Author Archives: brandonscott

Los Angeles Class Schedule

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on by .

After moving to LA in May and enjoying a wonderful summer, I have settled into a new fall class schedule, partnering with a few studios around the city. Come fly with me!

Womack and Bowman’s The Loft

Intermediate Silks on Thursdays from 10:30am-12:00pm
Intermediate Hammock on Thursdays from 12:15-1:45pm

The Loft is a gorgeous facility in Burbank run by the renowned duo Brett Womack and Rachel Bowman. I am honored to have worked with them several times over the year, and now to be a part of their regular staff. You can sign up for classes here.

Aeriform Arts

Intermediate Hammock on Saturdays from 4:15-5:15pm

Aeriform is a boutique aerial and pole studio in Hollywood between Sunset and Santa Monica Blvds. It is run by Lea Walker, and puts on many special events around the City of Angels. You can sign up for classes here.

Le Petit Cirque

A-Team Workout on Tuesdays 4:15-7:00pm
A-Team Workshop on Thursdays from 5:00-7:00pm

Le Petit Cirque is a world-class performance troop of talented teenagers whose credits include television, award shows, humanitarian causes, and more. I could not be more honored to coach their acrobats! The troop is run by Nathalie Gaulthier, and is an audition-entry facility ONLY.

Private Lessons

I am additionally available for private lessons on a flexible schedule, at any of the above studios, as well as The Aerial House in Alhambra. Please message me here to schedule a private lesson in Los Angeles!

Change of Base: BSA in LA!

This entry was posted in Uncategorized on by .

I am very excited to announce my change of base from Salt Lake City (where I’ve been for the last year) to Los Angeles, CA! This is a very important step in my journey as both an aerialist, and a human being, and I am ready to undertake the challenges and jump onto new opportunities.

Read below for some FAQs

When will you move?

As of May 1st 2019, I have officially moved!

Why LA?

Moving back to Salt Lake came with many blessings, including being able to teach at the studio I learned Aerial myself (Aeris Aerial) and form relationships with the new students there, as well as performing in Thriller last October, at Skyfall Circuit Party monthly since last June, and at the Aerialympics twice! I am so grateful for my friends and family in Salt Lake who have helped support me and continue to be some of my biggest fans.

I’ve been to LA several times in the last few years, and especially during my visit in February there was a very beautiful and electric energy of creativity and ambition that I haven’t felt anywhere else. I made the decision along with my boyfriend TJ to move to expand our horizons and opportunities to collaborate on projects with the other talented people in the big city, and overall pick up the pace on our respective careers.

Where will you be teaching?

As of right now I will not be teaching consistent classes at any studio here in LA. I will be available for private lessons with individual students at the studio of their choice, and you can find more information (including my special package price for MAY 2019) by clicking here. I am also available to teach group workshops both in and out of town, and you can find my current Workshop Menu here.

What else will do you be doing?

My main objectives in the move are to establish more credentials as an aerial performer, engaging in both live gig work, as well as digital projects. Already I am collaborating with Team 19 Productions on the Heretical Fates Tarot Deck, who’s successful Kickstarter will run through the middle of May, and you can check out and order from here. Live performance work will take priority in my calendar, and you can find more information on that here, as well as my performance resume here.

Additionally, I am keeping my schedule flexible as to be able to travel when and where I choose. I am already booked with work back in Salt Lake, as well as in China, Mexico, and Wisconsin through the end of the year.

How can I contact you?

For all inquiries, whether for teaching private lessons & workshops, or performances & creative projects, please email me through my contact form. For inquiries outside of Los Angeles, please book at least 3 months in advance to have the best chance of getting on my calendar.

Helping Male Silks-Students Succeed

This month, I had the wonderful opportunity to perform in both The Hungry Hearts Cabaret in Flagstaff, and A Very Potter Circus in Boise. Interestingly, after both of these events, I was asked the same question by two different sets of aerial coaches:

“How to I help my male silk-students work through the pain of different tricks?”

This question comes up in context of silks, hammock, and rope most often, because these apparatus deal with wraps around the hips and legs that aren’t experienced on steel apparatus or straps (though the tips below can cross apply too). The reason this becomes a concern is that when encountering something that is painful, and coaches aren’t sure how to help, many male students are simply abandoning those techniques altogether. And when they happens to be a foundational elements, like hipkey, these men go forward with a major holes in their repertoire.

This isn’t what we want, and it isn’t necessary to throw up our hands in defeat on this. As an male aerialist specialising in fabric for the last 6 years, I have gone through a lot of trial and error around this subject, and will pass along what has helped me onto you, so we can help reduce pain in all our students.

