Blog

There’s one rule in particular that we’d like to address today: no training or performing aerial skills while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This sounds like a no-brainer, but it still comes up as an issue. Save happy hour for a day you don’t have aerial class, or go out afterwards. Hanging with a friend or out at a party? Stay off of any poles or aerial equipment if you’ve been imbibing. Save it for a sober day, when your safety (and that of those around you) is less questionable.

If you’ve never been to Open Studio, it might seem intimidating. No instructor, no one telling you what to do, just you and your apparatus. What should you expect? Where do you even start? Don’t worry; we’ll break down all the details here, so you can walk into your first session feeling like a pro.

Performance days can be exciting, nerve-wracking, or both. Whether you’re a seasoned showman or making your first appearance at a student showcase, being well-prepared is the key to success. The following tips will help reduce your stress levels and save your sanity on show days, so that you feel calm and collected as the curtain rises.

A widespread myth outside the circus community is that all aerialists are strong, bendy, young, and thin, and have been training in gymnastics and dance since shortly after emerging from the womb. Inside the walls of Sky Candy, we know better. Every week we see students of all backgrounds, ages, body types, and fitness levels show up to the studio and accomplish amazing things. For those who don’t get the pleasure of seeing these incredible feats on a regular basis, we wanted to break down the myth of the “perfect” aerialist, starting with the fallacy that all aerialists are young. We recently interviewed some of our students to get their thoughts on training in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. We’re sure you’ll find them as inspiring as we do!

At Sky Candy, we’re serious about circus being for everybody. In a recent post, we interviewed aerialists “of a certain age” to reinforce the idea that you can continue (or start!) your circus journey no matter how old you are. Next up, we’re talking with a group of aerialists who share a concern you may not have thought about if not personally confronted with it: chronic illness. We are excited to share their stories with you!

In case you’re new to the Sky Candy series class system, here’s how it works. Most students without previous aerial experience start in a Beginner level class of their choice. This can be Beginner Silks, Sling, Lyra, Trapeze, Pole, Handstands, etc.

We’re all faced with distractions throughout the year, but as we head into the holiday season, they tend to loom especially large. We know you’re likely facing own a full to-do list packed with shopping, entertaining, and wrapping up end-of-year projects at work, school, and home.

With everything our busy lives entail, it’s understandable that your attention might occasionally wander during class. When it does, here are a couple tips to help yourself stay focused.

Work. Family. A social life. Circus. This might not be your entire list of priorities – we’ll allow that you might have other hobbies (gasp!) or additional responsibilities, but even if you’re just trying to balance the four things above, it can be challenging. As we head into fall and start preparing for the busy holiday season ahead, let’s take a moment to look at how we can keep our circus dreams alive when we’re too busy to train the way we want to. When your time is limited, what do you prioritize?

Whether you’re brand new to circus arts or you’re a seasoned student, you might have some questions about proper aerial class etiquette. Is it really a big deal if you’re a few minutes late? Is the dress code strictly enforced, or is it more of a recommendation? We’ve put together a simple guide to help you navigate your way through these and other important questions, so that you can spend your class time focusing on nailing that new skill rather than worrying that you’ve somehow stepped out of line. Look out below for part one of our etiquette guide, and tune in next week for even more tips.

What do you need before embarking on your first circus class? We’d say proper clothing, a water bottle, and a waiver. What do people think you need? That’s a very different story. If we had a dollar for every time someone told us they were waiting to take their first class until (insert excuse here), well, let’s just say we’d have a lot of dollars, and we’d probably spend them on a new piece of circus equipment. Let’s take a moment to debunk some of the common myths about what you need to do before you can successfully take a circus class.

Learning to share is one of the first skills we’re asked to master as children. We might love the toy, or the swing, or having complete control of the TV, but if we want to have friends and be, you know, functional adults, we eventually have to let someone else have a turn. This is especially true in aerial class. There’s up to six of you, one instructor, and generally not enough trapezes that you can commandeer one for the entire length of class. But wait! There is a way that you can stake out a set of silks as YOURS ALONE, at least for an hour. Welcome to the wonderful world of private lessons, where sharing is no longer necessary.

Let’s say you’re an experienced Austin trapeze student looking to add a little variety to your aerial life. You could always add a new apparatus to your portfolio, or you could add a new person to your current apparatus! Partner aerial work opens up a whole new world of possibilities, forces you out of old habits, and consistently wows crowds at aerial shows. What do you need to know before diving headfirst into the wide world of partner aerials? Let’s take a look.

Since we’ve opened, we have hosted thousands of students in our very popular Intro to Aerials classes and created a whole community of aerialists and circus arts students at our Austin circus school! In Intro to Aerials, you got the chance to test out some of our most popular apparatuses, including silks, sling, trapeze, and lyra. While you may have found your favorite right off the bat, many new students need help narrowing it down. Keep the following questions in mind when signing up for your next series class.

Have your New Year’s resolutions led you to our Austin aerial studio? Whether you’re looking to get stronger, try something new, conquer your fears, or fulfill your childhood dream of joining the circus, our faculty and staff are ready to welcome you in with open arms. We’ve put together a couple of things we wish we’d known when we were just starting out. Read on to get the inside scoop on what to expect as you start your circus training!

Do you have balls? Do they wobble to and fro? Do some aerial apparatuses and techniques make you fear for your apparatus at the expense of your technique? If you’re worried about your external genitalia staying safe while practicing and performing aerials, this post is for you.

“Do you guys teach aerial yoga?” It’s a question we often get from new Sky Candy students, so we wanted to take a moment to talk about the difference between our aerial sling classes and aerial yoga.

Have you been in the studio every day this week? Are you booking all your free time with drop-in classes and open studios? Do you laugh when your instructor recommends taking a day off? My friend, this post is for you. Take a seat and listen up. (No, seriously, get off the trapeze. Now. We’re not joking.) We’re here to talk about rest days, and why you might be sabotaging both your training and your overall health by not taking them.

You don’t need the latest workout wear to have a fine time in an intro class — in fact, you’ve probably already got everything you need! We do have a few recommendations to help you feel comfortable and get the most out of your class: