Hello everyone!
It’s been a while since my last post. Things had been busy on our side, but we haven’t given up on our wellness explorations yet! 💪
Today, I’m excited to share a new exercise I tried recently: Aerial Silk. As I mentioned in my previous post about staying active and fit in Dublin, trying Aerial Silk has been a long-time goal of mine.
What is Aerial Silk?
Aerial silk, also known as aerial fabrics, aerial tissues, or simply silks, is a performance art involving acrobatics performed while hanging from special fabric.
Where Did I Go & Which Class I Chose:
I attended a class at Aerial Cirque in Dublin, located on Exchequer Street (Dublin 2). They offer Foundations classes for those ready to commit to a 5-week term and a Taster Workshop for ‘Explorers’ like myself. They also offer classes in Aerial Hoop and Rope for those interested.
How Did the Taster Class Go:
It was intense! The class was divided into three sections:
- Cardio Work (15 minutes): We started with cardio to get our hearts pumping and our bodies warmed up.
- Core Work (15 minutes): Partnered up, we did various core exercises. The core, along with the arms and shoulders, is crucial in Aerial Silk.
- The Real Deal – Aerial Silk: We learned how to knot the silk, climb, wrap the silk, and perform some poses. We covered safety measures and then practiced moves like the cocoon, knot, and some inversions (I unfortunately don’t remember the exact names of the basic poses we tried at the moment). Each of us took turns performing and taking photos of each other. While I struggled with some moves, others were better than I expected. It was a fun and challenging experience with a very supportive instructor and peers. The two hours left me exhausted, and my upper body felt sore in ways it never had before. This session was more intense than any of my walks, PT, pilates, or yoga sessions due to its duration and the variety of exercises.
We finished with some stretching and winding down.
Would I Go Again?
Absolutely! After getting a bit fitter, I’d love to go again. I’m glad I tried it, despite postponing for years due to not feeling ‘fit enough.’ Though I couldn’t do some poses well due to my current fitness level and weight, I’m thrilled I finally gave it a shot. It requires commitment, so if you’re just starting your fitness journey and find the idea of a 75-minute class daunting, start with shorter, more convenient options.
In my next article, I’ll share tips on using behavioral science to make starting your fitness journey easier!
What Did I Learn?
- Even the easiest-looking poses require effort. Achieving those aesthetic photos demands squeezing some muscles and stretching some limbs. I looked very non-aesthetic in most of my photos as it was not as easy as those aerial silk professionals made it look like. So try it before you quickly say “I could do that!” when looking at someone doing something. 😆
- I discovered that I find some exercises easier and some harder than others, and I’m not as unfit as I thought. I just need to redirect my efforts more effectively.
- Group activities can be encouraging and supportive. While I usually prefer solo sports, my team was incredibly encouraging, pushing me to keep trying when I was ready to give up.
Stay tuned for more updates on my wellness journey!
