The Parkour & Performing Arts Center (aka Free Flow Academy): The PPAC Class Description

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

The PPAC Class Description - AERIAL SILKS

Aerial Silks (also known as aerial contortion, aerial ribbons, aerial silks, aerial tissues, fabric, ribbon, or tissu, depending on personal preference) is a type of dance or performing art in which one or more artists perform aerial acrobatics while hanging from a fabric. Performers climb the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. They use the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their bodies into and out of various positions. Aerial silks may be used to fly through the air, striking poses and figures while flying. Some performers use dried or spray rosin on their hands and feet to increase the friction and grip on the fabric.

Aerial Silks can be seen on Broadway, Cirque Du Soleil, and many other high profile performance acts. The Aerial Silk industry has blossomed over the past decade, and more practitioners are finding the benefits involve increased strength, flexibility, grace, poise, and mental prowess. Besides the physical health benefits, the Aerial Silks community tends to be close knit, and willing to share information freely. Because of this open and welcoming attitude, innovation is continually fueled.

At The PPAC, one can expect to learn 1-3 new skills each class (depending on the difficulty and risk factor of the skill). Flow work/transitions is also emphasized.

Once a practitioner has become proficient in Aerial Silks, we provide a variety of other aerial apparatus to enhance your experience. Our facility has an Aerial Sphere, Lyra, and Corde Lisse, which can be rigged and practiced under staff supervision.