Vojta STOLBENKO – gustavo ollitta – lucero ponce – >>> SOLD OUT <<<
Guateflow gatherting
February 15-25, Guatemala 2024
>>> SOLD OUT – only Day Tickets available – See all the Shows to attend Here <<<
ESCAPE TO A TROPICAL PARADISE AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE AT THE GUATEFLOW GATHERING! YOU’LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONALLY LEARN FROM THE MOST INSPIRING TEACHERS ON THE PLANET, UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY AND TRY NEW PROPS, HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH OTHER FLOWMIES, GO ON ADVENTURES, AND CREATE MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME, WHILE BEING SURROUNDED BY THE BREATHTAKING BEAUTY OF THE ATLITAN LAKE…
11 DAYS PACKED WITH FLOW ARTS WORKSHOPS, DELICIOUS FOOD, ECSTATIC DANCE, YOGA, PARTIES, FIRE JAMS, PERFORMANCES, AND MUCH MORE…
Prepare to have your mind blown and be fueled with unparalleled inspiration by;
VOJTA STOLBENKO Poi, Staff Spinning, Acrobatics
GUSTAVO OLLITTA Buugeng, Handstand, Dragon Dance
LUCERO PONCE Hoop, Silk Fans, Tribal Fusion Dance
LUKE O’CONNELL Double Staff, Dragon Staff, Yoga, and Conditioning practices
KEVIN ARLERI Contact Staff, Groundwork
IRENE SHUBERTH Aerial Silks, Contemporary Dance
MARCUS KAPELLER Aerial Silks
YANIKA BELIZA Double Hoop Manipulation
KRISTA PALM Fish Tails, Stage Presence
All workshops at the GuateFlow Gathering are suited for all levels of spinners (also total newbies).
flow arts gathering
We’re super happy to announce the 3rd edition of GuateFlow! Last year was again an amazing success, and we’re really proud of how everything is evolving. This year, there will be a 3rd deck where we can organize workshops, so we can even grow a little bit to accommodate more people.
Guatemala has its high season in February, as the weather is amazing around this time of the year.
In February it will be the dry season, so probably there won’t be any rain, and day temperatures average between 75°F / 23°C and 83°F / 28°C during the day. At nighttime, temperatures will go down to around 59 °F / 15 °C making it comfortable to sleep.
Get your perfect tropical winter escape, if you’re coming from the northern hemisphere! Our epic-view training space at Eagle’s Nest has a roof, so we’re out of the full sun, also we’ll have two other shaded training decks, including the yoga shala at Starry Mountain.
– Over 8 hours of different workshops per day!
– Try out new props
vibes
– Many Performances and Dj’s at different locations
– Fire Jams, fuel will be provided
Nest
– join a Cacoa Ceremony
– free Sauna
– spin jam every afternoon with sunset!
START THE DAY WITH YOGA
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the jungle, the Shala at Starry Mountain provides the perfect serene environment for your practice. Luke’s expertise and guidance will ensure that you receive the maximum benefits from each pose and movement. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Yogi, morning yoga promises to leave you feeling energized, centered, and setting the perfect tone for a fulfilling day.
MORNING WORKSHOPS
After breakfast, the morning will be filled with Poi, Buugeng, and other Flow Arts Workshops. These classes will be given at Eagle’s Nest, Starry Mountain, and a 3rd deck that’s right next to Starry Mountain. It’s only about a 5-minute walk from Eagle’s Nest to Starry Mountain.
LUNCH we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch buffet, every day prepared for us at Eagle’s Nest with lots of fresh veggies and local dishes. There are vegetarian, vegan and meat options available.
AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
Most afternoons will have a wide variety of workshops to choose from. There will be also a festival and a boat trip to a Party on the other side of the lake.
Most afternoon workshops will be given at Eagle’s Nest, with a daily flow jam during sunset for you to enjoy the amazing scenery.
IN TOTAL, THERE ARE OVER 70 HOURS OF WORKSHOPS TO CHOOSE FROM!
