Aerial Sling and Hammock: A Beginner's Introduction
If aerial silks look intimidating and hoop looks a little hard on the knees, aerial sling might be your perfect starting point. Sling, sometimes called an aerial hammock, is one of the apparatuses we teach to both youth and adult flyers at InFlyte.
Here's what makes it different and what to expect in a beginner class.
A Loop, Not Two Tails
Where silks hang as two separate panels of fabric, a sling is a single loop of fabric. It creates a hammock-like shape that can support you while you sit, lie back, hang or balance.
Because the fabric already forms a seat, you can find stable positions quickly, which makes sling very approachable for beginners.
Supported Seated Shapes
Many first sling skills start seated in the fabric. From there you'll learn to:
Sit and balance in the sling
Lean back with control
Hook knees or feet into the fabric
Stand in the loop with your hands on the fabric
These positions help you get comfortable being off the ground without needing to climb.
Tension and Balance
The fabric moves with you, so balance is a big part of sling work. Shifting your weight, opening the fabric wider or gathering it closer changes how stable you feel. Learning to control that tension is one of the core skills of sling.
Introducing Inversions
Turning upside down is a highlight for most beginners. In sling, the fabric can support your hips or legs as you invert, which gives many flyers a more comfortable first experience. Your instructor will introduce inversions gradually and teach you how to come back upright with control.
If you have health considerations that make inverting uncomfortable, let your instructor know so they can offer alternatives.
Strength and Coordination
Sling looks relaxed, but it builds real strength. You'll use your core to hold shapes, your arms to support your weight and your legs to grip and balance. Moving smoothly between positions also develops coordination and body awareness.
Sling vs. Aerial Yoga
People sometimes confuse aerial sling with aerial yoga, which uses a similar fabric hammock. Aerial yoga typically focuses on yoga poses, stretching and relaxation, often close to the ground. Aerial sling as taught in an aerial arts studio is focused on aerial skills, transitions, strength and artistry, with a path toward choreography and performance.
What to Wear
Like silks, sling works through friction, so cover up:
Leggings that cover the knees and the backs of the knees
A fitted top that covers your underarms and stays put upside down
No jewelry, zippers or rough fabrics
Hair tied back
Choosing a Sling Class
InFlyte offers adult sling classes at Intro and Beginner/Intermediate levels, and youth flyers can take sling within our youth program. Intro is ideal if you're brand new to aerial.
Many flyers start on sling, then branch out to silks or hoop once they feel comfortable in the air.
Questions to Ask
Which sling level fits my experience?
Will we invert in my first class?
How does sling prepare me for other apparatuses?
Reach out at inflyteentertainment@gmail.com or (978) 618-7816.
Start Your Aerial Journey on Sling
Sling is welcoming, versatile and a lot of fun. It's a wonderful way to discover how it feels to fly, and a great foundation for everything that comes next.
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