from trees in the area forest. We begin with the basics of harness dance and cover equipment use and safety. We then move to creating aerial dance with the forest. If you climbed trees as a kid, or dream of flying though the trees, this is the workshop for you. Please note-all rigging is done with arborist supervision, and this type of aerial exploration is not recommend without supervision.

Double & Triple Loops: solo, duos, & trios

This workshop is for aerialists wanting to learn double loops choreography for solo, duos and trios. Working with double loops, slings and chains; double lyras, and triple slings. We will learn simple choreography that translates into a beautiful dance with many apparatus variations and combinations. Previous aerial experience is required.

Unique Apparatus Explorations

This workshop is designed to provide space for all to explore unique aerial apparatuses safely. Aerial cube, aerial sphere, aerial triangle, horizontal hoop, mini hoops, slammock, and frame. Get creative with new apparatus and new ways to dance. Maybe find a new favorite apparatus.

Rainbow Silks Fans

Want to recapture the magic of the rainbow parachute game from when you were a kid? We will start our day with a rainbow group silk fan adventure! We will learn the basics of silk fans and how to create group formations.

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FIRE

Aerial Fire Arts

This workshop is desiged for those with aerial arts experience that are ready to play with fire while in the air. We will focus our training on fire safe apparatus: Lyra, Aerial Chains, Lollipop, and Pole. After fire safety training specific to each aerial apparatus we will explore choreography and aspects of creating aerial fire performance. We will practice aerial with fire and those ready are invited to perform fire during evening fire jams.

Fire Flow Arts

This workshop is open to flow artists ready to transform their flow with fire. After fire safety trainng specific to each flow art we will explore choreography and aspects of creating fire flow arts performance. We will practice with unlit props and those who are ready will be invited to perform with fire during evening fire jams.

Working with Butane Bubbles

This workshop is an introduction to working with butane bubbles, aka safely lighting yourself on fire briefly. The focus is on safe butane bubble technique and how to pose with fire. We will practice fire skills and have an optional photoshoot to finish. Those who are ready will be invited to practice in the evening fire jams.

Glass Bead Making

Learn how to make your own glass beads! Must be wearing cotton or natural fibers due to the use of fire during this workshop. Understand that the glass may pop and shatter if heated too rapidly so those with a concern for unexpected noises should take caution before signing up for the workshop. Keep your beads as a keepsake! No experience required.

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Water

Bubble Art

This workshop is for the bubble lovers. We go through bubble art techniques and provide supplies to get creative. There are so many fun ways to make bubbles! Opportunity to create your own wire bubble wand and practice bubble magic. Perfect for those craving a relaxed joyful space, and that don't mind getting their hands bubbley.

Flying Mermaids

This workshop teaches how to practice aerial dance while wearing a mermaid tail. We go through choreography specific to the apparatus and mermaid tails: aerial net, aerial sling, aerial hoop, anchor, and aerial dance harness. Whimsical yet majestic, this is a fun challenge for aerialists looking to expand their mer-flying skills and try something new.

Floating on Water Photoshoot

Time to cool off and float in a magical mermaid pool, mermaid tails optional. First we go through posing while floating, then it is time to costume and get in the water. No worries the water isn't deep even if you aren't able to float. Our photographer is suspended above you to get that perfect shot. Raw and edited images delivered directly to you. Come dress up and make a magical memory.

Elemental Bender Training

It's time to choose your element! Will you choose to harness fire or water? In this silk fan workshop, you will begin your journey of water and fire silk fan bending, ending with a choreographed bending duel with the element of your choosing. The silk fans used are water and fire themed; we will not be using real fire in this workshop.

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Earth

Nature Craft: Cyanotypes & Anthotypes

A cyanotype is a monochrome image made by placing objects on a sunlight-sensitive surface. Anthotypes combines the sun's natural light with the brilliant color of turmeric to create bold, beautiful prints using nothing but nature. Use leaves, feathers, flowers and other natural materials to create beautiful art to take home with you.

Partner Dragonstaff

This workshop is designed to introduce duo dragonstaff. We learn choreography for two dancers, no need to bring a partner but be ready to make new friends. Class will include moves such as superman, partner chi roll, and bridges. No experience or partner required!Those ready may be invited to perform fire at the evening fire jams.

Poi : Tucks, turns, and reels

Learn flow arts with poi. This workshop teaches you to tuck, turn and transition with poi to open up new pathways for movement and dance. Perfect for those new to flow art poi, no experience necessary, more advaned variations for those with previoue experience. Those ready may be invited to spin fire poi at the evening fire jams.

Forest Fae Partner Dance

The call of the wind can be heard through the trees, and the dance of the forest fae has begun. In this dance and silk fan workshop, we will learn a dance and partner silk fan routine inspired by the forest fae. Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and flower crowns provided for everyone. At the end of the session, you’ll receive a video of your performance as a keepsake.