Workshops

The Art of Aerial Weaving

With Rain Anya

Online Workshop on Aerial Silks

Explore the art of weaving your body with the silks through loops, lassos, and tension locks. Loops and lassos create intricate wraps in unexpected ways. Tension locks offer moments of surprising release. Together, these elements unlock endless creative possibilities.

📆Saturday, March 8th

11am- 1pm PT (Los Angeles time)

Part 1: In this workshop, you’ll learn an innovative sequence (hot off the press) created by Rain Anya, that highlights these elements while deepening your understanding of their unique applications.

📆 Saturday, March 15th

11am- 1pm PT (Los Angeles time)

Part 2: Using task-based exploratory exercises, we’ll work together to invent new applications of the concepts. Focused on the creation process itself, this workshop will expand your choreographic toolkit. You’ll leave with a clear framework for discovering your own unique pathways and transitions.

Aerial Level – Designed for intermediate and advanced aerialists. In order to get the most out of this workshop, strong inverts in the air and endurance to complete sequences of 3+ min is highly encouraged.

Height requirements – A minimum of approximately 14 feet / 4 meters

Cost:

Part 1 only: $55 usd

*Both workshops: $100 usd

*You must attend Part 1 to attend Part 2. Replay participation is accepted.

Sign me up!

Thursdays

6pm-7:15

All Levels welcome

These are mixed level silks classes, run by master coach, Sarah Bebe Holmes

About the Instructor

Sarah Bebe Holmes is a performer, director, educator, and Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director of Paper Doll Militia, an international circus theatre company. Originally from Maine, her career has taken her from the deserts of New Mexico to San Francisco’s vibrant circus community before settling in Scotland, where she has been creating, teaching, and performing for over a decade.

An aerial artist since 2005, Sarah is known for combining high-level circus technique with powerful storytelling. She has taught and performed throughout the UK, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and India, and was recognised by The List as one of Scotland’s Most Influential and Creative Women in 2018.

Sarah’s teaching blends anatomy, movement theory, and creative practice to help aerialists move with greater intelligence, efficiency, and authenticity. Whether coaching technical precision or expressive performance, she encourages students to develop movement that is both deeply informed and uniquely their own.

Classes run in block sessions. Advance booking required

Book Here

Where:

Auld Kirk of Ayr Halls

(Not in the church, but the hall along the riverfront)

Blackfriars Walk, Ayr KA7 1TT

Any Apparatus

It’s simple; good form equals efficiency of movement, the illusion of effortlessness, endurance and aerial longevity. In this workshop, we will approach the fundamentals of aerials with an obsessive-like attention to detail, otherwise known as “dorking out.” Using the trapeze, fabric, and rope we will be focusing on precise body awareness, foundational skill progressions, strength building techniques, and injury prevention. Designed for all levels, this is a great workshop for newbies; also excellent for the more seasoned aerialist who has a desire to refine their quality of movement, fluidity, and develop the tools to expand their skill set more easily.

Rope

This workshop focuses on the expanding on the fundamental building blocks of aerial rope. We will delve into quintessential skills like toe climbs, momentum drills, strength conditioning, and sequencing.

Silks

For the aerial silks students wishing to expand their skills repertoire. This workshop will feed you new and exciting climbs, wraps, and drops; or aerial candy.

Silks

In this workshop we will be exploring the exciting world of split tissus. All climbs, wraps drops, and sequences presented in this class will come from split tissu, but this is not your run of the mill “double crochet” material. This class is fast paced and will cover a broad range of material. Bring something to
document material with.

Pre-reqs: *All participants should understand basic double crochet material and have a solid double knee climb.

Multi-Apparatus (or preferred apparatus)

The Vertical Theatre Method is an investigation of aerial arts with the focal point of theatricality and authenticity of both movement and content. The Method has been in development since 2007 by artists Rain Anya and Sarah Bebe Holmes. This workshop is a performative based workshop exploring the expressive nature of aerials using improvisation, physical theatre, musicality, character, and exercises in stage presence. Layering your aerial work with creativity and content, we will work with with techniques for expressing human emotion and storytelling within the movement. Looking at creative approaches to building an act or performance piece, this workshop is for students who feel comfortable on an apparatus enough that they can explore beyond the tricks.

Silks

In this intermediate / advanced workshop, you’ll learn inventive drops that also highlight the choreography of wrapping into the drop itself. Take your fabric drops to a whole new level of artistry. We’ll be working up to the drops through progressions, walk downs, and understanding of the wraps, so that all
participants can approach the material with safely and confidence.

