When people find out that Miss Fit Academy offers aerial art classes in Nashville, the reaction is usually two-fold. The response is either, “Wow, that’s amazing!" Or “What is that exactly?”
Aerial Hammock is similar to aerial silks; however, the fabric is folded in half and the ends are tied at the ceiling, creating a hammock-like apparatus. Aerial Hammock combines flexibility, fluidity and hammock tricks into a gravity defying workout. The perfect mix of fun and challenging! The easy inversions allow for spinal decompression and you can explore a full range of motion in a safe and supported way. These classes are great for any fitness or flexibility level.
We had a chance to meet with Faerie, an Aerial Hammock instructor, to chat about all things Aerial Hammock. Let's take a journey into the enchanting world of this aerial apparatus that has captured our hearts and other fitness enthusiasts and performers alike.
Faerie, what sparked your interest in Aerial Hammock and how did you begin your journey as an instructor?
I actually began my interest in Aerial Hammock through Aerial Yoga, and then my instructor moved to California and I moved to a new studio that did Aerial dance. I knew immediately that I had found my happy, creative place. I loved it so much that I wanted other people to love it too, so that’s why I became an instructor.
"Hammock tends to be a bit more beginner-friendly" - Faerie
If I were a new student looking to venture into Aerial Arts, can you tell me the difference between Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, and Aerial Hammock?
Great question! Aerial Silks and Aerial Hammock (also called a Sling) are actually the same Circus related fabric. The difference is how it is rigged. With Hammock, knots are tied at the top so it looks like a long loop. Silks is a long silk with the fabric tied in the center so that you have fabric hanging down on each side. Because of the loop, Hammock tends to be a bit more beginner-friendly. You can stand or sit in the loop, not requiring you to hold your body weight up by hanging or climbing
Aerial Silks are a bit more challenging at first as you’re holding your body weight with your arms more. However, with time and practice, you can often go higher in the air and execute more dynamic or drop skills. Because you have to remember the ways the fabric wraps around and supports the body, both [silks and hammock] are big builders of cognitive function.
Aerial Hoop (Lyra) is a round metal object suspended from either 1 rig point (single tab) or 2 rig points (double tab) Unlike Silks or Hammock that wrap around your body, you’re learning how to wrap your body around the hoop. It’s kind of the best of both Silks and Hammock in that you’re getting the support of being able to sit on or in the hoop, but you also use a lot of upper body strength and get to spin really fast if you like that!
We can modify it to make it accessible to everyone - Faerie
What are some common misconceptions about Aerial Hammock that you would like to dispel?
The first one would be that you have to be a dancer or come from a dance background to do Aerial. That is not true.
The second one is that you have to be flexible. That is also not true. Flexibility will come over time, if you work on it. Just like anything.
And the third would be that you have to be strong. It will test and challenge your strength, and it will make you strong. But we also encourage anyone who is just starting out on their fitness journey and have never really done any sort of exercise. We can modify it to make it accessible to everyone.
Why do YOU love Aerial Hammock?
Ohhhhh…Aerial Hammock was my first love. It was my main squeeze, if you will. It’s easier to allow fluid movement. The fabric can sometimes feel like a warm hug against your body, and it just becomes my “happy place”.
Faerie currently teaches Aerial Hammock 101 and Aerial Hammock 102 at Miss Fit Academy. Visit www.missfitacademy.com to see the complete class schedule.