9 Aerial Arts Classes To Try Today. • JV Flexibility

If you are like me I am always looking for new aerial apparatuses to play on. Here are nine aerial arts classes you should try today.

9 Aerial Arts Classes To Try:

Aerial Hoop AKA Lyra

If you have followed me for a while we all know that Lyra is my favorite aerial apparatus. But after four years it’s about time I break out of my Lyra shell and try some new aerial arts classes. But first, let’s talk about Lyra.

What is Lyra?

The Aerial Hoop, sometimes called Lyra, is a large metal hoop that is hung on a swivel and suspended from either one or two hang points.

Who should try it?

Students with good flexibility and a high pain tolerance excel at this art. You do not need an excessive amount of strength on the Lyra, everyone, no matter what level of fitness you are at, can strike a trick. With that being said everyone should try Lyra at least once.

How to dress for a Lyra class:

When trying Lyra you want to make sure that you have long leggings on and a tight top. The leggings will help protect you from tears and scrapes on your legs.

I always like to have a pair of legwarmers handy and socks just in case you are trying a new and painful trick. Leg warmers worn under the knees will help you slowly adjust to the bar. You will find in the beginning you will have a little fluid behind the knees and feel a little sore. I like to use arnica to ease fluid and bruising in the body.

Aerial Silks

What are silks?

Aerial silks are also known as tissues, or fabric. This has been the new apparatus I have been learning and I have to say I am loving it!

Who should try silks?

Aerial silks do take a little more strength than the Lyra although it is not a painful art. Or should I say as painful? All aerial hurts.

The great thing about starting on silks is that you can tie an egg knot which allows the apparatus to become easier for beginners. Just like the Lyra, everyone can strike a pose on silks no matter what your level of fitness is.

The fun thing about fabric is that you can use the fabric to wrap, suspend, drop, swing, and spiral into and out of various positions. The thrill is in the drops. It gives you a huge adrenaline rush just like a rollercoaster.

How to dress for silks:

Dressing for silks is a little bit different from Lyra. You want to ensure that you wear non-slippery tights and a t-shirt with sleeves. Fabric burn is real and hurts under your armpits.

Trapeze

What is aerial trapeze?

A trapeze is a short horizontal bar hung by ropes or metal straps from a support. It is an aerial apparatus commonly found in circus performances.

Trapeze acts may be static, spinning (rigged from a single point), swinging or flying, and may be performed solo, double, triple or as a group act. You can roll, drop, swing and twist on the trapeze as a single or duo act. Sounds fun right? It is.

Who is trapeze for?

Trapeze is the perfect blend of Lyra and silks. The metal bar allows you to do many underbar tricks that are learned on the Lyra while the ropes allow you to wrap into silks positions.

Just like Silks and Lyra Trapeze can cater for absolute beginners to advanced students.

Trying flying trapeze is on my bucket list!

How to dress for trapeze:

Dressing for trapeze the same as Lyra. Covered legs and a tight top. Remember when you go upside-down so does the rest of your clothes.

Chandelier

What is chandelier:

The aerial chandelier is a blend of Lyra and Trapeze with multiple contact points for the aerialist to use. A chandelier can host four aerialists on one apparatus comfortably.

Who is chandelier for?

Trapeze and Lyra aerialists will rock this apparatus but it is one we all need to try in our lifetime!

How to dress for chandelier:

Dressing for chandelier the same as Lyra. Covered legs and a tight top. I like to wear leotards and ballet stockings. If you are just starting out I would recommend leggings as they are a little bit thicker.

Chains

What are chains?

Aerial chains are simply that hard metal chains. These are not for the faint-hearted chains not only hurt from the metal they also pinch and bruise you like never before.

Who is chains for?

Aerialists that train in hammock and straps will naturally pick up this art. Lyra aerialists will find it less painful compared to users who train on other apparatuses.

How to dress for chains:

One word. Layer. Layer everything. If you have weightlifting gloves wear them. The more layers gives you more padding.

Pole

What is pole?

Pole sports, merges dance and acrobatics using a vertical metal pole. Athletes climb up, spin from, hang off, flip onto, jump off, and invert on poles. Poling requires agility, strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility.

Pole makes you strong! I started pole around a month ago and I saw dramatic improvements in my abdominal strength. I have never been a fan of pole due to the large percentage of polers that take the provocative style over an athletic sport.

Ashley Fox shows us that pole is not for the faint-hearted and it can be a pure sport without getting your hoochie on.

How to dress for pole:

Pole is the one polar opposite to every other aerial sport when it comes to dress. Less is more when you are working with pole. Why? Because you need your skin to stick to the pole to help you with your grip. Avoid moisturizer too as you will simply slide off. I love to use dry hands when I am using pole to help me avoid slips and sweat.

Hammock

What is hammock?

Hammock also known as slings, is a single aerial silk that is one continuous strand that loops around. This allows the user to avoid foot locks when they are first starting to learn tricks. This allows you to progress much faster and is perfect for beginners.

Who is hammock for?

Hammock is perfect for beginners. It is easy on the body and less complicated for silks. It is a perfect transition for those who have an aerial yoga background.

How to dress for hammock:

The dress code for hammock is the same as silks. Ensure that you have long pants on and a shirt that covers your armpits to avoid fabric burn. Trust me fabric burn does not hurt so good like the lyra.

Rope

What is rope?

Rope is known as corde lisse meaning smooth rope in french or Spanish web depending on how you are performing. Corde lisse is the practice of performing aerial acrobatics on the rope. With the Spanish web you generally hold more static movements while a second person spins the rope.

Who is aerial rope for?

Rope is a great fit for aerialists who have started silks, although anyone can start on this apparatus. For Spanish web you want to be able to spin without getting sick. For those like me who experience motion sickness, you can try Dramamine or any motion sickness pill. Motion sickness will not stop you from doing a great routine on a static rope.

How to dress for rope:

Dressing for rope is the same as silks. Long tights and a T-shirt which covers the armpits.

Cube

What is an aerial cube?

This is a beautiful aerial prop, which can be used in the air or on the ground or in your dance piece. The cube has 8 bars and four corners which can be used for solo tricks or group movements for up to 3-4 aerialists.

Since the cube is large you can create wonderful symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes, requiring balance, coordination, and in groups synchronization.

Who is aerial cube for?

Similar to Aerial hoop and Trapeze aerialists can perform trapeze, cradle and lyra skills.

Cube is for everyone and should definitely be on your bucket list.

How to dress for cube:

Dressing for cube is similar to Lyra and trapeze. Legs covered and you have the option to wear a tank top on this apparatus. I like to wear leotards and tights so that I can see my lines clearly and it stops my top continually falling down.

So which apparatus is on your bucket list? What aerial arts classes have you taken?

Drop it in the comments below.