All About Aerial Apparatuses
What is Aerial Dance?
Aerial Dance is, well dance in the air-specifically, dance from any apparatus suspended in the air. Often associated with circuses such as Cirque du Soliel, it's gained in popularity in the last decade and become more widespread. The equipment can be hung at different heights, and often spins, although the amount of spin can vary with the apparatus and with the comfort of the performer. While some aerial artists prefer to learn only one apparatus, all of our performers are multi-apparatus artists.
Most of the equipment can be divided into "hard" and "soft". While the apparatuses listed below are the most common, there is an ever expanding world of fun and whacky equipment that can be used!
Aerial Silks
Aerial silks involve a single piece of fabric with the middle wrapped around an anchor point. This is typically the most well-known apparatus. A high rig or high rig point is required for silks.
Lyra
Lyra, also called the aerial hoop, is typically a metal circle hanging from a single point. There are other versions, such as hoops with two points and hoops in a lot of fun shapes-like the Crescent Moon Lyra in our logo! Very spinny. And no, it's not padded. Can be used on a low to medium height point. One of two hanging apparatuses that can be used in low-ceilinged spaces.
Aerial Sling
Similar to aerial silks, aerial slings are made out of the same type of fabric, but is hung in the opposite way, with the two ends tied to hardware at the top. The sling resembles a hammock and is sometimes called an aerial hammock depending on how it's hung. Aerial sling is often confused with aerial yoga, but is much more intensive and is focused on dance rather than stretching. Works with a medium to high rig point
Dance Trapeze
Dance trapeze may look like a flying trapeze, but is used very differently. Performers often twist the ropes around their body, and the apparatus is hung much lower to the ground. It's designed to spin in place rather than swing back and forth.
Corde Lisse/Aerial Rope
Corde lisse is a thick, relatively soft, but textured rope. There are some similarities to tricks which can be done on aerial silks, when the silks are held together as a single piece. Rope tends to have the least amount of spin of any of the apparatuses. It requires a high rig point. The rope burn is also real.