Pole dance in motion at the Phuket Pole Art Retreat, Ayara Kamala

Welcome to

Phuket Pole Retreats

28th January - 1st of February 2027

Yvonne Smink - Karem Gutierrez - Adam Lin - Jenny Liebert

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Instructors

Yvonne Smink - Karem Gutierrez - Adam Lin - Jenny Liebert

Yvonne Smink, pole instructor at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Yvonne Smink

@yvonnesmink

Yvonne Smink is a Dutch pole dance artist, instructor, and 2014 Dutch Pole Champion. She came to pole in 2011 from a wall-climbing background. Since then she's trained largely self-taught, developing a distinctive style rooted in her own body and movement.

Known for her spinning and inversion combos, handstand work, and her ability to connect with dancers at every level, she brings both technical depth and genuine warmth to her teaching. Her choreography is deeply personal — she describes her performances as taking a piece of herself, whatever she's feeling or working through, and turning it into movement on stage.

Adam Lin, pole instructor at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Adam Lin

@apolelin

Adam Lin is one of the most decorated pole competitors in the world. A two-time Mr. Pole Dance World champion, two-time Pole Icon Global winner (2022 & 2026), Australian Pole Champion, and 2019 Overall Champion of Pole Theatre UK & HK, his titles span over a decade of international competition at the highest level.

Off the competition floor, Adam is the founder of Haus of Icons, a premium coaching brand built specifically for pole performers and competitors ready to elevate their craft. His mission has always been the same: help every pole dancer find themselves and perform like they were born to.

Karem Gutierrez, pole instructor at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Karem Gutierrez

@karemgutierrez

Karem Gutierrez comes from Caracas, Venezuela, currently living in Barcelona and has been a pole dance artist since 2014. She has more than 9 years of experience as a pole dance instructor for all levels and as a competitor trainer.

Karem has won multiple international competitions. She is two-time champion in Women's Elite of the Pole Spain 2022-2023 competition, champion in the Women's Exotic Pro in the Catalunya Pole 2023, obtaining the highest score of the entire competition as well as in the Pole Art International 2023 in the Storyteller Elite category.

Jenny Liebert, pole instructor at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Jenny Liebert

@jenny_pole_phuket

With a background in gymnastics and contortion, Jenny has been part of the pole dance industry for over 16 years, teaching internationally and organizing training camps around the world. Known for her attention to detail, refined technique, and expressive approach, she helps students reach their full potential in every aspect of pole artistry.

Over the years, Jenny has expanded her teaching to include exotic dance and expressive movement, developing a distinctive fusion of acrobatic and dance styles. Her most recent influence comes from Russian acro-style, combining fluid floorwork, acrobatics, and dance.

Thai longtail boat in bright turquoise water under a sunny sky — Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

The Pole Art Retreat

The Pole Art Retreat is a unique training experience designed to help dancers explore the connection between pole, movement, and self-expression.

This retreat is not about pushing your body to its limits, it’s about learning to move intentionally and reconnecting with what feels right for each of us through the art of pole.

More than just a pole camp, it’s a creative journey through flow, artistry, and personal discovery. Throughout the week, you will learn to combine movements seamlessly, refine your technique, and develop a deeper sense of style.

🌺 For Intermediate Dancers

Intermediate participants will explore fluidity and combination work. Classes will focus on connecting familiar moves into longer, more complex and expressive sequences — introducing rhythm, musicality, and transitions that will make your dancing flow naturally. This level is also perfect for developing a broader movement vocabulary both high up on the pole and in low flow. These sessions will encourage you to experiment with pace, direction, and movement quality — transforming technique into performance.

🌹 For Advanced Dancers

Advanced students will dive into creative exploration and performance depth. You’ll challenge your versatility through advanced combos, spatial awareness, style development, and artistic effects. Specialised workshops such as choreography-creation labs and combo-design sessions will guide you in creating your own pieces — exploring how to communicate emotion and impact through movement. You will be invited to express your individuality and evolve your artistic identity in a supportive, inspiring environment.

✨ For Pro Polers

We focus on combo creation, musicality, choreography, and style development — turning advanced vocabulary into personal artistry. This retreat is about more than just technique—it’s about body and mind, expansion of self, and pushing past limits. If you’re looking to expand your creativity, refine your flow, and master breathtaking pole tricks, this experience is for you.

Book your spot on Phuket Pole Retreats!

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Pole Art Retreat 2027

Timetable & workshops

12 hours of pole workshops across 5 days, with 4 world class instructors. A welcome feast, a team boat trip around the beautiful islands of Phuket and lots of free time in between to explore and relax!

Workshops 28 January–1 February 2027. Accommodation package 27 January–2 February 2027.

Colour workshop timetable for the Phuket Pole Art Retreat 2027 — workshops 28 January to 1 February, hotel package 27 January to 2 February, classes with Karem Gutierrez, Adam Lin, Yvonne Smink and Jenny Liebert, boat trip 30 January, official checkout 2 February
Tap or click the timetable to open it full size.

