All Levels Handbalancing Intensive
We’re excited to bring the Handstand Factory to the western hemisphere! Taught by Emmet Louis and Mikael Kristiansen, the Costa Rica Intensive is open to all levels of handbalancers. So whether you’re a complete beginner, or advanced practitioner – come deepen your handstand practice, meet your fellow Handstand Factory students (and us) in person, and spend a week immersed in full training at Airborne Arts retreat centre in Costa Rica.
All Levels Handbalancing Intensive
We’re excited to bring the Handstand Factory to the western hemisphere! Taught by Emmet Louis and Mikael Kristiansen, the Costa Rica Intensive is open to all levels of handbalancers. So whether you’re a complete beginner, or advanced practitioner – come deepen your handstand practice, meet your fellow Handstand Factory students (and us) in person, and spend a week immersed in full training at Airborne Arts retreat centre in Costa Rica.
Handstands are more fun with friends
Join us for the first time in the western hemisphere in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica for a week of training, socializing, and adventuring! If you live in the Americas, this is your best chance to train with Emmet and Mikael in-person.
This intensive will cover material from our entire online syllabus, tailored to your ability level and focus. While experience with our methods through our online programs is recommended, it is not required. The week will be centred around leveling up your current handstand through refining technique, as well as introducing strength training and flexibility development methods to aid your practice after the intensive is over.
If you would like to join us on this very special event, we would ask you to register as soon as you know you can make it as numbers are super limited! All details about the training intensive can be found below, along with details on how to register.
Entry Requirements
Training groups are kept small enough for individual adjustments of training to your specific level. For intermediate and advanced practitioners, we will outline skill requirements for the breakout groups during the intensive.
“The training has been really amazing, it’s nice to come to a place where you can meet people that have the same passion, have the same fire as you.”
“The training has been really amazing, it’s nice to come to a place where you can meet people that have the same passion, have the same fire as you.”
GENEVIEVE, MONTREAL
Concepts and Skills Covered
Jan.
16-23
Logistics & Schedule
We are overjoyed to say the Costa Rica Intensive will be held in Costa Rica at the Airborne Arts retreat center January 16-23th, 2024!
There will be two training sessions each day, led by Emmet and Mikael, along with some free training time. Overall, you can expect five to six hours of training a day. On one of the days, we’ll do only one session and do an excursion to the surrounding sights in the afternoon! A full schedule will be sent to participants closer to date.
Our Host Airborne Arts
We will be staying in the beautifully crafted Airborne Arts Centre: A little slice of paradise in the middle of the mountains of Diamante Valley in Costa Rica. Imagine a place where you can see the beach, the mountains, and a view of Costa Rica’s tallest waterfall. A beautiful facility for circus training from aerial arts, body movement, partner acrobatics, flying trapeze and, in our case – handstands!
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience in a purpose built place to play, get creative, and learn something new while emerged in beautiful nature. Airborne Arts is in the mountains mid-way between Playa Dominical and San Isidro. From the property you can see a 900 foot waterfall (the tallest in Costa Rica), the ocean in the distance and a lush valley. A plethora of tropical birds such as toucans call the property their home. Situated in a rural jungle neighborhood, the space is very secluded and private. They’ve worked with artists and builders from all over the world to make this property beautiful and inspiring.
Accommodation Options
Accommmodation is either in the beautiful dorm, or Airborne’s glamping bell tents.
Dorm: co-ed dorm with 6 beds, 1 bath. Immerse yourself in nature by sleeping in our gorgeous natural hardwood aerial studio guest room, with breathtaking views of the Baru valley. Awaken to the sound of birds singing and howler monkeys chit chatting, all while maintaining comfort and privacy. Includes a custom bathroom with shower.
Bell tents:co-ed dorm with up to 3 beds, 1 bath, shared outdoor bath house. Our exotic Lotus Belle tents are spacious, airy and oh so beautiful. Due to limited availability, bell tents will be available as an upgrade via email after you purchase your intensive spot.
Food and Transit
Participant pickup will be scheduled at 8am the morning of the 16th from San Jose. As such it’s recommended to fly in on the 15th and book a hotel or Airbnb that night. Dropoff is scheduled for the 23rd based on the earliest flight, so we recommend booking your return flight in the afternoon as the drive from the retreat centre to the airport is approximately 3.5 hours.
Meals are prepared on the profile of the group to accommodate any diet and avoid food waste. A survey will be sent out in advance of the trip to inform the chefs of any dietary restrictions.
Excursions
In the middle of the week, we will be guided on an excursion to experience the breathtaking natural landscapes of Costa Rica. This active recovery day will give your arms a chance to rest while you play in nature!
Excursions
In the middle of the week, we will be guided on an excursion to experience the breathtaking natural landscapes of Costa Rica. This active recovery day will give your arms a chance to rest while you play in nature!
