There are different levels for all aerial arts. This is to make sure each student has the right basic techniques from the beginning to be able to move on to the next level and help with personal goals. It is often tempting to try the more difficult moves before a student's body is ready. Do not rush the process. This is a lifetime journey where you never stop learning, always have fun and always progressing.
Below we will give you an idea as regards to what is covered in each class and what level will suit who best.
If you are ever unsure about which level to attend either contact us or speak to your instructor.
Best place to start learning a new skill is at the beginning.
This level aqcuaints you with the pole and you start learning all the basic pole moves and how to put them together smoothly.
To progress to the next level class, you need to be able to do the following in your level. Some are compulsory, while others are optional.
Compulsary
· Stand
· Climb
· Sit
· Stand with no hands
· Layout
· Basic spins like fireman, attitude, backhook etc
· Wrist sit
· Skater prep
· 3 moves combined. All on static
Optional
· Hood ornament
· Fig Head
· Teapot/Snow Fairy
· Stargazer
· Jasmine from floor
· Headstand on elbows
You have been attending regular pole beginner 1 classes, your strength and technique has improved and you starting to get the hang of an invert.
To progress to the next level class, you need to be able to do the following in your level. Some are compulsory, while others are optional.
Compulsary
· Side climb
· In and outside leg hooks
· Chopper
· Handstand variations from Swallow
· Swallow
· Butterfly
· Remi Sit
· Forward and rev inv on spin and static
· Flying angel spin
· Reverse grab spin
· Basic spin controlled on spin
Optional
· Jasmine
· Bird
· Thigh hold
· Flatline Scorpio
· Embrace
· Cupid
· Pencil (spin pole)
· Jamilla
· Leghang switches
· Shoulder mount conditioning
· Caterpillar
So you have been at this for a while and you have smoothened out your basic moves and are fairly comfortable in your inverts from the floor and can string basic moves as well as inverts together comfortably.
To progress to the next level class, you need to be able to do the following in your level. Some are compulsory, while others are optional.
Compulsary
· Aerial invert
· Genie
· Brass monkey
· Iguana
· Bow & Arrow
· Shoulder mount
· Superman
· Handspring kicks (true and twisted grip)
· Western flag
· Extended butterfly
· Reiko split
· Cupid
· Holly drop
· Ice skater
· Hangglider
Optional
· Reverse caterpillar
· Allegra
· Jade
· Superman stag
· Handspring tuck and lowering
· Floorsweeper spin
· Casts
· Sad girl drop
· Recliner grip
· Russian layback
Aerial inverts, combinations, routines and flow is all coming to you easily. You work hard on perfecting all your moves and always making sure you use both sides of the body. You perfect moves instead of chasing moves. You have probably found your favourite style of dancing by now.
To progress to the next level class, you need to be able to do the following in your level. Some are compulsory, while others are optional.
Compulsary
· Handspring variations
· Aerial shouldermount
· Shoulder mount
· Jade
· Ayesha
· Allegra
· Matrix
· Static flares
· Switcheroo
· Aerial invert (spin pole)
· Straight edge
· Walkover
Optional
· Brass monkey variations
· Meathook
· Funny grip related moves
· Titanic
· Janeiro
· Dragontail
· Poisson
· Tulip
· Back Ayesha
· Handstand against pole
Level one will cover strength and conditioning work whilst making you familiar with the feel and movement of this aerial apparatus. Basic moves will be covered and short sequences will be formed. These moves and short sequences of these moves need to be controlled and perfected before taking part in Level 2 classes.
Compulsary
· Delilah and all its variations
· Delilah mount
· Stag
· Secretary
· Man in the Moon
· Mermaid
· Coffin
· Gazelle
· High Arabesque
· Birdie prep
· Birdie
· Splits away
· Straddle mount
Optional
· Star on bar
· Cartwheel
· Pike mount
· Stag under bar
· Crab
· Splits under bar
· Pullover
· Roll out
You have been introduced to the dynamics and movement of the lyra and have become comfortable working under & on the bottom bar as well as inside the lyra. You have managed to find your balance points.
In this level you will cover the following and you will need to be able to control these moves (or variations of them) and string a few of the core moves together in combinations, before moving on to the advanced level. Your technique, execution of your moves and lifting onto the lyra should be clean, strong and precise.
· Front balances
· Single point hangs
· Amazons
· Back balances
· Trapped leg moves
· Leg only hangs
· Single hocks hangs
· Balancing moves on bottom bar
· Star/Stag/Splits under bottom bar
· Delilah on top bar
· Double hocks hang from top bar
· Splits inside lyra
· Hock split on top bar
· Armpit hangs on bottom bar
· Pike balances
· Hip holds
· Dynamic moves are introduced that build strength and can be used for transitions.
· Rollout variations
· Moving from top to bottom bar
Silks is so beautiful and elegant yet also the most technical and difficult of the aerial arts we offer.
It is imperative that students adhere to the criteria in this level and only move to level two when the instructor feels that the student is ready.
Silks is unforgiving so if students try to rush ahead with moves injuries are possible. Therefore follow your instructor's guidance and enjoy the ride on this beautiful journey.
Silks 1, base moves incl
· Hitch knot
· Cocoon
· Cabot circus
· Layback splits
· Stag
· Straddle
· Crochet
· Hiplock
· Basic footlock
· Dance footlock
· Basic climb
· Russian foot climbs
You have become comfortable in the basic moves on Level 1. You understand the basic techniques and safety aspects of the moves.
Let's cover some more advanced moves and perfect this level before moving on.
Silks 2, base moves worked from incl
· Aerial footlock
· Invert
· Tuck, pike, pencil
· Catchers
· Salto drops
· Rollups
· Splits
· Nina's trick
· Footlock climb, Crochet climb
· Crochet climb
Being mobile, flexible and strong in your mobility and flexibility is highly underrated in most people's minds, non-existant in the majority of training regimes and yet probably one of the most important components of a training programme.Being strong in your mobility and flexibility means your joints and smaller muscles can handle the loads of the bigger muscles and the body can handle moving in different and unusual shapes and position while minimizing injury. As dancers this class is absolutely invaluable in getting stronger, more flexible and more mobile. However it is beneficial for everyone. No experience needed.