**Disclaimer** yes, I said reduce, instead of eliminate pain. Aerial is painful, and while these tips can help us circumvent much unnecessary discomfort, only mastery and perfect practise can stop it entirely (which is to say, it will never be avoided altogether). So when it inevitably comes up, breathe, and I promise you’ll come out OK. Additionally, I also said all our students, as these tips can apply to female students, and those not on the binary spectrum. Now to begin:

Clothing Adjustments

Odds are that you already knew this was coming, but my first suggestion is to wear a dance-belt. This not only keeps things modest while wearing tights/leggings for training, but will also keep things compact and in place. If you’re wearing underwear, especially if it’s not quite form fitting, then there is a lot more room for error, and things are more likely to be wrapped over and squished. 

You can get a dance-belt at your local dance-wear shop, or conveniently online. The style is more personal preference, but I would personally recommend getting a full-back if you’re just planning to train in them. They are a lot more comfortable than a thong-back, however they give you a “unibutt”, which means that your butt just looks like one big cheek in your tights. This is only really a concern when performing/taking photos, for which I would recommend a thong-back.

I just want to end on this note: training on silks doesn’t curse you to wearing a dance-belt always and forever (though over time they honestly get more comfortable). Now that I have a lot of practise with the next two tips, I can comfortably train and teach in regular briefs. So, just know you won’t be stuck in a dance-belt every time you train for the rest of your life.

Manual Adjustments

For a short term solution for managing pain in a particular trick, break down the wrap on the floor, and map out where your stuff needs to be to avoid being underneath. Then, place it in that position before each practise of that sequence.

I’ll use hipkey as an example, because it is both simple and universal: if we take apart the anatomy of a hipkey, we realize that the pole goes under the bottom thigh, and then proceeds between the legs, over the pelvis, and onto the lower back. Breaking this down, we know that we don’t want anything falling beneath the tail coming over the top thigh. Therefore, moving everything over toward the thigh on the bottom of the hipkey (under-which the pole goes) before practicing sequencing there can manually get everything out of the way, and reduce pain.

This can be done for more complicated wraps over the hips as well. Simply dissect them on the ground, and then move things into the window of the wrap. Everything is more likely to stay put -again- if it is within a dance-belt.

Technical Adjustments  

Manual adjustments before every turn will get old fast, and also can be socially uncomfortable and unsanitary for shared apparatus. So, the long-term, though admittedly slower solution to the problem comes from adjusting technique to include movements that alleviate pain. This takes some trial and error, but after finding these pathways and integrating them for a while, they’ll become muscle memory and students won’t have to consciously think about them every time.

This is a bit of a personal journey for each individual, however here are some tips to get you started. I’ll be relating these to salto-wraps, as they seem to cause the most trouble:

  • Wrap Intentionally: A lot of pain can be prevented by placing wraps in a better place on the highs and hips. But don’t just think about the initial placement; also consider where the wrap goes as you change your orientation in the next steps. Wrapping tightly can also help the fabric to stay where you put it.
  • Play with Transitions: A lot of times, going through a transition through straddle will be more pleasant for a man than going through pike, in a way a female coach wouldn’t know to cue. This is the case much of the time when opening from a hipkey into a salto position. Take the time to explore different ways of moving from one position to another when you discover pain between shapes. Relay these discoveries to your coach!
  • Climb Above the Wrap: This is probably the most important tip I have to give in this article. The most dangerous movement (in my experience) is to get to a position through “sliding”, instead of “climbing and settling”. When getting to a salto from a single-knee-hook above you, do not climb up meekly and then slide the pole around to be behind you. This will almost always result in unpleasantness or even full-on crushing. Instead, use your big strong muscles to climb up and above the salto, and then gently settle down into position through the space you’ve created. This technique can be used for a lot of tricks, and should be utilized by female acrobats as well (as it makes you stronger to climb up higher, and sliding feels good to no one).
  • Have Confidence and Go: As a final tip, have confidence that the wrap you’ve created is correct and upon encountering pain, continue on! If you’re up in a salto, proceed through the drop. If the sequence goes on, then move to the next shape! When students feel pain, they tend to let their fear response slow them down or stop, but this only prolongs what is causing the pain. Forge on, silks student, and the pain will soon be behind you.

Whether you are a male silks student yourself, or a teacher of male students, hopefully this article has given you some ideas for making training more enjoyable. We need more men in the aerial world, and when we get them, they need our encouragement to continue on through their discomfort, and become the best acrobats they can be. So, pass along this article, implement this knowledge, message me if you have any more questions, and I’ll see you in the air!

