Our Aerial Acrobatics includes three disciplines: Silks, Rope, and Hammock
Aerial Silks is a discipline of aerial acrobatics that uses a long, flexible fabric suspended from a single point on the ceiling. Performers climb the fabric and wrap themselves in it to perform various tricks, poses, and sequences of movements. This art form is often used in circus shows and performances and is renowned for its impressive combination of elegance, strength, and drama. There are a variety of techniques, such as:
- Climbing: Performers ascend the fabric using specialized wrapping and gripping techniques.
- Wraps: The artist wraps the fabric around different body parts to hold poses or position themselves securely in the air.
- Drops: One of the most spectacular aspects is the sudden release from the wraps, allowing the performer to fall in controlled drops, caught by the fabric at a specific point.
Aerial Hammock: Aerial Hammock involves a long, fabric-like cloth attached at two points, forming a loop similar to a hammock. In this loop, performers execute various tricks and movements in the air, including spins, poses, and transitions. The soft surface of the fabric supports control and allows for both dynamic movements and calm, aesthetic poses.
Aerial Rope: Aerial Rope is a single, vertical rope. Unlike the flexible fabric of the Hammock, the rope requires more grip strength and technique, as it does not provide support through a loop. Performers climb the rope and perform complex tricks, wraps, and drops. Rope training focuses heavily on strength, particularly in the arms and upper body.
All three disciplines demand significant strength, flexibility, and body control. Grip strength in the hands and arms, as well as core stability, are especially crucial. They offer unique challenges and are fascinating forms of aerial acrobatics.
Climbs
Climbs employed by aerialists range from purely practical and efficient, such as the Russian climb, to athletic and elegant tricks of their own, such as the straddle climb.
Wraps
Wraps are static poses where aerialists wrap the silks around one or more parts of their body. In general, the more complicated the wrap, the stronger the force of friction and the less effort required to hold oneself up. Some wraps, such as the straddle-back-balance, actually allow performers to completely release their hands. Foot locks are a sub-category of wraps where the silks are wrapped around one or both feet, for instance, an ankle hang.
Drops
In a drop, performers wrap themselves high up on the silks before falling to a lower position. Drops can combine aspects of free fall, rolling or otherwise rotating oneself before landing in a new pose. Preparation for a drop can make for a pretty wrap, but the ultimate goal is the fall rather than the pose. Of the three trick types, drops require the most strength and are also the most potentially dangerous.