Aerial Silks & Circus Arts

Instructor: Erika Lui | contact: www.erikalui.com/contact

Aerial silks is a captivating and physically demanding performance art which uses friction achieved through positioning and wrapping the body along two fabric strands suspended from a height. An aerialist can create acrobatic and dance-like movements in the air by climbing, wrapping, descending and dropping through the fabric’s vertical space. 

In order to learn this enthralling art form, we are offering a range of class levels designed for absolute beginners to advanced students. Our aerial curriculum at each level is progressive, in that skills and technique is taught through a series of increasingly demanding drills and sequences designed to challenge students’ strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, technique and creative thinking. Students can progress to the next level of classes at their own pace, once they feel confident in their abilities to consistently and safely perform the necessary prerequisite skills.

Private and semi-private lessons, or group events are available upon request. For more information, and to inquire about class availability, please contact Erika by filling out the form provided at http://www.erikalui.com/contact

Aerial Silks Courses

If you have not signed up for classes in advance, we now have $35+HST walk-in options available for the Beginner levels and above! You can join a single class by paying at the front desk! NOTE: this option is not available for Introductory classes.

LEVEL 1: Introduction to Aerial Silks class series (6-week course)

This entry-level Introduction to Aerial Silks course is required for students with NO EXPERIENCE in any sort of gymnastic, dance or aerial sport discipline to learn how to safely and properly use the apparatus in order to mitigate potential risk of injury. 

This Introductory course is designed for adult students (age 16+) who are completely brand new to the aerial arts and/ or are in need of a more detailed overview of basic terminology, wraps, techniques, drills and practices needed to build up the strength and understanding to safely practice the foundational aerial silks moves. In this course, students will learn basic technique for entry-level climbs, body wraps, upright and supported inverted poses, entry-level sequences, and get a basic introduction to hip key/hip locks and inverted hangs. 

This class is designed as a crash-course for those who are wanting to try out aerial silks for the first time, so repeated registration is welcome but not necessary: all of the knowledge and skill introduced in this entry-level course will be reviewed and practiced in the beginner level and beyond. 

PREREQUISITES: NO prerequisite abilities needed! This is an entry-level course.
Max 8 students per class, min 2 students to run.

$180+tax per 6-week course
(registration closes 24hrs prior to start of first class in the series)
NO DROP-INS AVAILABLE FOR THE INTRO LEVEL CLASSES

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LEVEL 2: Beginner Aerial Silks class series (6-week course)

This beginner level course is designed for adult students (age 16+) who have taken at least one session of the Introduction to Aerial Silks course, or have equivalent knowledge, and feel comfortable with a less hands-on approach to reviewing terminology and drills. At this level, students are familiar with identifying and understanding what the foundational skills are, but are still working towards building the strength and technique needed to consistently perform foundational level skills such as safely and confidently climbing, wrapping footlocks in the air, and inverting off the ground. Much of the foundational content from the absolute beginner course will be reviewed and expanded upon with more challenging sequences that build the endurance and coordination needed to progress to many of the compound skills explored in the intermediate course.

PREREQUISITES: Must have completed at least one series of the Introductory course, or have an equivalent level of training. Must have basic understanding of beginner terminology, be familiar with wrapping a footlock from the ground, and be able to invert in a knot tied at hip height.

Max 8 students per class, min 2 students to run.
$180+tax per 6-week course (registration closes 24hrs prior to start of first class in the 3/6 week series)
$35+tax drop-in class rate (same-day registration at front desk if space available)

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LEVEL 3/4: Beginner-Intermediate Aerial Silks class series (6-week course)

The beginner-intermediate level course is a split-level course designed for adult students (age 16+) who have been training at the beginner level for some time, and are looking to take on more advanced drills and sequences than the typical beginner level, but are still working towards intermediate-level skills like being able to consistently and confidently perform an invert and hip key in the air without major assistance throughout class. Students at this level should be confidently able to climb and wrap a footlock in the air. In this class, students will be doing a significant review of beginner level skills, but through longer and more elaborate sequences that build their strength and confidence in the air.