Here you can have a look at last year’s shedule to get an idea of the amount of classes. The Hoop, Buugeng and Silk Fans classes will have the same amount of hours this year again. The new shedule will be released a few weeks before the start.
poi – flow freely
Learn Poi from Vojta. We won’t only focus on tricks, but also on how to incorporate the moves you already know into your own flow, and how to beautify them. Poi isn’t only about tricks… It’s a state of mind and a liberty of expression.
Choose your Level; Poi Beginners or Intermediate and above
This assures the classes will be catered to your level, and you’ll benefit the most from all the workshops.
For those who don’t yet have their own Poi, it’s possible to borrow them
buugeng – key movements
Learn Buugeng from Gustavo Ollitta
In these workshops, you will delve into the fascinating world of manipulation techniques, unlocking the secrets of S Staff or Buugeng. Discover the intricate patterns and dynamic geometries that can be created with these unique props.
The name Buugeng comes from the Japanese ‘Buu’ which is ‘optical illusion’ and ‘geng’ means ‘martial arts’.
Whether you are a seasoned performer or a curious beginner, Guateflow Gathering offers a supportive and interactive environment for all skill levels. We’ll go into the concepts of 1 & 2 beats, finger-spins, liquid weave, and much more!
For those who don’t yet have their own Buugeng, it’s possible to borrow Buugeng (for a small fee) or to buy a pair of Gustavo Ollitta.
hula hoop – dance & play
Learn Hoop Dance with Lucero Ponce
The Hoop offers an inner journey to connect more deeply with our bodies, as spinning the hoop at almost every point requires building awareness, strength, and coordination. This workshop encourages participants to be playful, just dancing and moving without judgment, allowing for a liberating and joyful experience. It is a perfect opportunity to embrace your creativity, improve your fitness level, and have fun all at once.
It’s possible to borrow a Hoop if you don’t have one.
belly dance – sensuality & coordination
Belly Dance with Lucero Ponce
Immerse yourself in this powerful ancient art form and experience the ultimate connection between body and rhythm.
Unlock the secrets to developing coordination in various parts of your body, enabling you to execute the signature dissociated movements flawlessly.
Connect with your inner femininity and sensuality through a series of soft and gracious movements. The pelvic and belly zone, known as the gravitation center of the body, holds deep energetic significance and exploring it can lead to a profound connection with your primordial essence. Embrace the fun and joy of practicing Belly Dance as you develop strength, flexibility, and grace.
silk fans – dance & expression
Learn Silk Fans from Lucero Ponce
In these workshops, you will learn the Silk Fans Fundamentals: basic wrist movements, flourishes, frames & turns. We will also create a choreography with all the different movements learned.
Come, practice, and experience the beauty of Silk Fans! ♥
For those who don’t yet have their own Silk Fans, it’s possible to borrow a pair, (for a small fee), or to buy a pair. These workshops are great for beginners.
staff spinning – speed & coordination
Learn Staff Spinning from Vojta Stolbenko
Staff spinning gives the basis for many other disciplines, like Double Staff, Dragon and Contact Staff.
Vojta’s style of Staff Spinning is fast and flashy with a lot of body movement, acrobatics and poses, making it ideal for performances.
You can borrow a simple Staff to follow this workshop.
double staff – manipulations
Learn Double Staff Manipulations from Luke O’Connell
With a perfect balance of fluidity and control, Luke’s style will captivate you and ignite your passion for double staff spinning. Immerse yourself in the world of double staff spinning as you learn and master new tricks, enhance your coordination, and develop your own unique flow.
So, whether you’re looking to refine your skills or dive into the world of double staff spinning for the first time, the Guateflow Gathering is the perfect platform to practice this captivating art form. You can borrow Double Staffs to follow this workshop.
contact staff – basics and beyond
Learn Contact Staff from Kevin Arleri
Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the fundamentals or an experienced practitioner eager to delve into advanced techniques and combinations. With Kevin Arleri as your guide, you’ll be able to unlock new levels of mastery in the art of Contact Staff. Perfect your technique and become more conscious of your body’s movements and contact with the staff.
get down on it
Learn Groundwork from Kevin Arleri
Learn how to make a change in levels, there’s much to explore on the floor! Add some varity to your flow, and learn how to safely incorporate transitions from standing to kneeling, and laying down with your Contact Staff. These techniques can also be used for other props. It’s recommended to have some kind of knee protection, at least covering your knees with long clothing.
