We recently conducted a poll on Instagram to find out how many aerialists preferred the 'Russian Climb' compared to the Classic Climb, also known as the French Climb. Of 2,623 respondents, 88% favored the Russian Climb, while only 12% preferred the Classic Climb. That's a remarkable difference! Personally, I've always been on Team Classic (it was the first climb I learned and it feels more natural to me), but it's clear that the majority of aerialists are passionate about the Russian Climb. Inspired by these results, we're excited to present this week's tip: a variation of the Russian Climb ..read more

A while back, I shared tips for a skill I call Floating Russian, which starts from a Russian Climb. You slide your feet apart, squeeze your upper thighs together and turn away from the silk while supporting yourself on one arm. After receiving numerous requests for a follow-up tip, many expressed difficulty releasing their hand. My goal is to equip you with the tools and know-how to achieve mid-air 'floating' with greater ease! Expecting to hang from one arm without adequate practice hanging from two is a bit ambitious. Sometimes, we rush ahead, eager to master the 'cool' skill without laying ..read more

Have you ever watched an aerialist confidently demonstrate a skill, thinking to yourself, I've got this!  But then, when you give it a go, you find yourself floundering around? Well, we've all been there and that's a common experience with the Knee Lock! In this tip, I'll walk you through different ways to approach it and point out some common slip-ups. By the end, I aim for you to add the Knee Lock to your aerial repertoire and be ready for more! Breaking Down the Knee Lock Skill: Option 1: Start with long arms, pass your legs between the silks, and beat to the front, back, and front ..read more

Picture yourself in an aerial class scenario: a fellow peer finds themselves caught mid-air, struggling to break free from a Belay position. Panic ripples through the class as it becomes apparent that their shirt and hair are tangled, making it difficult to release themselves. Despite their efforts, they remain stuck. A prepared teacher would swoop in, taking the steps needed to bring the student down safely. But if the teacher is not prepared, things can get chaotic and scary really quickly. So, how do we handle these situations while keeping everyone safe? I've got a handy four-step process ..read more

When it comes to aerial skills, a handful tend to be shared 'nemesis' skills - one being Cross-Back Straddle. ​ It's possible that inverting within other skills is doable, but once foot locks are on with the X on your back, it feels almost impossible to get over! ​ If that's you, here's the good news: with a few simple changes and time practicing some exercises on the ground, I'm confident you can turn those Cross-Back blues into successful moves! If you're an aerial teacher, a crucial part of teaching is figuring out why a student struggles with a skill. This tip helps you diagnose the issue ..read more

This week, we're putting the spotlight on the Penché split, with "Penché" being a French term for leaning or tilting. Whether done in dance class or mid-air on your apparatus, the Penché demands hip mobility, hamstring flexibility, and back extension. If you're thinking, "Jill, I can't possibly pull off this skill - my splits are 'meh,'" or perhaps you're in the process of recovering from a hamstring injury, fear not! I've got an alternative option for you—one that's just as visually stunning! Check out the video breakdown and tips below. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/6f18d8_3dbf9a9a657b48 ..read more

The Same Side Inversion Climb isn't just a climb - it provides a pathway to Thigh Hitch, which is the base for skills like Mermaid, Cupid, Thigh Hitch Split, and many more. Often perceived as a challenging "slippery climb," it may feel like you're on a treadmill, making minimal height progress. In this technique tip, I'll break down the technique, highlighting the essential dos and don'ts so you can conquer this climb with more ease and efficiency. Let's do it! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/6f18d8_e5e4ad0f66f24d25a0a091954a7fd076/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 1) Invert into a straddle with the silk t ..read more

The Iron Cross, also called Iron T or Crucifix, is a powerful skill that some aerialists avoid because it can be painful on the wrists - but why is that ? Many aerialists turn their shoulders inward, putting too much weight on their wrists without adequate upper back engagement. See below for tips to help you do Iron Cross with more confidence and less wrist pain: https://video.wixstatic.com/video/6f18d8_a177231f4e5b40d7a9b8a720f29e5523/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Step-by-Step Breakdown 1) Try the floor-bound version before practicing it in the air. When you're ready for the air, begin from a climb or ..read more

As we enter this new chapter, I'm excited to reintroduce a special New Year-themed challenge. While I shared the challenge a couple of years ago, I believe revisiting and reflecting on our progress is rewarding. Whether you've taken on this challenge in the past or you're trying it for the first time, it provides a fantastic opportunity to assess your progress and see how far you've come. After the holiday break and potential time off, the start of the year is a great time to reestablish your foundation. Sometimes, taking a step back to the basics is the key to unlocking new heights in your pr ..read more

This week, I'm sharing one of my all-time favorite exercises, a staple in nearly every real-life class I teach. At first glance, the Straddle to Candlestick may seem deceptively simple, but nailing it requires finesse and precision. This exercise, designed to enhance your inversions and elevate that crucial hip lift at the top of your inversion, holds the key to sustaining a strong inversion. If your hips are too low, it's difficult to sustain the inversion for very long and can result in hooking your knee on your hands if your following skill calls for that. Check out the detailed breakdown i ..read more