Wander Women Wednesdays: Announcing Our Aerial + Yoga Adventure in Tel Aviv

Then, during one of my approximately one million trips to Israel in the past two years (okay okay, it’s been four), a friend of a friend put me in touch with some aerialists and pole instructors for private classes and it hit me — where could be more perfect for  our big collaboration than Tel Aviv? Let me count the ways.

• There’s enormous, creative and supportive aerial, acro, and pole scenes in Tel Aviv — plus a trapeze rig right outside the city

• Israel is world-famous for its fresh incredible food, perfect for fueling all our adventures

• When we’re not training, the country is rife with beautiful beaches to play on, exotic markets to explore, and world-class nightlife to toast to

• There are direct flights from New York, home of High Flying Retreats (plus, from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Washington, Las Vegas, Montreal, and Toronto, just to name the North American options)

And while there’s no mistaking that Israel is an expensive destination, we’re proud that we got creative and actually managed to make this our most affordable retreat of the year thanks to an incredibly hip hostel we’re working with in Tel Aviv — just a ten minute walk from the urban circus we’re renting, right in the heart of the city. Those craving a little more privacy and pampering can go for a single room, while those looking for those sleepover vibes can opt for a dorm exclusive to our retreat group.

We’ll kick off every morning of the trip up on the hostel rooftop, where I’ll lead a strengthening or slow flow yoga class before we head over to Bascula to learn aerial lyra, silks and hammocks from the best — Brenna! After lunch at a rotating roster of my favorite hidden spots in the city, we’ll take off for an afternoon of exploring Tel Aviv’s best beaches, markets, and more. We’ll also head off for local adventures like a flying trapeze class, a pole workshop with an actual Israeli pole celebrity, and a stand up paddle fitness session. At night, we’ll find out why Tel Aviv is the buzziest cities in the Middle East — Israelis know how to party!

Israel is filled with incredible history, yes, but it’s also home to some of the most vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and interesting people in the world — brace yourself for five days of beaches, hummus, sunshine, and flying!

Not enough time? Certainly I don’t blame you! Which is why we created an option to extend your stay. After traipsing and trapezing around Tel Aviv, join us for a two night trip around some of the top sights of Israel, from the ancient Old City of Jerusalem to the infamously salty Dead Sea to a winery in the Judaean Hills.

As many of you know one of my big goals on my 2020 trips was to outsource photography! For this trip a dedicated photographer will be behind the lens every step of the way, ensuring everyone leaves with profile-picture worthy shots of themselves in the air, in their favorite asanas, and on epic adventures. We’ve even included an afternoon photoshoot slash highlight reel shoot, so you can capture all your hard work of the trip.

Please note that while my previous aerial retreats have been open to complete beginners, having a confident inversion on your preferred apparatus is highly recommended for this trip. Don’t be intimidated — this retreat is open to a variety of levels of yogis and aerialists, it’s just that you will get the most out of it if you have a passion for aerial arts and a base-level of skill in at least one aerial apparatus before enrolling. Feel free to contact me to discuss your situation — in fact, there’s a link below to set up a Skype call any time.

June is the perfect time of the year to visit Tel Aviv. The summer party vibes are heating up but the temperatures are still bearable. Kick off your summer in style — and be the first back home to nab a tan. Read on for more details.

The Details

The retreat will be held over six days from June 5th to 10th, 2021. The cost, including just about everything, starts at $1500. The post-retreat extension tour will take place immediately following, from June 3rd-5th, and starts at $500.

What’s Included

• Five nights accommodation at a popular design hostel in Tel Aviv
• Two meals a day
• Four two hour aerial arts workshops with Brenna
• Five mat yoga classes and/or bands and sculpt sessions with Alex
• One pole lesson with a local pole fitness icon
• One trapeze lesson with a local trapeze duo
• One stand up paddle board tour with a local surf goddess
• A professionally produced aerial highlight reel shoot
• A custom welcome bag
• All tips for tour guides and drivers
• Professional photos of the trip
• Donation to local charities

 

The Itinerary

Subject to change, and expect surprises, but here’s the general idea.

Day 1: Those arriving early in the day in sunny Tel Aviv can head to Yarkon Park for an epic weekly acro-jam to warm up for the week! Once everyone’s accounted for, we’ll get together at our hostel headquarters for a rooftop yin yoga class designed to stretch out all the tired travel muscles followed by welcome libations at the hostel bar. Next, we’ll head over to dinner in a secret garden restaurant to get to know your fellow aerial artists.

Day 2: Kick off the morning with a roof yoga session and traditional Israeli breakfast. Next, we’ll head to Bascula, Tel Aviv’s urban circus school, for the first of our daily two hour workshops with Brenna in aerial silks, hoops, and hammocks. Later, we’ll then enjoy lunch in Jaffa, Tel Aviv’s charming old city and the perfect base to explore the iconic Jaffa flea market, people watch at a popular surf and dog beach, and take in the best viewpoint in the city. At sunset, we’ll head into the water for a stand up paddle board aerial strength session. At night, Tel Aviv roars to life again.

Day 3: We’ll start the day again with a morning yoga session overlooking the city’s famous Bauhaus architecture before heading back to Bascula for another aerial workshop. After lunch at a hip garden cafe, its time for afternoon beach bummer — the summer beach scene in Tel Aviv is not to be missed! In the evening, he’ll head north of the city for a flying trapeze lesson. After our personal Cirque du Soleil training, we’ll head back into the heart of the city for dinner at an iconic pita joint.

Day 4: Get your day off to a strong start with our morning yoga class specifically designed to cater to aerialists, followed by another training session at Bascula with Brenna. After lunch at an iconic Arabic restaurant (where shots of arak are almost guaranteed), we’ll wander through the famous Levinsky Market, packed with small stalls & cafés and open for nearly a century. In the afternoon, we’re taking a private pole class with an iconic Israeli pole teacher — the pole scene in Israel is unreal! Giggles and feeling empowered guaranteed. We’ll close out the night with dinner and drinks and — and perhaps a few after-hours showings off of our new moves.

Day 5:  Time to namaste together again for a final rooftop yoga and aerial arts workshop combo. After a catered lunch at Bascula, we’re showing off our new skills with a professional highlight reel photo and video shoot of your best work. We did it! Time to head to the beach and toast to a high flying week with sunset drinks followed by a lively dinner and an insider’s nightlife tour of Tel Aviv.

Day 6: Instead of packing your bags to head home, pack your bags to explore more of Israel! First stop?  A gorgeous vineyard where we’ll learn more about wine production in the land of milk & honey. Next stop, one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world — Jerusalem. That night, we’ll embrace local delicacies with a hummus making workshop. According to native Israelis, you’ve never even tried hummus if you haven’t had it locally made. Bar hopping in the old city to follow.

Day 7: New profile picture coming at ya from the Dead Sea! Today we’re heading out on a private party bus through the desert, including a cable car ride to Masada, a famous viewpoint and historic fortress overlooking the Dead Sea; a stop at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a literal oasis in the desert; and Kalia Beach, where you can slather yourself in black Dead Sea mud or sit back for a surreal float in one of the saltiest bodies of water on earth. Many consider the Dead Sea to have holistic healing benefits, perfect for our sore post-aerial muscles. As is a drink at the lowest bar on Earth, 1,388 feet below sea level! Once back in Jerusalem, we’ll break bread at a traditional Shabbat dinner, a beautiful Jewish tradition of a weekly dinner with loved ones.

Day 8: It’s time to say shalom to Israel — for now!