BRING OR borrow props?
Yes, you can borrow props, but not all of them…
We try to provide as many props as possible to lend for the people that don’t have their own. But, as all of the teachers and organization come from other continents, it’s getting really expensive to fly them in, especially for bigger and heavier props! There are so many different workshops, so we can’t offer to provide props for them all. Below are the lists of which props you can borrow, and which not.
PROPS YOU CAN BORROW
All the props below, you can borrow. Please indicate at the question form, after your registration which props you want to borrow, so we can prepare them for you! There will be an extra fee, as we need to fly them in.
– Hoop, rental is $ 5 in total.
– Poi, rental is $ 5 in total.
– Silk Fans – Lucero will also be selling Silk Fans. You can also order your Silk Fans upfront here, to be sure
Silk Fans rental is $ 5 in total.
– Buugeng – Rental fee $ 15 for the full event. You can also order the Buugeng and Silk Fans upfront here, to be sure
– Dragon Dance – Gustavo will bring multiple Dragon Kites for usage during the workshop, there’s no fee. It’s also possible to buy them there.
– Double Staff – Training Double Staffs, rental $ 5 in total.
– Staff Spinning – Training Staff Spinning Staff, rental $ 5 in total.
– Yoga mat – there’s no extra fee for borrowing a yoga mat
PROPS YOU’LL NEED TO BRING YOURSELF
Please bring all these props yourself, to be able to follow the workshops.
Contact Staff – Dragon Staff
about eagle’s nest
The famous yoga deck
This venue is known not only for its stunning views of the lake but also for the high quality of events held there. From international DJs and teachers of all kinds to unique and exuberant dance events and ceremonies. This location offers a true immersion in the heart of Lake Atitlan. The shaded dance floor offers breathtaking views and is perfect for delving into any type of practice, including spinning, juggling, yoga, and meditation.
We are super happy to have this location available for many workshops on all 10 of his days at GuateFlow!
Eagle’s Nest offers a variety of accommodation types; Dorm, Queen Rooms, King Rooms, and King Studio. You can book a dormitory or a private studio with breathtaking views. There are daily 1,5-hour yoga classes and weekly ecstatic dance and sauna sessions.
You can reserve your GuateFlow ticket including accommodation at Eagle’s Nest on our website!
The Eagle’s Nest Cafe & Restaurant
Enjoy delicious food and drinks anytime in their cafe and restaurant. The menu is always full of fresh and healthy options, with vegetarian, vegan, and meat options available.
All of these goodies can be tried out during the GuateFlow Gathering. All tickets with accommodation include the daily lunch at Eagle’s Nest, so we’ll all eat there together during the retreat. It’s very convenient to eat at the venue, and it’s also nice to eat together. Every day, there will be a buffet waiting for us packed with lots of fresh, and local delicacies!
Aguilla Festival
To finish GuateFlow with a bang, there will be the Aguilla Festival on the last day! Get ready for amazing Dj’s, a cacoa ceremony, yoga, extatic dance, flow and dance workshops, and many performances.
If you want to know more about Eagle’s Nest, or already book a room a few days before the event, have a look on their website
Acatenango & Fuego Volcano Hike
Optional post-retreat Acatenango & Fuego Volcano Hike
Join us for a guided overnight volcano hike to one of the most spectacular volcanoes on the planet – or in fact two, Acatenango and Fuego! The two volcanoes sit next to each other. Acatenango is a perfect observation spot to see Fuego, which erupts every few minutes and offers a real fire show. If weather permits, we can also hike on the side of Fuego and watch eruptions from an even closer distance.
We will leave San Marcos in the early morning of the 26th and first visit Antigua where we’ll get briefed, get additional hiking clothes (in case you need to borrow a jacket for instance), and get into our shuttle to the trailhead. We’ll spend the night in a camp near the top of Acatenango. Tents, mats, sleeping bags, and food will be provided. Just before sunrise, we will hike to the top of Acatenango and watch an incredible sunrise.
