For my best friend’s bachelorette (part two, duh), we did a weekend trip to Napa Valley. I loved the whole getaway, but one of the highlights for me was the aerial silks class that we took together! I had never done anything like this before, so it was a really fun experience pushing my body to move in a new and different way.

Lessons by Hylah at Wine Country Aerials

We started off our private group lesson with some calisthenics to warm-up, but it wasn’t long before we were up on the silks. The first few moves involved learning to climb ‘up’ the silks and then glide down. The technique we used for that was called a French Climb, where you have one foot wrapped in the silks and inch-worm your way up. Honestly, it kind of reminded me of climbing up the rope in gym class or at the pool. From there, we graduated to footlocks and a few poses, and then Hylah added a knot to our silks. With the knot in place, we learned how to get into a straddle for some inversions!

For me, part of the experience was mental. I wouldn’t say that I’m scared of heights, but I’m definitely cautious around them. I’m also really awkward around any flips like somersaults, as anyone who has ever seen me in any kind of sport can attest to. This meant that when I watched Hylah demonstrate the front flip drop, I was instantly nervous, but at the same time, I felt like it had been presented as a challenge. If you know me, I hate backing down from something that I thinkkk I can learn to do. With some gentle encouragement from my friends, I was able to get a passable version of the drop after a few tries!

I want to add that my first few attempts were not good. I fell partly out of the silks once, and I definitely got tangled up a few other tries. Luckily, Hylah was able to cue me to keep my legs spread, as this would help prevent them from going through the silks opening and un-doing the straddle. I thought it was cool that this drop is also called a Fallen Angel drop! My other friends also were able to nail this move after some gentle coaching from Hylah, so it was a success all around.

We were all sore the next day, and I actually had some bruises under my armpits afterward, likely as a side effect of the final jerk at the end of the front flip drop. Still, I really liked the whole class and couldn’t stop laughing and smiling the whole time. Hylah was also super lovely and encouraging, and if I’m ever back in the area, I would love to do another class with her. Is aerial silks something that you would want to try? Would you want to try the flips or would you stick with the footlocks?

Until next time, happy crafting!