2019 Aerial Demo Reel

I am very excited to release my official 2019 Aerial Demo Reel! Watch it below:

I am grateful for the many opportunities I had to perform in the last year, and want to acknowledge the events and videographers these clips came from.

Wyndham New Year’s Celebration in Las Vegas, January 10, 2018. Solo on Aerial Silks. Videoed by TJ Stutts. Watch the full video here.  

Aerialympics Competition in Salt Lake City, July 15, 2018. Award Winning Solos on Hammock (Gold) and Silks (Silver). Videoed by Aerialympics. You can watch my full Hammock solo here, and Silk solo here.

Skyfall Sleeze Night in Salt Lake City, July 27, 2018. Ambiance on Silks and Chains. Videoed by TJ Stutts. 

Skyfall Re-enlist Night in Salt Lake City, August 31, 2018. Ambiance on Silks. Videoed by Dav.d Photography. Watch a compilation here. 

Heritage Gala in Orem, October 25, 2018. Solo on Aerial Silks. Videoed by Niklous Day. 

Thriller with Odyssey Dance Theater in Salt Lake City, October 2018. Duo and Solo Straps. Videoed by Derryl Yeager. 

Clara Takes Flight (An Aerial Nutcracker) in Sheboygan, December 2018. Solos on Silks and Straps, as well as Duo on Lyra. Video courtesy of the John Michael Kohler Performing Arts Center. View my full Silks solo here. 

To book Brandon Scott as an aerialist for your next event or show, please email him here.

My Thoughts on Competition

Happy New Year friends and fans! This time of year is my very favorite! I love the opportunity to sit down and reflect on how things have gone in my training and my life, and make new projects and goals to work on. However, this hasn’t always been the case…

From ages 10-15, the beginning of the year was the most stressful time for me: competition season. As a gymnast, your year is divided up into Training (May-December) and Competing (January-April), and as each day passed after the New Year, my nerves would rise.

By the time competition day arrived, I wouldn’t be able to relax enough to eat or sleep, and as a result I’m sure I never performed at my best. When I finally decided to quit gymnastics, competition was a major reason for doing so. To this day I still have bad dreams about them.

In the last few years though, I’ve had the opportunity to compete as an aerialist, and I had the most enjoyable experiences! So, what’s been the difference? Am I just older and wiser? That may be half true, but I do think I’ve figured out why competing has been so much better at this stage in my life. And just in case you’ve got a competition in your 2019 Resolutions, I want to share it with you.

To be perfectly honest, it really boils down to just one thing:

I don’t think about it as a competition, I think about it as a performance.

This may seem like a small change, and it is! But let me break it down a bit further and show you why this paradigm shift really changed my outlook.

Competition is about You, Performance is about Others

When I was competing, I was hyper-focused on myself. Was I going to do ok? Would the judges think I was good?Would I stick my landing? How was I going to place?  How many metals would I get at the end? Would I make Coach Chris and my family proud? The more I thought about myself, the more anxious I became.

When performing, on the other hand, your priority becomes the experience of your audience. How do I communicate my story to them? What movement expresses the emotion I want them to feel? Which tricks will make them the most excited? What music will help me to connect with them the most?

My Silks Coach Darla use to always tell me that my performance was a Gift, and this has always stuck with me. When you were exchanging presents during your holidays, didn’t the reactions of, and memories with your friends and family, mean more to you than the things you got?

If you go into a competition remembering that your performance is a gift, and making your audience’s experience of that gift your priority, I promise your anxiety will lift and float into the air, just as you will.

(Speaking of the audience, the one you’ll have at a competition is unique in that it will very likely include other aerialists. I love performing for other aerialists because they have a much better eye for how hard you are working, what your truly impressive tricks and techniques are, and won’t just clap for splits like when performing for muggles!)

Competition is Conflict, Performance is Collaboration

In my first experience with US Aerial in 2015, it was a competition. I retreated into my own world for the duration. I didn’t know my competitors, Trevor Kafka and Nico Maffey, and didn’t make a effort to get to know either of them, or the aerialists in other divisions either. I was was there to compete, and just like when I was a gymnast, when I messed up in the execution of my solo, I was genuinely upset (with myself and the circumstances) that I didn’t win.

This is the mindset of someone in fear, scarcity, and conflict. And it isn’t the way I’d naturally behave in a performance setting. At a gig, being better than the other artists is not the goal. Neither is impressing those specifically there to judge you. In a performance, there is camaraderie between performers (and technicians), and by connecting, working together, and encouraging each other, you cumulatively provide the best entertainment possible for those watching.

