I’ve never done aerials before. How do I start?

Monarca in Flight offers introductory classes in hard and soft apparatus. Soft apparatuses (silk and sling) are made of fabric. Hard apparatuses (lyra and trapeze) are made of metal. If you know which apparatus you want to start with, make an account with us and jump right into the Intro class of your choosing on MindBody. If you’re not sure, we recommend starting with Introduction to Soft Apparatus!

Once you’ve gotten a few intro classes under your belt, you’ll be cleared for the beginner program to start building skills and conditioning. From there, you can progress on your apparatus of choice and branch out into other apparatuses.

I’ve done this before. Do I have to start with the intro class?

Probably not. Contact us to schedule a safety and skills assessment, or send us a video of yourself in the air on each apparatus, and we’ll be happy to place you at the correct level.

What will I learn in the intro class?

We start with safety to ensure you’re comfortable and minimize any potential for injury. From there we get into conditioning and skills (climbing and poses). You’ll find that participating in aerials takes more upper body and grip strength than you might have imagined. We’ll work on conditioning during each class so you can get stronger and enjoy the learning experience.

How do I sign up?

First, create an account on MindBody (our class scheduling system). You will also fill out a waiver when you create your account. Then, purchase a class. You can purchase one drop-in session, a 10-class pack, or a membership. Once you’ve got that, you can register for your intro class. Scroll further down this page to see the schedule for intro classes.

How much does it cost?

Visit our pricing page. We have lots of options for you, whether you want to try one class or 10!

What is the minimum age for classes?

The minimum age for our regularly scheduled classes is 14, though we do have a few younger students who have special permission to attend based on their skills and experience. For students under age 14, we offer private and semi-private lessons, special sessions for tweens, teens, and children, as well as birthday parties. Contact us for more information.

Is there a weight limit?

For most of our classes, not really. Our equipment will hold you. Depending on your current level of conditioning, heavier beginners may have difficulty climbing and/or staying on the apparatus. But we include conditioning in every class to help build strength, so if you stick with it, you’ll get there!

What should I wear to class?

Close-fitting and comfortable clothes are recommended; you may wish to cover your underarms. We also recommend wearing leggings or pants that cover the backs of your knees. For your safety and to protect our equipment, NO JEWELRY is allowed on the aerial apparatus. Please, no zippered leggings or tops for safety reasons. To keep the studio clean, we require that you remove your shoes in the entry area. There are cubicles in the front room where you can store your possessions.

Supportive undergarments, including sports bras and dance belts, are recommended for all ground and aerial acrobatics classes. A dance belt is a piece of clothing often worn by male ballet dancers that is designed to keep their genitalia close to the body. In aerials, dance belts can prevent discomfort and crushing injuries.

What should I bring?

Water is good. Water is always good! Please bring a container with a lid that closes tightly to avoid spills that someone could slip on. Beverages other than water can’t be taken into the classrooms, but can be kept outside the classroom and accessed whenever you need a breather. And don’t worry—if you forget to bring it, we have bottled water and flavored water for sale.

A small towel is also helpful to bring. You’ll work up a sweat in class. The studio provides rock rosin and chalk to support your grip, but you are free to bring your own to use as well.

Where are you located?

3431-F Carlin Springs Road
Falls Church, VA, 22041
571.384.6064
(Around the side of the same building that houses REI and Dynamic Gymnastics, between Nova Church and Capstone Performance Training—there is plenty of free parking!)

Interested in an intro class? Check out the schedule: