On my second year going to the wonderful Aerial Dance Festival, I had a lovely chat with Nancy Smith, Artistic Director. She mentioned, “Instructors come in with different ideas. Sometimes in festival, one will have two instructors who are absolutely against each other’s ideals.” I truly believe that everyone has their own path of aerial arts whether you’re a beginner or not. Not one path is “the only way”. Circus is a blend of so many areas – dance, athleticism, traditional circus, modern movement and etc. It’s inclusive to everyone. It was fascinating being at this festival as you would see an aerial performer working with digital media to another performer doing an aerial performance with a bicycle hanging in the air. The instructors at the festival teach in a safe and creative environment. It’s amazing to be there and I hope to pass down two observations that will learn from the festival.
Respect the art. As much as I encourage people to be creative and finding their path, I also encourage people to be open to what your instructors are sharing with you. Instructors all come from different background: whether it’s from traditional circus or circus from a dancer’s view or a mixture of everything. Please respect the instructors in taking in what they teach.
Although one teacher may teach a different way to get into a move, it doesn’t mean that they are wrong. It just means that it’s a different approach. Whether this skill will be part of
your path or your “bag of tricks” will be up to you. In my path, I must have learnt at least 4 to 5 different ways to go into an ankle hang. Whether I do all of them or I do one of them is clearly my choice. However, when I am in a class, I will try to respect the instructor’s perspective by at least, trying out the move.
Safety. You all know that it’s important to put crash mats underneath equipment, grab a spotter when you need it or work at a lower height when you are learning new tricks. Here’s a question: when you go to the gym, would you do bicep curls on your right arm only? Then, why would you do it with aerials?
Although, there are professional performers who may work only their good side, they also do other cross training methods or seek health practitioners to help correct the muscle imbalances. I’ve also met performers who have injured themselves due to repetitive strain and lack of care with their body. I’ve met enough fitness instructors, massage therapist, pilates instructors and other health practitioners to stress the importance of working both sides. This will become beneficial in your training. Personally, if I did work too much on one side, I will still make an effort to go to my regular massage sessions and pilates practice. I can’t express that what we are doing could lead to repetitive strain injury on one arm, torso, hips if we keep working on one side. We love the art. It hurts and it’s tough on our body. Please try to be kind and compassionate to yourself.
There are so many ways to get on an aerial apparatus. Quite often, students can surprise and inspire us with their transitions. If the students are mindful of these two observations, it will help further the students’ growth in the art.