After getting down and arriving back to Antigua we will have a few hours to explore this historical city before getting on our shuttle back to San Marcos. You may also opt to use this opportunity to get to Antigua and stay there after the hike (the Guatemala City airport is an hour away from Antigua (depending on traffic). The price of this is around 65$ including the transportation from San Marcos and back. Please keep in mind that the possibility of this climb is subject to weather conditions (but weather is generally good at this time of the year).
Dates: We start in the early morning of the 26th of February, 2024
– it ends at the beginning of the afternoon on the 27th (exact time can’t be guaranteed)
– TIP: stay one night in Antigua before getting your plane back on the 28th. It’s a very nice city to visit, and it’s good to take a shower before going on the plane, hahahaa.
Meet Vojta, the tech-savvy dance and acrobatics wizard hailing from the Czech Republic. He’s not your run-of-the-mill performer; he’s a true pioneer in the world of Poi spinning. With his unique style and out-of-the-box approach, he’s cooked up some mind-blowing poi techniques that have turned the poi world upside down.
Vojta’s been a pro fire performer for over a decade! He’s rubbing shoulders with high-flying artistic troupes at events all around the globe. These days, he’s teaming up with his ex-Cirque du Soleil buddy, Srikanta Barefoot, and the cool cats over at Fusion Arts. He’s also been spotted hanging with the French crews of Supercho, Mandalights, and Cercle de Feu. And if that’s not enough, you might catch him lighting up the stage with the Phoenix Fire Dancers or his fellow Czech performers, Tom Hora and Kri stina Zebrova.
Vojta’s passion for Poi knows no bounds. He’s been spreading the love all over the world, teaching eager learners in his workshops and retreats. And get this, he’s not just a master spinner; he’s also a video whiz. He’s rolled out some epic and inspirational Poi videos (yep, he’s a professional videographer on the side). You might’ve even seen his famous “The Future Is Now”.” video that has the most views in the world, for a Poi video…
If you want to up your Poi game, hop on over to his PoiTutorials.com platform, where you’ll find a treasure trove of over 150 Poi tutorials. Curious to see more of Vojta’s incredible talents? Check out his videos and hit up his personal website. Just click on those icons below, and let the Poi party begin! ♂️
bUUGENG, DRAGON KITE
Meet Gustavo Ollitta, the Brazilian circus wizard! He’s a maestro of Buugeng, Poi, Slack Rope, and Balancing tricks.
Gustavo embarked on his magical journey of object manipulation back in 2007. It all started when he touched Poi, but the real light bulb moment came in 2009 when he stumbled upon Buugeng. Fast forward to 2010, and he dropped his first Buugeng video on YouTube, aptly named “Flow.” That video was pure fire, drawing in over 2.5 million awestruck viewers. Suddenly, Gustavo wasn’t just a guy with some cool toys; he was THE buugeng sensation everyone talked about.
If you’ve ever crossed paths with Buugeng, Gustavo’s name has probably popped up a time or two!
In 2011 he enrolled in the Contemporary Circus course at Scuola di Cirko, Vertigo, Italy (from 2011 to 2013). Thanks to his time there, Gustavo’s bag of tricks expanded to include impressive moves like Slack Rope wizardry, perfect handstands, and a treasure trove of performance and teaching secrets. This dude is a circus powerhouse with a touch of Brazilian flair! ♂️
HOOP, SILK FANS, BELLYDANCE
Meet Lucero Ponce, the Peruvian Flow Artist extraordinaire! She’s all about Hula Hoop, Belly Dance, Buugeng, Balancing tricks, and finding her inner balance.
Lucero’s love affair with body expression kicked off in 2010. She was all like, “Let’s dance!” So, she dived headfirst into modern dance, belly dance, and contemporary dance classes. That same year, she stumbled upon the enchanting world of yoga and meditation.
Fast forward to 2015, and Lucero took a deep dive into the realm of flow arts. She started her journey with Hula Hoop, weaving together her body expression expertise with other Flow Arts disciplines. Then in 2018, after seven years of yoga prowess, she jetted off to Thailand and became a Yoga Teacher with a shiny 200-hour certification.
