7 Tips for Your First Aerial Class
Your guide to feeling confident, grounded, and ready to fly at The Yoga Dance Co
So, you’ve signed up for your first aerial class—yay! First of all, we’re genuinely so excited to welcome you. Whether you’ve been eyeing our silks from afar or just got a gentle nudge from a friend to try something new, showing up is a bold and beautiful first step.
At The Yoga Dance Co, we know that walking into a class where people are hanging upside down or floating midair can feel a little… intimidating. But we promise—behind the dreamy lighting and graceful shapes is a space filled with encouragement, curiosity, and community. We’re not here to push you into perfection. We’re here to help you connect to your body, move with joy, and discover just how strong and capable you really are.
Here are 7 Tips to help you walk into your first aerial class feeling a little more prepared, a little less nervous, and a lot more excited.
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1. Dress For Movement and Safety
Let’s start with the basics—what to wear. You’ll want something that’s fitted but comfy. Think leggings that cover the backs of your knees and a snug top that stays in place when you’re upside down. Long sleeves can help protect your arms from minor silk burns (yes, that’s a thing), especially during wraps and drops.
Avoid zippers, buttons, or any clothing with metal pieces that can snag the fabric. Also, leave jewelry at home—we don’t want your necklace doing aerial tricks of its own.
Yoga Dance Co pro tip: Some students love wearing grippy socks or barefoot shoes.
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Ms. Sadie
2. Give Yourself Permission to Be a True Beginner
We mean this from the bottom of our silks: you do not need to be “fit” to start aerial. You don’t need to touch your toes, hold a plank for 60 seconds, or have perfect balance. All you need is a willingness to try.
Your first class is about exploration, not performance. You might surprise yourself with what your body can do—or you might find some things super challenging (totally normal). There’s no right or wrong. Just movement, curiosity, and growth.
At our studio, we love celebrating beginner wins. First hammock sit? Big deal. Made it upside down? Huge. Showed up even though you were nervous? Honestly, the biggest win of all.
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3. Let Go of Expectations About Strength
One of the biggest hesitations for beginners is not feeling “strong enough” to try aerial. The good news? You don’t have to be! Your first class is meant to introduce you to the basics—things like mounting the apparatus, understanding grip positions, and learning to trust your body. Everyone starts somewhere.
You’ll likely use muscles in new ways, and yes, your arms and core will get a workout. But the point isn’t to be perfect—it’s to practice. You’ll build strength over time, and many studios design beginner classes with plenty of modifications and support.
Be patient with yourself and remember that progress in aerial often looks like small milestones, and they all count.
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4. It’s Okay to Feel Wobbly (Literally and Emotionally)
Aerial challenges your balance, grip strength, and even your brain. There’s a lot of newness in your first few classes—new muscles, new vocabulary, new perspectives (especially upside down ones). Feeling unsteady isn’t a sign you’re doing it wrong—it’s a sign your body is learning.
Also, don’t be surprised if some emotions bubble up. Movement has a sneaky way of unlocking things we didn’t even realize we were holding. Whether you leave class feeling energized, tearful, empowered, or all three—that’s part of the magic.
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5. Listen to Your Body (and Talk to Your Instructor)
Aerial is beautiful, but it’s also physical. You might discover new muscles in your shoulders, core, or forearms—and they may have a lot to say the next day. That’s all part of building strength, but you should never feel pressured to push through pain or discomfort.
At The Yoga Dance Co, our instructors are trained to offer modifications and support. Don’t hesitate to ask for a break, an alternative, or just a minute to regroup. This is your movement journey, and we’re here to support it—not control it.
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6. Take the Pressure Off—You Don’t Have to Nail It
We’ll say this louder for the people in the back: you are not expected to get everything right on day one. Aerial is a practice—it’s something you build over time. The strongest aerialists you’ll see in class were once beginners too, learning how to tie a foot lock or figuring out how to trust the hammock to hold them.
So if something doesn’t click right away, that’s okay. You’re planting seeds. With time, consistency, and a little grace for yourself, things start to blossom.
And honestly? Half the fun is in the process. The giggles, the oops moments, the “wait, can I do that again?” surprises. We welcome all of it here.
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7. Bring Your Playfulness
At The Yoga Dance Co, we believe movement should be joyful. Yes, aerial can be challenging. But it’s also freeing, playful, and full of opportunities to reconnect with the part of you that loves to swing, climb, and explore.
We’re not here for rigid rules or unrealistic expectations. We’re here to help you stretch—physically and creatively. So bring your curiosity. Laugh when you get tangled. Dance a little between poses. Let your inner kid show up.
Yoga Dance Co pro tip: Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do in a class isn’t mastering a move—it’s allowing yourself to enjoy the moment.
Ms. Madison
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You’re More Ready Than You Think
We know trying something new can feel intimidating, especially when that “something new” involves hanging upside down or stepping into a silk hammock for the first time. But here’s the truth: you’re more capable than you think.
And at The Yoga Dance Co, you don’t have to do it alone. From your very first class, you’ll be supported, encouraged, and reminded that this journey is about connection—not perfection.
So bring your messy bun, your water bottle, your nerves, and your courage. We’ll bring the silks, the community, and a whole lot of love.
See you in class—you’ve got this. 💫
