Aerial Teacher Training – An Integrative (and Profitable) Approach

OVERVIEW
As a program manager, I have successfully developed and led three aerial programs, each designed to complement broader studio offerings and serve a diverse client base.

Through my work with hundreds of students, I found the aerial sling (or hammock) to be an ideal entry-level apparatus. It provides a safe and supportive foundation for building strength, mobility, and coordination—whether students continue into other aerial forms (dance, circus, or additional apparatuses) or not.

With this perspective, I designed and implemented a training program tailored to experienced practitioners seeking to teach aerial sling with versatility, safety, and integration in mind.

CHALLENGES
Aerial fitness, yoga, dance, and circus are often siloed within the movement community. Studios typically focus on a single modality, with varying emphasis on the sling/hammock as an apparatus.

My training program addresses these challenges in two key ways:

1. Integrated Instruction
Trainees learn to combine multiple modalities within a single class. For example, strength-building fitness drills might begin the session, preparing students for choreographic or trick-based content. Classes close with a yoga-based cooldown, reinforcing mindfulness and recovery. Instructors are taught to recognize and implement these intersections, while also identifying when to develop focused fitness or yoga-based classes.

2. Transferable Teaching Skills
The curriculum includes topics such as inclusive cueing, aerial class sequencing, and age-appropriate instruction. These skills are applicable across diverse class settings and help support instructor success, client retention, and long-term program sustainability.

IMPACT
Program success is measured through business growth, class diversification, and instructor outcomes.

Each program launched with one integrated sling class and expanded to include multiple apparatuses and formats: aerial fitness, yoga, dance, and circus. This growth was driven by an inclusive and progressive teaching model that empowered participants at all levels to engage with aerial practice as a path to fitness, artistry, and personal development.

Graduates of the training have gone on to meaningful employment. For example, Kellie McDaniel, a student-turned-professional, completed the program in 2023. Her certification directly contributed to her career growth—building a loyal client base and expanding her studio's offerings to include aerial yoga alongside dance. Kellie reflects,

"Aerial teacher training equipped me with the skills and knowledge to confidently and safely lead group and individual aerial classes. Beyond learning warm-ups, conditioning techniques, and fabric skills, I also gained the ability to make aerial adaptable and accessible to a wide range of students."

ABOUT THE TRAINING
Effective sling instruction requires a working knowledge of fitness, yoga, and dance principles to ensure safe, engaging, and informed classes. When instructors understand the history and theory behind each modality, they're more likely to develop sustainable, client-centered practices—resulting in improved retention and increased revenue for studios.

This three-day course includes:

– Practical workshops on aerial fitness, yoga, and dance using the sling

– Training in class sequencing, planning, and cueing across modalities

– Discussions on historical context, movement intention, points of contact, and directionality

– Strategies for integrating and honoring each format

Tuition: $750–$1,100 per participant

Includes: 60-page training manual, open gym practice sessions, and final assessment with certificate of completion.