Posts by satarahproductions

*Before we continue on I just want to note that aerial is all about feeling your best and feeling strong. Aerial fitness is not about forcing yourself into some arbitrary societal beauty standard. Always remember that*

Have you ever outlined fitness goals for yourself, but find yourself not meeting them because the workouts are repetitive and boring? I know I have. If you are anything like me you need constant motion and change to get the most out of a workout. A moving target if you will. If you feel this way then aerial might be just what you need to meet your fitness goals. With an aerial workout you are using both your body and brain to complete a skill. This increases both your mental and physical health. Aerial fitness allows you to increase your overall strength through conditioning exercises and cross-training methods (such as flexibility training). 

Aerial fitness is also ideal for you if you like to get a workout in without feeling like you are solely working out. Going to the gym can be great for some people, but for others the repetitiveness of walking on a treadmill or lifting weights can make a workout feel like more of a chore. With aerial, many times you are getting in a sneaky workout. While you are learning that super cool trick or combo your body is getting stronger and your stamina is increasing. Also at the end of an aerial session you get to show off your progress almost immediately with said new trick or combo. 

Another reason why aerial might be for you is if, like me, the gym intimidates the heck out of you. Whenever I go to a traditional gym some of my thoughts fluctuate between “am I doing this exercise right,” “are people watching and judging me,” “what weight should I be using.” Again, traditional gyms absolutely work for many people, but it would be a lie if we said they were not intimidating to complete beginners at times. When you walk into an aerial beginner class you know immediately that you will be coached through the entire thing. There is no guesswork and you do not have to worry if people are staring at you because everyone is so wrapped up (sometimes literally) on landing the skill they are working on. There is a peace that comes with learning in a group setting and knowing that others in the class are cheering you on towards your goals (and also that your coach will be there to make sure you are safe). Aerial fitness is an amazing way to have fun, build community, and a way to meet your fitness goals (mental and physical). We would love to have you try a class at BMA and learn why this method of exercising will have you hooked!

With so much love, 

Casandra ♥️

When most people think of aerial they likely think immediately of aerial silks. That is one of the most recognizable aerial apparatuses, and people will typically understand what you are talking about when they are mentioned. Although silks tend to be the face of traditional circus arts, there are so many other apparatuses to choose from and to train on. I’m going to break down some of the apparatuses/classes we offer at BMA, and discuss the ways in which you can choose which ones will be best for you and your goals. 

Aerial silks:

As mentioned this is typically the gateway apparatus for most aerialists. It is offered at the majority of aerial studios, and some studios may require taking some intro course on silks in order to build strength and confidence in the air. Aerial silks consist of two long pieces of fabric material connected at the top of a rigging point. Ironically aerial silks are not made from a silk material, but rather a spandex or nylon material to provide give, grip, and strength. SIlks can come in many different colors and lengths, and can also have different stretch qualities to them (low, medium, or high stretch). Aerial silks, or aerial fabric, requires the student to complete a series of wraps for most moves in order to be stable and secure in the air. It is one of the apparatuses that requires the most climbing and many people love it because of the plethora of dynamic skills and drops you can perform. 

Aerial hoop (lyra):

As the name suggests, aerial hoop is a large circular apparatus that can be rigged from a single point or a double point. Aerial hoops can come in many different sizes and can be either hollow or solid. People who are drawn to the hoop usually love the freedom it provides to add spinning dynamic skills, and it does not require the complicated wraps found on silks. The size hoop that is best for you will largely depend on your height, so ask your coach to try a couple different hoops to find the one you feel most comfortable in.

Trapeze:

At BMA we focus solely on dance trapeze. A dance trapeze has the ropes connected by a single point with a metal bar attached at the bottom between the ropes. Dance trapeze is likely what you will encounter at the majority of recreational aerial studios. In addition to dance trapeze, there are other types of trapeze such as flying trapeze and static trapeze. Flying trapeze is much more specialized (the type of trapeze you likely recognize from a circus performance), and sees a flyer swing back and forth on a trapeze bar and perform release moves in which they are caught by another trapeze performer. Static trapeze is similar to dance trapeze in how it is rigged, but that bar stays static while the aerialist works around the ropes and bar. Many people gravitate towards dance trapeze because it is a good mix between a completely solid apparatus (such as lyra) and a completely fabric apparatus (such as silks). A performer can move within the ropes to create shapes and also on the bar. Dynamic skills are also prominent on dance trapeze, a fact which tends to appeal to many aerialists. 

