Private lessons don’t come cheap. Well at least, they shouldn’t. (Running a studio is expensive. Have you ever told an insurance company that you want to teach people to hang from knots in the ceiling?) Having the teacher to yourself can be great, but if they’re out of the question right now, know that being in class with several people can really help you to learn new skills too.

It helps to see how other people do a move.

Yes, everyone will be learning the same thing, but watching different people do the same thing is so helpful while you’re learning. Everyone moves differently, and seeing someone else move through what you’re learning can be illuminating. Plus if they are having trouble, you get a great perspective on the trouble spots in a move. We are constantly watching and helping each other out in class as we see what is happening in the air from the ground.

Watching others learn is one of the best ways to get a better understanding of what needs to happen when you’re in the air.

Encourage each other.

When you’re regularly in class with other people, you end up becoming cheerleaders for each other. You know what each person is working on and who is knocking certain moves out of the park. You can become your own little support group for each other. Learning difficult skills with people is a bonding experience; I’ve grown a lot with the people I met in class years ago!

You don’t get tired as fast.

Aerial dance is exhausting. Crazy fun, but exhausting. With others in class, you’re much more likely to get a breather in between silks climbs or trapeze drops.

Other people can offer different perspectives.

Has one student nailed a move that you’re having trouble with? Ask them for tips! Were they putting a lot of weight in their hand on the lyra? Were they turning their hips towards the ground with the trapeze behind them? Sometimes hearing something in someone else’s words is all you need. Maybe they can shed a different light on it.

The big caveat here: make sure that students aren’t teaching students. It’s one thing to share what worked for one, it’s another entirely for a student still learning how to do something to try to teach others. Listen to your teacher and stay safe!

 

You’re doing something insanely cool with these people once a week. How many other people do you know who are striving to drop from the ceiling while tied to fancy curtains? Make the most of your time together and you’ll learn much faster!