This is why the 2016 US Aerial Championship was so much better for me, performance wise and emotionally: I was friends with all the other boys in my division (shout out to Iram, Garret, Troy, Jason, and Joe!) and I genuinely wanted them to succeed and perform their best. I also wanted perform my best, but having grown as an acrobat and as a human in the year prior, that desire came from a place of passion for performing, instead of wanting to win.

Competition is an Achievement, Performance is an Opportunity

As a gymnast, competitions occured at the beginning of the year, but they represented the end of my year. A year of focus, discipline, and hard work sure, but still a culmination of that work. Gold-, Silver-, and Copper-colored metals may have come after the finishing my last event, but I was still finished. And whether that achievement was publicly recognized or not, the pressure of the finale, and starting the cycle over again, was there.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A competition is a great way to set and complete goals, and with deadline for yourself: “I’ve got to have my music chosen and sent in by Friday, Choreography needs to be finished a week after that, and for the next two weeks I’ll be doing run-throughs every other day to build up my stamina, and start practising in costume ASAP to troubleshoot issues.” The pressure can increase focus and productivity, and a time-crunch can spark creativity when nothing else will. But for me personally, I enjoy every facet of competition more when I recognize that it is a part of my journey, not the destination.

While a competition may show you’ve grown, a performance is just another way to grow. And like an audition, what the performance leads to in the future can often be just as exciting as being on stage now. Sure getting payment for a gig feels good, but far more rewarding is the spectator who gives the tale of how touched they were by your performance, along with their business-card and an offer to work their next event. If you go into a competition with this mindset, ironically you’ll probably end up placing higher than you otherwise would have.

If I could go back in time and give my younger-self advice, I’d say “Be a dancer instead”. Just kidding! I’m truly grateful for my history, and I wouldn’t change a thing. However, I would tell teen Brandon to view his meets as a performance, and not a competition. Because in reality, the metals and the plaques and the trophies wouldn’t be nearly as valuable as the opportunity to share his talents and passion with other people.

Christmas For Your Aerialist

Can you believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow?? I sure as heck can not!! But if you’re like me and haven’t even begun to think about Christmas, have no fear! I’m going to further procrastinate getting started on my list by helping YOU shop for the aerialist on yours!

#1 The Gift of Aerial Essentials

Aerial Essentials is a valued and trusted small business, owned and run by aerialists, so your order here will not only result in a perfect gift for your aerialist, but support their friends in the industry as well. They are located in Vegas, and are extraordinarily prompt with orders, so most packages will get to you (in the US) in just 2-3 days! PLUS you can get a discount on your order of any of the items below by using the code BRANDON at checkout.

Aerial Necklace – $ 

If you’re on a budget, but still want a special aerial-related gift, one of these aerial necklaces would be perfect! With silk/rope, hammock, lyra, and trapeze styles, each available in several colors, this present is both unique and special option, as well as easy on the wallet!

Giftcard – $$ 

If you want to spend a bit more, but don’t have any idea what what kind of equipment your aerialist might need/want, Aerial Essentials has gift certificates just for you! This will allow you the sentiment of funding their passion, without the risk of getting something they don’t need, or already have. Bonus: get this gift INSTANTLY online, no wait or shipping required!

Equipment – $$$

For this biggest impact this Christmas, perhaps you want to get your aerialist their own equipment! If this is you, but you are unsure about what exactly to get, you can email me HERE and I will help you with any questions in deciding on what just might be the best gift ever! However, be aware that Aerial Essentials tends to get extremely busy around Christmas Time, so you’ll want to get this ball rolling ASAP to make sure it all ships out with time to spare.

(PS unsure if it’s the right time to get your aerialist their first apparatus? Read my blog post here to find out!)

#2 The Gift of Massage

Every aerialist is in need of consistent bodywork to insure they are in top shape for their passion, so use Christmas as an opportunity to help your aerialist take care of themselves! They (and their muscles) will thank you for your thoughtfulness!

Deep Blue Rub: $

A bottle of Deep Blue transitions flawlessly from the perfect stocking-stuffer, to a live-saving training-bag stuffer for your aerialist! Get it fast with Amazon Prime’s 2-day shipping, or for the small business route, order it from your Doterra-distributing family-member, or friend!

Foam Roller: $-$$

For a bit more substantial massage experience, give the gift of a foam roller to you aerialist! You can’t really go wrong with a Trigger Point massage roller. Personally, I’d recommend a roller that is dense with actual trigger points (the bumps that run down the sides) which can get a lot deeper into the muscles when you’re aerialist is warming up or sore from training. For a bit cheaper option, these massage balls are also excellent, and great for traveling!

