Who can attend?
Silks
Photo by Ken Greenhorn
Aerial is for ANYONE…
Yes, we offer instruction to anyone from 5 years old and up.
We offer low flow for ages 5 to 8, Kids classes from 9 to 16 and Adult classes from 17 and up.
Silks are a single piece of fabric that is connected to the rigging at the center point of the fabric. Progression is made by climbing the silk to gain height for wraps for releases and poses. Strength is built in hands, arms, back and core to be able to reach new heights. As a student gets stronger they learn to invert by getting their hips up and over their head (upside down). Students will start their training at a beginner level to gain strength, confidence and flexibility. As they progress their teacher will continue to challenge them and let them know when to sign up for the next level in their training. Everyone is different, so there is no “time/weeks” attached to when a student moves to the next level . In order to continue a safe practice we may ask you to remain at a certain level longer than you may want. The teachers will work on improving your conditioning and control no matter what class level you are in. Once you are in level 1, you may chose to compliment your class training with open gym training (see below for description).
Requirements:
Beginner - No requirements to start. May take 2 to 3 full sessions or up to a year to progress to level 1
Level 1
Must be able to basic climb to 1/2 way up and control on descent
Be able to invert from the air (both straddle and ball shape)
Be able to put foot locks on (preferably in the air)
Level 2
Must be able to climb to the top
Must be able to climb off of mat and invert both in straddle and ball shape - no toes to get inverted
Must be able to do foot locks in the air, both single and double
Be able to do clean same side and opposite side climb
Be able to hole star shape (side oblique shape) for 5 sec both sides
Be able to have clean wraps and controls for drops of 1/2 or singe rotations
Level 3
Will be invited to move to level 3 for adult, teen or kids classes
Sling
Photo by Ken Greenhorn
Sling is a single piece of fabric that has both ends rigged to a center point such that middle of the fabric is what the students works with. The sling can be moved to different heights depending on student experience level and moves doing in the fabric. Some students find sling easier to start in than silks, but after 2 sessions may find it more challenging as need to be able to invert to continue to learn more experienced tricks. As in Silks, the focus will be to build strength in hands, arms, and core to be able to move through a series of moves. In the Sling we do climb, but not the same as in Silks. We invert and twist and turn and often land in a knee hang or with the fabric in our armpits. Sling usually is done with some spinning - this is worked on in class to get used to it.
Requirements:
Beginner - none required. If taking Sling for the first time and have previous experience in Silks, is still recommended to take one session in beginner to get the foundational moves and names. To move to Level 1 right away - it will require a private lesson to evaluate and approval to skip beginner class.
Level 1:
Must be able to invert from backpack
Be able to invert from sitting in the sling
Be able to do climb above knees to angel drop and release
Be able to stand in sling and get into cross back invert
Level 2:
Will be invited to move to level 2 for adult or teen classes
Lyra/Hoop
Photo by Ken Greenhorn
Lyra, also known as hoop, is a steel circle hanging from the rigging from a span set. The height from the floor can be changed depending on the experience of the student and/or the moves to be done in the hoop. We work on moves below, in and above the hoop and also work in the span set holding the hoop to the rigging. Spinning is also involved and we start training from beginner to get used to the motion. Spinning is not required, but can often aid in the movement. Unlike fabric, this apparatus does not mold to the body, so the body must go around the hoop. Many shapes can be made around the hoop and we also get into drops and releases.
Requirements:
Beginner - no experience required. If you have taken other aerial classes you will be required to take a beginner session.
Level 1:
be able to invert at side or under hoop
be able to hang from top of hoop and push legs/feet up to span set
be able to do hip pull over to front balance
be able to do knee hang from top and bottom of hoop
be able to do single knee reverse roll to sitting in the hoop
Low Flow
Low flow is in our 3rd studio upstairs, our hammock room. It is a single piece of fabric that has both the ends tied up to rigging in the ceiling. We call them hammocks as there is two anchor points where our slings are a single anchor point. The hammocks are much lower in this studio and we use them for conditioning, restorative and yoga classes and for younger students (5 to 9). Private and parties can also be booked in the hammock room.
For our younger students the lower hammocks are used to explore movement and the fabric to get them ready to take flight in the big studio when they are older. Classes are 45 min and meant for ages 5 to 9 years of age.
In conditioning class we use them to gain strength with similar moves in the larger studio.
In restorative class we use the fabric to go through yoga type poses with the fabric quite close to the floor. The goal is to move through stretches and hold them to improve flexibility and release built up tension. Aerial Yoga Flow class is a fusion of yoga, aerial arts and meditation to achieve the body- mind-breathe connection. Hammock is hung at hips height which would allow you to invert (if you feel comfortable) safely while maintaining a safe clearance of 2-3 inches from your head to the floor.
The aerial hammock is an excellent support tool to create stabilization for standing poses, to assist a deeper stretch and to embrace the sensation of floating. We will move from dynamic sequences and end with womb-like Savasana in a hammock. From beginners to advanced yogis, this is for anyone who wants to elevate their yoga practice.
Each adult class is 1 hour and is for 16 years and up. You can drop-in to an adult class if there is room, please register ahead of time to secure your spot.
Open gyms are offered for anyone in a level 1 class or higher and who are 13 year of age or older. The rules for using open gym is to stay safe, so that means working on where you are in your training. You are NOT to be learning new things or having someone teach you new things or be learning something off of instagram or Youtube - you may be removed from class if you are not following studio rules. You do your own warm up, conditioning and then working on your training. There will be a teacher there for supervision, but they are not there to teach you anything new. Even in class, when you are unsure of a move, break it down - maybe do it from the mat, learn how to walk it down, break it down to pieces - just learn to train safe and smart.