PREREQUISITES: Must be familiar with basic climbs and wrapping footlocks in the air, and be able to perform a straddle invert and hip key from the ground, without major assistance. Ideally have completed at least one series of the beginner level course, or have an equivalent level of training. 

Max 8 students per class, min 2 students to run.
$180+tax per 6-week course (registration closes 24hrs prior to start of first class in the 3/6 week series)
$35+tax drop-in class rate (same-day registration at front desk if space available)

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LEVEL 4: Intermediate Aerial Silks class series (6-week course)

This is an intermediate-level course designed for adult students (age 16+) who feel confident moving on from the beginner/ beginner-intermediate level, or equivalent training. In this level, students will explore more complex climbs, wraps and drops that build upon the foundational skills and techniques developed in the beginner level. At this level, students are comfortable climbing to the top of the silks multiple times throughout the class, consistently wrapping footlocks in the air, and are able to perform hip keys, inversions and knee hooks in the air without major assistance. This class will explore more complex wraps and moves, new transitions and skill variations, and longer, more compounded sequences. We will work on expanding the repertoire of techniques and moves that come from various inverted knee hook and hip key positions, foot wraps and other tensioned wrapped positions, and directional drops.

PREREQUISITES: Strong understanding of foundational skills with ability to consistently climb to the top of the silks, and invert and hip key in the air without major assistance.

Max 8 students per class, min 2 students to run.
$180+tax per 6-week course (registration closes 24hrs prhttps://app.rockgympro.com/b/?bo=261818bd116f4756a082849f06b49e9c&lcg=aed2e8f2835367b6caf351693d36f4435769b189https://app.rockgympro.com/b/?bo=261818bd116f4756a082849f06b49e9c&lcg=aed2e8f2835367b6caf351693d36f4435769b189ior to start of first class in the 6 week series)
$35+tax drop-in class rate (same-day registration at front desk if space available)

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LEVEL 5: Advanced Aerial Silks class series (6-week course)

This advanced level course is designed for adult students (age 16+) who have outgrown the intermediate level and are wanting to work on longer and more technical sequences, and dynamic/ strength-based skills and sequences. Students at this level will have mastered the foundational skills, with strong stamina and awareness in the air, having trained for multiple consecutive years. At this level, students are ready to begin conditioning and working toward more complicated techniques such as meathooks, beat swings and other momentum-based techniques, and drops from open wraps, or stacked, multidirectional drops. Training at this level will have an emphasis on strengthening technique, self-guided exploration, improvisation and problem-solving.

PREREQUISITES: Several continuous years of aerial silks training, strong stamina and awareness in the air, and ability to consistently climb multiple reps in a row, confidently hip key and invert unassisted in the air multiple times throughout class, safely and confidently perform a skin-the-cat in the air without major assistance, and be able to hang from two points of contact, unassisted for at least 10 seconds.

Max 8 students per class, min 2 students to run.
$180+tax per 6-week course (registration closes 24hrs prior to start of first class in the 3/6 week series)
$35+tax drop-in class rate (same-day registration at front desk if space available)

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Aerial Silks Open Practice

Open Practices are supervised, non-instructional, all-levels drop-in training sessions for students to supplement course learning. Open Practices are for currently registered students, or students who have completed at least one series of classes (or equivalent training). If you have questions regarding your ability to join our Open Practices, please do not hesitate to reach out to the instructor at https://www.erikalui.com/contact
Open training times are supervised by the Instructor, but are non-instructional/ self-directed 2-hour training sessions for students to practice their aerial skills. Students are welcome (but not required, please take care of your bodies!) to come/stay for the full 2-hour training session. Registration will close 24 hours prior to the start of each Open Practice Training time slot. All students are expected to train responsibly: refrain from experimenting with new skills seen on the internet or skills outside your comfort level, or from teaching other students. Students can use this open time to practice skills that they have been working on in class, or working on personal projects that are within their physical limits.