Lucero and Gustavo are the dynamic duo behind Equilibra. But they’re not just a pair of talented performers; they’re globe-trotting sensations. They’ve dazzled audiences and shared their wisdom on solo and duo acts at TV shows, juggling extravaganzas, music festivals, serene retreats, thought-provoking conferences, and high-society galas. Their influence spans across 25 countries, lighting up stages in Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East, and South America.
And guess what? These two never hit the brakes. They’re always conjuring up fresh ideas and delivering cutting-edge concepts in Flowarts, circus, and dance techniques to the world. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of creativity! ♂️
She’s not just your average yoga teacher. Lucero’s got the moves, and she’s certified with a cool 200 hours of training under her belt.
contact staff & ground work
In 2005, Kevin discovered the new art of fire performance. Immediately he catapulted onto the stage and started busking in the streets, in front of the great Parisian monuments. They founded the SuperCho company that same year. Thanks to his innovative and original ideas, and his training as a sound engineer, his shows quickly became a huge success.
He has been performing all over the world, and is now also very active behind the stage, growing his company and doing a lot of organization. He’s designing acts and choreos, and programming LED props. Programming LED props is another one of his specialties, having made some of the first iconic shows like Concerto Chromatique. With his strong entrepreneurial spirit, he intends to take this company to the end of the dream!
Kevin is a master with Contact Staff and Double Staff. He’s also professionally performing with Poi, Buugeng, and Dragon Staff.
double staff, dragon staff & Yoga
Let’s dive into the vibrant world of Luke, an Aussie who fell head over heels for Flow Arts and Circus when he was just a teenager, about 17 years back. Since then, he’s taken his passion for Dance and movement on an epic journey through various realms.
He is performing with Single Staff, Double Staff, Poi, Fire Fans, and Dragon Staff and also rocking it with Fire Eating and Sword.
In 2016, Luke decided to go global. He packed his bags and toured through Europe and the UK, leaving a trail of amazed spectators in his wake. Fast forward to today, and he’s chilling in the Netherlands, keeping the magic alive. He continues his path as a performer with his group ‘Luminosity’ while also collaborating with groups such as Lumino, Lights in Motion, and Super Cho.
Luke’s got big plans, and he’s pumped to share his expertise. He’s all about bringing the Zen with Yoga and Meditation sessions, and if you’re into Double Staff wizardry, he’s your guy. With his years of knowledge, he’s ready to dish out a fun and beneficial experience for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned Flow Artist or a just starting, he’s got something for you. Expect a mix of Yoga secrets, dynamic and static stretching, flexibility tips, and strength training – all wrapped up in one fantastic package. This is going to be one retreat you won’t want to miss!
aerial & contemporary dance
Step into Irene’s world, where gravity is just a suggestion. Her aerial dance performances are a breathtaking fusion of acrobatics and contemporary dance that redefine the art of movement. Picture this: Irene soaring through the air, spinning with grace and precision, inviting the audience to experience the sensation of flight themselves.
Born in Austria, Irene’s passion for dance led her to graduate in contemporary dance, and dance theatre from the Fontys Dance Academy in the Netherlands back in 2005. Since 2009, she’s been a global nomad, captivating audiences worldwide with her aerial prowess and diverse circus arts performances.
But Irene isn’t just an artist—she’s a maestro of movement. As a qualified aerialist, contemporary dance instructor, and Pilates guru, she’s on a mission to unlock the secrets of this acrobatic art form for enthusiasts worldwide.
Her resume reads like a world tour of dance and aerial brilliance. Irene’s talents have graced international companies like T.R.A.S.H. in the Netherlands, ST 101 improvisation dance company, Workshop of Arts in Greece, Flowmotion dance company in Austria, and she’s left her mark as a freelancer with acclaimed names like Phoenix Creative and Fidget Feet aerial dance theatre in Ireland, Natura rigging performance company and Nataya Nectar aerial and dance company in India, and Bliss Circus in India.
Currently, Irene’s artistry shines with their Flare Performance circus performing arts company in Austria, where she continues to captivate audiences with her spellbinding aerial dance performances.
aerial workshops
Meet Markus, a dynamic performer and visionary director at “Flare Performance.” With over 20 years of experience captivating audiences worldwide, he’s not your average artist—he’s a maestro of multi-skilled brilliance. From blazing fire & pyrotechnic shows to mesmerizing aerial acrobatics and circus arts, Markus is a force of artistic prowess.
