What is aerial hammock?
Aerial hammock is an aerial acrobatics discipline where you perform poses, wraps, and sequences in a wide loop of fabric suspended from the ceiling. Unlike aerial silks, where you work with two separate panels, the hammock is a single piece of fabric tied at both ends to create a supportive U-shape or cocoon.
If you've been curious about aerial hammock for beginners, you're in the right place. It's one of the most accessible aerial disciplines, and it produces stunning, Instagram-worthy shapes from the very first class.
Hammock vs yoga hammock vs aerial silks
These terms get mixed up all the time, so let's clear it up:
- Aerial hammock - a wide fabric loop (usually 2-3 metres of material) hung from a single point or two points close together. You perform acrobatic figures, wraps, drops, and sequences in it. This is what we teach at Flying Stars.
- Yoga hammock (anti-gravity yoga) - a narrower fabric sling used primarily for yoga poses and inversions. The focus is on stretching and decompression rather than acrobatics.
- Aerial silks - two separate long fabric panels. Silks require more grip strength and are generally more physically demanding from day one.
The key difference? The hammock supports your body weight naturally. You sit in it, lie in it, and wrap yourself in it - the fabric does a lot of the work for you.
Why aerial hammock is great for beginners
It's incredibly supportive
The hammock cradles your body. Many poses involve simply sitting or lying in the fabric while you learn to trust it. You don't need to hold yourself up with brute grip strength like you do on silks.
Less grip strength needed
On aerial silks or hoop, your hands take a beating in the first weeks. With the hammock, your body weight is distributed across the fabric. Your hands guide and position you, but they're not doing all the heavy lifting.
Beautiful poses from the start
This is a big one. In your very first aerial hammock class, you'll achieve shapes that look and feel impressive. Backbends in the hammock, cocoon wraps, and simple inversions are all accessible within the first few sessions.
Anti-gravity benefits
Spending time inverted or partially inverted in the hammock decompresses your spine, improves circulation, and relieves tension. Many students say they feel taller and lighter after class.
What you'll learn month by month
Month 1: Basic poses and trust
Your first month is all about getting comfortable in the fabric:
- Sitting and standing in the hammock
- Basic inversions - going upside down safely
- Star pose and backbend - your first wow-moments
- Cocoon - wrapping yourself in the fabric for a cozy resting pose
- Learning to trust the fabric and relax into it
By the end of month one, you'll have a handful of beautiful poses and a solid foundation of comfort in the hammock.
Month 2: Wraps and transitions
Now things get interesting. You'll start connecting individual poses into flowing sequences:
- Single and double wraps around the body
- Smooth transitions between poses
- Hip hangs and knee hangs - more dynamic positions
- Introduction to spinning and rotation
- Building core engagement that becomes second nature
Month 3: Drops and sequences
This is where aerial hammock gets truly thrilling:
- Your first drops - controlled falls within the fabric that feel like flying
- Longer sequences - combining 4-6 moves into mini-routines
- More complex wraps that create striking visual lines
- Working on fluidity and grace in your movement
- Beginning to develop your own personal style
Physical requirements
Here's the best part: there are almost none.
Aerial hammock is one of the most accessible aerial disciplines. You don't need:
- Previous athletic experience
- Upper body strength (you'll build it as you go)
- Flexibility (the hammock actually helps you stretch)
- A specific body type (the hammock accommodates everyone)
What you do need:
- Comfortable clothing - leggings and a fitted top that covers your armpits (fabric contact areas)
- Bare feet or grip socks - no shoes
- Willingness to try - that's genuinely it
If you can sit in a swing, you can start aerial hammock. The fabric supports up to several hundred kilograms, so trust it completely.
A note on common concerns
"I'm afraid of heights." You start low - often just 30-50 cm off the ground. You control the pace of progression.
"I'm not flexible." The hammock is actually one of the best tools for building flexibility. The fabric supports your body while you stretch deeper than you could on the ground.
"I'm not strong enough." The hammock does much of the supporting. You'll build strength naturally as you train, without even realizing it.
Ready to try aerial hammock?
There's no better way to start your aerial journey than with the hammock. It's supportive, beautiful, and endlessly rewarding. At Flying Stars studio in Bratislava, our experienced trainers guide you through every step, from your very first sit in the hammock to your first exhilarating drop.
Check out our schedule and book your first aerial hammock class today. We can't wait to see you fly!
