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Instructors

2026 Instructor lineup
Click each image for class descriptions.
Aaliyah, founder of Whole Essence Wellness, is a community guide and event organizer who creates spaces for mind, body, and soul healing through deepening connections – connections to self, others, nature, and the transcendent. She hosts a wide range of experiences that help people feel safe to open up, release what no longer serves them, and return to their whole essence. She emphasizes embodiment, play, authentic expression, presence, and conscious connection in every space she holds. In addition, as an ecologist and nomad, she sees Mother Gaia as a wise mentor and healer, and weaves the Earth’s teachings in her work.
Aaliyah

Authentic Relating: The Art of Human Connection

Mind-to-Mind: Telepathy Practice Workshop

Guided Nature Immersion

Alan Pennington is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist specializing in trauma work. Alan believes self-love is the heart of all healing. By learning to be kind and compassionate to ourselves, by bringing healing to our inner child, we can find joy and peace. In doing so, we will then be able to spread that love, joy and healing to everyone around us. “If we don’t love others well, it’s because we don’t know how to truly love ourselves well.” Alan has written a book “Crisis to Calm” describing this process and enjoys sharing ways to heal on his podcast “The Curious Counselor”. I hope you will be able to join Alan on a curious, compassionate journey to inner healing and joy.
Alan

Healing Your Inner Child

"Amanda has been trained and certified as an Akashic Records Practitioner, a Reiki Practitioner, and as a 200 hr trauma informed Kundalini Yoga Instructor. In addition Amanda also completed a 50 hour trauma informed Kundalini Rebirthing Teacher Training program. She also hosts a weekly trauma informed women's support circle titled Goddess Circle. Amanda Is passionate about holding space for others on their journey to healing and remembering who they are on a soul level, building community, and sharing with others what has helped her on her healing journey."
Amanda

Kundalini Yoga

"Ami is a seasoned ritual facilitator who has led over a dozen wellness-based rituals blending magick, meditation, and healing. She’s shared her vibrant energy at festivals like PlayThink, Kinetic Fire, Lakes of Fire, Bliss Fest, Holler Fest, and Great Lakes Flow. As the host of Moon Circle Burns in Michigan, Ami creates fire and flow experiences rooted in elemental wisdom and archetypal exploration. Her work helps people reconnect with their power through grounded presence, emotional release, and radiant joy."
Ami Linae

Light as a Feather: A Self-Forgiveness Ritual and Guided Meditation

Amy Gable, of YAM HAPPY, believes that art is the way she knows how to pursue happiness, and that teaching that path is how she can best build-up and support her community. She draws inspiration from the natural world, human connection and the community. She enjoys guiding folks of all ages to explore their imagination, while building confidence and bringing happiness. Amy teaches locally in Cincinnati, Ohio. From sustainable community art projects, to crochet. As a daycare provider, she uses art as a tool for growth and development. Currently, her favorite ways to create are fiber based projects, stained glass, and exploring new mediums.
Amy

Rainbow Tag

Temporary Tattoos

Angela Scharfenberger has dedicated over 30 years to a love of African music. With familial music roots and academic classical piano and voice, she discovered African drums at Kente International in the early 1990s. This led to a week-long workshop with Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji in 1994. Under the tutelage of Sowah Mensah she intensively studied Ghanaian drums, songs, and xylophone (1994-1998) in Minnesota. Angela’s next deep dive was into Zimbabwean mbira, song and marimba with the late Dr. Sheasby Matiure (2005-2009) while earning her M.A. (2009) and PhD (2017) in Ethnomusicology and African Studies from IU. Both of her mentors encouraged Angela to teach. Angela spent two summers (2006, 2012) learning music and conducting anthropological research in Ghana and Zimbabwe, and an intensive two weeks in the Gambia (2021). She has produced dozens of workshops and concerts for touring African musicians, including Saakumu Drum Ensemble. Angela currently performs with Yapa! (cumbia), The Song Sparrows (bluegrass), and Calabash (kora and balafon). Angela has taught at the Louisville Folk School for five years, with over 100 students and a focus on community building and cultural understanding.
Angela Scharfenberger

Kids Drumming

April Jennifer Choi has been a full-time circus performer, a World Record Holder, a viral sensation, and a television personality; she currently works as an Aerospace Engineer at Kennedy Space Center. She is most well-known for her whip skills, breaking dozens of world records and traveling the world for various TV performances. Her career in fire performance has had hundreds of international news articles written about her fire stunts. April has traveled worldwide as a performer and instructor, making many national and international television appearances. She has been an innovator in prop design and engineering adding an arsenal of tools to the performance world.
April Jennifer Choi

Intro to Partner Dancing – Blues and Fusion (Beginner)

Playing Cards Manipulation (Beginner)

The Science & Physics of Flow Arts (Beginner)

Choreography – Music Structure & Song Mapping (Beginner)

Hello my amazing Playthinkers!!! My name is Ashlea Lux and I absolutely cannot wait to flow with you all!!! I've been involved in flow arts for 9 years now and could never see my life without it being an essential part of it! I spin so many different props, BUT hoops and dragon are just my absolute favorites! I'm looking forward to teaching you all that I know (and I'm almost certain you'll show us all something new too!!!) and having so much fun together doing it! Also!!!! My seven year-old has been hooping and spinning dragon since she was THREE!!! She started her fire journey at five years-old, so make sure you give her some love when you see her out in the fire circle!!! Love you all and see you soon!!!
Ashlea Lux

Hoop Chest Rolls

Becoming a DRAGON – the intro!

Hoop Choreography with a BUDDY!

Aurora Solara is a children’s book author featuring spiritual themes. She provides fun & educational events for children in the Cincinnati Area. She also produces themed parties in costume such as, Galaxy Girl, Fairy Godmother, Magical Mermaid and more. Her passion to create magic and wonder for the kids brings so much Joy!
Aurora

Chariot of Light- How to activate your light body.

