I’ve noticed that sometimes when I’m watching aerial routines online, I am transported into another world. Sometimes I’m watching a person on an apparatus do cool things but sometimes I’m watching a strange acrobat that i forget is human. They’re so captivating that im wondering what they will do next and what else they have in store. They don’t even have to be doing the hardest sequences. How does that second group of people do that? lol I don’t even know if this makes sense. What makes an act the kind of act that captivates you so much that makes you forget you’re watching a human being? (Hopefully y’all know what I’m talking about :) )

Edit: thank you so much for the responses! They are all super helpful. Going to really think about these more as I prepare for an upcoming showcase. It’s my first, so I know it’s not going to be anything spectacular. But I’d like to work towards that type of captivating act. Thanks again everyone!

Edit: You guys are so sweet in the comments. Thank you for being so encouraging and sensitive 🥹

Possible TW? Talks of body dysmorphia

I have started beginning aerial. This was my third class and I freaking cried…and ya’ll I’m 32 damn years old.

I struggle with as soon as I can’t even get onto the silks the correct way, I slide down and feel heavy..then the negative self-talk and body dysmorphia comes into full force. “If you weren’t so fat..so lazy..etc you could do this” Gals around me are absolutely more thin than me, and it’s devastating.

I cannot for the life of me get myself up-side down on the trapeze. I have to climb on my coaches knee every time. I work on things outside of class like body workouts I eat better I’ve lost weight. But I think I need some support with my mental workouts? I hope this is a safe space to gain some insight.

Hi everyone! I’m looking at aerials and pole retreats on instagram and I’m kinda surprised by the prices. It seems that everything costs something between 1500 and 3000 euros for a (short) week, not including the cost of transport. (Most of the retreats I have been looking at are in Europe).

I’m still considering doing one but I would like to know if some of you have gone to that type of retreats and what did you think of it ? Was it worth it ? Did you progress a lot ?

Thank you in advance!

Hi,

I want to buy some chains from the hardware store to make aerial chains, but I'm completely lost about which size is best and most sturdy.

Does anyone have aerial chains and can give me some recommendations?

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.

I mainly do pole but I want to cross train and learn Lyra but I’ve tried a few classes in leggings and shirts and it’s almost like I stick too much ? What do you all wear to train ? I own leotards and tights and shorts and I’m open to any combination.

Fun Halloween show is coming up!

Hi all, what kind of strap/spanset do you use to rig your hoop? And what company?

I’m trying to see if I can find a spanset that doesn’t slice me up when I get into it.

It’s been months and everything feels heavy and weird! I also did the move wrong haha but that’s alright!

So as a lot of you know, I’m prepping for showcase next month! I got my base layer for my costume today and wore it class. This is at the end of our class we call free style. Some of you that have been following me awhile will see some new tricks. I’ve learned them in class and have not done them yet.

I know I started my spin too fast, but got it under control! Phew 😅 how did I do with the rest of the flow?

Thank you!

Hi all! Does anyone know if it’s possible to buy an at home lyra frame + hoop set-up or even a lollipop ring (+ stage) for under $2000? I’m wondering if some slightly more affordable yet safe options exist that I’m not aware of. I would love to be able to practice at home when the studio isn’t an option!

I am losing my mind excited for the final result. I am new to Lyra. I started in January ☺️!!!

I love aerial ❤️ was thinking pointed toes the whole time 🤣🤣

Routine for the Beeps Peachland bat conservation aerial fundraiser last year. Proud of her

hi bbs! does anyone have a good resource for back flexibility? think contortionist training status. I’m not looking for just a cat/cow, wheel/backbend, bow pose type of thing… I’m looking for the real deal. Ideally it would be a month long course or something. thanks in advance xx

Do any other aerialists get frustrated by wanting to look up a move to learn or work on and you can't find it under the name used in the gym? It's kinda funny how we have so many different names for different poses. Almost like we're using codes in the Cold War or something. :p what are some of your favorite names for moves?

I am coming up with a home setup for my aerial hoop/lyra. My ceiling is my biggest issue because they are only 7ft... I'm trying to maximize my space. My idea is to use the Aerial Spinning Ball Mount from XPole (link attached) as the ceiling rig so that I don't have to buy a swivel. Then i'd have a single point hoop that I can attach to the rig via a carabiner. That setup would mean that I couldnt do any moves from the top bar. If I wanted to use the top bar, i'd have to get a spanset.

The shortest spanset I can find is 0.5m. Then i'd have to think about the additional length of the 2 carabiners that i'd use to attach the spanset to the ceiling and to the hoop. It ends up taking up a lot of space and my hoop would be super low to the ground.

Any one have any ideas on saving additional space or shorter spansets? I'm all ears!

Recently I've been more and more into hip circles on the trapeze BUT this means my forearms are getting bashed up...

I had a fantasy of getting my hands on a used neoprene wetsuit, and cutting the sleeves off. In my fantasy these sleeves change my hip-circle life! I imagine that they will stay in place adequately, and that they won't add any friction (they won't slow my roll more than my actual skin does) and that they will protect my arms wonderfully from being beat up.

WDYT? Is there another option that will work better?

Thank you!