Aerial Classes - Level Pre-Requisites [Silks & Lyra] - Updated 3/24/25

Let’s talk about class levels!

All of our aerial silks and aerial hoop (lyra) classes are progressive, and help you learn more skills, gain strength and improve flexibility. We offer a variety of classes for individuals of different levels. Here is an overview of the criteria for each class and what you can expect in each level:

Level 1/Beginner Aerial Silks:

• Learn the basics of aerial silks, including multiple ways to flip upside down.

• Explore a variety of wraps while building upper body and core strength.

• Master foundational skills like basic climbs, which can take weeks or months to perfect.

• Join a mix of new and experienced students in a welcoming environment.

• Benefit from having two coaches during most weekday classes for personalized instruction.

• Practice all moves at or near ground level to build confidence and safety.

Sign-up for a beginner aerial silks class.

Level 2/Begintermediate Aerial Silks:

• Build strength, stamina, and confidence performing at higher heights.

• Work on building strength and confidence in the air, working towards inverted skills and more advanced sequencing

• Pre-requisites to join Level 2/Begintermediate:

  • Double footlocks from eggbeaters in the air

  • Consistent single footlocks on one panel or both panels in the air

  • Ability to stay in the air safely for 1:30 or longer

  • 20 second straight or bent arm hang

  • Ability to climb at least 3/4 of the way up the silk with a basic climb, and safely come to the ground

  • Basic understanding of belays.

  • Willingness to perform drops in the air.

Level 3/Intermediate Aerial Silks:

• Advance your aerial silks journey with more complex wraps and transitions.

• Build complex sequences and transitions that challenge your strength and flexibility

• Pre-requisites to join Level 3/Intermediate Aerial Silks:

  • Consistent aerial middle inverts

  • Wrapping legs in the air for an invert

  • Cross-back straddle with wrapped legs or footlocks

  • Consistent aerial side inverts

  • Consistent catchers wraps in the air

  • Consistent hip keys in the air

  • Crochet climb/inside leg hook climb/outside leg hook climb

  • Ability to follow multiple steps and perform sequences that are 2 minutes or longer

Level 4/Advanced Aerial Silks:

• Master high-level skills, combining aerial theory, strong body control, and dynamic movements.

• Excel at sequencing and develop expertise in dynamic aerial techniques.

• Pre-requisites to join Level 4/Advanced:

  • Outside leg hook climb to the top of the silks

  • Stamina to stay in the air performing skills for 3+ minutes at a time

  • Basics of dynamics and beats

  • Ability to perform at least one swivel

  • Double star drop and double angel drop

  • Meathooks and swoopy catchers wrap

  • Basic wheel down/S-wraps

  • Mobility in and out of skin-the-cat

  • Ability to follow multi-step, complex sequences

  • Front and back balances

  • 170-degree side split

Beginner Lyra

• No specific requirements in terms of weight limit or prior fitness experience

• Willingness to learn!

Begintermediate Lyra

• Ability to do and understand beginner fundamental shapes and pathways

• Clean and unassisted straddle inverts both side and under bar

• Ability to hang from double knees unassisted/understanding of knee beats

• Ability to do a pull over entrance to forward fold, and then to seated

• Strength and flexibility to enter top bar hocks hang and come back into the hoop safely

• Ability to navigate body around hoop safely and proficiently. 

• Ability to sustain a light spin

• Ability to begin to piece moves together without instruction.

• At least twelve (12) Beginner 2 Lyra classes have been taken, and a teacher assessment is needed to proceed to begintermediate.

• Even if you have done another apparatus, instructor assessment to move up is required.

Intermediate Lyra

• Ability to do all begintermediate prerequisites, cleanly and controlled.

• Clean and unassisted straight leg inverts both under the hoop and into the top bar of the hoop, with hips high and not sagging.

• Clean and unassisted pull over entrance

• Proficient in at least 3 entrances to the hoop

• Strength and flexibility to begin introducing harder sequencing and rolls

• Ability to withstand 1 knee hangs, elbow hangs, armpit hangs, and holding with only 2 points of contact for any given amount of time without fail (i.e. a straddle invert and keep the hips high)

• Beginning to understand and execute meat hooks, illusions, beats, skin the cats, front and back balances, and flares.

• Ability to tolerate a spin for at least one full sequence with control and understanding of velocity. 

• Ability to withstand faster spins with control

• Understanding of multiple spin entrances

• Understanding of cinderella rolls, russian rolls, no-handed walking man,  and foot hangs from star on the bar.

• Ability to enter the spanset with little effort, and ability to invert with straight legs into spanset, and navigate the hoop safely while in spanset

• Ability to invert on spanset and navigate safely back to the hoop.

• Even if you have done another apparatus, instructor assessment with head hoop coach is required to move up.

Visiting from out of town or have prior experience and have questions about what class to take? Email us at info@sdaerialarts.com - we would be happy to answer any of your questions.

Ready to book a class? Schedule a drop-in class now or explore all of our membership and plan options.