His journey began in 2003 with Phoenix Creations, a renowned performance company that took Markus on an exhilarating ride across the globe. They created magic at theaters, circuses, TV gigs, corporate events, and high-end galas, leaving a trail of awe wherever they went.
Drawing from these rich experiences, Markus established the captivating artist collective, “Flare Performance,” igniting stages in Austria and beyond. Picture this: aerial acrobatics that defy gravity, contemporary circus acts that mesmerize, stunning fire performances that leave you breathless, and futuristic LED acts that transport you to another dimension.
Today, Markus continues to weave his magic with Flare Performance and Phoenix Creative. Yet, his artistry extends far and wide, collaborating with international dance companies, aerial theaters, rigging experts, pyrotechnic wizards, and renowned fire show productions worldwide. His secret? Blending different art forms into an enchanting symphony that’s a feast for the senses.
double hoop manipulation
Enter the world of Yanika, a hoop artist, and a mesmerizing performer who thrives on the rhythm of dance and the artistry of manipulating hoops, LED, and fire. Hailing from the enchanting landscapes of Finland, she’s spent half her life immersed in Asia, honing her craft while delving deep into yoga and the evolution of her art.
Yanika’s journey has been a whirlwind across the globe—she’s enchanted audiences in over 40 countries with her solo performances and as part of the spellbinding group, LUMINO. But she doesn’t stop there. Her passion extends to teaching, leading workshops in Japan, China, and India, while gracing European conventions with her expertise in multi-hooping and double hoops.
Eager for more, Yanika’s aspirations soar higher. She dreams of weaving her magic across even more corners of the world—performing, teaching, and sharing her passion for hoop artistry.
Hoop dancing isn’t just her forte; it’s her muse. Alongside hoops, she effortlessly maneuvers poi, double staffs, fans, fire sufi skirt, and contact juggling, painting the air with her artistic flair. Not just a performer, she’s also a designer, crafting and offering mesmerizing performance costumes that complement her acts. Take a peek at her stunning creations via the links below.
fishtails & stage presence
Meet Krista Palm she is the fire queen from Estonia, at least on the stages. In real life, she is rather a hands-on artist who likes to bring her visions alive by creating everything visual that involves a good fire-, led-show or character acting like a living statue. She mostly performs solo and duo acts with other artists from her studio, but she has also created big shows that are over 1h long and involve around 20 artists.
For her, it is important that whatever she does comes from the heart and is the best that she can do at the moment! This approach and passion make her a present artist on the stage and keep her constantly developing as a flow artist, performer, choreographer, teacher, costume designer, and anything that she puts her mind to. In a performance it is important for her that it is technical, well choreographed, and mostly that she can be emotionally present and share her light with the audience.
Krista has been a performing artist since 2013 and opened her own flow arts studio in 2018 called “Artistic Flow Studio” in Estonia, Tartu. This is the place she trains, teaches, and creates most of the year when she is not traveling the world. Her main passions at the moment are sticks, all kinds of sticks! Contact staff, double staffs, fish tails, triple staff, juggling staff etc. She is also a master in poi, Russian grip fans, dragon staff, and combining them all with dance, acrobatics, and emotional performance.
your accommodation
– Book your accommodation + full workshop ticket
– Lunch Buffet is included every day at Eagle’s Nest! (Vegetarian, Vegan, and Meat options available)
– Prices between $ 720 and $ 1210
– Starry Mountain is a cool Eco-conscious Jungle Resort. There are several other accommodations very close by, (Casa Jaguar and Jungle Rootz) we’ll also include them here as the neighbors.
– Book your accommodation + full workshop ticket
– Three healthy meals per day and drinks are included in the ticket (Vegetarian, Vegan, and Meat options are available)
– Prices between $ 1320 and $ 1990
– Eagle’s Nest is the iconic jungle resort with the famous yoga deck! There will be many workshops given at Eagle’s Nest. Get free Sauna access, and 1,5h extra yoga classes per day included.
– Reserve your Workshop-Only ticket
– Choose any other accommodation that suits you!