Originally from San Diego. Bella started their flow journey in Alaska in 2015 & moved to the Bay in 2020. They have been hooping for 10 years, spinning double staves for 4 years, and dabble in a variety of other props as well. They are a professional ballroom dance instructor & love hip-hop & tribal fusion. They have a deep passion for the tech side of spinning & love to combine tech with their dance background to create a dynamic, expressive, and eye catching flow.
Bella LaRue

Think outside the circle” (All levels single hoop tech)

Pick up sticks: Grid work and 3D tech (intermediate)

Mind melt: A patterns class (advanced)

"Ben Short is a 200hr CYT who has been teaching yoga full time since 2015, with well over 2500 hours of teaching experience! Ben is a versatile teacher, enjoying sharing Vinyasa or Hatha, Restorative or Yin, even Hot Yoga. He’s noted for his warm positivity, detailed instruction particularly excellent for beginners, and compassionate delivery empowering all to feel comfortable and focused. Ben is also an accomplished musician and composer. Bringing those two worlds together, Ben offers live musical accompaniment for yoga classes that is truly special, uniquely able to flow the music with the practice, often described as downright magical! And come festival time, Ben loves to share his passion for astronomy and stargazing, offering fun and interactive nighttime workshops teaching and identifying the night sky! "
Ben Short

Stargazing

"Brando is a licensed massage therapist, Thai body worker, reiki practitioner, ceremonial leader, teacher, student, and a lover of life and all of its mysteries. He regularly offers ecstatic vocal toning, sound baths, trance dances, ceremonies, and leads a men’s group as well as his professional energy and bodywork. It is his life’s mission to do what he can to bring balance to the earth by sharing what he’s learned, dancing and singing all the while. "
Brando

Ecstatic Vocal Toning

 

"Briana Kline is the founder of Roots of Integrity, Holistic Fitness and Wellness and lives in Goshen, KY; she teaches at her home studio and in Louisville. Briana has been in the movement teacher world for over 25 years. Her teaching passions have evolved from dance, to yoga, to Pilates, then GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC®. The evolution moved her work from being very choreography and biomechanical, and through work in rehab with the Spinal Cord Injury community developing a deep awareness and strong understanding of neurological components to movements, to now seeing the GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS work through a lens of our energetic pathways and understanding the deep importance of our nervous system and energies in and around us. Briana and her 2 boys were thrilled to attend PlayThnk Festival last year and now she is inspired to bring GYROKINESIS movement to the festival. GYROKINSIS movement is achievable for anyone, the workshop(s) held at PlayThink will be geared for those 13 years of age and up. She will move every part of your body from your hair to your toes. With a focus on ""awakening the senses"" and moving the spine in all directions your body will release the stagnant energy that may be trapped. There will be a focus on breathing, and different breathing patterns to help move the body energetically and bring blood flow to your brain and entire system. You will leave feeling awake, energized, and tuned into your personal power and your body. Her intution and eye for movement will leave you feeling heard, seen, and inspired."
Briana

GYROKINESIS®, awakening the senses and freeing up space

Britany Starkey is a rope dartist that has been practicing for 7 years and instructing for 5 years. She has been an instructor at Dart Arts Retreat, Kinetic Fire, Playthink, Mountain Music Festival, and has worked with several private students. Rope Dart is a central part of her life and she aspires to make rope dart accessible for anyone interested in learning. Her teaching methods prioritize teaching foundational skills, building confidence, and giving people the tools they need to develop their own style.
Britany Starkey

Rope Dart Dance

Pixel Whip Choreography

 

"Britt is an educator with a passion for creativity, connection, and hands-on learning. As a Waldorf teacher, they bring stories, rhythm, movement, and outdoor exploration into every corner of their work with the children. Waldorf education is rooted in the rhythms of nature, the healing power of art, and a spiritually rich curriculum that nurtures the whole child head, heart, and hands. Britt embodies these principles in both their teaching and way of life.They have a deep spiritual connection to nature and believe in the quiet magic that lives around and in all of us especially when we pause to truly notice. Whether guiding little ones through building fairy houses, finger knitting, or imaginative play, Britt creates warm, magical spaces where curiosity and wonder thrive. Their approach invites children to slow down, connect deeply, and grow in harmony with the world around them. At PlayThink, Britt offers playful, heart-centered workshops designed to spark imagination and invite participants of all ages into joyful, grounded creativity. "
Britt

Fairy House Workshop: Create Magical Homes with Nature

Beginner Finger Knitting Workshop: Create Your Own Beaded Bracelet

At 12 years old, Bruce has learned rope dart from some of the best in the world. He holds two Dart Battle Championship Belts for 2023 & 2024 intermediate divisions, and was the runner-up in the advanced division for 2025. He loves to learn many props, but enjoys the thrill of rope dart battling the most. He aims to bring the experience to all those who love to dart.
Bruce Bacon

Rope Dart Battles

"Carrie is a long time Play Thinker! She and her family have been coming for 11 years! She’s is a yoga teacher, home schooler, Labor and Delivery nurse, with a passion for playing, learning, and mindfulness. Last year she taught her first PlayThink class, on creation of community and this year she is offering a class on Beginner, Beginners Juggling! Promise you will as good as she is (30 years of learning) after this class! "
Carrie

Beginner Beginners Juggling

"Cherie Dawn Haas began practicing yoga asana at 17 years old, although her spiritual yoga journey began in 2018, and in 2021 she earned her first teacher certification. Since then, she has been certified in yoga (RYT 300), Thai Yoga Massage, and Elemental Yoga Therapy through the Cincinnati Yoga School. She now teaches weekly classes at Studio43 Sweat+Soul and is continuing her yoga studies and personal practice. Cherie Dawn is an author (Girl on Fire; Ashes for William; Personified; A Sign of Life; Don’t Ugly Cry While Driving; and co-author of the “From Meditation to Creation” series), and is an editor for Streamline Publishing. She writes about yoga and creativity for the LifeSoup blog. "
Cherie Dawn Haas

Don’t Ugly Cry While Driving (off-the-mat yoga)

Cindy, grew up doing gymnastics starting at age 4. She found circus in 2010 after taking her 3 children to join the local program. She fell head over heels in love and the whole family joined. To this day, they still perform together in Turners Circus annual March production. She immediately started teaching gymnastics classes and later became the gym manager. Soon after she joined the Board of American Turners of Louisville and servered as president for 8 years. She has performed almost all acts with Turners Circus including silks, spanish webs, swinging ladders, Lyra, trapeze, fire eating and more. When not teaching classes at Turners, she is sharing her love of health at Harmony & Health Wellness Center in Corydon, IN.
Cindy Law

