Aerial silk in India

Till sometime ago, we had seen aerial acts only I circus or maybe high-end musicals. Then we started seeing them in dance shows and competitions on stage. Aerial silk workout has recently gained lot of popularity and attention. Everyone is raving about it. Especially so because it is unusual, looks mystic, challenging and doing it is an exhilarating experience of flying in the air. This workout requires us to use the muscles that we seldom move in other workouts. For example, women generally do not focus on upper body workouts. They shy away from push-ups and heavy bench press. But aerial silk requires good strength of upper body and core.

It makes the body strong and toned.

Aerial Silks is a challenging gymnastic workout focused on the upper body and core. 

Aerial silks, also known as aerial fabric, aerial tissue, aerial ribbon, or aerial curtain, aerial rope, aerial sling aerial hammock, and aerial net are a few of the more popular fitness equipment. It is an incredibly demanding art form that requires a high degree of strength, power, flexibility, courage, and grace to master.

These are one of the newest and most challenging, yet most awe inspiring and versatile aerial art forms. Aerial silk artists climb, twist, spin, drop, and contort themselves on fabric curtain sheets that hang from the ceiling.   The beauty of the silky material wrapping around the aerialists body is matched only by the breath-taking courage it takes to be suspended several stories above the ground.  The technology to create synthetic fabrics strong enough to hold the incredible amounts of weight of high impact drops has only been around for less than 50 years.

Aerial arts are a potentially dangerous activity involving acrobatic work at various heights. The most common injuries are overuse injuries of shoulders and back, pulled muscles, bruises, fabric-burns, and dizziness/nausea (from upside-down or spinning). Possible risks include but are not limited to sprains, broken bones, paralysis or death. Students agree to participate at their own risk.

Students should only take classes from professional aerial trainers. Aerial arts involve complex wraps and positions that if executed incorrectly or slightly off could have major consequences including falling out of the air. Do not try to learn from YouTube or people who are not qualified professionals. Unsafe aerial instruction can result in paralysis or death. Aerial work is a highly intense fitness program. Expect to be sore after class. Soreness should last 2-3 days, and typically occurs in the fingers, forearms, back, and abs. If soreness lasts longer than 5 days, consider taking a break until completely healed. Even if new students are in good shape, as with any new movement practice, they will probably still experience soreness. Aerial work is a unique fitness program because it introduces the body to the instability of suspension. The body must strengthen all the tiny stabiliser muscles that don’t normally get used. Expect to experience soreness regularly after class for about 4-6 weeks. Calluses are normal on the palms and fingers.

Aerial silk workout might appear very daunting initially. Climbing is not easy. But a good trainer can make you progress easily and gradually. You do not start climbing from day one. There are excellent exercises to initiate you on silk and help you develop skills and strength.

You don't need any experience to be able to give Aerial Silks a go. There are tricks and exercises for people of all levels and our teachers structure each session so that you can progress whatever your level. 

Aerial Silks works pretty much every muscle in the body. Your arms – wrists, forearms, biceps, triceps and shoulders will all get a workout. Legs, quads, adductors & abductors, calves, ankles will all be hard at it. And as if that's not enough, Aerial Silks is an amazing workout for your back and your abdominal and it strengthens your core as you work.