Massage Session: $$$

The very best gifts aren’t things, but experiences! So if you’ve got the budget for it, get your aerialist a session of bodywork. Odds are they already have someone that they go to regularly, so the best way to do this is to give them a card with cash, and an explicit message to “use this for a massage!” As an LMT myself, you can also get your aerialist a massage with me (if they are in Salt Lake, or planning a traincation here soon!) by emailing me HERE. 

#3 The Gift of Brandon’s Favorite Things

Back Warmer: $$ 

A back-warmer is a wonderful christmas gift for your aerialist, especially for the winter season! And there are none better than these luxurious velvet ones from my good friend and aerial dancer Holly Jarvis. I got my own recently and it’s honestly my new favorite training-wear. This gift will help keep your aerialist warm and safe even on the coldest days of the year, and have the added benefit of supporting a small business! Holly even gave me a discount code to pass along to you: use “Brandon10” at checkout!

Everstretch Strap – $$

And now for my personal favorite training item, we have this phenomenal strap from Everstretch. This strap is perfect for warming up the shoulders (an aerialist’s most prized possession)  as well as conditioning and stretching the rest of the body. You can order their original strap here, or enter to win one of their BRAND NEW straps with loops by sharing this blog post from my facebook page!

Proximal: An Introduction to Aerial Theory from Aerial Design – $$$

Finally to end, we have a gift very close to my heart. Dara Minkin is one of the leading aerialists in our field for Aerial Theory, and her brand new book is sure to be a gamechanger for both the beginner, and the coach, as well as an absolute knockout gift for your aerialist! When you preorder before Nov. 30th, you’ll get 25% off (orders in the US will ship and arrive before Christmas). Your order here will benefit an inspiring individual in the industry, and give your giftee plenty of ideas for New Year’s Resolutions!

I hope you and the aerialist in your life have a very merry and memorable Christmas this year!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me here!

 

Acts VS Ambiance

This entry was posted in Performing and tagged , , , on by .

With awe-inspiring feats of strength and flexibility, Aerial Performance inevitably leaves those who witness it live with lasting memories of the experience. For this impact, an increasing number of organizers are incorporating Aerial into their shows and parties. However, not all performances are the same, and Aerial tends to fall into 2 categories: Acts and Ambiance. Whether you are an aerialist yourself, or looking to hire an aerialist for you next event, it’s important to know the differences between the two.

 

THE ACT:

This is probably what you think of first when you hear “aerial performance”.

An Act is a single routine rehearsed with pre-selected music, choreography, and character. Generally it will fall between 4-6 minutes long, and include high-level acrobatics.

As part of an event, an Act is the center of attention to its audience. You can most easily visualize this as what is performed on stage in front of a seated audience.

However, Acts can also be interjected in corporate functions, parties, and other events! An Act in this setting shouldn’t be overshadowed with, or compete with other activities, but instead keep the attendees’ undivided focus (perhaps while other transitions happen elsewhere).

Because of these factors, an Act will almost certainly need preparatory rehearsals, both for the Aerialist to get choreography set to music, as well as for production cues to be set for bringing out the apparatus, beginning music, lighting, and other technical elements.

 

AMBIANCE:

The other wing an aerial performer uses to fly is Ambiance, or Atmosphere work.

Often, an aerialist will do multiple sets of Ambiance at a single event, with these performances being longer (between 10-30 minutes “on” with breaks between sets), and focusing on beautiful shapes, poses, and interactions with guests. The endurance needed to sustain such long sets means high-level acrobatic tricks are less likely to be utilized.

As the name suggests, Ambiance is used to create more of a feeling at an event, rather than a single exciting moment. While the aerialist is up, they will move in a more improvised fashion to whatever music is playing. Guests are free to watch them as much or as little as they choose, while being free to engage in other activities like eating dinner, networking, or dancing.

Before the event itself, is possible that no rehearsals are needed at all in the space. Preparation will still be needed on the production side in terms of rigging and transitions, but much less so than for an Act. However, the aerialist must be in top shape in order to perform sets of such length, and will be working hard to prepare their body for such exertion.

Whether it’s an Aerial Act or a few sets of Ambiance that will make your next event perfect, let me help!
Email me from anywhere in the world HERE.

Making the Most of your Private Lesson

Privates are my very favorite method of teaching! The one-on-one time allows me to truly focus on my student and how to best help them reach their goals. If you are interested in taking a private lesson with me, here are some things you can do before and after to get the most out of our time together.

