Aerial Straps Level 1 Teacher and Performer Training 

Fully Asynchronous & Online, Winter 2024 – Worldwide  

Created and produced by Aaron Koz, of CircSci, the Level 1 Straps Teacher and Performer Training draws on over 10 years of aerial and movement instruction experience in the field. Key information will be shared via lectures, group discussion, and embodied practical application of the concepts addressed – lesson and curriculum development, skills, spotting techniques, safety, anatomy, injury prevention, creativity, progression, grip strength training, and dynamic and strength technique and teaching tips.

The training aids aerial teachers in building their teaching and periodization knowledge as well as straps style techniques (using straps and other apparatus!). During the training, participants will learn a range of static straps skills, transitions, relevant progressions/regressions, and spotting/self-spotting techniques. The training has been built in collaboration from Australian and US physical and myotherapists focusing on injury risk reduction. 

While the training is built for future straps coaches, about 50% of the past attendees are aerialists who intend to use it to increase their own aerial training and straps knowledge, and to prepare them for the Level 2 training (which is geared towards coaching and performing straps at a higher level). If you want to take the training for yourself, but aren’t sure if the program is right for you, reach out!

The training is scalable and will teach you to build lesson plans that incorporate safe progressions for every type of student in class. This is not to say lessons will focus solely on straps conditioning, but will enable all athletes to build strength and technical pathways over time). Functional anatomy/physiology and appropriate strengthening/injury prevention will also be covered to build biomechanic awareness on the apparatus.

Students will, over the course of the 4 sections (one section per month) have:

– Asynchronous independent study using the training platform (conceptual and practical video lectures, video tutorials, and homework –  20-30 hours

– Skill and progression practice – 20 hours 

– Video reviewing and peer assessment/analysis – 5-10 hours

The pre-training portion of the course will start one month prior to the start of the course to allow you time to build a knowledge base in fundamental anatomy and physiology to assist in your coaching and training throughout the course.

Each section, students will have assigned practical (skill-review) and theory-based homework (including video lectures, quizzes, class planning, biomechanics, and periodization assignments.

Program Highlights 
• Guest Lectures by Max March-Steinman (@bo_ties), Sebastian Rojas (@aregularpieceofasparagus), Francesco Lanciotti (@ceccofoile), & more! 
• Participants will receive the Aerial Straps Level 1 Skill Reference List for use after the training
• Skill reference (with 100+ videos) of static positions, dynamic techniques, skills and transitions
• C-shaping, swinging, spinning, and strength training foundations and Analysis for ALL aerial apparatus
• Spotting and un-spotted teaching technique discussion
• Progressions/regressions using multiple apparatus geared towards training straps-style skills safely
• Curriculum development and class planning practice 
• Identifying common problems in static straps techniques and pathways
• Developing effective teaching practices based on current learning research
• Focuses on both strength and conditioning as well as movement patterning
• Fun and varied warm-ups and lesson guidance to use in the future
• Functional anatomy/physiology/kinesiology
• Shoulder/thoracic spine health/injury prevention

General Suggested (but not required) Prerequisites 
If you do not intend to participate in the practical homework yourself, you can use a current student of yours for the video feedback section instead! 

Physical/practical prerequisites are encouraged for embodied understanding, but are not required for the practical section:

• Minimum of 1-2 years aerial/gymnastics/movement teaching experience (does not include aerial yoga) OR 2-3 years seriously training vertical aerial apparatus
• 2-5 pull-ups from dead hang and 3-5 dips from support position
• Ability to safely straight arm invert in the air multiple times
• Comfort in skin the cat
• 30 seconds – 1 min single arm hold (in a wrist lock) with hollow body and shoulder engagement
• Ability to hold 1 arm meathook and support position for 5-10 seconds or more
• False grip leg raises (toes to bar) – 3-5
• Experience training spinning and swinging skills like flares and beats/swings
• Experience training for reverse meathooks (or at minimum back balances on rope/fabric)

Applicants are recommended to submit an audition video (including as many of the skills you or your student can safely do found in the video) in addition to the application form.

*The total time commitment is quite high, but you will have access to the skill reference videos forever. The in-depth tutorial and lecture videos are accessible during the teacher training and for a month after the training. You will also have the option of being added to the private FB group where you can bounce ideas off of other’s who have done the training.

Applicants are recommended to submit an audition video (including as many of the skills you can safely do found in the video) in addition to the application form.

*The total time commitment is high, but you will have access to the skill reference videos forever. The in-depth tutorial and lecture videos are accessible during the teacher training and for a month after the training. You will also have the option of being added to a private Straps Teacher Trainees FB group where you can bounce ideas off of other coaches who have done the training.  

Pricing