Aerials

"Brandon is a Certified Human Potential Coach, Breathwork Coach, Personal Trainer, and Animal Flow Instructor with a Master of Science in Positive Psychology. He helps middle-aged individuals regulate stress, rebuild resilience, and reclaim vitality through an integrative approach that blends movement, breath, and evidence-based wellbeing practices. After healing himself from multiple injuries without drugs or surgery—despite being told surgery was his only option—Brandon developed a deep, experiential understanding of injury recovery, holistic health, and nervous system regulation. Breathwork is a central pillar of his work, supporting emotional release, self-awareness, and lasting personal transformation. By combining breathwork, Animal Flow, and functional fitness, Brandon supports people in reconnecting with their bodies, releasing physical and emotional tension, and cultivating sustainable health, strength, and wellbeing."
Coach Brandon

Transformational Breathwork Journey: Releasing Pain

After years of physical therapy to manage living with 47 degree scoliosis, by complete accident Connor found the Dragon staff and quickly became obsessed with replacing PT with flow. He spent going on 7 years creating custom 3D printers while designing and redesigning the Dragon staff from the ground up to be able to control all of the variables and more. He has since shifted focus to creating classes, using that engineering background to determine how to best record, communicate, and teach all of the things learned along the way, otherwise what was the point? Thus he hosts a completely free all-welcome weekly class and burn session in Nashville Tn where flow is "harder" to find due to politics and pyrotechnic laws. In regards to flow I enjoy exploring very techy Dragon Staff and rationalizing moves all down to basics in order to be able to expand on concepts in unique ways, particularly with legwork, tosses and vertical static moves.
Connor from Understaff3d

Learn to Leg Go

Leviwand with a Dragon Staff 

Dragons are Meant to Fly

CornFlower

YouMeWe – Ecstatic Vocal Yoga

TimeSpace Sound Meditation

Coryn Autore is a PT who knows what it’s like to fly. As an aerialist, dancer, and flow artist herself, she gets the need to confidently move in a complex body. Her work focuses on supporting underrecognized populations—including individuals with EDS and chronic instability—through body alignment, functional strength strategies and self management education. She is passionate about community collaboration and integrative care models beyond the limits of insurance-based medicine through her company Physio Flows.
Coryn

Navigating your flow in a complex body

Courtney is a trauma-informed / Yoga Alliance Certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor and Meditation Guide, a Critical Care / Rapid Response Nurse at the University of Kentucky, a dedicated mother, activist, and street medic with the Louisville Street Medic Team. With over 10 years in healthcare and a lineage of healers, Courtney combines yoga, compassion, and service in her everyday life. She is currently expanding her practice with ongoing certifications and a Master's Degree aiming to share yoga, mindfulness, and related practices along the way.
Courtney Brooke

Cord Cutting Ritual & Soul Vow Meditation

"Cynder discovered her passion for flow arts with poi in 2017 before finding her true love in contact staff in 2018. Flow arts has always served as a guiding light during her most challenging times. It has helped her as a healing tool and has fostered play. The supportive and inspirational community surrounding flow has played a pivotal role in her journey, fostering a sense of connection and purpose. As an instructor, Cynder is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and love for flow arts with others. She aspires to guide students on their own flow journeys, providing encouragement and inspiration while helping them discover the transformative power of movement. With a focus on cultivating creativity and confidence, she aims to create a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive and express themselves through flow. "
Cynder

Contact Staff Foundations

Kicks and Tricks

"D'Arcy McArdle, RYT 200, MAT, SHRM-CP D’Arcy is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) with specialized training in yin yoga, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra. Her teaching philosophy centers on body positivity and creating inclusive spaces for all practitioners, with a special focus on yoga for bigger bodies. With a compassionate and empowering approach, D’Arcy encourages students to honor their unique anatomy and move with curiosity rather than judgment. Classes are designed to foster deep relaxation, mindful awareness, and a sense of belonging—helping every student feel supported on their yoga journey. "
D'Arcy McArdle

Resilience Within: Yoga Nidra and Journaling

Camping Chair Yoga: Move, Breathe, Enjoy

Rooted: A Restorative Yoga Journey

"Daisy Love (aka Dazzle) is an OG PlayThinker. She has been attending since she was 12 years old, when the festival first began. PlayThink has been a shaping force in her life, and she holds insurmountable love for this community. Daisy is a multidimensional artist from Berea, KY. Her love for hoop dance brought her to PlayThink when she was a little girl. She loves to perform, teach, and dance with fire and LEDs with her hula hoops. Her art expands beyond flow. Daisy creates interactive kinetic sculptures, such as Ripple, her 18-bike-wheel installation made from welded steel and recycled bicycle parts. She also LOVES to adorn people in one-of-a-kind macramé costume pieces and wearable art crafted from recycled bike tubing and found materials. Daisy is the creator and owner of Freakuency Art, a growing business that holds her artistic offerings. Through Freakuency Art, she shares reminders — art that we can wear or place in our space that resonates with the soul. She believes these reminders can help us embody who we want to be and come more fully alive."
Daisy Love

Framework Flow: Prompt-Based Exploration

Ghost Hands and Floating Circles

"Jacob Goeddeke is the founder of Bountiful Blessings Organic Farms, a holistic health and wellness brand rooted in regenerative farming and natural living. As a dedicated homesteader, he’s on a mission to build a self-sufficient life — growing his own food, raising animals, and crafting herbal and fermented remedies from scratch. Jacob brings hands-on experience in everything from organic cultivation to plant-based wellness. With a passion for community and empowerment, Jacob teaches the art of kombucha brewing as both a health practice and a self-sufficiency skill. His workshops focus on reconnecting people to simple, healing traditions — encouraging others to take health into their own hands, one ferment at a time."
Dirt Flame

Kombucha 101 & 102

"Ellen Dapper is a circus coach and performer based in Lexington, Kentucky. They teach youth and adult classes in aerial silks, sling, and flexibility at Sora Aerial Arts, and they perform on many different apparatuses (including a tiny aerial hoop!) for Sora Contemporary Circus. As a hypermobile human, Ellen is passionate about sharing their knowledge to help others connect to their bodies and reduce pain. Ellen is excited to partner with Coryn Autore (@physio.flows) to educate and advocate for the hypermobile in circus and flow arts to be able to train and perform confidently and safely. Ellen is also thrilled to offer workshops with their partner Lydia Fletcher (@lydfletch) and share the queer joy that comes from dancing and playing with the people you love."
Ellen Dapper

