FAQ

Aerial Yoga

What is aerial yoga?

Aerial yoga is a type of yoga in which students use a fabric hammock to practice yoga poses. Using the silk as a prop, students can get better support, a deeper stretch and the opportunity to safely enter inversions and other poses they might not ordinarily try in a regular yoga class. Although there are some similarities, aerial yoga is not the same as aerial silks and other aerial arts. Aerial yoga is grounded in traditional yoga principles and focuses on breath, mindful movement, and sensation, rather than artistry, performance, or circus tricks.

What are the benefits of aerial yoga?

  • Promotes more ease in the body by allowing the release of muscle tension
  • Enhances your practice by allowing you to explore familiar poses in a new way
  • Strengthens and tones your body, particularly arms, shoulders, back and core muscles
  • Creates greater awareness of sensation in the body
  • Gives the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and experience something new

Do I need to be flexible to do aerial yoga?

No! But you do need to have a basic level of fitness that will allow you to do things like lift your foot up to the level of the silk (hip height) and enough upper body strength to complete a modified push up (knees down on mat).

Is there a weight limit for aerial yoga?

While our silks are professionally installed and secured and are completely safe to hold thousands of pounds of dynamic weight, we recommend a body weight limit of 200 lbs or less. If you weigh more, this does not mean you cannot practice with us. We do, however, request that you book a private appointment instead!

What is the minimum age to practice aerial yoga at your studio?

We offer kids, tweens and teens aerial yoga classes for children in Grades K-12.

The minimum age to attend our adult aerial yoga classes is 11.

The minimum age for our aerial yoga private parties is 6.

What are the contraindications for aerial yoga?

We recommend you avoid aerial yoga classes if you suffer from any of the following conditions: vertigo or other inner ear issues, vasovagal syndrome, sinusitis, recent concussion, brain injury, or stroke, recent Botox injections, glaucoma or other eye pressure problems, high or low blood pressure, history of heart conditions or heart disease, pregnancy beyond the first trimester, or epilepsy.

Inversions, which are usually performed during aerial classes, can elevate blood pressure, increase intracranial pressure and create mechanical stress, which not all bodies are able to tolerate. You should always check with your doctor before engaging in any type of physical activity, including aerial yoga. Additionally, you should always listen to your body, and avoid or stop any activity that does not feel right for you.

What should I wear to aerial yoga class?

We recommend close-fitting, but comfortable, clothing. Tank tops and shorts are discouraged, as the silk can pinch when directly against bare skin. Shirts with sleeves and longer pants or leggings are preferable. We also recommend that everyone coming to class wear socks, preferably with grip to minimize slipping and to keep your silks fresh.

How many people are in an aerial yoga class?

Our aerial yoga classes can accommodate up to 14 students.

Do I need to rent or buy a silk to use in your studio?

Unless you are attending on the 30-Day Unlimited New Student Special or doing a one-time drop-in, you must rent or buy a silk in the studio, in order to participate in our group aerial yoga classes.

If you have purchased a single drop-in, but prefer to use a freshly-laundered silk, you may rent one at the studio for $10.

If you have an aerial yoga membership or a class pack, you can either rent a studio silk at $25/month or purchase your own silk set-up (which includes your choice of silk color and two runners) for $159+tax.

If you are just wrapping up your 30-Day Unlimited New Student Special and are ready to join us as a member, you will get 25% OFF your personal silk purchase. Please reach out to us for more details on how to save!

Can I bring my own aerial silk to use in your studio?

No. We require students to either rent or purchase silks directly from our studio for liability reasons. Our silks are made of high-quality, durable fabric by a reputable manufacturer, who break-tests all its products. This is how we ensure that our silks are safe and secure for you to use. Thank you for your understanding!

Can I skip Aerial Yoga Essentials and go straight to Aerial Yoga Deconstructed or High Flyers Club?

No! Unless you have prior approval from one of our teachers, you will not be allowed into the more advanced classes. This is a safety concern and is not negotiable.

What is your late arrival policy for aerial yoga classes?

All aerial yoga students should plan to arrive no less than 5 minutes early, so that they can settle in and be at their silk by the start of class. Please note that the studio door will be locked at the class start time, and students who arrive late will be unable to attend and will forfeit any payment. Late arrivals are treated as late cancellations, and cancellation fees will apply for students on unlimited pricing options. This policy is necessary in order to minimize class disruptions and ensure the positive experiences of all of our aerial yoga students.

Aerial Hoop

What is aerial hoop?

Aerial hoop, also known as lyra or cerceau, is a metal apparatus resembling a hula hoop that is suspended from the ceiling and used to perform aerial acrobatics. Aerial hoop classes allow practitioners to float and create beautiful shapes in their aerial hoop, while building strength, flexibility and confidence. Our aerial hoops are rigged on a single swivel point, which allows them to both swing and spin.

Do I need to have a lot of upper body strength to take an aerial hoop class?

Although aerial acrobatics is physically demanding, you do not need to have a lot of existing strength in order to do it. In fact, practicing aerial hoop is a great way to build strength! You will also see overall improvements in your flexibility and coordination as you learn how to transition and flow in and out of different poses.