Days/Weeks Before Your Lesson:

Once you have decided to take a private lesson with me, the first step will be to send me a Direct-Message on Instagram, or if you prefer, an email. In this initial message, give me a few options of dates and times that would work for you. Upon receiving this, I will work out the best of those times with my own schedule and the hosting studio, and then get back to you asap with a confirmation.

After getting confirmed for our lesson, it is time for you to decide what you would like to work on with me! My recommendation is to choose 1 topic per half-hour we have scheduled together. To help make my lesson planning efficient, you can also send me some videos of where you are presently with those skills you want to work on, or tell me what components are currently giving you the most trouble.

You may also choose to use your lesson to work on, or pass the requirements for my @coachbrandonscott instagram page. If you’d like to read more about what it takes to become a virtual student of mine, you can read my blog post about it here.

Finally, consider inviting a friend or two to form a semi-private lesson! Some benefits of semi-privates include getting a discount on your fee, and having another person to watch and take turns with. Just make sure that you discuss and agree on what skills y’all want to work on beforehand.

Day of/Minutes Before Your Lesson:

On the day of your lesson, please prepare by bringing something with which to record what you learn. You can go old school with a pad of paper and a pencil so you can write down sequencing, tips and tricks, and epiphanies you have during our session. But also, know you are welcome to use your phone in our lesson to visually record yourself.

(Please note that every coach has different levels of comfort with phones in their classes, so while I happen to be pretty lenient, please be courteous and ask each coach you work with for their personal rules.)

Then, plan ahead, and get to our lesson early! This is especially important if you are going to a new studio for our lesson, as you’ll most likely need to fill out new waivers, sign in somewhere online, or make a payment. Once you are finished with housekeeping, it’s time to warm yourself up. I may have a few targeted warmups planned to begin our curriculum, but being already warm when we begin will save us a lot of time, perhaps enough to include an extra skill at the end!

After Your Lesson:

After we’ve parted, and you are home recovering (maybe before bed), take some time to review your notes and videos about what we worked on together. Think about the things that really worked well, as well as the things that challenged you. Try and visualize yourself performing the sequencing at your highest level. All these exercises will help you retain and make the most of what you learned.

The very next time you have the chance to train a bit on your own, go over everything you can remember from our private lesson. If you have a breakthrough or run into issues, please feel free to message me! I am happy to continue assisting you in getting over roadblocks as you get to them, and I love to see your progress!

Lastly, don’t forget to tag me in posts you make on instagram! You’re likely to find yourself in my BSA instagram story! I’ll see you in the air, hopefully in a private lesson soon!

-Coach B

5 Signs it’s Time to Buy Your Own Aerial Apparatus

So you’ve been taking aerial classes for a while, you’re completely in love (as we all are!), and you’re thinking about getting yourself an apparatus to call your own. Well, here are 5 Signs that it’s the right time for you to get your own silks, straps, or lyra!

You have a safe place to rig

Of course, your absolute first priority when it comes to Aerial must be safety. And coming up soon after is the question of where your apparatus will hang. You don’t want to order a full set of silks and hardware just to have it sit in a jumbled heap in your closet!

Some examples of safe places to rig:

  • The studio you train at
  • A free-standing rig
  • A point okayed by a structural engineer/rigger familiar with aerial

Because free-standing rigs can be a bit pricey, and other points can be hard to gage for safety (if you have a question about a possible point, or how to find a rigger in your area, I’d recommend this Facebook group), the most accessible, and generally best option to begin with is the studio you train at! While they most likely have apparatus for you to use in-house, having your own apparatus to train on can be a great source of pride and motivation.

To avoid disrupting class, bring your apparatus in to train on during open gym. As long as there is a semi-efficient way of rigging in the space, this shouldn’t be a problem (though many studios like to inspect outside equipment before it’s put up). Some studios require you to have a certain level of proficiency in aerial before self-training in open gym, which brings us to the next point…

You’re an intermediate level student, or above

Aerial is so easy to become infatuated with. Especially at the beginning! Trust me I know, it only took one class for me to drop out of college in pursuit of aerial professionally. However, a deep love for the art doesn’t a safe situation make. Wait until you reach at least an intermediate level before celebrating with your own equipment.

Now, each studio is going to have their own definition of what constitutes makes an aerialist intermediate, but the main idea is that you should have a good foundation of skill and technique to draw from while you are self-training. And if you are comfortable enough to self-train safely, you can consider getting some equipment to call your own.

You want access to an apparatus that is currently unavailable

You’ve just gone on traincation, and had the opportunity to take private lesson on straps for the first time! But while you’d love to take those skills you learned and keep working on them at home, your studio unfortunately doesn’t have any straps available to work on.