Gentle Stretching & Mobility

"Step into the sparkle with Heather of Enchanted Flow — a multi-talented movement artist who blends magic, rhythm, and self-expression through hula hoops, fans, stilts, and aerial dance. With over a decade of experience and a heart full of glitter, Heather brings playful precision and empowering energy to every class she leads. Her teaching style invites students of all levels to awaken their inner faerie and find freedom in flow. From festivals to studios, Heather has shared her love of movement across the country — helping others unlock new skills with joy, encouragement, and a touch of enchantment. Whether you’re twirling hoops or fans, you’ll leave her workshops feeling more radiant, confident, and connected to your creative spark."
Enchanted Flow

Portal Play: Dancing Through the Four Rings

The Faerie’s Fan Flow Foundations & Choreo

 

In love with flow for over 8 years. Current member of Sage fire performance troupe. Helps facilitate a local monthly flow gathering in Dayton Ohio. Dragon and poi are my favorites
Flowtatochip

Swagg Tech

Vertical Stuff

Ibro

Drumming

"Isaac Angeles Plakosh is the creative force behind Balloon Blitz Entertainment, a high-energy balloon artistry business based in Kentucky. At just 16 years old, Isaac has built a reputation for bringing unforgettable fun to parties, festivals, and community events with his vibrant balloon creations and engaging personality. From animals and hats to custom sculptures, his work delights kids and adults alike. With a passion for entertaining and a drive for entrepreneurship, Isaac launched Balloon Blitz to combine creativity with customer joy. Alongside a growing team, he continues to innovate with new balloon designs and interactive event experiences. Whether it’s a birthday party or a block party, Balloon Blitz Entertainment adds color, laughter, and excitement to every occasion."
Isaac Angeles Plakosh

Balloon Manipulation 101

Jack first picked up rope dart in 2015 and immediately fell in love with all things on strings mainly yo-yos and poi. Jack has worked closely with the Hudsucker Posse, and Flow Motion over the years and loves traveling to teach at events. Jack loves sharing his passion for things on strngs with young flow artists. Jack is a kid at heart and they share their passion with anyone willing to listen. Jack also loves setting things on fire and dancing the night away, and most likely be found around the fire circle once the sun goes down.
Jack Flint

Ropedart for Kids

Ropedart for Tweens & Teens

Ropedart 101

Jennifer "Jenn" Hopper, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), 500 RYT, 200 ERYT, found yoga in 2008 while working at a commercial gym in Roanoke. That led to becoming certified in a yoga, Thai chi, Pilates class in 2010. In 2012, she moved out of state with her best friend and met her husband. She found a Groupon deal for a yoga studio there and attended her first class then started teaching classes shortly after. Fast forward to 2014 and Jenn signed up for a yoga teacher training program and completed her 200 hour YTT at The Om Place in Winchester, KY under Erin Smith. Jenn taught at the yoga studio in Kentucky for 8 years and moved back to VA in 2020, right before the pandemic hit. Jenn has since completed her 300 hour YTT at Uttara Yoga in Roanoke VA, under Kimberly Vest, making her a 500 hour RYT. She enjoys guiding students of all levels—from beginners to advanced—through group and private classes.
Jenn Hopper

 Let’s go to Vagus!

Yoga for Stress & Butterflies 

"Jenn Whittier has been involved with aerial arts for 13 years at Louisville Turners Circus. As Head Instructor she enjoys watching all the students achieve their goals and grow. Outside of the gym she is a clinical massage therapist, artist, and mama to 2 amazing sons. Jenn’s favorite apparatuses to perform on are Lyra, Silks, and Rope. She has performed for Turners as well as for Xalt as herself and as her alter ego “Lovey Dovey Daisy” bringing excitement, laughter, and fun to the audiences. "
Jenn Whittier

Beginner Silks for Kids

Beginner Silks for Adults

 

Jessica Katz is a consent educator, leadership coach, and lifelong learner of what it means to live and work with integrity. With roots in Agile coaching and experience navigating complex, non-traditional relationships, she brings a unique perspective to communication, boundaries, and power dynamics. Jessica is passionate about creating spaces where people can say yes, no, or maybe with confidence and be heard with care.
Jes Katz

The Space Between Yes and No: Practicing Consent with Courage and Care

Jesik enjoys creating art that is more about the process than the final product. They are studying to be a counselor and use art as a way to slow down. They did not grow calling themself an artist but have found their way to this creative outlet to the stressors of life.
Jesik Denardo

Relaxing through Art

 

My name is Jonathon McKee. I’m born and raised in Bowling Green Kentucky. I’m a person that loves to get creative, flow, dance, and love in a world of play! My biggest hobby/passion is Kendama. I started playing late 2008 and Kendama has been a very grounding role in my life. Since then in more recent years I have become a sponsored Kendama player by Question Kendama and have traveled to different events and competitions that have continued to further my level of play and connection to the Kendama community. My love for Kendama has also led me into the flow world and combining the two worlds has only opened up more doorways to my journey of happiness and self improvement. I’ve never felt luckier finding such a wholesome community. I can’t wait to meet so many new faces everywhere I go! Much love to all!
Jonathon McKee

Kendama Fundamentals & Building Blocks

Kari Rivers is a devoted Mother to teen singer songwriters ANZA, and a seasoned and trusted Spiritual Counselor at Seeds of Satya, who is committed to Awakening Truth Within and Magic Without through embodied discovery and revelation using hypnotherapy, shamanic vocal sound healing and facilitating empowering rite of passage retreats and experiences that rewrite our stories upon the heart of the earth and beyond.
Kari Rivers

Sacred Flow Workshop & Ceremony

"Kayla began training aerial arts about eight years ago while completing her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Kentucky. Her quest to better understand the body led her to circus arts and its ability to transform the body and mind. She has primarily trained and performed in Lexington, KY, and traveled across the US to learn from a variety of top circus professionals. Kayla studied with a teaching ambassador from the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) to become a qualified aerial instructor in the disciplines of aerial silks (fabric), trapeze, and lyra (hoop). While she specializes in silks and lyra, she also trains multiple other apparatuses including aerial hammock, corde lisse, and flying trapeze. She most recently completed a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) course earning her freediving and mermaid certificates! If she is not in the air or the water, then you can find Kayla on her goat farm nestled in the foothills of South Central Kentucky."
Kayla Rhea