What is the minimum age to practice aerial hoop at your studio?

The minimum age for aerial hoop classes and private events is 12 years.

What should I wear to an aerial hoop class?

We recommend comfortable, fitted athletic attire, such as clothing you would wear to a yoga or a dance class. Please make sure to remove dangling necklaces, bracelets and rings before class. Flat metal band rings are fine. Avoid moisturizing your hands prior to class to avoid having a slippery grip. 

Can I skip Aerial Hoop Essentials and go straight to Deconstructed or Flow?

No! Unless you have prior approval from one of our teachers, you will not be allowed into the more advanced classes. This is a safety concern and is not negotiable.

How many people are in an aerial hoop class?

Our aerial hoop classes can accommodate up to 6 students.

What is your late arrival policy for aerial hoop classes?

All aerial hoop students should plan to arrive no less than 5 minutes early, so that their equipment can be rigged appropriately before the beginning of class. Please note that the studio door will be locked at the class start time, and students who arrive late will be unable to attend and will forfeit any payment. Late arrivals are treated as late cancellations, and cancellation fees apply for students on unlimited pricing options.

This policy is necessary in order to ensure the safety and positive experiences of all of our aerial hoop students. Aerial hoop instructors require time to identify the correct equipment size and height for each individual student and rig up all studio and outside equipment prior to the start of class. It is also imperative that all students participate in the full class warm up, so that they are safely prepared for the movements introduced that day.

Bookings & Cancellations

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

All purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please review the specific cancellation windows for different bookings:

Adult Classes:
– 12-hour window for aerial yoga and aerial hoop group classes.
– $10 late fee applies for unlimited pricing options.
– Late arrivals are treated as late cancellations—we lock our doors at the start time of class.

Kids, Tween & Teen Classes:
– If your child needs to miss a class, alert the instructor, email info@earthandaerialyoga.com, or call 978 257 0075 at least 6 hours before class, in order to be able to schedule a make-up.
– Late cancellations result in class forfeiture; session fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Appointments:
– Cancellation more than 24 hours before the appointment allows rescheduling or account credit.
– Cancellation within 24 hours is non-refundable.

Workshops & Events:
– Cancellation more than 48 hours prior allows account credit.
– Cancellation within 48 hours is non-refundable.

Private Parties:
– Cancellation more than 1 week before offers full account credit and rescheduling.
– Cancellation within 1 week forfeits $75 deposit; remaining balance credited for rescheduling.
– Cancellation within 24 hours is non-refundable.

IMPORTANT:
If you are sick with any type or severity of symptom, please do not come into the studio and call or email us to let us know you are unable to make your reservation.

Do I have to pre-register for class?

We require preregistration for all aerial yoga and aerial hoop classes through our website or the Earth & Aerial Yoga app. You can reserve your spot up to one month in advance.

I have purchased a New Student Special, but it is asking me to pay when I try to register for class.

30-Day Unlimited New Student Special passes activate when you register for your first class. If you, subsequently, attempt to register for another class that occurs prior to the date of the first class you reserved, the system will require payment. To avoid this issue, first, unregister from any other classes you have booked in the future and then re-register, starting with the class that occurs the soonest. You can reserve your spot in class up to one month in advance.

Can I share my New Student Special with a friend or family member?

Our 30-Day Unlimited New Student Special is for individual use only and cannot be shared. It is non-transferrable, non-refundable and does not apply to special events, workshops or Kids, Tween & Teen classes.

Can I share my class pack or membership with a friend or family member?

Class packs can be shared by family members who reside in the same household. Memberships are for individual use only and cannot be shared. Both class packs and memberships are non-transferrable, non-refundable and do not apply towards special events, workshops or Kids, Tween & Teen classes.

How can I cancel my membership?

Adult Memberships: You can terminate your membership at any time with a minimum of 15 days notice prior to your next scheduled auto payment. To start the cancellation process, simply complete our online Membership Withdrawal Form. If your cancellation request is received before this 15-day window, all upcoming payments will be canceled, and you can utilize the remaining classes for the current billing cycle. If your cancellation request is received after this 15-day timeframe, your last monthly payment will be processed as planned, further automatic payments will cease, and you’ll have the opportunity to use all classes that you’ve already purchased. Please note that once charges have been posted, we’re unable to provide refunds for them.

Kids Memberships: You can cancel your membership at any time with a 30-day notice. To initiate a cancellation, simply complete our online Membership Withdrawal Form at least 30 days prior to your desired withdrawal date. We will cancel any upcoming automatic payments and, if applicable, prorate your last payment based on your last day of class. Please note that once charges are posted, we are unable to issue refunds for them.

Can I put my membership on hold?

If you or your child are unable to come to classes due to a medical issue or injury, you may request to place a hold on your current membership. To initiate your request, please fill out our Membership Hold Request Form and provide a signed medical note from a doctor. Payments made and processed prior to the hold period are non-refundable. Members can resume their membership at any time without additional fees. Membership dues will not be charged, and the member will not be able to attend classes during the hold period.

NOTE: We are unable to hold memberships due to travel or any other non-medical reason.