– You can still get the lunches at Eagle’s Nest for $ 10 per lunch
this is what our past guateflow
attendees say
From Vojta: Since I explored Guatemala in 2017, I always dreamt of organizing a retreat at the Atitlán lake. The combination of numerous active volcanoes, tropical nature and mountainous landscape gives this place a truly unique feeling. This video is partially shot in Guatemala and Costa Rica (majority of beach shots are from Costa Rica and all the volcano shots, waterfalls, and Mayan ruins are from Guatemala)
I’m happy to share my experience from this beautiful country – from the volcanoes of Atitlán to the beautiful colonial architecture of Antigua, millenniums-old Mayan ruins or incredible waterfalls and cascades of Semuc Champey.
Atitlán lake
is the deepest lake in Central America, with water that is clean and perfectly suitable for swimming. The culture of the towns and villages surrounding Lake Atitlán is influenced by the Maya people. Lake Atitlán is renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and is one of Guatemala’s most important national and international tourist attractions. In literature, it is often called “the most beautiful lake in the world”. It won’t look so far-fetched once you see it! The area around San Marcos (where the retreat takes place) has particularly tall cliffs abutting the lake and in recent years has become renowned for cliff diving. Despite that, there are many small beaches offering comfortable access to the water.
Surrounding the lake caldera, there are three volcanoes. Volcán Atitlán lies on the southern rim of the caldera, while Volcán San Pedro and Volcán Tolimán lie within the caldera. San Pedro is the oldest of the three and seems to have stopped erupting about 40,000 years ago. Tolimán began growing after San Pedro stopped erupting and probably remains active, although it has not erupted in historic times. Atitlán has developed almost entirely in the last 10,000 years and remains active, its most recent eruption having occurred in 1853.
If you wish to observe an active volcano doing its things, then we recommend visiting volcan Fuego or Pacaya, that are nearby.
Pacaya is an active volcano, which rises to an elevation of 2,552 meters (8,373 ft). After being dormant for over 70 years, it began erupting vigorously in 1961 and has been erupting frequently since then. Much of its activity is Strombolian – which is a rare type of frequent activity, perhaps the most interesting one, as it almost guarantees you to see lava. It’s not a coincidence that we organize a retreat in Stromboli and Guatemala 😉
Have you ever seen lava? If not, you might be really interested to see it. If you have seen it, you are probably interested even more.
Climbing Pacaya is relatively easy and suitable for almost everyone. The full hike can be easily done in half a day. The reward isn’t only seeing lava and the top of Pacaya, but also an amazing view of all the other surrounding volcanoes, as shown in the picture of the dude with poi (Vojta)
Antigua is an ancient city (originating in 1524) in the central highlands of Guatemala known for its preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture as well as a number of ruins of colonial churches. It served as the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is surrounded by three majestic volcanoes – Volcan de Agua, Volcan de Acatenango, and the most impressive one, Volcan de Fuego.
A volcano worth seeing – even from a distance – that is Volcan de Fuego. As the name tells, this is a furious one – it is famous for being almost constantly active, with small gas and ash eruptions occur every 15 to 20 minutes.
The best view is available from Volcan de Acatenang – a neighboring volcano with a similar height to that of Fuego. If you are into volcanoes and hikes, this is the right choice for you. However, this quite a challenging one, requiring certain equipment, and time to hike.
If you are interested, let us know, as we are probably going to climb this volcano before or after the retreat too 😉
Tikal, perhaps the most amazing Mayan ruins
A bit further from the Atitlán lake, there lays the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. It can be easily reached by an overnight bus to “Flores” – a city on a little island on a beautiful lake, which is the starting point of all Tikal expeditions. This Mayan city is definitely worth visiting. I’ve been to many Mayan sights in Guatemala and Mexico, but this is perhaps the most amazing one. I recommend going there early and spending a whole day. It’s not a bad idea to pay for a tour guide (which isn’t expensive) as the stories that come with each of the numerous pyramids or ruin in the city add another dimension to your experience.
The Cascades of Semuc Champey
Located in the middle of a tropical national park, surrounded by traditional villages and steep mountains of mid-land Guatemala, Semuc Champey offers perhaps to most tropical experience I can imagine in this country.