Beginner Fabric Drops

"Kaysee has been practicing yoga for 15 years, teaching for 7, and sharing the power of heat and movement as the owner of Alchemy Flow for the past 5. She has led 200-hour teacher trainings for 3 years and is a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner, blending mindful touch and movement to support deep release and nervous system ease. Outside the studio, Kaysee, her partner, and her 9-year-old son train and perform with Knoxville’s Dragon Fly Circus, where play and connection fuel their creativity. This passion for movement and joy shapes her classes, inviting students to feel supported, connected, and empowered in every practice."
Kaysee

Family Acro Yoga

Connected Calm : A Restorative Partner Yoga Workshop

Beginner Acro Yoga

"Kelly is a facilitator in the Louisville community who is passionate about sharing knowledge and encouraging others to practice a balanced mindset in the face of challenges. She leads grief sharing circles, shadow workshops, and is currently launching her tarot and astrology practice. She has learned to use tarot for self-discovery and to help process emotions and situations that come up throughout life. It is her objective to inspire those interested in tarot to use it as a tool to aid their own journey within. She believes that reading tarot is accessible to anyone open to their intuition and that learning the deck itself can be accessible as well. In addition to developing her tarot and astrology practice, Kelly is obtaining her yoga teacher training this spring. "
Kelly Lynch

Tarot: Into the Deck

Numerology in Tarot

"Kevin May is an Author, Personal Development Coach, and Song Circle Leader from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the founder of Healing Is Cool, which is a company on a mission to show people the benefits of a Holistic Lifestyle. He leads Interactive Song + Freestyle circles, which help participants to activate more of their true creative expression and deepen community connections. "
Kevin May

Song + Freestyle Circle

"Meet Kristin, LCSW- Therapist by Day, Laughter Leader by Heart! Kristin is an LCSW who specializes in mental health emergency services and helps clients work through life’s tough stuff with empathy, and insight. As a therapist, she sees the toll that stress and emotional heaviness can make. Laughter yoga is her way of offering a powerful, playful antidote. It’s a space where joy is contagious, and connection happens through shared silliness and breath—not just words. Kristin believes that healing doesn’t always have to be heavy. Sometimes it sounds like a room full of belly laughs, deep breaths, and playful silliness. Her mission? To bring a little more lightness into the lives of others—no punchlines necessary."
Kristin

Laughter Yoga

"I am a passionate sound healing practitioner with over three years of experience guiding individuals toward relaxation, clarity, and emotional release. My own transformative journey with sound baths inspired me to explore the healing potential of sound, and I continually seek new techniques to support others on their wellness path. Through my sessions, I create a safe and nurturing space where participants can reconnect with themselves, release tension, and experience deep inner calm. I am dedicated to helping others discover the profound, restorative power of sound and its ability to foster holistic healing."
Krystyna

Inner Child Healing Through Sound

Lee Autore is a flow artist with the Mythical Misfits Performance Troupe, and works with normal, LED, and fire versions of devil/flower sticks, staff, whips, and some simple ball juggling. He also does a variety of dance, acroyoga, singing, and improv, and is involved in several eras of reenactment and historical demonstrations. Lee offers a beginners devil stick class, covering basics of "catch, don't hit", and a variety of practice methods for skill improvement. His students are typically able to do tic tocs, several flips, and a basic helicopter by the end of class, and be prepared to improve on their own.
Lee Autore

Flowersticks: Flow, Focus, and Fundamentals

"Lydia Fletcher is an artist and scientist living in Lexington, Kentucky. By day, she works as a lab tech in molecular infectious disease diagnostics and spends her evenings creating. She is a professional aerialist and dancer, currently choreographing and performing with Sora Contemporary Circus, Ambo Dance Theatre, Allegro Dance Project, and The Collected Few Dance Project. She has been training in various dance styles since she was two years old, including tap, jazz, ballet, and modern. Through college at the University of Kentucky and beyond, Lydia began training in improvisational dance techniques and nontraditional partnering. She found that her love of sharing energy with fellow performers and her drive to learn athletic and virtuosic movement could shine through and blend together. She intentionally centers her queerness as a foundational element of the creative process by challenging norms, movement expectations, and the relationships between performers and their audience. "
Lydia Fletcher

Advanced Weight Sharing and Nontraditional Partnering

Playful Connections: Group Improvisation Basics

Physical Connection in Partnerships

Since Mar was a child she's had a passion for music and a love of animals and people. She finds much joy in providing care to her community through facilitating events, providing sound bowl therapy, reiki and body work. Her sparks of inspiration are led by her curiosity, constantly learning and expanding. As a teacher, healer and student of life her studies run deep, everything from herbalism to circus arts and beyond.
Mar Leaf

Integration of the Emotional Body

Singing with the Elements

Margaret (E-RYT 500) specializes in subtle, somatic-focused movement, creating classes that invite students into the present moment to assuage chronic pain and stress while building sustainable strength. Teaching since 2018, her work is deeply informed by the realization that brought her to the mat: yoga’s profound ability to heal both body and mind, overcoming debilitating back pain, anxiety, and panic attacks following surgery in 2013. Margaret, who holds a 500-hour certification, brings her experience to diverse communities, including studios, schools, and senior living. When she isn’t studying yoga and its meditative power, she teaches English at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Margaret

Self-Sourcing: Your Own Safe Haven

Cuddle Puddle

A bubble dream come true! Learn the art of bubble magic with Miss Bubble Faye! 15 years in circus arts and 2 years with bubble magic, She is a true inspiration for creativity. Curious about the recipe? She is happy to share the magic with anyone who believes.
Miss Bubble Faye

Bubbleology

Bubble Dance Party

"Moonwatcher is the moniker of Allan Day, a musician and event coordinator based in Louisville, KY. His music incorporates unconventionally-played instruments and loop technology to craft full songs and soundscapes. This process is used to sonically render feelings, experiences, and esoteric concepts, translating the untranslatable into aural manifestation. The cornerstone of the Moonwatcher project is the importance of art and creativity as forms of community bonding and expression. Aside from playing with sounds and making music, Moonwatcher loves to create and curate community-based events with as few barriers (financial, age, etc.) as possible. He believes that creative expression is sacred and loves to help people find new ways and platforms to both share their own and to experience others' offerings."
Moonwatcher

Vocal Play Workshop

Mr. Toastey (Mick Jeffries) has been spreading the gospel of the world's happiest instrument throughout Kentucky for the past decade, by way of KYuke, workshops, classes, and the annual KYukefest! Every year, Mr. Toastey cooks up some good-time strumming for all skill levels, and best of all: he even brings loaner ukes! Participants can count on a fun-loving class that is the perfect complement to the playful, laid back festival vibe of PlayThink. No experience (or even ukulele) necessary! Come sing and strum!
Mr. Toastey

Ukulele for Everybody!