This would be another situation where you should consider getting an apparatus. And in this case, sooner than later! Waiting to get those straps shipped will cost you a lot, in terms of remembering the techniques you learned while with an instructor, and being able to train and progress safely on them once they are delivered. Speaking of cost…

You are ready to make a bigger investment in your aerial journey

Training aerial isn’t the cheapest hobby, as you’re well aware. $20 a pop on drop-ins at most studios can quickly add up. But the cost is well worth it for the gigantic benefits of aerial training, especially with a good coach. This is no different when you’re looking to purchase some equipment of your own.

Here’s what you can expect to lay down for some basic aerial setups:

  • Hammock: $100-$150
  • Silks: $200-300
  • Rope: $250-400
  • Lyra: $300-400
  • Straps: $400-500

Prices will vary by supplier, but my recommendation is to purchase your equipment from Aerial Essentials. AE has great prices, fast shipping (2-3 days within the US, plus international!), and superb customer service. But even better, their employees are all aerialists themselves!

Working at Aerial Essentials was a big part of how I made ends meet living in Las Vegas. And though I don’t live there anymore, I am still a part of the team! You can message me with any questions you have about equipment, and also take advantage of my personal discount by using the code BRANDON at checkout!

Something else to keep in mind is that the prices above all include full sets of hardware (carabiners, swivels, shackles, spansets, aerial 8s, etc), but once your have these on hand, buying just the apparatus a la carte will be a lot cheaper. Consider your first purchase a true investment into your aerial career, which brings me to my last point:

You are starting to work freelance

If the 4 other points are reasons to buy your ticket, this last one is getting on the plane and heading to your destination.

By the time that you are ready to begin performing for payment, especially if your goal is to become professional, you SHOULD have your own apparatus, full stop! During the beginning of your career while you’re part of a troupe or entertainment company which provides the things you need to perform, consider saving at least part of your performing income to invest in your own costuming, insurance, and equipment.

If you’re getting your first apparatus at this point, you may want to think about which setups will adapt to the most kinds of gigs you’ll have.

If you do silks, but don’t have a specific act, White and Red probably the most versatile colors, especially in corporate settings. Additionally you’ll want to get your fabric at a good length to fit in a variety of theaters and performance spaces.

For lyra, you may want to get a tabless lyra to start out, which can be rigged in many configurations depending on what skills you’d like to include in your performance.

And don’t forget, you’ll want to start gathering a collection of spansets, and other rigging equipment, so you can make as many situations as safe and workable as possible.

BONUS SIGN: You are training on fabric that’s rigged directly to your support beam

This is a pretty common phenomenon, especially in Central and South America, where fabric has boomed in popularity over the last few days, but hardware can be hard to find. 

If this is you, and you are train and especially if you are teaching on fabric like this, get hardware!! Even if it is only one set of carabiners-swivel-aerial 8-spanset, this will give you and your students the ability to practice true spinning, one of the greatest parts of aerial. 

Aerial Essentials ships worldwide in record time, put in your order now (and don’t forget your discount with the code BRANDON)!

Thanks for reading my latest blog post! And again, if you have any questions about equipment or ordering from Aerial Essentials, feel free to send me a message!

How to Follow @coachbrandonscott

My Dearest Aerialists,

For the past several few years as I have traveled around the world, I have met students in far off places who have each found a place close to my heart. In my desire to continue my relationships with them, I have often pondered about how to best bring my coaching abilities to the place that connects us all, no matter where we are on the planet: the internet! Not only have my thoughts gone toward the best formats for getting my coaching accessible on the virtual plane, but I have also thought intensely about how to do it in a way that promotes safety even as I am not there to personally watch over each student.

In regards to the first, I have decided to begin in the same place where the majority of my performing content resides: Instagram! On @coachbrandonscott page, I will be uploading more intentional videos breaking down technique, as well doing classes and Q&As over livestream, and utilizing the new IGTV feature. In the near future, as the ball gets rolling, I will also expand to create a secret facebook group where students will have better access to me with their questions, as well as other formats of teaching (including youtube videos, skype lessons, etc).

In regards to my other thoughts about safety, I have decided that I will only be accepting students at an intermediate level or higher, as well as other coaches and performers who would like to be part of my community. To show this level of proficiency, students will be required to DM videos to the @coachbrandonscott page for the 6 areas listed below. These have been determined to be the mark of intermediate students by my own judgement, and are subject to change. However, I truly believe they are each attainable movements, and their mastery will give me the confidence to trust that aerialists will be safe when following my instructions from a distance.

