Aerial and Rigging
Aerial Silks, Aerial Hoop, Aerial Trapeze, Aerial Straps, Rigging and more
What are Aerial Circus Arts and Rigging?
Aerial arts include apparatuses like silks, trapeze, rope, hammock and lyra (the aerial hoop). Each has its own feel, its own logic. You can swing, twist, spin, pose, hang and even drop on these aerial apparatuses. From dramatic to graceful and everything in between… aerial arts are part performance and part workout.
But they all share something essential: rigging. That’s the hardware and setup that holds everything – and everyone – safely above ground. Think carabiners, swivels, spansets, beams… even portable rigs if you’re outdoors. It’s the stuff you barely notice until someone explains it. And then you can’t not notice it.
You don’t have to be a gymnast or circus kid to start in the aerial arts. Have a browse through the different aerial arts below and you might see something that you like. We have heaps more information available to help you with your aerial arts journey.
Aerial Silks
Have you ever watched someone drop from the ceiling wrapped in two flowing ribbons of fabric – and somehow not crash? That’s aerial silks. And no, it’s not just for Cirque du Soleil performers or circus professionals. It’s actually something regular people do. Seriously.
Aerial silks consist of two long pieces of fabric (usually nylon tricot) rigged from the ceiling – think curtains, but stronger. Performers (or students, or total beginners) use them to climb, wrap, pose or drop in controlled movements. It’s a mixture of strength, flexibility, and yes – grace.
Check out Aerial Silks 101 for more information.
Aerial Hoop
A steel ring hanging from the ceiling might not look that exciting at first – but give it a minute. The aerial hoop (also called a lyra) turns that simple circle into a stage, a playground and honestly, a bit of a mood.
At its core, an aerial hoop is exactly what it sounds like: a metal hoop, rigged to spin or stay still, where you perform poses, rolls and transitions – sometimes low to the ground, sometimes way up high. Think of it as a cross between a ballet barre and a jungle gym… except that the aerial hoop is suspended in midair.
For more information, check out Aerial Hoops 101.
Aerial Trapeze
You hear “aerial trapeze” and probably picture someone flying through the air, arms outstretched, flipping mid-sky – dramatic spotlight and all. And yeah, that’s one version. But not every trapeze involves soaring between platforms 30 feet up. There’s another kind – aerial static trapeze – and it’s actually beginner friendly. Really.
A static aerial trapeze is a horizontal bar suspended by two ropes. Unlike flying trapeze (where you swing between rigs), this one stays mostly in place. You climb, hang, pose, balance and sometimes gently sway – but you’re not flinging yourself through the air just yet. It’s strength, grace and a little bit of problem-solving – all wrapped up in a steel bar and some ropes.
Check out Aerial Trapeze 101 for more information.
Aerial Straps
At first glance, aerial straps don’t look like much. Two lengths of fabric or webbing hanging from above? That’s it? But once someone starts moving in them – climbing, spinning, holding poses mid-air with nothing but raw strength and control – you start to get it. This isn’t just a circus act. It’s a full-body workout, a performance and yeah, a bit of a trust fall with gravity.
Aerial straps are pretty much what they sound like: two long straps (usually made from durable nylon or cotton) that hang from a rigging point. Performers wrap, twist or loop them around their wrists, arms or ankles to perform acrobatic moves while suspended in the air. Think of it like the gymnastic rings’ cooler, wilder cousin – with a dramatic flair.
For more information on aerial straps, check out Aerial Straps 101.
Aerial Hammock
Let’s be honest, aerial hammock sounds like something you’d nap in after yoga. But this soft, looped fabric also happens to be one of the most versatile tools in the aerial arts world. It’s stretchy, supportive and yes – surprisingly powerful.
An aerial hammock is a long piece of fabric rigged from two points to form a U-shape – kind of like a giant swing or sling. You can sit, lay, climb, flip and even fly in it. It blends strength-building with stretch, flow and a whole lot of core engagement. Depending on how it’s used, it can be calming or absolutely wild.
For more information on aerial hammock, check out Aerial Hammock 101.
Aerial Rope
A single rope hanging from the ceiling doesn’t seem like much – until you see someone climb it, twist around it and drop like they trust gravity way too much. That’s aerial rope (also called corde lisse) and while it looks raw and intense, beginners absolutely start here too.
Aerial rope is actually just a vertical rope – no loops, no padding, just you and your grip strength. But it’s even more than that. Aerial rope is all about control, tension and movement. You use wraps, climbs, locks and sometimes sheer willpower to hold yourself in the air. It’s closer to gymnastics than dance, but still beautifully expressive.
Take a look at Aerial Rope 101 for more information.
Yoga Swing
At first glance, a yoga swing looks like something between a hammock and a circus prop. And honestly? That’s part of the charm. But don’t let its relaxed vibe fool you – this setup is equal parts strength builder, stretch aid and chill zone.
A yoga swing is a fabric sling, often with handles, hung from an overhead anchor. You can sit in it, lie back, flip upside down or just sway gently after a long day. It’s used in aerial yoga, yes, but also for core work, spinal decompression and those blissed-out stretches you never want to end.
For more information on yoga swings, check out Yoga Swing 101.
Yoga Hammock
A yoga hammock might look like a piece of floating fabric – somewhere between a hammock and a cocoon – but once you step into it, it becomes something else entirely. Think of it as your personal anti-gravity studio, wrapped in soft fabric that supports your entire body, whether you’re stretching, meditating or just hanging upside down wondering why you didn’t try this sooner.
A yoga hammock literally lifts you up. It’s anchored from above and made of strong, slightly stretchy fabric. You can use it for deep stretches, strength training, inversions or just to rock gently like you’re floating in midair. It’s part yoga, part aerial arts, part therapy session. Honestly, sometimes just sitting in it is enough.
Take a look at Yoga Hammock 101 for more information.
Aerial Rigging
When someone’s hanging upside down from the ceiling doing graceful flips, the last thing you think about is the metal hardware keeping them in the air. But aerial rigging? That’s the silent hero. Without it, there’s no flight. Just a fall.
Aerial rigging is the setup that makes aerial arts possible. We’re talking about carabiners, spansets, swivels, rescue-rated hardware and anchor points – usually secured to beams, trusses or purpose-built frames. It sounds technical because it is. But at its heart, rigging is about trust. Trusting that everything above you has been checked, double-checked and then tested some more.
For more information on aerial rigging, check out Aerial Rigging 101.