What to Expect at Your First Aerial or Pole Class

So you want to be an aerialist? Here’s a list of what to expect and what to wear for your Aerial endeavors:

AERIAL SILKS

Aerial Silks

Aerial Silks: (also known as aerial contortion, aerial ribbons, aerial tissues or tissu) is a type of performance in which one or more artists perform aerial maneuvers while hanging from a special fabric. Performers climb the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. They use the fabric to wrap, suspend, swing, and spiral their bodies into and out of various positions.

First class: Please understand that classes will be taught to each individual’s level. Beginning students will learn beginning moves and intermediate – advanced students will progress at their own level within the same class.

What to wear: Please wear long leggings and a close-fitting top or leotard to avoid friction burns on the fabric. We also recommend a t-shirt vs a tank top. No jewelry allowed while on the fabric. We also ask that you keep nails short to avoid snagging the fabric. No shoes.

AERIAL YOGA

Aerial Yoga

Aerial Yoga: Aerial yoga uses the silk swing to support the weight of the body so you can attain optimal alignment in yoga asana. Decompress the spine while strengthening the core muscles, access deeper backbends, and sustain challenging inversions. The apparatus gives access to deeper backbends and the ability to sustain challenging inversions. With practice the swing becomes your partner in practice, shifting your awareness to every edge of your body. Experience length, strength and depth like never before.

First class: Due to muscle tighness, it’s not unusual to experience pressure and even slight pain in the areas where the fabric touches. It’s also common to feel a little bit of motion sickness. Just remember to be gentle with yourself on the first class!

What to Wear: Please wear close-fitting leggings or capris and a t-shirt. No shoes or jewelry. NO TANK TOPS! You will not be able to participate in class in a tank top. We also ask that you keep nails short to avoid snagging the fabric.

AERIAL YOGA PLAY

Aerial Yoga Play

Aerial Yoga Play: This class is very different from the Aerial Yoga class! Not only are the swings completely different, but so is the movement. Aerial Yoga Play allows a combination of benefits similar to aerial yoga, pilates, suspended resistance training, acrobatics, and dance all rolled into one for an amazing suspended fitness experience. It allows for all the benefits of traditional yoga- flexibility, strength and balance – with the unique conditioning of aerial dance and acrobatics for an exhilarating new way of approaching yoga.

First class: Expect the unexpected! You will swing, invert, and have a great time, but some people may experience dizziness, or even in extreme cases, nausea. Most people only experience this discomfort in the first one to three classes.

What to Wear: As with all the Aerial Arts, we recommend wearing close-fitting clothing. No jewelry and no shoes are allowed. No tank tops or bare skin either.

POLE DANCING

Pole Danc Ffitness

Pole Dancing: First off, it’s NOT stripping! Pole Dance Fitness is a form of performance art, which combines dance and acrobatics centered on a vertical pole. This art form has recently gained popularity as a form of fitness and mainstream entertainment, practiced by many enthusiasts in gyms and in dedicated dance studios. A wide range of amateur and professional competitions are held in many countries around the world.

Pole dance requires significant strength, flexibility and endurance. It involves athletic moves such as climbs, spins, and body inversions using the limbs to grip. Upper body and core strength are required to attain proficiency, and rigorous training is necessary.

First class: As a beginner, you can take a beginning level series, or drop-in to the Mixed Level classes. Please be aware that a Mixed-level class features all levels of students; however, you will still learn moves according to your specific level and ability. Inversions are NEVER allowed in your first class. Instructor permission is required, and generally takes about 6-10 classes before allowed. Expect light bruising and a tough workout!

What to Wear: In general, more skin makes this class easier (ie booty shorts), but for your first class, just wear what you would to a yoga class. No nudity. No jewelry. No shoes.

AERIAL LYRA

Aerial Lyra

Aerial Lyra: (also known as the aerial hoop, ring, or cerceau – cerceaux) is a circular steel apparatus (resembling a Hula hoop) suspended from the ceiling, on which participants may perform aerial acrobatics and bendy contortions.

First class: Expect some discomfort on the ring–it’s a hard piece of steel! Bruising is also common in your first few classes. Some participants may also feel dizzy, since the ring is often spinning while you’re on it.

What to Wear: Please wear close-fitting leggings or capris to help alleviate any pain on the knees and shins. A close-fitting top is a necessity, so it does not ride-up over your head while upside down. No shoes or jewelry. I know the picture shows our lovely instructor with flowing hair, but you’ll definitely feel more comfortable with your securely up.