"Briana Bell, also known as ""Mystikzyme,"" is a 200 HR Certified Yoga Instructor and the creator of Moving Mandala Magic—a sacred movement practice inspired by the ancient symbol of the Mandala, representing soul evolution and spiritual transformation. Her classes guide students through a 360° flow around the mat, aligning breath with intentional movement to activate inner freedom, release old stories, and reclaim sacred power. Mystik believes in movement as medicine—where conscious flow, breath, and intention weave together to return us home to ourselves. She also shares the healing frequencies of sound using crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, the crystal pyramid, and the shamanic drum. Beyond the mat, Mystik is a member of Anima Ignis (“soul fire”), a flow arts troupe where she performs with hula hoops, levitation wand, dragon staff, and fire. She also runs MystikWithin, her magical small business offering wire-wrapped crystal jewelry, elven tiaras, mythical headdresses, and more. Whether through movement, sound, or performance, it is Mystik’s mission to help others awaken to the enchantment all around—and remember the radiant magic that lives within."
Mystikzyme

Moving Mandala Magic

Sacred Sound Spiral

Neauxah has been practicing flow arts for 17 years and enjoys sharing knowledge with others. He has taught at festivals including Great Lakes Flow Retreat, The Michigan Nordic Fire Festival, and The Barefoot and Free Yoga Festival.
neauxah

Intro to Rope Dart

Intermediate False Wraps for Rope Dart

"Nicole Raye is a performer, facilitator, and founder of MO Movement & Music LLC. Since 2012, she has shared her passion for flow arts, dance, and community-based creative experiences across stages in the U.S. and internationally. Nicole leads workshops and playshops that blend movement, ritual, and playful exploration, helping participants connect deeply with themselves and each other. A longtime PlayThink participant, Nicole has celebrated many of her birthdays at the festival and now brings that personal tradition into her facilitation. Her workshops are known for combining joy, reflection, and embodied play, creating spaces where attendees of all ages can move, create, and celebrate life’s milestones together."
Nicole Raye

Birthday Playshop: Movement, Ritual & Play

Niki is a yoga instructor who leans strongly towards vinyasa flow yoga and mindfulness teaching. She, herself has practiced yoga for self growth and exploration for almost 10 years. Her teaching began in the middle of the 200 Hr teacher training classes and grew strongly from there. Exploring her journey of teaching and sharing, in as many places as she could. Niki has a true passion for health and wellness and believes yoga is a huge support in a great and well balanced life style, and wants to connect and support all those that she can in the beautiful practice of yoga and much more.
Niki

Transformational Yoga

"Nina Holm-Hudson is too old to not have experienced a whole lot of shit. She comes with years of experience in group and personal dream work, institutional religious recovery, shadow discovery, and reclamation of play. “Karen” pays the bills by working in the school system, while Nina paints, draws, dances, writes, and laughs with Mother Earth and the universe. "
Nina Holm Hudson

Tapping the Creative Power of Dreams

"Nina Ma Swati has been teaching Yoga since 2012 and is also trained in Pilates, Sculpt, and personal training. Her classes blend strength, flexibility, and mindfulness, with styles including Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, and Slow Flow. Nina creates a supportive space for all levels, often incorporating the calming sounds of sound therapy to enhance relaxation and focus. With a background in massage therapy, Thai Massage, and Ayurveda, she brings a deep, well-rounded approach to movement and recovery. "
Nina Swati

Hoop and Flow

Ninja Bacon is sponsored by Rope Dart Academy. He is also a member of the Pro Team at JJ's Academy for Nunchaku, having placed 24th in the 2025 FNF World Cup. He loves to teach rope dart and nunchaku, and has instructed at Mountain Music Fest, Playthink, and Darts Arts ReTreat. He has taught classes such as "Rope Dart 101:Spins" and "Slaps, Chops & Plucks," as well as hosted activities like "Bubble Rope Darts."
Ninja Bacon

Bubble Rope Darts

Eleven years ago, Olivia Immitt found an unexpected solution to digestive and nervous system issues through using sound.This experience led her to become formally trained as a sound healer at the world-renowned globe institute, located in Sausalito California. Her formal training helped her develop her own unique technique with working with sound to help facilitate natural healing in the physical, emotional, and energetic bodies. By using primarily her singing voice accompanied by singing bowls, she guides people through sound meditation experiences that entrain the listeners brain into a theta brainwave state, promoting a deeply relaxing and healing experience into the subconscious. To find out more about Olivia and what she offers visit her website soulsongsolutions.com
Olivia Immitt

Become a Sound Healer

"Paige Isaac is a Lexington, KY native who completed her RYT 200hr training February 2025. Since then, not only has she been teaching donation slow flows consistently around the city, mostly at Grounded All Day Cafe and Lexington's newest yoga, dance, and community studio Lost and Found, but she also is an aerialist, contortionist in training, and dancer. All of that to say that exploratory movement has been a monumental aspect of her entire life, and the goal of her classes is to offer those on their own journey the opportunity to begin to access their own flow state that will not only carry them throughout each and every class, but throughout their lives, throughout themselves, and to begin the journey within as their paths begin to unfold. "
Paige Isaac

