We love helping beginners start their aerial fitness journey. We have many opportunities per week for new students and aerialists to try aerial fitness. Have questions? Feel free to contact us at any time or browse our class schedule to get signed up. Below is a handy guide we put together to help you figure out what classes are best for you at South Dakota Aerial & Arts.
1. You Have Never Taken An Aerial Class Before
All brand-new aerialists should start with one of the two options:
1). A private solo or group introductory aerial class - contact us to schedule
2). A Beginner Aerial Silks class (no experience required)
3). Take a Beginner Aerial Hoop Class (no experience required)
4). Bungee Fitness Class (no experience required)
Beginner aerial classes teach you basic aerial terminology, get you comfortable on the apparatus, and will set you up for success in future classes. It is also far less intimidating to try aerial classes alongside peers with no or limited experience.
All individuals are also welcome to attend any strength & stretch class, bungee fitness or specialty workshop.
We do not recommend students attend open gym before taking an introductory course, as you will not know what to work on or where to start.
2. You Have Taken Fewer Than 5 Aerial Silks Classes
Enjoy any of our beginner or all-level classes. All level classes have multiple levels practicing at one time and offer many variations for individuals at different levels.
In order, we recommend the following options for newer aerialists:
1). Beginner Aerial Silks or Beginner Aerial Hoop
2). Private solo or group lessons
3). All Level Aerial Silks Classes
3. You Have Taken Aerial Classes Other Than Aerial Silks OR Have Some Aerial Experience (5+ Aerial Silks Classes)
Often times we have visitors or students with previous aerial knowledge who start attending classes. This is awesome - we love having students from other gyms train with us! Sometimes due to their varied experiences, we have a hard time placing them in the correct class.
Here are some general rules we recommend:
1). Students who do not have aerial fabric experience, and have only used hard apparatuses - join a Beginner Aerial Silks Class or schedule a private lesson to learn fabric fundamentals for for us to assess your skill level.
2). Students with hammock experience, but not silks - All of our classes utilize footlocks and hip keys. If you know how to do these skills, you are likely okay to attend Beginner or All Level Silks classes. We do recommend still starting off with a private lesson where your skill level can be assessed
3). Student with aerial silks-specific experience - Want to attend an intermediate class? Send us your Instagram or videos of your current skills, so we can assess if you will be ready to attend this class. See specific requirements/guidelines below for each level
General Requirements Per Level
Beginner Aerial Silks/Aerial Hoop, Bungee Fitness or Strength & Stretch - No Experience Needed
All Level Aerial Silks - Tying a knot, understanding of footlocks, understanding basics of climbing
Intermediate Aerial Silks (coach approval required) - Consistent middle and side inverts with leg wraps, cross back straddle, hip key in the air, Russian and French climbs,
Open Gym - You have attended at least one Introduction to Aerial Silks class at SDAA or you have prior aerial silks or hammock experience
Ultimately our goal is to place you in the level that best suits your goals, development, and success. Understanding the basics of aerial silks will set you up for success in the future. If you have absolutely any questions or if you want to inquire about private aerial coaching/personal training - email sdaerialarts@gmail.com.