Reviews of Past Intensives
PUSH & PUSH HARDER INTENSIVES
Kai
GermanyHello, my name is Kai, I’m from Germany, I did gymnastics as a kid and I went to martial arts for a long long time and I found yoga for me and of course in yoga the most impressive asana is the handstand. So I found handstanding for me and since 2015, I’m on this journey and I like it.
So, I’m in a really lucky situation because I did first the push and the push harder retreat now and so far it’s amazing. In both groups there were amazing people so far and we had a super time!
I’m super proud to be here, to have made it, to get past all these ideas of that I’m not good enough for it through and to just went here and met creative people and do the things we love to do: stand on the hands and enjoy the journey, don’t think about “after the two weeks my one arm will be there, because I paid for it” now it’s just about having a good time, having new ideas for your program for the next 6 months, 6 years, who knows?
So I really like to be here at TADAH, because it’s more like a family place, like a circus place. Where it’s more about the humans and not so much the other stuff.
So from this retreat I take home, the reminder that life is too short and it’s not about getting all the stuff, it’s about enjoying the journey, have a good time, yeah… Surround yourself with a good community and that’s it! That’s what it’s all about!
PUSH INTENSIVE
Genevieve
Montreal, CanadaSo hi! My name is Genevieve Beaulieu, I’m coming from Montreal, Canada. I am a yoga teacher, so I’ve been doing yoga for maybe 6/7 years, but I’ve been kind of obsessed with handstands for about 2 years.
So, the training has been really amazing, it’s nice to come to a place where you can meet people, have the same passion, have the same fire as you. I’ve been training alone for a lot and people don’t really understand why I’m so obsessed with handstands and here everyone understands, they just want to train and be upside down and it’s really incredible to have this power, this energy.
I think I’m most proud of how quickly I can apply the tips I’ve been given, I haven’t been given a lot of tips recently because I’ve been training alone, so being given those tips to just do it on the spot has just really made me proud because I saw, on my self, the evolution that happened really quickly, so yeah, I’m pretty proud of what I can do.
I think my favourite thing about TADAH is the for sure the nature around here, I feel like I’m away from the city, I feel energised by this natural environment. The cold pool, natural pool is great, the food is great, it’s really relaxing, it’s really zen. I love it here.
What I’m taking back from here, what I think I’m bringing is a lot of energy, a lot of passion, a lot of fire. Even more than what I had! A lot of tips, a lot of excitement about handstands, which I used to have lots, but now it’s multiplied! I’m thinking, a lot of love from everyone around here, this energy and this community I think I’m taking with me.
PUSH & PUSH HARDER INTENSIVES
Sara
Colorado, USAI have been doing handstands for almost four years, and I have been doing both the retreats so far (push and push harder) , almost through the second one and I’m from the US.
I have been loving the training here every day! Two classes a day plus eating and learning all the things and getting bendy and I’m much better at handstands.
What am I most proud of in training so far? Um… oooh.. Being able to not get mad at myself, for the times that I fail. I have not really been that frustrated with myself when I’m here, but when I do get frustrated I get the whole “it’s okay”, so that’s been nice.
My favourite thing about TADAH and their surroundings? Mm.. probably the people. I really like the people here and being around the nature and all the upcycling and everything and the chicken, even though his voice is just terrible. I still like him (laughter) he’s cool.
What am I going to take back from this retreat in training? Self confidence and self love (laughter), and uh, a lot more like things to work on and understanding where people are and how to communicate these things. So yeah…
PUSH INTENSIVE
Katie
Oregon, USAHi. My name is Katie. I come from Portland, Oregon and I started handstanding about a year ago, so in August of 2018. I’d done a little bit in yoga, before I started training full time, full time handstanding!
I like the training here at the push harder retreat, mainly because I feel like connecting with the community of other handbalancers has been the biggest benefit for me. I train alone a lot, so having the people around to kind of poke at you and show you things, like you may be training the same drills that you train at home but once you have people actually kind of hands on and working with you, then it just makes so much more sense and, yeah.
Not only that but I feel like I’ve been able to kind of push myself physically to limits that I wouldn’t normally be able to do, while training by myself.
So far, it’s only half way through the training, but what I’m most proud of, I would say, has been in some of my mobility gains, not thinking I’m the most mobile or flexible person and getting into the deepest form of my pancake or even into the backbending things like that, is what I’ve been most proud of.
My favourite thing about TADAH and the surrounding areas is that just the serenity, the beauty and the greenery, it’s beautiful natural lighting here. Uh, yeah it just feels like a community and kind of like a home.
What I’m taking home with me from this training? I think is mainly friendships and community and people I’ll always have connections with and obviously a ton of new skills and drills and things to train on my own and kind of hopefully work on throughout the next year and come back next year and nail it! (laughter)
Pricing
The price for this Handstand Factory training intensive is €3,000 total. This includes transfers from and to the venue, accommodation, food, and all excursions and training. The spaces are very limited, and are given on a first come first served basis.
If paying in full is a limitation, please contact us here to inquire about payment plan options.