How To Become An Aerialist

Depending on your fitness or performance background, getting started as an aerialist may have varying initial benchmarks. To be a professional aerialist takes strength and mobility but also a level of confidence in your ability to engage and connect with an audience while performing difficult feats . After all, not only are you holding your weight high off the ground, you are also usually doing it in front of a crowd of adoring spectators.

What is an aerialist

An aerialist is usually defined as a performer who executes sequences of movement off the ground. Aerial can be performed on an array of different apparatuses and also at a degree of different heights. Traditional apparatus such as Silks, Trapeze and Lyra (Aerial Hoop) have become the most common forms of the discipline. However, aerial can be performed on a variety of equipment such as cubes, dodecahedrons, in harness alongside buildings, specially designed chandeliers and spirals, or even custom apparatuses of all shapes and sizes.

Steps On How to become an aerialist

Due to the dangers of being an aerialist, it’s critical to honor and respect the training and time it takes to get strong, build the muscle, gain proprioception in the air , know your rigging, and master skills you feel confident to perform in front of a crowd. It's important throughout your journey to seek inspiration, people, artists, and coaches you admire that you can look up to and can help you to set yourself on a safe path. These people will help you set skill specific training and performance goals. After skills, strength, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of theory of the skills you are performing are obtained, you're ready to develop an act and join a circus!

Step One: Figure out what strengths you already have. 

Understanding your starting point and knowing what level you need to study, train, and improve is a great first step on your path to aerial.  Remember: every professional was once a beginner and just like you they had to overcome the initial challenges.  With dedicated training routines, safe practices, commitment, and integrity to the artform….. it is possible! 

Step Two: Training 

In aerial you use muscles you’ve most likely never used. Yes dancers, that statement is true for you too! Grip strength and shoulder strength may be your nemesis for your first few classes but don’t fret because like all things, building the strength just takes time and determination and a training program for your specific needs that progresses logically and safely.  

Here at The Muse we have instructors straight  off of stages from world class companies and around the world such as cirque du soleil,  ABCirque, Streb, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Fuerza Bruta⁠, broadway, and much more ready to prepare you for lift off.   Training your body for aerial doesn't always require at home equipment and our world class trainers can give you an at home grounded workout that specifically targets the muscles that’ll help you climb to the top of the silk and beyond 

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Step Three: Get a mentor

Community and network is a key to growth in any discipline. Being surrounded by safety-minded professionals, students, and individuals,  who also encourage and inspire you, will be key. By taking classes you will find the instructors that fit you best and who motivate you. Ask questions, pick their brains, listen. Observe, cross train,  and remember REST AND RECOVERY are just as critical as training time .

Who better to help further your potential than the people who have done what you want to do! At The Muse our coaches have performed all over the world, come from a range of backgrounds and are always happy to see others succeed!

Step Four: Develop Skills

You’re up in the air, your feet are pointed and you’ve found your community. Now what? Well now it's time to nail the tricks, shapes, and transitions. Each apparatus comes with its own potential and limitations so start to figure out what works for you and perfect the skills within reach. Whether it be a clockwork split on lyra, a cross back straddle on silks, or a beauty roll on trapeze, set the goals and tick them off one by one.

Step Five: Put an act together

With your goals ticked off you're ready to sequence but remember: an act is more than a sequence, it's a story. Pick a theme or idea that inspires you and then source your music and costume to match. Start to think about character, movement quality, timing, and dynamics. At this step it’s important to use that mentor and your community to support you as this can be a daunting part of the process.

Step Six: Join a circus 

Once your act is done it’s time to show the world! Use footage of your work to prove your worth and find a venue or company that may be interested in showcasing your skills. Becoming an aerialist doesn't happen overnight. Some people repeat steps one to five multiple times before becoming a professional but, at the risk of sounding cliche, it is the journey of aerial and not the destination that is the best part so now is as good a time as ever to get started.

How can I learn an aerial at home?

The muscle groups required for aerial are specific and require targeted training. Our coaches are experts at using body weight training as well as taking advantage of everyday objects, along with specific verbal cuing to target these muscles. Although getting used to the apparatus is a big part of your training there are strength and mobility benchmarks that will get you started. Core strength, grip strength, wrist mobility, and lateral mobility are key examples of where you can start to improve your ability to get moving in the air and you can begin to check them off from the comfort of your own home if you are guided by the proper coaches. Our coaches have the knowledge and experience to walk you through these training regimes to help you begin your aerial journey. Join our patreon to start your journey at www.patreon.com/TheMuseProductions