Flow into Inspiration

Community Bass Flow by BBU

"Paul is a Certified Massage Therapist and has a Bachelor of Science in Theater from MTSU. In 2016, they founded and ran a Nashville movement arts space called Soulace for 3 years. They have been an instructor both at Soulace and at various other festivals and venues over the last 2 decades, including Playthink, Pagan Unity Festival, and several others. Over the years they have danced, sang, played a lot of different musical instruments, acted, designed shows, built costumes, built puppets, managed costume studios, and washed uncountable piles of performer’s laundry. At this time they are the Assistant Costume Shop Manager at the TN Repertory Theater. A longtime circus enthusiast, Paul first learned to juggle 34 years ago, and has been a poi spinner for 20 years. They are genuinely excited to share with others the techniques and tricks they have learned over the years. "
Paul Hull

Intro to Poi

Butterfly Variants

Phil Murray is a lifelong computer programmer who unexpectedly discovered a passion for movement and the physical arts seven years ago after taking a spontaneous aerial class at Turner’s Circus. That experience opened the door to a new world where play, skill, and connection meet — and led him to discover the flow arts community through events like PlayThink. Since then, Phil has immersed himself in a variety of circus disciplines including partner acrobatics, slacklining, juggling, and unicycling. Among all these art forms, flowersticks captured his heart. Phil loves their blend of challenge, rhythm, and spontaneity — the way they demand focus while inviting creativity. His approach emphasizes exploration and adaptability, showing how a simple set of sticks can be used in endlessly inventive ways. Though this is his first official flowerstick workshop, Phil brings years of self-driven practice, curiosity, and playful teaching energy, eager to share the joy and flow that flowersticks have brought into his life.
Phil

Intro to Flowersticks

Flourishing with Flowersticks

Rebecca

Aerials

Regan Wann creates spaces and experiences that allow people to bring and develop their authentic selves. She is a reader, energy healer, growth coach, storyteller, and intentional explorer of the liminal spaces. Her goal is to bring more connection, joy, and genuine energy into all our lives.
Regan

Engaging Your Energetic Core

Subtle Body Journaling

Saereid started performing as a part of her family magic show before she was old enough to go to school. She loved music and dancing. In high school, she was in every band the school had as well as the flag corps. She quickly became a Co-Captain and Captain and began writing routines for various props they used. She continued her love of dance and music throughout the years, studying Competition Ballroom Dancing, Middle Eastern Dance, and Country and Courtly Dances of the Middle Ages, which she taught for 10 years. Becoming a Mom meant sharing these interests with her kids. Now that they are grown, her Husband Mike, and her enjoy exploring Flow Arts and various other types of performances together, especially Stilt-Walking.
saereid

Flowing Beyond the Beat

"Safiya Nawaar is a widely acclaimed dance teacher, performer, and workshop instructor, as well as the owner and artistic director of Arabesque World Dance in Lexington, Kentucky. For 25 years, she has been dedicated to mastering Middle Eastern and North African dance. She brings her own commanding yet delicate style to both the stage and the classroom. Safiya possesses the unique ability to translate the intricate emotions of music into eloquent, powerful movement. What truly separates Safiya is her deep, unwavering knowledge and commitment to the integrity of the art form. Her specialization covers the high-caliber traditional and folkloric dance styles of Lebanon, Egypt, and Turkey. Her extensive teaching background also covers a wide range of popular dance props, including the cane, zills, veil, fan veils, wings, and sword. Exceptional in technique, coaching, and stagecraft, Safiya is known for her ability to effectively impart her expertise to students of all levels. Her studio, Arabesque World Dance, is one of the region's top specialty schools and serves as a vital cultural hub: it acts as a show venue and regularly hosts luminaries and international performers in the industry. Her mission is simple: to share the transformative power and deep cultural integrity of this beautiful art form with the next generation of dancers. "
safiya nawaar

 

Enchanting Fan Veils: Master the Flow and Take Flight

Next Level Fan Veils: Advanced Artistry

Unveiling the Mysteries of Belly Dance

Veil Magic: Partnering the Silk

Sandi specializes in aerial pole and aerial rope and has been teaching for over seven years.
Sandi

Intro to Aerial Pole

Seth Mason is blacksmith, vintage aircraft renovator, and restorer of mid century modern furniture. He believes the act of working with hot steel forces you to be present and pay attention to what you are doing in each moment. One must drop the drive for perfection, as steel will be what it wants to be and the beauty hidden inside reveals itself. He finds joy in connecting people with new ways of expressing themselves and exposing them to the cathartic experience of forging.
Seth Mason

Forging Mindfulness – The Meditative Art of Blacksmithing

 

 

 

"Certified yoga instructor and bookmobile librarian Shana Schack is excited to bring her chair yoga class to PlayThink at the beautiful Barren River Magic. A champion of accessible yoga for all, Shana makes mindful movement approachable for everyone, from those with limited mobility to campers looking for a restorative stretch. Her inviting class requires only you and a camp chair, ensuring everyone can find their flow and a sense of well-being in a supportive, outdoor setting."
Shana Schack

Camp Chair Yoga

Sparkles has been a professional Stone Carver for over a decade. Their career has taught them that anything is possible with teamwork. Sparkles has dedicated themselves to contact staff for nine years and loves poetry. They find peace practicing movement meditation. It makes them happy to share what they have learned with the community. Playthink is their favorite festival and they look forward to returning each year.
Sparkles

Contact Staff, Full Body Foundations

Contact Staff, Fishtail Fundamentals

Poetry Jam

"Spencer The Jester is your friendly Cosmic Clown, who brings whimsy to the art of movement! With a love for art & jewelry making, they have endless passion for the muses, especially Flow Artistry. Over the last 6 years they have been working hard and playing harder with a wide array of flow props, specializing in Dapo Star and Poi! This year they are offering some classes for Dapo Star that invite everyone to spin, twirl, and unleash their inner jester! So come clown around and let’s PLAY!"
Spencer The Jester

Intro to Dapo Star/Flow Star

Intermediate Dapo/Flow Star; fully body weaving.