Prerequisites to following @coachbrandonscott are as follows:

Flexibility

Balance Splits:

Simple, iconic, the split is THE fundamental line of a silk artist. Not only for the many shapes and sequences that include them, but more generally, the split represents a degree of hip and leg mobility necessary for keeping any acrobatic body safe. As an intermediate+ student, mobility must also be coupled with strength, and the active-flexibility of the balance split is a wonderful cue for showing this.

For this category, I am looking for:

  • Clean Egg-beaters
  • Front Split
  • Flat Splits (180˚ or larger)
  • 10-Second Balance
  • Level 2 (triple-wrap cinched to achilles) or higher (footlocks)
  • Extra Credit: Arm-ography

Scorpion:

Unlike other kinds of flexibility, backbending involves the spine, resulting in a much different approach and practise. The ability to backbend for the intermediate student shows a patience and dedication to the slow road to flexibility, and a healthy mid-body.

For this category, I am looking for:

  • Clean Entrance/Exit
  • Toe-to-head or further
  • Moderate Spin (so I can see angles)
  • Tail assist is OK
  • Extra Credit: Both feet to head, hand-assist or no assist (gravity)

Strength

Single-Arm Meathook:

You may think of Meathooks as a straps skill, but they truly are one of the universal circus movements. Silks, Rope, Trapeze, Lyra, Sling, Cube, unlocking and leveling up your meathook makes you immediately more proficient across the aerial world. While it may be an intimidating skill for a beginner, intermediate students should absolutely be including meathooks and other single-arm work into their practise.

For this category, I am looking for:

  • Hanging from single-arm, free arm overhead
  • Good compression, head and feet toward the floor
  • Controlled exit to single-arm hang
  • Extra Credit: Reverse Meathook/Back Flag

No -Leg Climb:

Unlike Meathooks, the No-Leg Climb is more specific to us as vertical apparatus acrobats, but just as important! This climb is amazing conditioning, and it’s mastery shows well developed bent-arm and core strength, as well as endurance. Intermediate students should be incorporating this exercise into their regular practise, and should be able to achieve a good amount of steps up their apparatus, as well as make their way back to the floor.

For this category I am looking for:

  • At least 8 steps up, plus a full descent
  • Straight Legs
  • Feet at hip-level or higher
  • Consistent lift (no bobbing)
  • Extra Credit: Starting from a sit, pike position, fast ascent & slow descent

Artistry

Your Favorite Drop:

Getting into the more fun section (though strength, flex, and sequencing are fun too!), I would like to see you perform your favorite drop. Just to show an intermediate level, I would prefer the drop to be multi-rotational, whether that is forward, back, or horizontal. Think a double-star as the minimum. I’ve spoken myself on the precautions one should take when posting drops on the internet, and in that case I do not need to see a full clean entry for the drop, but I would like to see at least one step before the drop execution, as well as a clean and creative exit.

For this category I am looking for:

  • At least one step/movement before the drop
  • At least 2 rotations in the drop of choice
  • Good body position and control during execution
  • Clean and creative exit
  • Extra Credit: Spinning while dropping, multi-directional drops

1 -minute Choreography:

The beauty of Aerial isn’t just the super-human physical capabilities of the athletes, but that movement combined with their personal expression as an artist. As a final video, I would like to see the aerialist perform a one-minute sequence of their choosing to a piece of music. They should demonstrate an ability to match both to the rhythm & beats of the music, as well as the feeling and attitude. This is a chance to show your creativity, so make the most of it and show me what you’ve got!

For this category I am looking for:

  • 1-minute long choreography by the student themself
  • Creativity
  • Musical Interpretation and Integration
  • Obviously rehearsed, good flow of chosen sequence

Please note: only DM’d videos will be accepted; no pictures, no comments, or mentions in your video posts on IG. DMs will help me keep track of your completed requirements, and videos will give me a better idea of your proficiency in each category. If you would like a visual demonstration of each of these elements, I have made a Youtube video with a few additional tips that you can view here. You can impress me in any of these categories by including the required elements as part of a longer sequence, as well as by doing the extra credit.

If you are not yet to the level of these categories, don’t worry! Whether you are having trouble in your flexibility, strength, or silk technique, there are many, many qualified instructors around the world who can safely coach you to this level in-person. Once you have mastered these requirements, get them on video and send them over! Please however BE AWARE, wasting my time by sending over videos that quite obviously do not meet the requirements, or spamming me with questions will get you blocked from the CBS account. Please take your questions to your own coach, and send in your DM’s once they are ready.

I love all of you in the aerial community, and can’t wait to explore this art with you on a deeper level.

Love, Coach B.