The Unexpected Benefits Of Aerial Silks

September 30, 2023

Aerial silks, also known as aerial contortion and aerial ribbons, is a performance and fitness based activity. This activity involves hanging from a long strand of silk and performing acrobatic moves on the cloth. The performer uses the fabric and wraps, suspends, swings, and spirals their body into many different positions. It is a beautiful form of physical expression, and there are many added benefits of aerial silks. Get to know some of these major unexpected health benefits of aerial silks now.

Increased Flexibility Without Impact

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Being flexible and increasing the body’s flexibility is important because it warms up the muscles and makes them limber. This helps reduce potential injury that can occur in the body. Aerial silks can help increase flexibility in the body with very minimal impact, which happens when the body’s weight is taken off the ground. When the body is not touching the ground, there is no strain on joints or ligaments. Flexibility is gently increased when the body has more freedom to move. Be sure to wear leggings or a body suit to optimize the aerial silks experience and increase flexibility. Avoid wearing jeans and other restrictive items as these items can inhibit range of motion and limit flexibility. Select clothes free of metal and keep hair tied back.

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Improved Focus

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It is important to have a good focus, as it can lead to higher concentration skills, which is needed to carry out day to day activities efficiently and successfully. Practicing aerial silks can help improve an individual’s focus level. This activity helps the performer focus on control of their movements in the body. When hanging on the piece of silk, the person is in a challenging position and more likely to concentrate harder. Once the basics moves are mastered, more advanced positions can be learned. Examples of these moves are crane position, the double foot lock, straddle inversion in the air, and arm wrap inversions. Performing these harder positions means increased and improved focus due to the complexity of the moves. The mind cannot wander during an activity like aerial silks.

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Strengthened Muscles

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Exercising with aerial silks will help refine and condition the body’s muscles. The main muscles used to perform aerial silks moves are the arms, legs, and abdominal area. Therefore arm, leg, grip, and core strength are greatly improved. Stamina is also strengthened as well. Certain aerial exercises can be practiced to enhance the muscles. Popular and effective moves include pike straddles, planks with arm circles, hocks sit-ups, and knee raises on the knot. It is recommended for each aerial move to be completed at least ten consecutive times or held for thirty seconds. Adding some aerial silks exercises as a supplemental practice to the daily routine can really help tone muscles.

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Stress Relief

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Aerial silk classes are not only great for the body; they also provide a huge sense of relief on the mind and soul. After completing a class, there is a feeling of utter relaxation that permeates throughout the body and mind. Floating around the in the air on a silk wrap can make the performer feel as if they are as free as a bird flying high in the sky. This feeling can make most individuals forget their troubles and worries. Also, aerial silks can increase the individual’s creativity, which leads to a refinement in artistic skills and makes the performer feel even better about themselves. When a person feels good, their self-esteem is boosted, and they are less likely to feel stressed out.

Try taking an aerial yoga class to reduce stress. Aerial yoga is a type of aerial silks exercise that combines traditional yoga, pilates, and dance with the use of a wrap or hammock.

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Major Lift In Mental Health

Photo Credit: Do512

Practicing aerial silks exercises not only improves the body physically, but it also does wonders in boosting mental health. The health benefits of aerial silks are ubiquitous and effective. When the performer is suspended in the air, deep muscle relaxation occurs throughout the body. The relaxation can easily need to meditation and beneficial breathing exercises. All these techniques are good for the mind. Aerial silks is a major mood booster because it allows an abundance of oxygen to go to the brain. The increased oxygen is also good for fortifying one’s overall mental state. It is crucial to be mentally healthy because it can prolong an individual's lifespan, increase the quality of life, and ensure continual happiness.

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