Aerials aren’t easy, but they can be with the right training, introspection, and dedicated practice. What is the relation between aerials and parkour? They both require timing, precision and breathwork (I get caught holding my breath in both). They both utilize powerful movement and synchronization across several muscle groups. Both require you pay attention to your environment, whether it’s a wall, vault, dancers around you, and your partner. Finally, both should be supplemented with extra training aimed towards perfecting your movements.

Recently, I’ve been teaching many aerial workshops, each time with a different partner. This typically involves 2-4 hours training and 4-8 hours teaching each weekend.  I appreciate the women who step up to teach with me, but I miss my Colorado regulars. Training and learning in the ultra-competitive environment of 23 Skidoo created fierce follows. Talk about timing, technique, and teamwork.

The elements needed to achieve an ideal lindy flip (or other aerials) are similar to DemonDrill‘s climb up progressions 1-4. Depending on the aerial, oftentimes students learn the struggle up version, the Level 1. You know where to place your feet and hands, but not all the elements work together fluidly. You push or jump with isolated parts. Level 2 is a great achievement, it’s smoother yet still choppy, the wasted movement needing further elimination. Level 3 is when the dancers subconsciously work together to achieve a smooth flow, an airstep. Muscle groups are working together, you understand how to drive through your legs, lift your vertical center, link your legs, chest, and arms in a powerful movement. Level 4, well, that’s when you wear a bad ass smile afterward.

I’m happy more and more dancers are learning aerials. They are relatively accessible to the masses under the right circumstances and environment. If you want to get better, here are a few suggestions:

1. Practice aerials once a week. Do 5-10 repetitions of each aerial
2. Practice jumping and landing. This can be broadjumps, tuck jumps, hopping up or down stairs, skip jumps, jumping on park benches.
3. Practice climb ups, deadlifts, squats or any multi-dimensional exercise.
4. Improve your mobility.

If I had my way, every aerial student would learn basic parkour skills. Since I want you to learn aerials, the parkour training must occur in the dynamic warmup. While you’re training, use power only when you need it. Too many aerialists exert too much effort on the down motion. This prevents a good elastic jump. Other aerialists try using their arm too soon. This means girls get really heavy early or guys aren’t using their legs. Conserve your energy and practice good form. In the meantime, I have another aerial workshop to plan. Porto is next!