Intro to Aerial Silks (5 WEEK Sat)

Aerial Silks beginner program 

Program dates and time:

Class times:

beginner 11am-12pm for ages 17+

beginner 12pm-1pm for ages 7-17. 

-Saturday October 22nd,

-Saturday October 29th,

-Saturday November 5th,

-Saturday November 12th,

-Saturday November 19th.

Program Description:

An introduction to the performing art of Aerial Silks. Aerial Silks combines elements of dance, gymnastics, yoga and strength training.

Aerial Silks or Fabrics is a performing art first developed by André Simard for Cirque du Soleil in 1995. 

Intro to Aerial Silks (Silks 101)

Our 5 week program is crafted so that our students continue to develop their strength, flexibility, and body awareness. As students master a broad range of foundational skills, they are able to move on to more intermediate levels where they can learn a variety of drops and challenging sequences. 

What to Wear:

Students will hang from their knees, arm-pits, and hips, so we recommend form-fitting running pants, capris, or leggings with T-shirts or 3/4 shirts that cover your underarms. Loose shorts or flared pants may get caught in the silks, are NOT recommended.

WEEKS 1-3: STRENGTH AND TECHNIQUE: CLIMBING, KNOTS & FOOTLOCKS

These first few classes will focus on grip strength, climbing progressions and beginner’s tricks, starting with wrist locks to full open grip, and climbing with the goal of building strength and increasing flexibility.

WEEKS 3-5: INVERSIONS AND DROPS

Inversions and drops are the eye-catching, daring, popular tricks that really captivate an audience. These classes provide a foundation of knowledge of how to perform beginner drops and dives. At the conclusion of the program, the students will be able to demonstrate strength and technique in a well-executed, safe environment. 

5 week skills breakdown

Week 1:

-Traditional and Russian climbs

-Single foot lock

-Side tilt

-Back-sail flag

-Front and back paces

-Split roll up

-Knot inversion

Week 2:

-Candle stick

-Traditional and Russian climbs 

-Review single footlock tricks

-Figure 4

-Double footlock

-Uneven chair

-Split roll ups (single and double)

-Angry diaper pose in knot

Week 3:

-Traditional Russian climbs and Russian flirt

-Arrow into music box

-Review split rollups

-Rebecca split (regular, Pegasus)

-Begin cross back straddle

-Angry diaper drop

Week 4:

-Traditional, Russian climb, creature climb

-Review Rebecca split to prepare for belay (or cross back straddle)

-Hip key

-Inversion knee hook

-Mermaid

-Candy cane drop

Week 5:

-Traditional, Russian climb, open fabric knee climb

-Inversion knee hook

-Gazelle or mermaid

-Rebecca split belay