Workshop timetable, text version

Thursday 28 Jan

  • 10:00–11:30: Intermediate, Karem Gutierrez, Pole Handstand
  • 11:30–13:00: Intermediate, Adam Lin, Signature Tricks
  • 13:15–14:45: Advanced, Adam Lin, Princess Dynamic
  • 14:45–16:15: Advanced, Jenny Liebert, Drops & Flips
  • 16:30–18:00: Advanced-Pro, Jenny Liebert, Dynamic Combo Creation
  • 18:00–19:30: Advanced-Pro, Adam Lin, Competition Ready

Friday 29 Jan

  • 10:00–11:30: Advanced, Karem Gutierrez, Static Rotation
  • 11:30–13:00: Advanced, Adam Lin, Signature Tricks
  • 13:15–14:45: Intermediate, Adam Lin, Lyrical Choreo
  • 14:45–16:15: Intermediate, Yvonne Smink, Animal Flow
  • 16:30–18:00: Advanced-Pro, Yvonne Smink, Pole Exploration
  • 18:00–19:30: Advanced-Pro, Jenny Liebert, Choreo Expression Play

Saturday 30 Jan

  • 08:00–09:30: Advanced-Pro, Yvonne Smink, Static Art Combo
  • 09:30–11:00: Advanced, Yvonne Smink, Pole Choreo
  • 11:00–12:30: Intermediate, Karem Gutierrez, Pole Flow
  • Boat trip after the morning workshops

Sunday 31 Jan

  • 10:00–11:30: Intermediate, Jenny Liebert, Spinning Choreo
  • 11:30–13:00: Intermediate, Yvonne Smink, Static Art Combo
  • 13:15–14:45: Advanced, Yvonne Smink, Pole Exploration
  • 14:45–16:15: Advanced, Karem Gutierrez, Static Dynamic
  • 16:30–18:00: Advanced-Pro, Adam Lin, Princess Dynamic
  • 18:00–19:30: Advanced-Pro, Karem Gutierrez, Static Dynamic

Monday 1 Feb

  • 09:00–10:30: Advanced-Pro, Karem Gutierrez, Spinning Dynamic
  • 10:30–12:00: Advanced, Jenny Liebert, Spin with Grace
  • 12:00–13:30: Intermediate, Jenny Liebert, Base Tricks
  • Optional Onsen / Spa Day or early checkout

Tuesday 2 Feb

  • Official checkout
  • Three groups
  • Eight 90-minute workshops per participant
  • Boat trip 30 January
  • Arrival 27 January
  • Workshops 28 Jan–1 Feb
  • Official checkout 2 February

WORKSHOPS

“Five days to create. The workshops are about style, flow, and play: unusual movement, new combinations, and time to find what feels like you on and off the pole. Come ready to explore, follow the music, and leave with ideas you can actually use.”

See the workshop descriptions

Packages

Deluxe Ocean View room at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Deluxe Ocean View

12 hours of workshops + 6 nights accommodation at Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa. Booking options include shared or solo, rooms with twin beds are available.

From €1,400 per person

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Deluxe with Pool Access Ocean View room at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Deluxe with Pool Access Ocean View

63 sqm room with pool access. Booking options include shared or solo.

From €1,525 per person

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Grand Thai with Private Pool & Spa Bath room at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Grand Thai with Private Pool & Spa Bath

80 sqm room with private pool.

From €1,725 per person

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Aerial of Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa, where the Phuket pole camp workshops are held

Workshops Only

12 hours of workshops + activities. If you book this option you will have to organise your own accommodation and transfer to and from Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa for workshops.

From €850 per person

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Grand Thai Natural Ocean View & Spa Bath room at the Ayara Kamala pole retreat in Phuket

Grand Thai Natural Ocean View & Spa Bath

Grand Thai Natural Ocean View & Spa Bath (80 sq.m.)

From €1,475 per person

Book now
Emerald tropical water and forest at Erawan Falls, Thailand
Longtail boats in turquoise water beside a lush green cliff in Thailand

Saturday 30 January

A day on the water, together

After the morning workshops we all go out — a day on the road and the sea around the beautiful islands of Phuket.

It is the holiday in the middle of the training week: the same people you have just been spinning with, out on the water with your favourite instructor. Not another class. Just the group, the islands, and a long, easy afternoon together.

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Pole studio at Ayara Kamala with floor-to-ceiling poles and sea views

The Studio (Ayara Kamala Phuket)

  • Beautiful air conditioned studio within the Ayara Kamala hotel
  • 9 floor to ceiling fixed poles, 3 meters tall, a mix of 45mm, 40mm, chrome, stainless and 2 powder coat (45mm and 40mm)
  • Crash mats available

The Hotel (Ayara Kamala Phuket)

  • You can Book workshop only or workshop + accommodation package (Stay at Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa)
  • Daily buffet and a la carte breakfast included
  • 5 minute shuttle to Kamala for the beach, shops and restaurants
  • 60 minute massage included
  • Partners/friends/family welcome as non polers

The Classes

  • 12 hours of workshops with world class pole artists across 4 days
  • 2 x 1.5 hour workshops per day, with a short break in between
  • Small groups of 12 people maximum
  • 3 groups based on ability: intermediate, advanced and pro

The activities

  • Welcome diner at Ayara Kamala with Thai specialities and a sea view
  • Goody bag and welcome pack
  • Group boat trip around the beautiful islands of Phuket on 30 January
  • Optional extra: Photoshoot

Instagram

@phuketpoleretreats

Studio days, Kamala views, and retreat life at Ayara Kamala. Follow along — tap a photo to open Instagram.

Follow @phuketpoleretreats
Tropical coastline and limestone islands near Phuket, Thailand

Frequently asked questions

Intermediate, advanced and pro polers — rooms, meals, and how to book this pole training week. Open the full FAQ page.

Yes — this year we look after Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro polers, so you train in a group that matches where you are. Intermediate dancers strengthen foundations and build fluidity. Advanced dancers refine personal style and artistic performance. Pro dancers focus on combo creation, musicality, choreography, and style. We welcome polers aged 18+. If you are not sure which group fits, message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.

If you have any questions about the retreat or booking, you can contact us on WhatsApp by clicking the icon below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Contact us