Shaun”Stickman Paunch” has lived in June Lake for the past 23 years. Loving the mountains and everything they have to offer. Originally from Ohio where he was first inspired by the devil sticks on a college visit to Kent State University, when he saw someone playing with a pair. He silently told himself that he was going to learn how to do that, and in 1995 started playing, learning and self teaching. In 1999 felt good enough and started playing with them on fire. In 2023 he went to a fire flow festival called “Pyro Arts and Music“ and decided that’s what he wanted to pursue and develop his talents towards fire/flow arts. So in November of 2024 he started Stickman Paunch Productions. He has performed at birthdays, weddings, festivals, and local events. He loves sharing some light in the LED stickman suit combined with a unique fire or LED dance that is unlike anything you’ve seen and brings a vibe to any event. Please give him a follow @stickmanpaunch and hope you enjoy his flow!
Stickman Paunch

Tame Your Devilstick

"Sunny Dayze has been practicing yoga for the past 7 years and teaching it for the last 2 years. She believes yoga is about finding your flow and tapping into your inner self. Her love for movement and mindfulness in the body translated into picking up hula hoops during the COVID-19 pandemic. One hoop morphed into 2 then 3 and she now spins up to 6 hoops, tying in both circus movements as well as falling back to her Native American lineage and the sacred circle of hoop dance. "
Sunny Dayze

Gentle Morning Flow

Hoop Body Locks

T'Lore D'Lay is an aerialist, aerial coach & burlesque performer from Lexington, KY. She has been performing in some capacity most of her life but took to the air in 2017 taking her first aerial hoop (lyra) class at Sora Aerial Arts. She has, also, been sober for over 6 years and is active in the recovery community. Her true passion is using her aerial coaching as a way to connect with others and a tool for healing.
t'lore d'lay

Aerial Hoop/Lyra for beginner/int

Int/Adv

Duo Lyra (all levels)

McKenna Burgess is a certified Tantrika, yoga teacher, clinically certified sexologist, and embodiment coach with a background rooted in somatic healing, breathwork, sacred sexuality, and shamanic practice. Her work weaves together ancient wisdom and modern therapeutic tools to help people return home to their bodies, awaken their energy, and reconnect with their inner truth. With over a decade of experience guiding others through personal transformation, McKenna creates safe, sacred spaces for individuals to explore embodiment, pleasure, and self-healing.
tantrica mckenna

Tantric Playshop: Awakening the Heart and Body’s Wisdom

Womb Cord Cutting & Clearing

Intimacy Unlocked: Tantra for the Open-Hearted

"Teresa Pauline owns SoulRebeLex Wellness in Lexington, KY. She is a graduate of Lexington Healing Arts Academy (200 YTT; 2016), Essence of Yoga Center (300 YTT; 2018 & 300 YTT; 2022). She most recently was certified through the Masters of Wisdom and Meditation Teacher Training with davidji (2025). Teresa also is the owner & program director of her own yoga teacher training school, SoulScapes By SoulRebeLex, RYS200. Teresa’s focus is on creating a safe, comfortable space for all of her students where they are free to be themselves in a peaceful and inclusive environment. She believes yoga SHOULD and CAN be for everybody and has arranged her studio in a way that allows students the freedom of movement and breath, regardless of experience. "
Teresa

Fluid Dreaming Through Meditation

Tivoli is a bird enthusiast and has spent countless hours staring at trees to see what visitors are popping through the area. She has a particular obsession with seeing the warblers come through during spring and fall migration, but appreciates the winter and summer birds as well! She loves nothing more than the joy and excitement of a fellow birder seeing a new bird and loves to help new birders get an idea of the variety of birds that are around us at any given time during the year. She has found that birding has helped her cultivate a deeper appreciation for the natural world and loves to help others fall deeper in love with the world around them! Tivoli and a couple of her friends started a birding group in Lexington called Lex Bird Cult and have been leading groups of folks on bird walks around the area because they have found that birding with others is much more fun than birding alone!
Tivoli

Birding

Violet Fae Lyra and Stephanie DeAngelis come together with their Magical Faery energy to help re-awaken the imaginations that lie within each of us, young and wise. Collectively they have been holding sacred space for over 20 years, facilitating healing modalities for the mind, body and spirit.
Violet Fae Lyra | Stephanie De Angelis

🦄 Limbo Luau Extravaganza: How Low Can You Glow?

🌈 Parachute Play Party: Uplift the Joy

☀️ Radiance Rising: A Summer Solstice Sound Journey

🔥 Firelight Intentions: Release & Renew

Virginia has enjoyed climbing on things her entire life. Trees, rocks, ropes, jungle gyms, scaffolding, and anything else she could wrap her hands around. Nine years ago, she discovered aerial circus arts and it was love at first climb! Although her favorite apparatus is lyra (aerial hoop), Virginia also plays and performs on silks, sling, rope, and pole with Sora Aerial Arts in Lexington, KY. She earned her aerial instructor certification through Spin City in 2023 and loves sharing her passion for aerial arts with students of all shapes, sizes, ages, and fitness levels. Virginia is excited to be attending her tenth PlayThink this year!
Virginia Lacefield

 Aerial Hoop/Lyra for Beginner/Int,

 Int/Adv

Duo (all levels)

Windship Boyd

Dance

"Sarah Smitha is a certified vocal sound healer who has been facilitating voice-centered healing practices for several years. Through her work with WolfByrd, she guides people in using the voice as a tool for nervous system regulation, emotional expression, and self-connection—particularly in healing patterns related to anxious attachment. The name WolfByrd reflects the full spectrum of the human voice: the bird’s song of joy and beauty, and the wolf’s howl that gives sound to fear, longing, and grief. Sarah’s interactive workshops are deeply embodied and experiential, offering participants practical vocal tools they can integrate into everyday life for grounding, self-soothing, and emotional resilience."
WolfByrd

Using the Voice to Heal Anxious Attachment

" Zoë first fell in love with Yoga as a teen; borrowing her mothers KET yoga videos to practice in her room; But it wasn’t until Zoë was picking up the pieces of her life in the wake of an abusive relationship that she truly learned the healing power Yoga can bring to our lives. Inspired by the role of Yoga and supportive communities in her own healing journey, Zoë studied and graduated from The Yoga and Wellness Education Centre and has now been sharing the practice of Yoga with her community for nearly a decade. Her passion is holding trauma-informed spaces that inspire and empower folks from all walks of life on their own personal healing journey. You can expect to find lots of options to explore and encouragement to choose your own path in each of her classes. "
Zoë Shepard

The Power of Our Voices

Summer Solstice Ceremony

Ian is a Acrolove certified acroyoga practitioner who loves to build trust, play, connection through movement.
Ian Scott

Acro Yoga