
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Aerial Yoga?
Aerial Yoga is a hybrid type of yoga that combines elements of traditional yoga poses (such as Hatha), pilates, aerial circus arts, dance, and gymnastics, with the use of a silk fabric, or aerial hammock, as a supportive prop. The hammock helps you to move more freely by counteracting gravity, which helps to achieve yoga positions with more ease, such as inversions and backbends. Classes can range from completely restorative to a very demanding, intense workout, just depending on how the hammock is used. Either way, the support the hammock gives, allows us to connect our breath to our movements. You have your choice between a high hammock class where the hammock is suspended at hip height or a low hammock class where it is very close to the ground.
What is Aerial Arts?
Aerial Arts is a type of practice or performance where artists use an apparatus to do advanced tricks, climbs, wraps, drops, and poses, or to perform aerial dance routines. The apparatus used in this studio is the aerial hammock.
***Since the studio has low ceilings, it is possible that the silk will be suspended as a low hammock class (perhaps even lower) rather than a high hammock class, to maximize the amount of fabric we have to work with.***
I am new to Aerial Yoga. What class should I start with?
We recommend taking the Aerial Hammock Fundamentals Workshop, which is Yoga Alliance approved for 2 CE hours. Alternatively, you can schedule a private lesson with Grace and she will take great care of you!
Which of your classes is best suited for me?
There are no weekly classes with a regular monthly schedule at this studio. However, there are frequent one day workshops and 4-Week Aerial Series held for 4 different levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, & Aerial Arts.
How do I register for a private lesson?
Click on the "Book Online" tab at the top. Choose between Aerial or Mat Yoga Lessons and which package (1, 5, or 10 Lessons) and proceed to check out.
*If you purchase the 5 or 10 lesson package, after you reserve your first session on the booking calendar, then please contact us directly by email or phone to schedule the rest of your sessions in your package. Or when you meet the instructor for the first session, you can directly discuss in-person when you'd like to schedule the rest of your sessions in your package.*
I want to join a Workshop or a 4-Week Aerial Series, but the calendar has no openings.
In order to book a workshop or aerial series, both hammocks must be reserved. Given you have a friend or family member to join you, then please contact us to let us know your preferred time. The studio strives to make it work with your schedule!
*In order to participate in the higher level aerial series, you must have taken the previous level, and/or have the permission of the lead instructor, Grace, before participating in the series.*
**It is possible that Grace recommends that you take the same level series again before leveling up to the next series.**
How do I receive the permission to advance to the next level Aerial series?
If you would like to participate in a higher level Aerial series, then you must pass the 30 minute Aerial Assessment with Grace. You can reserve your spot for the assessment by clicking on the "Book Online" tab. Then click on the tab "Aerial Level Test" and proceed to check out.
What are the benefits of Aerial Yoga & Aerial Arts?
Although we believe you will experience a vast range of benefits physically, mentally, and spiritually, the benefits we want to highlight are:
1. Lymphatic Drainage Massage
2. Myofascial Release
How should I prepare for class?
Please do not wear any jewelry, especially if it is sharp or loose. This is for your safety and to protect the aerial hammocks. Also, please do not wear anything with zippers or any other materials that could potentially rip the fabric. We thank you in advance for understanding and for your cooperation.
Come to class on a light stomach.
We provide mats, and all the yoga props you'll need, but if you prefer, you may bring your own mat.
What should I wear?
Generally, you want to avoid rubbing your skin against the fabric (ouch hammock burn!) so wear clothes that cover your torso, armpits, your upper legs including the back of the knees, and belly area. The attire should be form fitting rather than loose attire because the clothes can get caught in the hammock or your body can become exposed when inverted upside down. Plus, you don’t want your clothes to move out of position when the fabric compresses around you, so you have that one more extra layer of “protection”.
Is there a weight limit?
We believe Aerial Yoga is accessible and available for every one and every body. However, since this is a private studio inside a residential house, the framing had to be reconstructed and designed for safety and security by professional and certified engineers and contractors. The newly made suspension system now securely supports 1000 pounds. Also the hammocks used at the studio were purchased from “Uplift Active” and states that the hammock set is “intended for use by users 350lbs and below.”
