Aerial SILKS/FABRIC Teacher TrainingsAbout
The following courses are part of the Born to Fly™ Aerial Teacher Certificate Program. All who meet the prerequisites are welcome to train with us, and the certificate is optional. Teaching Philosophy and Methods Aerial fabric is the most popular apparatus in recreational programs. However, starting students with climbs may not be the most accessible way to begin an aerial journey. If you teach early beginners, we highly recommend (but do not require) starting the Aerial Sling 1 Teacher Training. Teaching aerial fabric requires a clear understanding of the skills, progressions, technique, spotting, diverse learning styles, and classroom management to help students find success. It’s important to notice what a student is ready to progress, and then find unique ways for them to engage with level appropriate material. This allows you to reach more learners and to stay fresh in your own teaching over the long haul. By entering each class with a beginner’s mind, you will learn something new every time you teach. In the Born to Fly™ methodology, we expose our students to fabric theory early on through puzzles and challenge their artistry through creative tasks. Our goal is to develop an aerialist’s strength, intelligence, and artistry simultaneously so nothing gets left behind. We ask students to spend more time with each skill, which allows them to build strength over a longer period of time before progressing to the next level. I LOVE the curriculum and the theory that forms your foundation for teaching; this course has made me a much more confident, present, and mindful teacher! Furthermore, the theory and puzzle-building has provided me with nearly infinite class material! ![]() ONLINE Aerial Silks/Fabric
Level 1 Teacher Training with Rebekah Leach 35+ Hrs of Online Training --includes 3 live (over zoom) hours to ask your questions and receive mentorship. When: START ANYTIME. This is a self-paced training. Once you start, you will have access to the material for 2 years. Watch the pre-recorded training videos at your own convenience and schedule the 1-1 mentorship hours when it is convenient for you. Must schedule the live hours within one year of purchase. (Please note our offices are closed for mentor hours June or July). Cost: $875 (plus purchase of textbooks, sold separately) Note: We are no longer issuing certifications for trainings, but we can do a courtesy "certification of completion" for training after the mentor hours are complete and videos have been watched. Included Videos: Topics & Modules included in the video lectures --sling skill-specific teacher training (going over common student issues, progressions, important cues, etc) --classroom observations so that you can see the skills being taught to real students --Shoulder Anatomy Course (includes 56 page manual) --Core Anatomy Course (includes 33 page manual) --Warm-up Course (goes over how to teach the best and most effective warm-up for aerial, includes example warm-ups) --Creative Progressions --Inversion Course --Flexibility Course Prerequisites:
Required Reading: Order books below.
Recommended Reading:
Tentative Schedule (exact schedule may vary):
What You Will Learn: This training focuses on Level 1 Silks skills as well as spotting, safe practices, teaching methods, and classroom management. We strongly emphasize progressions, particularly to develop strong inversions. At the end of the week, you will walk away with about one year of studio teaching material. You will work with the classic fabric skills as well as several variations and sequences we’ve developed over the years. We begin with body positioning of the shoulders, ribs, and hips before progressing to climbs and descents, and foot locks. Skills in the knot help develop foundational technique in an accessible way. We continue the week with single foot lock skills and sequences, followed by hip and shoulder blocks, double foot locks, and inversion progressions. Skills sessions conclude with hip key progressions and 'round the back/arabesque. Clinics include spotting techniques and core engagement progressions, while discussion topics include safety, teaching philosophies, classroom management, and an open Q&A. The training concludes with practice teaching. Travel & Lodging: Please check out this page for helpful travel info. "This training was so much more about the 'why', instead of the 'how'. I fully expected it to be 'here is this move, these are the cues you can use for it', and really appreciated how much more it was based on learning how to teach mechanics and skill progressions. Rebekah is incredibly skilled, knowledgeable, and talented as an instructor. I left each session knowing so many new things, and was excited to be able to implement them into my own lessons and practice after each session." ![]() FABRIC Level 2 Teacher Training
(In-Person) with Rebekah Leach 18 hrs over 3 days When: Tues-Thurs Jan 2-4, 2024 Location: Born to Fly Headquarters Castle Rock, Colorado Cost: $495 Prerequisites:
Audition Video: Email video here. Pick at least 3 of these skills to include in an audition video:
Note: If you are unable to perform any of the skills required, but are capable and qualified, send us a video of you teaching the above skills to a class in lieu of performing them. We do not require teachers demo everything they teach. Required Reading: Order books below.
Tentative Schedule (exact schedule may vary). Times are listed in MST.
What You Will Learn: This training focuses on Level 2 Silks skills as well as being a Level 2 Teacher. You will refine your spotting, teaching methods, and classroom management. It is important that a Level 2 teacher know how teach multi-level classes. We will talk a lot about regressions, modifications and progressions. The order of which certain things are presented at this Level is critical for student success at starting Level 3. We will talk a lot about the underlying concepts that are important for a student to grasp (more important than what skills are being taught). We begin with refining inversion technique and how to tell if someone is ready for Level 2. The major areas of interest in Level 2 include hip key development, catcher's wraps, crochet crossback, crossback straddle, ankle hangs, belay introduction, and drop introduction. Travel & Lodging: Please check out this page for helpful travel info. |