Aerial sling (hammock):

Aerial sling can be commonly confused with aerial silks because the material used for both apparatuses is the same. Sling differs from silks however, in that a sling is rigged from the end of the fabric creating a looped like hammock at the bottom. Sling also differs from silks because many of the complicated leg wraps that are common on silks are notably absent on sling. Sling is great apparatus for beginner aerialists because it does require as much grip strength and climbing is not a necessity. Aerialists that train heavily on sling are generally drawn to the apparatus because of the security it provides within the skills and because of the dynamics that can be added in with a good spin (if you like to spin sling is definitely an apparatus you should try).

Loops:

Loops are probably a lesser known aerial apparatus, but have been growing in popularity over the last few years. Loops consist of two large pieces of spanset like material (spansets are the black or purple pieces of material that you generally see holding a lyra up) that are attached together via a swivel on a rigging point. Because each loop opens up (sort of like two hammocks in one apparatus) it allows for the aerialist to move their body within the loops to create shapes such as back balances, splits, and drops. Many aerialists love loops because it combines skills from other apparatuses (such as sling and straps), and also the loud snap the loops make after a drop is extremely satisfying!

Aerial Straps:

Straps consist of a material similar to loops but instead of each piece opening up entirely, each strap only opens up enough for the aerialist to place their wrists inside. Aerial straps can be intimidating to the aerial beginner because the majority of straps training consists of conditioning only. Though this is true, straps is the perfect apparatus to cross train on to improve overall strength and body awareness (so beginners do not fear, sign up for that straps class and get ripped!). More advanced straps moves involve using your body strength to move yourself up the length of the straps into different shapes. Many people who train regularly on straps are drawn to because of the strength it requires, but also because you can add many dynamic moves and look like you are floating in the air.

Now that you have a brief overview of the classes/apparatuses offered at BMA (and other aerial studios), let’s chat quickly about how in the world you are supposed to pick one. First off I would like to say you do not have to pick just one. I myself dabble in many of the apparatuses listed, and enjoy translating moves between apparatuses. If you do feel the urge to choose only one or two to train on long-term it is important to consider your goals and what type of aerial moves you are drawn to. The best way to determine that is by taking intro or beginner classes for multiple apparatuses so you can get a feel for them. Once you have done that you can start narrowing it down. Do you like to climb and be high up? Then silks might be for you. Do you love spinning fast and having an apparatus beneath you? Then sling or lyra might be your best bet. Do you love strength and dynamic moves? Then go ahead and make straps your apparatus of choice! All in all choosing an aerial apparatus is highly personal and may take some trial and error. Whatever you decide, know that we are here to help you along your journey and make you the best aerialist you can be!

With so much love, 

Casandra ♥️

If you look around at traditional images of aerialists you will likely pull up photos of people who are white, thin, lithe, with visible muscle tone. When I look at myself however I see a short black woman with a round stomach and a large chest. I will admit I was super intimidated when I first started aerial because I knew my body type was different from a “traditional” aerialist or circus performer. I had grown up as a cheerleader, but my body was different even then. I was worried that I weighed too much or was not strong enough to be an aerialist (even a recreational one). I forged ahead with my first class anyways and was delighted to find that I was totally wrong. First off, there is no weight you must be to train as an aerialist. Properly rigged points and high quality equipment can hold thousands of pounds. So if you feel like your body is too heavy to start, I am here to tell you ….it’s not doll. Go ahead and sign up for that class! Secondly, you do not have to have any upper body strength to take an aerial class. A good studio or coach will meet you where you are. They will provide moves that you can do at your current starting point and provide training to increase strength so if you wish you can try more advanced moves down the line. Lastly, you do not have to be able to contort yourself into a box to be an aerialist. I have so many students tell me they cannot do a full split and seem ashamed by that fact, they are always surprised when I look at them and say “neither can I.” Your flexibility will not determine your success as an aerialist. 

With that out of the way and you headed to sign up for a class, I do want to talk about how different body types can impact your aerial training overall. Though your body weight, strength, or flexibility will not prevent you from being an aerialist, certain aspects of your body might prevent you from being able to do certain moves (or you may have to modify a move). This is not a bad thing, and does not reflect your skill or talent, it just means that everyone is different and coaches must account for that. For me my body’s kryptonite has proved time and time again to be the melons that sit on my chest (hah!). I thought for the longest time I was just super bad at doing ball inversion under bar apparatuses. I tried time and time again. I compressed my body so hard my toes would start to cramp. One day a coach told me that a ball inversion on lyra or trapeze might not be possible because my chest would simply just not move out of the way (which I find extremely rude to be honest). Though it was frustrating, it was actually a relief to hear that it wasn’t my strength or skill that was lacking, it was simply my boobs getting in the way (something I cannot change unless I have a surgical procedure). I no longer felt like some failure and it led me to focus on nailing the types of inversions I was capable of! 

