Adult Aerial Curriculum

Introductory Levels 1 and 2

Any student is welcome to enroll in Level 1/Introduction level classes! No prior experience or particular strength or skills are required. If you can’t yet hold your full body weight in your hands for a second or two, you may want to start with sling, trapeze, or a gentle beginners class. All students who complete Level 1 (attend a min. of 4 classes) are welcome to progress to Level 2 of the same apparatus (you are also welcome repeat Level 1 as many times as you like!)

Level Progressions and Prerequisites

Below are the prerequisites for entering each level. All prerequisites must be demonstrated with good form, essential tension, and control! We do understand that aerial is an individual journey, and we will modify prerequisites and progressions as necessary based on student need and practice.

Level 3


Silks

  • Completion of at least one session of Level 2

  • Completion of Silks Theory 101 class

  • Can climb to the top of the silks in both basic and russian climbs

  • Shows correct shoulder posture and ability to lean away from silks without fear

  • Can consistently balance a hip key from the floor*

  • Can invert without use of a sling or knot from the floor*

Sling and Trapeze

  • Completion of at least one session of Level 2

  • Completion of transitions/sequence or flow class

  • Can consistently mount apparatus in two ways, one of which is a pullover mount from chest height

  • Can consistently tuck invert from sitting on the apparatus*

  • Shows ability to let body lean away from apparatus without falling or fear

*Modification/individualization of progressions for students with diverse bodies are allowed

Level 4 and 5

Silks Level 4:

  • Completion of at least one session of Level 3 and at least one topics class (e.g., transitions, choreography, theory 102, etc)

  • Can enter hip key in the air

  • Can perform a minimum 3 minute sequence

  • Inversions in the air can still be emerging/in progress

Silks Level 5:

  • Completion of Level 4 with ongoing topics classes; enrollment in classes with other instructor and/or other apparatus (this can also be met with floor-based circus, dance, or other movement classes)

  • Can enter hip key in at least two ways in the air*

  • Can perform introductory level basic drops: bomb, salto, forward dive, and single star

  • Can consistently invert from the air*

Sling and Trapeze Level 4:

  • Completion of at least one session of Level 3 and at least one topics class (big movement, flow, transitions, etc.)

  • Can consistently mount the apparatus above head height*

  • Trapeze only - shows consistent control and precision in circles, sweeps, spins, and track and taps

  • Sling only - consistently able to smoothly transition between closed and open panel; can perform basic forward salto drops*

  • Can perform a minimum 3 minute sequence

Sling and Trapeze Level 5:

  • Completion of Level 4 with ongoing topics classes; enrollment in classes with other instructor and/or other apparatus (this can also be met with floor-based circus, dance, or other movement classes)

  • Can perform basic drops*

  • Can consistently invert anywhere in the apparatus*

  • Can consistently perform and hold limb-based hangs (knee, toe/heel, ankle, elbow, etc)

*Modification/individualization of progressions for students with diverse bodies are allowed

Intermediate

All Apparatus:

  • Demonstrates proficient knowledge of theory - can create and modify sequences, transitions, acts

  • Has completed a rigging workshop

  • Can perform a sequence with a minimum of 6 individual skills

  • Silks and Sling: Ability to perform at least one layered drop*

  • Can climb and invert repeatedly without exhaustion*

  • Can perform basic beats (front-back, bell, scissor)*

  • Demonstrates ability to learn from various sources (book, video, etc)

*Modification/individualization of progressions for students with diverse bodies are allowed