| Promotions | workshops | Parties | Competitions |
If I Learned Aerials, Where Would I Use Them?
If you have a favourite photo and would like to share with GDS, email it as a jpeg
Problems viewing pictures Click Here
If I Learned Aerials, Where Would I Use Them?
Aerials
have several assets: They are flashy and attract attention; they impress people;
and they’re exciting and fun.
Aerials have several drawbacks: They take a lot of space; they can easily go
awry (through your fault, your partner’s fault or because of bad kharma); they
can easily injure you and/or innocent bystanders; and people frightened or
injured by your aerial attempts on the dance floor could hate you (and speak
your name with particular venom) for life.
Many dance halls do not allow aerials except under prescribed circumstances such as “dance comps & parties” or “studio workshops,” both of which have a circle of spectators surrounding the dancers so that innocent people won’t wander into the path of a throw, flip or aerial trick.
Even in a hall explicitly allows aerials (and you should do some checking before trying anything); the basic rule of aerials should be that “no one should feel threatened or endangered by your dancing.” Which is to say, if people around you look worried or are anxious because of what you’re doing, you shouldn’t be doing it... So stop!!
Please, it is not your decision whether others are in danger. Other dancers on the floor have the right to dance without worrying whether you or your partner is going to come down on their head or take them out at the knees. If you’re not absolutely sure (of anything respecting your aerials or local customs), DON’T!
And if you do, the best place is in the centre of a circle of people stopped and watching. Second best is backed into a corner facing into the room, so that passers-by can’t walk behind you when you least expect it. That means you only have to watch like a hawk on two or three sides (the sides facing out onto the dance floor) for people who might wander into your path as you or your partner hurtle down from the sky, one 60 plus Kilos accelerating to impact on someone’s body with over a hundred Kilos of force!
Selecting a Teacher...
Be cautious when selecting a teacher. If someone is teaching you aerials, watch them teach a class before signing up. I have seen many (and heard of many more) occasions where an over-optimistic dance teacher with limited or no aerial experience worked with students at workshops, leaving students suffering small to large injuries (rather than the muscle aches and pains of a hard day’s work).
