1.How strong do I need to be to begin training aerials?
The quick answer–you don’t need any amount of upper body strength to begin training aerials–that said the stronger you are, the easier it will be for you to progress quickly.
Most aerial instructors assume that new students coming in have never tried anything like aerials in their life, and are not used to lifting/pushing/pulling their own body weight. Many will start you in a sling/ aerial hammock (a set of fabrics with a knot tied in the bottom) to get you used to the feel of fabric before making you support your own body weight.
2.What to wear for aerial silks classes?
You want tight fitting stretchy pants that will cover the backs of your knees. Leggings or footless tights are a great option.
You want a shirt that will cover your midriff without riding up, or that you can tuck in.
Don’t wear a belt, or any jewelry that could possibly catch on or tear the fabric. No big earrings, no spiky rings, zippers etc. Take off your dangly pendant and tape over any spiky piercings you can’t remove.
You can’t wear shoes to do aerials so your footwear doesn’t matter as long as you take it off.
Bring a bottle of water - you would really need water to hydrate yourself in class
3.I just saw a silks on youtube and I just want to get a pair to practice at home !
Aerials is risky business and downright dangerous when trained improperly, so back up a few steps and find a good studio to train at before you do anything else! One of the worst things an aerialist can do is invest in home rigging before they’re ready. We have seen many newer aerialists injure themselves practicing at home, or simply forming bad habits from self-teaching.
4.Open Practice
Open practice slots ( without instructor) are for students to practice on their own.
We want everyone to enjoy training with us and do so safely. Please follow these rules whilst in practice session:
You are NOT to provide any coaching/teaching to other students under any circumstances! You will be held responsible for all loss or injury to other person(s) and/or property as a result!
This is not a teaching session! You are responsible for your own actions - only work according to your CURRENT level of (skills) capability and fitness! Do not try new moves/tricks that you are not familiar with or did not learn in class.
ALWAYS use a crash mat! By coming to the open practice session, you agree to these conditions.
4.What other things should I be aware of ?
Do arrive on time for your classes, so as to ensure your own safety and to minimize disruption for the class.
During our classes/events, photography, sound recording, videotaping and filming may be conducted for use in our publicity materials such as our website and social media. If you do not wish for any photos, sound recordings, videos and film recordings where you appear, to be used by us for our publicity materials, please notify us prior. Otherwise, you will be deemed to have given your consent to the use of any photos, sound recordings, videos and film recordings where you appear to be used by us.