It’s not only this tropical paradise by a wild river but also the whole experience of getting there and seeing the local life. I remember walking in a random village near this place, observing some local religious ceremonies, eating in a small restaurant that perhaps wasn’t even a restaurant and staying in a little cabin just next to the river with a lot of fireflies all around!
It does take some time to get there, but it is worth it! It’s good to combine this trip with visiting Tikal – perhaps on your way back from Tikal to Guatemala city.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my little story about all the amazing spots to visit in Guatemala. I look forward meeting you soon, so we can climb a volcano together!
details guateflow gathering
The retreat is from February 15-25, 2024
Click here to see more detailed info about how to get to San Marcos la Laguna
The location of Starry Mountain is; Barrio 2 San marcos la laguna, 07010, Guatemala
Most of the attendees will stay here, and with the neighbors. It’s about a 5-minute walk to Eagles Nest, where part of the workshops will be given.
The location of Eagle’s Nest Atitlán is; Lake Atitlán, San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
Most of the workshops will be given here. It’s about a 5-minute walk to Starry Mountain, where some workshops will be given, and many attendants will stay.
We won’t only focus on tricks, so even if you aren’t familiar with some poi moves yet, you will still benefit from the body movement workshops. And you will be taught the moves you miss.
If you can’t do some of the moves listed above, don’t worry! We will teach you that. However, if you want to be prepared, look up some tutorials (such as those on Playpoi.com – those are great!)
BEGINNERS OR TOTAL NEWBIES
We don’t have any minimum requirements to join any of our retreats. For every trick, there will be beginner and advanced variations. We always work with groups of hugely varying levels, and the lesson material will go on as planned, even if not everybody gets the trick. There will be recaps of every class on the retreat, so you can continue to practice at home 😉
Prices range for the full event from $ 480 p.p. for a Workshop-Only ticket to $ 1190 with accommodation and all food included in Eagle’s Nest.
- EAGLE’S NEST: 3 meals per day are included in the ticket price
- STARRY MOUNTAIN +: Lunch is included in your ticket at Eagle’s Nest. Free coffee is included from breakfast till lunch 😉
For breakfast, you can order what you want in the Starry Mountain cafe, or prepare your own breakfast.
For the dinners, you can decide per day. We’ll go to different venus to do fire spinning for example, so you could have dinner there. There are many amazing restaurants in town. Also there are evenings where we’ll stay in Starry Mountain, and there will be meals prepared which you can decide to buy for around $ 6. On the evenings where we have program elsewhere, if you’re not feeling to go out, you can prepare your dinner in the communal Starry Mountain kitchen.DRINKING WATER is freely available at Eagle’s Nest and Starry Mountain+. They have water filters, as we don’t reccomend drinking the tap water!
GUATEMALA
The entry requirements are in effect since August 13, 2022; (Updated Oct, 2023)
Flying from Europe;
No tests or vaccination certificate are required to enter Guatemala
Flying from the USA;
No tests or vaccination certificate are required to enter Guatemala
Check the entry requirements for your home country at one of these websites;
SHERPA
FLYING/ TRANSIT MEXICO
No restrictions; there is no need to provide a negative PCR test or quarantine on arrival.
FLYING/TRANSIT COSTA RICA
No restrictions; the Government of Costa Rica does not require tourists entering to present a negative COVID-19 test, nor quarantine upon arrival.
FLYING/TRANSIT USA
No restrictions; they have lifted the mandatory vaccines
We will closely monitor the situation and provide you the newest up to date info.
We will refund the deposit paid on all tickets, if government regulations prevent you from entering Guatemala. If Guatemala will go into lock-down, we will refund your deposit up to 1 month before the start of the event, minus an administration fee of € 25. After one month before the start of the event, we can’t make any refunds.
These rules only apply if travelling to- and in Guatemala will be forbidden, and the official government website(s) confirm this.
We advise you to take personal travel insurance, that covers;
– Reimbursement of any pre-booked events or excursions
– Coronavirus cancellation cover
See an example here https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/quote
You can see this event on Facebook here; GuateFlow – The Atitlan Flow Arts Gathering
don’t miss out, book your TICKET!