That looks hard. Are you sure I can do Aerial Yoga?
YES!!! Our lead instructor, Grace has over 8 years of experience in the Aerial World and over 5 years of experience teaching Aerial Yoga in several studios across the world to all ages: kids, tweens, and adults. This means she has taught over thousands of first timers how to fly successfully and safely. Take a look at the instructor's page to see the class memories from her previous classes to see how everyone overcame their fear and flew! But now it is your turn to fly. And YES the hammock will hold you!
I am pregnant. Can I practice Aerial Yoga?
In general, it is told that practicing anything aerial while pregnant can be very dangerous. If you already have an aerial practice, then it is recommended to wait until after your first trimester. Then with your doctor's approval, and with the intention of going to an aerial yoga class for pregnant women by a qualified professional, then you may consider to practice again in your third trimester. The hammock is an amazing prop for deep squatting support and for using it on your belly to take pressure off of your low back.
Can I cancel my purchase and receive a refund?
We apologize for any inconvenience but there are no cancellations or refunds. Sales are final so please ensure you are ready to commit to your purchase.
If it is a in-studio or virtual private session, then please let us know 24 hours in advance to reschedule.
Thank you for understanding.
Why should I practice at this studio?
This studio is inside a residential home with low ceilings. We understand the space is small and intimate for it to be considered a conventional aerial studio. That being said, we are so proud to have the leading instructor in the whole Aerial Hammock Universe, Grace, with us to help you fly! She is truly an expert at what she does, so you don't want to miss your chance to practice with her! It doesn't matter where you fly, it just matters that you fly with Grace.
Why should I practice with Grace Hana Park?
There are 3 very important factors to consider to be "good" at Aerial Yoga. The majority of other aerial yoga studios already emphasize strength and flexibility, but what's not talked about nearly enough is the fabric theory, in particular, fabric placement & fabric compression. Fabric placement is absolutely critical in executing a move properly and safely. With Grace's years of experience mastering moving with the hammock as one unit, she will guide you step by step in exactly where the fabric should be wrapped around your body and drills to increase your fabric compression tolerance.
Grace can pinpoint exactly what you need to work on to execute a pose to the fullest potential. This ranges from being able to pinpoint what muscle or body part you need to activate to execute a move, to the exact fabric placement on your body, to the performance level like gestures that make you an outstanding performing artist. She has the ability to teach any level on the Aerial Hammock spectrum: from high to low hammock, to restorative and gentle aerial yoga, to performance level aerial arts, to all ages from kids and adults.
Grace is the best at what she does and she is sincerely so passionate in sharing her love for flying. She actually cares and personalizes the mindful movements for each of her students, , so if you want to learn Aerial Yoga or Aerial Arts, this is who you want to learn from.
I am the parent/guardian of the child participating in Aerial Yoga/ Aerial Arts. What are my options during the session?
1. I would like to stay in the studio with my child.
The studio is a small, intimate space within a residential home, so unfortunately, there is no official lobby. However, if desired, there is a space to kick back, and relax for the hour. Please note if seated here, there is no physical view of the Aerial Room since it is around the corner. If seated here, we respectfully ask that you do not look into the studio or try to interact with your child, as it will disrupt the lesson. Thank you.
2. I would like to watch my child during the session.
If you prefer to see all the fun and mindful movements that are happening, then you can see through the studio from the 2 very large windows that shows the entirety of the Aerial Room. The catch is, you'll have to watch from outside the studio, looking in though. The only time the children may not be visible is towards the end of class when it will be dark for their relaxation yogi time.
3. I would like to drop off my child then pick my child up after the session ends.
Alternatively, you drop your child off and then spend the hour as you wish, running errands, etc. If this option is for you, please be mindful. We ask that you drop the kiddos off at the earliest 5 minutes before the scheduled lesson begins, and at the very latest, 5 minutes after the scheduled lesson ends. Thank you.
I am the parent/guardian of the child participating in Aerial Yoga/ Aerial Arts. When can I watch my child demonstrate what they learned on the Aerial Hammock?
Hammock time is strictly over after the class ends. However, after the 5th or 10th lesson in the package, if desired, your child may perform an aerial routine for you to watch to show off everything they have learned !