I think some form of this can be true for all aerialists. There might be something unchangeable about your body type that makes certain moves impossible or some sort of modification is needed. If you have a good coach they will recognize that, not shame you for something you cannot change, and provide you with alternatives. If you have a coach that can only make aerialists out of one body type, you might want to reconsider letting them train you. The circus has always been about having different people from different backgrounds show up and put on a show for an audience. How boring would it be if all the members of the circus looked exactly the same? This should hold true for more contemporary circus arts. Aerialists come in all shapes and sizes, all of which are valid and welcomed. You should always embrace where you and your body are on your aerial journey, and know that no matter what you are killing it out here!

With so much love, 

Casandra ♥️

Day 1. Your instructor shows the newest move the class is going to try today. Excitement builds (and maybe a few nerves) as you step up to your apparatus to try and mimic what was shown. First attempt is a complete bust, as is the second. The third attempt is better but still not quite it. Now onto the fourth attempt …wait are you regressing? It was worse than the first attempt. You start to get a bit frustrated, but no big deal it’s only your first class trying the skill. You’ll definitely land it in the next class! Fast forward to a few months later and you still haven’t landed or completed the skill. Frustration kicks in and you wonder if you will ever get it. 

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you are not alone. We have all been there. Those skills that are just out of reach, and take sometimes months even years to master. Seriously, I bet if you go ask your coach or fellow classmates if there are moves that have been stubbornly out of reach for an extended period of time they will all nod their heads yes (and with enthusiasm). In aerial (and many other movement disciplines) we have this idea that skills must come overnight and if they don’t we are some sort of failure. I cannot tell you how long it took me to land a back balance on lyra. I used to be so embarrassed I could do all these cool lyra splits and tricks, but balancing on my back was where my body drew the line. I have learned a few things about ways to improve the chances of landing a skill over the years of being both student and teacher, and I hope by sharing them you will be one step closer to adding a new trick to your aerial skill book!

Top Rated Tips for your Aerial Journey:

1. Take a break from the skill: Sometimes when you leave a skill for a few weeks or even months it gives our brain time to think through it with more precision. It also allows us to focus on skills we can land, which will increase overall confidence on our apparatus. Taking a break will also provide your body with a chance to recover and rest. Many times it is hard to perfect a new skill when our body is tired and fatigued. Coming at the move with a fresh mind and body can give you the opportunity to approach the move with a better eye for detail on what needs to be done to land it. 

2. Cross train: Maybe you need more core strength than you currently have to land a certain skill. Or you are not engaging the right muscle groups. Cross training (for example strength conditioning and flexibility training) can help you build up the foundational stability and muscle groups you might be lacking to complete a skill. Cross-training can make you stronger and safer in the air in general so it is highly recommended regardless of skill level!

3. Take a class with a different coach: When I was first learning lyra and could not get my back balance to save my life. My coach at the time could not provide me with new cues to be able to accomplish the skill (disclaimer: my coach was great but they are human and do not know everything!). On a whim I took a class with a new coach, and they provided me with one simple cue and adjustment that I had never learned before and BAM I was able to do a back balance (AFTER TWO YEARS OF TRYING). Learning from multiple coaches can give you a fresh perspective on an old move, and open your brain to a new way of approaching a skill. 

4. If possible try the skill on a different apparatus: Not all moves can be translated between multiple apparatuses, but there are many that can be. Not getting a monkey roll on a hard apparatus? Maybe try it on a soft apparatus like sling to start gaining confidence and a baseline understanding of the roll. Afraid of doing a salto dive on lyra? Hop on silks and wrap yourself in tight and start saltoing your heart out (with control of course). The feeling of a move will differ between apparatuses, but getting a feel for a move on an apparatus you are a bit more comfortable on first can prepare your body for learning and landing it on the original apparatus you were taught the skill on. 

Moral of the story: sometimes learning a new skill can be a long and challenging road. All aerialists have a move that took them longer than expected to learn, again just ask one and I’m sure they will have a story to tell. I hope these tips help you along your journey, and that you know that whether or not you land the skill now or in ten years (or maybe never) it does not diminish your worth as an aerialist. The tricks we do are hard work, and you are worthy for just showing up and trying!

With so much love, 

Casandra ♥️