Q&A for How to Do Aerial Silks

If you have previous experience with aerial tricks of any kind, then it shouldn't take long. However, if you're new to aerials or you don't have a strong core, it will likely take several months of consistent practice.

You don't need a whole lot of room. You just need enough room so that your head won't hit the wall if you're swinging back and forth.

Every time I've seen silks, the ceiling was more than 30 feet high. But you can hang silks at any ceiling, you just can't do much under low ceilings. If you're not sure how to attach your silks, consult the manufacturer of every piece of hardware you use. Check the ceiling, too. You may have industrial-grade bolts, but if your ceiling is low-grade brittle concrete, you'll still fall. Above a certain height, no matter how many mats you put down, you'll still get hurt. Use the mats you feel safe with, but don't go higher than your comfort zone.

No, it isn't possible. To make sure that you are progressing, you need a professional to make sure you are making progress. If you are already a professional, then just get some people to support you.

The key to a falling split is that it's a wave, not a block. First, obviously, you need to be able to do a regular split. Next, practice the falling split on gym mats, the cushiest you can find. Progress to landing on a springed floor for acro gym. When you're in a static split, consider all the points of your body that touch the ground. These points will also touch the ground in a falling split, just one by one, from your ground foot to the air foot. With practice, you can make the wave motion imperceptible.

It is not a safe idea to hang silks inside your home, unless you have worked with your instructor, and are sure that you can be safe on your own.

For beginners, the first practice would probably be learning to climb the silks and if that goes well, the single foot tie-in. Your teacher will explain and demonstrate everything first.

Aerial rigging loads are high as they need to be safe, and that's not an easy thing to do with what's in your house. Bottom line: It is typically not safe to rig silks into any room or from any structure of your house.

As long as you are comfortable with doing that and have a sturdy ceiling, then you should be fine.

Probably not because if i has rough tree bark, there is a serious risk it will tear a hole in the silks if it gets caught in the tree.