There's no question that we are witness to an unprecedented era, emphasizing life's many uncertainties and aggravating our everyday fears.

Your aerial studio is probably closed at the moment, and on top of dealing with the realities of daily life and an actual pandemic, you're also worried about missing so many days of aerial practice.

We're grounded at the moment, and it's an aerialist's nightmare. 

But don't despair! It's easy to discover a movement practice on the floor to stay aerial fit at home, even without exercise gear and even without a lot of space.

Getting Grounded

As aerialists, we're at home in the air. But grounding work is also a blessing to your aerial practice, pandemic or no. Staying connected to the floor will assist you when you return to aerial arts. You'll explore movement pathways and techniques for being alive in your body.

Home Conditioning for Aerial Strength

Downtime is an opportunity to enhance floor-based strength which readily translates to the air. If you haven't already, clear a spot for exercise.

• Elevate the heart rate: Turn on your circulation with a few minutes of intense cardio just like you would in your aerial warm-up. Run, jump rope, or do jumping jacks as space permits.

• Straddle-Ups from the floor: Lie on your back in a hollow body position and bring your legs up overhead and behind you in a straddle position. Repeat to exhaustion.

• Plank and Push-Ups: Develop a solid plank pose and do sets of push-ups with straight legs.

• Lunges and Squats: Connect with your inner Warrior in this classic pose, and explore its incarnations across disciplines.

• Stretch: Run through your basic stretching sequence when you're nice and warm. You'll find a deliciously deep release.

Making Your Comeback

When you stay aerial ready in your downtime, strength comes back easily and quickly when you make your return to aerial arts. Hang in there. We are all in this together!