How early should I come to class?

We want you to enjoy the full length of class! Please arrive 10 minutes before class begins to allow time for adjustments as needed. Please do not arrive earlier, as instructors need time to rig silks or hoops for your class.

What if I am placed on the waitlist?

When a class you’d like to attend is already full, you can sign up for the waitlist. If a spot opens up, you’ll be added to the class, and you will receive a notification via the Earth & Aerial Yoga app. You are responsible for showing up, so please check your notifications and cancel out of the waitlist, if you are no longer available.

What is your inclement weather policy?

Your safety is our top priority! If there’s a forecast for extreme weather and you anticipate being uncomfortable traveling to the studio, please cancel yourself out of class as soon as possible. Rest assured—late cancellation fees will not apply in this case.

In the event of inclement weather, we will make cancellation decisions at least 2 hours before the scheduled class time. If a class is canceled, it will reflect on the online schedule, and we will notify all registered participants via SMS and the app. Please ensure that your app notifications are enabled, and you are subscribed to receive text messages through our automated system.

Can I extend my expiration date on my class pack?

If you are unable to utilize your remaining classes prior to your expiration date, don’t worry! We have two options for you to consider.

  1. Purchase another class pack, and we will roll over any unused classes onto your new pack with the new expiration date.
  2. Extend your expiration date for a one-time fee of $15. Your expiration date will be extended by 6 months. Click here to take advantage of this option.

How do I book a private party or event?

You can book private parties and groups directly through our website, via the Earth & Aerial Yoga app or by calling (978) 257-0075. A $75 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. Payment in full is due one week prior to the event.

Do you offer a student discount or a teacher discount?

Yes! Students and teachers get 10% off our memberships & class packs. The discount does not apply to intro offers, retail items, workshops and special events. Students & teachers must show a valid school ID to redeem. The discount is applied manually to your account, so, if you are a student or a teacher, please contact us at info@earthandaerialyoga.com to take advantage of this offer.

What is the meaning of the colors around the class icons in the schedule?

Fidegree Green Meaning

GREEN

Plenty of open spots.

Fidegree Red Meaning

ORANGE

Class is starting to fill.

Fidegree Red Meaning

RED

Class is almost full.

Fidegree Maroon Meaning

MAROON

Class is full. Waitlist only.

Studio & Safety

Can I rig up my own silk at home?

While aerial yoga can be a beautiful and rewarding activity, it’s important to exercise caution when rigging aerial silks at home. Rigging an aerial silk involves suspending yourself from a height, which can be dangerous, if done improperly. Read this article to learn about all the important factors you should consider before rigging an aerial silk at home.

Where can I park?

We are located inside The Landing at Hudson Mills. There are several designated one-hour parking spots right in front of the building for your convenience. Please use them!

There are a total of three parking lots servicing The Landing: one in the front, one in the back, and one across the Rail Trail. The latter, accessed via Houghton Court, requires a short walk up and down a flight of stairs to access the building.

There are two entrances to the building. If you enter from the Broad Street entrance, the elevator is immediately on your left. Do not go in through the door marked Building C-Stairwell. If entering from the main entrance at the back of the building, go left and follow the hallway to the elevator. We are on the 3rd floor, directly to the left. See you there!

Do you have a locker room and/or showers on the premises?

Yes, we do! There is a locker room with showers on the building ground floor.

What are your rules for missing and returning to class, if I've had COVID-19?

If you are sick with any type or severity of symptom, please do not come to class and call or email us to let us know you are unable to make it. If you have had COVID-19 and would like to return to your practice at the studio, please follow the latest CDC guidelines regarding length of isolation and precautions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.

Do I need to wear a mask while practicing at your studio?

As of March 9, 2022, we no longer require the use of masks in our space, regardless of vaccination status. If you prefer to keep your mask on, please know there is absolutely no pressure for you to take it off. We fully support and encourage you to do whatever makes you feel most comfortable in our studio.

How do you clean the studio?

Commonly-touched hard surfaces and the studio and lobby floor are cleaned daily. A medical grade air purifier runs daily. Windows are open when possible to increase ventilation.

How do you clean the aerial yoga silks?

All students who attend classes regularly are required to rent or purchase a silk for their personal use. Aerial silks for exclusive use are available to rent on a one-time or a monthly basis, or can be purchased. Silks that have been purchased or rented on a monthly basis are stored in individually labeled bags and washed upon request.

Students who attend special events, workshops or group classes as a single drop-in are not required to rent or purchase a silk, and are provided with a studio silk. Studio silks are washed regularly, but not between each use. If you are attending a private event or workshop or dropping into a class, and prefer not to use a studio silk, you have the option to rent a freshly-laundered silk.

NOTE: Silk rentals are included in our 30-Day Unlimited New Student Special.

Can I socially distance while practicing at your studio?

Yes! Our aerial yoga studio is a fully open concept with plenty of space for social distancing. Floor markers, indicating aerial yoga silk or aerial hoop placement in the practice space, are placed at least 6 feet apart. Class sizes for aerial yoga are limited to 14 participants, while Aerial Hoop classes are capped at 6 participants.