PREREQUISITES: Open to all levels. Only currently registered students or students who have completed at least one session of classes (or equivalent training) may register for Open Practices.
Max 8 students per training session, min 2 students to run. 
$20+HST per drop-in Open Practice Training session
registration will open 6 weeks in advance, and close 24 hours prior to class

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Circus Classes & Workshops in the GRR Studio (upstairs)

ALL LEVELS HANDSTANDS CLINIC

Location: Studio (upstairs)
Class Type: Single classes / Drop-in
Instructor: Erika
Date/Time: Tuesdays 8:15-9:15 PM | Sept 16th – Oct 21st
Cost: $30+tax

Handstands are an excellent work-out and cross-training activity to build full body strength, mobility, flexibility, focus, and alignment. This 60-minute class will focus on building and strengthening core-body awareness and stability, prehab for shoulder and wrist strength and mobility, and explore techniques and drills for finding balance in increasingly demanding body positions. Material difficulty can be adjusted to suit the skill level of each student, so that everyone can benefit regardless of if you’re brand new to inverting or are an experienced hand balancer!

Max 10 students per class, min 2 to run.
$30+HST per drop-in
(registration closes 24hrs prior to start of class)

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HANDSTANDS

Location: Studio (upstairs)
Class Type: 6-week course OR Drop-in
Instructor: Erika
Date/Time: Tuesdays 8:30-9:30pm | Nov 11-Dec 16
Location: GRR Studio (upstairs)

Handstands are an excellent work-out and cross-training activity to build full body strength, mobility, flexibility, focus, and alignment. This 60-minute class will focus on building and strengthening core-body awareness and stability, prehab for shoulder and wrist strength and mobility, and explore techniques and drills for finding balance in increasingly demanding body positions. Material difficulty can be adjusted to suit the skill level of each student, so that everyone can benefit regardless of if you’re brand new to inverting or are an experienced hand balancer!

Max 10 students per class, min 2 to run
$150+hst (6-weeks) / $30+hst drop-in
 

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ACROYOGA

Location: Studio (upstairs)
Class Type: 6-week course
Instructors: Erika & Andrew
Date/Time: Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM | Nov 13-Dec 18
Cost: $150+tax for 6 weeks (or sign up for remaining classes!)

AcroYoga is a partner-based movement discipline that blends acrobatic movements with yoga, often drawing on concepts from circus, cheerleading, and dance acrobatics. This teamwork-based activity involves a base, flier, and spotter when learning new skills, and focuses on developing both verbal and nonverbal communication to build trust, body awareness, balance, and strength. This 60-minute beginner-focused acro yoga class series will build on and strengthen the fundamentals of L-basing, covering topics such as foundational poses, inversions, standing basics, and transitions and flow. Material difficulty can be adjusted to suit the skill level of each student, so that everyone can benefit regardless of if you’re brand new or already experienced. Register with a partner or as an individual! We encourage students to come with an openness to meeting and working with new people!

Max 30 students per class, min 4 to run.
$150+HST per 6-week course.
(registration closes 24hrs prior to start of first class in the series)

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Aerial & Circus Workshops

FLYING POLE WORKSHOP WITH KAITLYN

Location: Aerial Training Space, 1st floor at the back
Class Type: Workshop
Instructors: Kaitlyn
Date/Time: Saturday, November 22, 1:30-3pm
Cost: $50+tax

Take it to another level with this flying pole workshop. Learn to harness momentum with power, control and grace. Students will learn technique for ground spins and pivots as well as skills up the pole. This workshop is best suited to those who have experience in pole, and have solid foundations in basic skills like climbs, sits & static spins.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Kaitlyn is a performer and champion competitor. She has many roles within the pole and aerial community, and is also a certified instructor and studio owner from Huntsville, ON. Flying pole is her favourite discipline, although her art is trying to expand to many apparatuses. She’s known for her grace and fluidity. Kaitlyn loves flips, splits, thready transitions, and intricate flows. 

PREREQUISITES: No pole experience is needed, though students should be able to perform an invert on any aerial apparatus to be able to get the most out of this workshop.

Max 8 students per class, min 3 students to run
Ages 16+
Registration will close 24hr prior to class

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