Classes:
Pilates Based Conditioning on Mat, for Aerialists & Acrobats – Intermediate
Mon. 8/2. 5:00 – 6:30 PM MDT
$35 Class plus recording. | $35 Recording only.
Prerequisites: Ages 12+ with either: Intermediate aerial or acrobatic experience, or advanced/intermediate experience in Pilates, yoga, or something similar. Must be able to rollover into a “plow”-like position easily and repeatedly, and be able to hold at least a 30 second front plank.
Question: How do we train aerial skills without equipment or getting in the air? Answer: This class! We will begin and end with some standing Pilates work, and in between will take you through a classical, advanced Pilates Mat. These advanced Pilates exercises are suitable for intermediate+ aerialists, or even beginning or aspiring aerial students with Pilates, Yoga, Gyro, or other calisthenic experience requiring some level of flexibility/strength.
Formerly a gymnast and still sometimes an acrobat, Danielle Hendricks has been a Pilates teacher and aerialist for over two decades. In that time, Hendricks studied various movement forms, and discovered there is a good chance Joseph Pilates, rumored to be a circus performer himself, actually designed his Matwork to help build skills needed on gymnastics equipment such as rings, bars, horse, and for tumbling. Dani uses language and cues to relate Pilates’ matwork to common aerial and acrobatic drills and skills, utilizing breathwork to help students optimise their practice through focus, intention, and attention to details.
Equipment Needed: Yoga or Pilates Mat on the floor, 1-2 yoga blocks or comprable cushion/prop, yoga strap, towel, or (T-shirt to hold wider than shoulder width)
Pilates Based Conditioning on a Chair, for Aerialists and Acrobats (High Intermediate)
Thurs. 8/5. 5:00-6:30 PM MDT
$35 Class plus recording | $35 Recording only. Note: Recording is only for people with Pilates Chair Experience, or experience working with a chair
Prerequisites: Ages 14+ with Intermediate Acrobatic or Aerial Experience, OR Advanced Pilates Mat or Yoga experience, or Intermediate Pilates Chair Experience
During the Influenza pandemic of 1918, German Joseph Pilates was held in an English Internment camp as during WWI, and taught bodyweight exercises to everyone in his camp (none of which became ill, he later bragged). Fast forward to the US a few years later, Pilates emigrated and designed used springs to help people accomplish the exercises without having to manage their full bodyweight. In 1945, he designed a smaller piece of equipment, called the Wunda Chair, which used springs to help people train their bodies using less space than other pieces of Pilates’ equipment such as the Reformer or the Cadillac.
Formerly a gymnast and still sometimes an acrobat, Danielle Hendricks has been a Pilates teacher and aerialist for over two decades. In that time, Hendricks studied various movement forms, and discovered there is a good chance Joseph Pilates, rumored to be a circus performer himself, actually designed his exercises to help build skills needed on gymnastics equipment such as rings, bars, horse, and for tumbling. Fast forward again to the 2020 pandemic, Dani developed this class to mimic Wunda Chair exercises without the use of springs, and has adapted almost all of Pilates’ Chair exercises to a simple folding chair, or any chair without arms (as long as you can stand up on it). This class will be challenging and get you sweating, and will also be a good prep for Midnite’s Acro-Chair class!
Equipment Needed: Yoga mat, 1-2 yoga blocks (preferably 2), folding chair, or other sturdy chair without arms with low-ish back, cushion to pad hard parts of chair (folded bath towel or blanket, or flat pillow)