Prerequisites: Comfort with inversions (without cheating!) in the air multiple times, knowledge of basic aerial drops, and the strength to be in the air for 5 minutes at a time

Sling (Hammock)

In this intermediate workshop we will focus on three major components of mastering the art of slinging…momentum work, creative transitions, and of course, spinning. Come get some new inspiration on what this limitless apparatus as to offer. Leave with new sequences, drills, and fresh ideas on how to take your sling work to the next level.

Silks

An exciting look at longer sequences where we explore limitless choreographic options that all stem from one origin wrap. Through this discovery process you will learn advanced fabric theory techniques and find unique body shapes as you follow the never-ending string.

Rope

This intermediate / advanced workshop focuses on material that lends itself to seamless transitions and “rope flow”. As we explore non-traditional ways in and out of familiar wraps, the choreographic nature of rope will become more and more accessible. You’ll be able to take some fun transitions with you from the workshop, and also leave with a better sense of how to discover and create your own innovative pathways on rope.

Multi-Apparatus (Apparatus of choice)

In part 1 we will be working with creative sequencing and focus on guiding you through the process of discovering your own pathways and innovative choreography. In Part 2 of this workshop, we work on finessing, stylizing, and musicality. The workshop will end with an in-class performance with your peers. This workshop can be tailored to any aerial apparatus.

Rope and/or Silks

This workshop will utilize both silks and rope, using momentum as a foundation for adding dynamic movement into your skill set. This workshop covers a broad range of dynamic techniques which will help you salt and pepper fanciful flair into your movement vocabulary. We will move away from static poses and into a world where circles and levers rule.

Silks

In this workshop we will look into the directionality of tricks on aerial silks. We will be taking a forward rolling drop and turn it into a backward rolling drop and vise versa. This is be digging into fabric theory to understand how wraps form the direction of movement. Great for getting new fun material and
building up a better understanding of aerial silks.

Silks

Wheeldowns, Helicopter, Windmills, whatever you name it, this skill harnesses some of the quintessential body mechanics in aerial arts. Learning how to control all the elements of a sideways rotation, and make it look gorgeous is a skill every aerialist should have in their tool bag. In this workshop we focus on the technique and muscular engagement of the skill, in addition to playing with speed, wrapping theory, and choreographic ways in and out of your
wheeldown.

Rope and/or Silks

With attention on beats, swings, swivels and drops you will feel momentum as well as theoretically break it down to understand how it works. Learn to use momentum to your advantage in order to spiral and dive effortlessly up and down the equipment.

***Students for Vertical Momentum should be comfortable hanging from straight arms with very engaged shoulders. If you have shoulder issues, contact us ahead of time to see if this workshop is for you.

Multi-Apparatus / Duo and Ensemble

Come with a partner or on your own, ready to work with new people. These workshops focus on artistic creation and expression in the collaborative process with aerial silks. We will be exploring partner movement, concept work, and visual imagery with the silks on the ground and in the air.

Duo Silks

Come with a partner or on your own, ready to work with new people. These workshops focus on artistic creation and expression in the collaborative process. We will explore duo vocabulary on aerial silk, with specific work on creative basing positions as well as possibilities with tension and transitions.

Silks

A fun and intricate silks workshop featuring material that lends itself to spirals and fluid, curvey movement, we will also be exploring the body techniques involved in executing this style. Learn how to free up your spine, curve into the silks, and connect one movement to the next in a flowing style that will
transform your relationship to the silks.

Flexibility

Whether you’re an aerialist, an acro-yogi, dancer, or just a movement enthusiast, this class will provide a different way of strengthening and stretching. The exercise target functional strength as it relates to circus arts. We will bring you through a series of stretches on your own, with props and with partners.  We will work with care, isolating muscle range needed for healthy movement and extension, using muscular resistance to train your muscles to gain strength with length.

*This workshop can be taught as a full body focus or divided into two workshops focusing on different segments of the body: Part 1 Splits & Straddles and Part 2 Shoulders & Back.

Multi-Apparatus (apparatus of choice)

This intermediate+ workshop is structured similarly to a dance class: we all learn the same “combination,” set to music, with precise choreographic flair! Learning others’ choreography helps to build a strong repertoire and have a variety of movement options within your toolbox. You will come out of this workshop having new material and performative tips for giving it some style.