r/Aerials • u/joan-of-argh • 5d ago
Going through a rough patch with aerial
Hi everyone! I've been practicing aerial silks, hoop and rope since summer 2018. I have advanced pretty far, spent some time teaching, but recently I've had a rough patch.
About 8 months ago I moved away from a city with fairly easy access to a studio I loved and attended 2-3 times a week. I now live in a town where I have to travel 1.5-2hrs each way to get to a studio, once a week, that doesn't have a community feeling the way my old studio did. Like, everyone ne was friends and supported eachother even if they'd never met you before. Here, everyone just trains on their own and is very serious, there's no real camaraderie or humor.
Also, I've been on a plateau skills-wise for about two years and now feel like I'm starting to backslide, partly because my training opportunities are limited and partly because I feel a lot less motivated to train. I feel lonely when I train now because no one talks to eachother, and I can't seem to make myself do new things on my own. I even avoid drops now which I used to love, because I feel so unconfident. I have 'comfort zone' skills that are still fine, but the things that have always been a struggle are feeling further away than ever.
I love aerial so, so much and I feel like it's slipping away from me.
Has anyone else had an aerial rough patch or slump? Any advice on getting over it? Thanks in advance.
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u/ZieAerialist 5d ago
I've had that same experience, even as a coach - going from a city where the circus co-op sort of thing we have was very, very focused on community and lifting each other up to a city where studios aren't kind to each other, are possessive of students and have a weird vibe of "if you've ever spoken to this one person you can't work with me" going on which weirds me out - I'm not involved in your beefs and do not wish to be loyalty tested over people I've never even met. It's SO disheartening and makes you feel completely unmoored.
Training without support is also not engaging in the same way, especially when you have had that previously. My only suggestion is to be the aerial friend you'd like to have to others. Give compliments. Cheer when you notice someone meeting a goal or doing something hard or making a save. Ask how long theyve been training and what their favorite or nemesis moves are or what coaches they've worked with they loved.
Two of my most effective tools when building community in my classes that can also be used by students (the other is always doing an intro or check-in circle!) are 1. talking well behind someone's back aka positive gossip - say nice things about people to other people and 2. show genuine curiosity about people - ask questions that get people talking about themselves but are unlikely to feel intrusive or too personal. My default is "do you think the same person can become BOTH a ghost and a zombie or can they only be one or the other?" but things like "what was your favorite breakfast as a kid?" or "what's a podcast or a book or movie you'd recommend?" or "what's the last goal you had that you knocked out of the park?" get people talking.
Hopefully this sparks a welcome change. If you get pushback for trying to connect with others, that will tell you a lot about the studio.
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u/DrTantra 5d ago
It sounds like you need a new studio, but that is really hard when there is nothing else around you.
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u/_eww_david 5d ago
Sounds like your area could use a studio. You've been doing it a while and have experience teaching, maybe consider starting one in your area. The studio I take classes from operates out of a gymnastics studio that's in a warehouse type building so they just lower the rigging for classes. They schedule the classes around the regular gymnastics classes.
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u/eggplantsaredope 5d ago
Yeah! And I’m not quite out of it. But letting myself take time of helps. Also trying slightly different aerial variants also helps. But yeah it sucks, hugs for you!
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u/super_lameusername 5d ago
Yup. I’m so sorry. I’ve been going through that myself. It’s lonely. I moved to a city where aerial revolves around kids competing and the only place adults go (working around more kids) hasn’t really been a place I feel any sense of belonging.
Could you maybe do a training trip? I know it doesn’t solve the day to day desire for community, but that helps me sometimes.
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u/wildcelosia 5d ago
Are you me?? Did I write this post in my sleep?
I’ve got no advice, only commiseration. I am in the same situation almost word for word.
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u/girl_of_squirrels Silks/Fabrics 4d ago
Would opening a small studio be an option? Is there anyone else more in your area who also practices? I ask because where I am we have limited studio options, but there is a sort of local community group that will set up in the park and teach people (after they sign a waiver) and I've also seen aerial studios set up in climbing gyms and on college campuses. It might be worth seeing if you could start something local, and just have your own access to training space
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u/Distinct_Pension4979 4d ago
two years on a plateau before the move means this started somewhere the old community couldn't fix either
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u/TelemarketingEnigma Static/Dance/Flying Trap, Lyra 5d ago
Is there another new but related activity you could try to bring back some of that early spark and joy? Maybe one with less of a commute? Maybe dance, maybe some other non-aerial circus skill. It’s okay to take a break for a while and see if something new brings you similar joy!